The Rich Outdoors

EP 318: Brad Brooks Backpack Hunting and Gear

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Welcome to the podcast! In today’s episode, I am joined by my buddy Brad Brooks who somehow has not been on the podcast in over 300 episodes. Brad is the owner of Argali Outdoors and has created some great film and is also a hardcore backpack hunter and gearhead. Time flew by in this episode and we never even got to half of the stuff we wanted to talk about. In fact, Brad and I were talking and we’ll probably end up doing a part two to this podcast. In this podcast, we talk a bit about entrepreneurship, as Brad is a fellow entrepreneur and the struggles of the balancing work and hunting. We also cover a lot of tips on backpack hunting both in early season as well as late. This season Brad, Ryan Callaghan, and a couple buddies joined in on a pretty epic backcountry mule deer hunt in Idaho that ended up being in the single-digit temperatures.  We talk about what backpack trips in those temps look like in comparison to early season and some tips for packing necessary items.

Also big thank you to all of you who have supported the podcast on Patreon, I can’t thank you guys enough. We have a long ways to go but I think we are going to be able to do some really cool things over there. If you haven’t yet, go check out our Patreon page and sign up if you want a chance at winning a new stone glacier 40/56 pack. We will be drawing at the end of the month, so get your name in the hat if you want to win.

Hope you enjoy this episode and if you have more questions on gear for Brad, please leave a comment and we can cover those in part 2

Show Notes:
Shot Show & the Industry – 0:05:51
Brad Brooks & His Company, Argali – 0:13:58
Social Pressure & Outside Influences – 0:19:40
Backpack Hunting Gear & Advice – 0:25:47
Ideal Camp Spot, Shelters, & Bedding – 0:38:22
Brad’s Late Season Mule Deer Hunt – 0:43:37
Brad’s Gear: Early vs. Late Season – 0:51:46
Brad’s Game Bags – 1:01:38
Ridiculous Gear that you Still Carry – 1:10:21
Weight vs Comfort – 1:12:05
Where to Find Argali Gear Online & Videos – 1:20:00

Today’s podcast is made possible by the awesome folks at On X. I can’t thank the good folks at On X enough, not only for making the podcast possible but for such killer product as well. There probably hasn’t bee more than a day or two in the last three months that I haven’t used the On X App. This is my second full year Using nothing but the On X app on my phone and honestly, I don’t see any reason to use a GPS. If you already have On X be sure to use the TRO code when you renew your account to not only save 20% off but also help support the podcast. If you don’t have the On X app, well, I guess you just don’t know what your missing. OnXmaps.com or available at in your favorite app store.

MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab located in Bozeman, MT, has established itself as the elite source for improving mental toughness, physical preparation, and performance research for the backcountry hunter. I personally tested their pre-season Backcountry Hunter program here in Bozeman, with Dustin Diefenderfer, the founder of MTNTOUGH and I loved it. It is a great workout that will test you and push you to the limits physically and mentally.
Their online programs are 90-days, all video based, and is delivered through the private MTNTOUGH site that is accessible on any device.  Think of it as a private social training platform specifically built for Backcountry Hunters. They now have a 90-day online program for pre-season, and a brand new 90 day online program for post-season. The post-season program is specifically built to pack strength back on to a hunter after a long season in the field and will be available Jan 1. An ideal winter program to capitalize on all the work you have put in this hunting season. Make sure to go www.mtntough.com to take a look at these programs and there you will also find a few of their favorite workouts as free downloads, including a no-gear and a heavy pack workout.

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EP 314: Ara Megerdichian and Dustin Diefenderfer on Fitness and Mindset

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Welcome to the podcast! For about the last year Now I have been getting to know the guys at MTN Tough and both Ara and Dustin are great guys. Ara is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to fitness and is a retired Lt Colonel and Army Ranger who taught physical education at West Point. In this episode, we dive into developing mental toughness, creating a routine, overcoming injuries, pushing your limits and a lot more. Ara, like myself, has had a number of injuries to overcome. We dive into the theory of working out the opposing side of an injury to carry strength throughout the body. Ara, is big on creating the habit vs training for the event and we talk about how training for the event can cause burnout in athletes. We also talk about pushing the limits of recovery vs understanding your new normal. If you are looking to get back in shape or just getting a jump on 2019 season this is a good kick start.

Show Notes:
Introductions – 0:03:15
Post Season Feedback – 0:05:05
Why Goals Help Push Your Limits – 0:09:19
Advice & Help to Push Through – 0:18:06
Facing Injuries & Overcoming Them – 0:23:47
Knowing When to Ignore Your Ego – 0:31:44
Negative Effects of In & Out of Shape Cycle – 0:37:36
Hunting Burnout & Mental Toughness – 0:55:15
Getting Yourself to the Next Level – 1:02:09
Where to get Info on the Fitness Programs – 1:13:19

This episode is brought to you by Greenbelly Meals. Greenbelly Meals are a true meal replacement bar. Chris Cage the founder, designed these bars to be 650 calories and 33% of your daily nutrition for 6 core nutrients. I have been using Greenbelly meals for the last two season now and I absolutely love them. They make a great option for a lunch or mid-day meal and with two bars per resealable pack I can divide them up during the day. The best part is, they are actually really delicious. Greenbelly bars come in three different flavors and I honestly like all three. These bars are one of the best options for quick, easy, lightweight backcountry meals that I have ever come across, so check them out. To get more information and to order some for your next hunt, just go to www.greenbelly.co and use coupon code TRO10 for 10% off your first order.

Today’s podcast is made possible by the awesome folks at ON X Maps. I can’t thank the good folks at On X enough, not only for making the podcast possible but for such killer product as well. There probably hasn’t been more than a day or two in the last three months that I haven’t used the On X App. This is my second full year Using nothing but the On X app on my phone and honestly, I don’t see any reason to use a GPS. One of the cool things I started doing this year was turning my tracker on and saving routes anytime I found a predominant elk or game trail. How many times have you thought to yourself “I know there’s a trail right here somewhere”. By saving all of those trails I now have those trails saved on my app and can refer back to them anytime I am cutting through that same area. Just a little On X quick tip for ya. If you already have On X be sure to use the TRO code when you renew your account to not only save 20% off but also help support the podcast. If you don’t have the On X app, well, I guess you just don’t know what your missing. OnXmaps.com or available at in your favorite app store.

Want more great content from The Rich Outdoors? Check out the new Patreon page for The Rich Outdoors Insiders Feed including ad-free listening, future Muley Monday and Wapiti Wednesday podcasts, gear and hunt giveaways, and more.

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EP 310: Micah Fink of Heroes and Horses

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Welcome to the podcast, today I am joined by my buddy Micah Fink. Micah and I were sat next to each other at a dinner almost two years ago and hit it off talking about horses, hunting, and all kinds of random stuff shinanigans. A mutual friend had just done a killer video on Micah and his Heroes and Horses nonprofit called One Eighty Out. Micah is a former Navy Seal and complete badass, who really found his piece himself through horses and the cowboy lifestyle. Micah started Heroes and Horses as a way to give back and help other veterans overcome their struggles of PTSD and other demons they faced after war. Micah has a great mindset around overcoming your struggles and becoming stronger through your struggles of life. In this episode, we dive into Micah’s crazy story of being at ground zero on 9/11, becoming a seal, Traveling the remote jungle of the Amazon, finding his purpose in helping veterans, and crazy has horse wrecks. There was so much that we didn’t get to but an absolute great podcast either way. We are already planning a second episode, so let us know what you want to hear more of but I think Micah and I could BS for hours.

Show Notes:
How 9/11 Changed Micah’s Life – 0:03:48
Processing Trauma & Adversity – 0:14:35
Micah’s Amazon Experience – 0:22:22
Micah’s Mustang Ride from NM to AZ – 0:44:45
The Stress of Running Horses – 0:51:41
How Heroes and Horses was Started – 0:58:04
Micah’s Advice for Helping Veterans – 1:12:11
This Mindset and Raising Kids – 1:22:13
How to Help Heroes for Horses – 1:31:25

Today’s podcast is made possible by the awesome folks at On X. I can’t thank the good folks at On X enough, not only for making the podcast possible but for such killer product as well. There probably hasn’t bee more than a day or two in the last three months that I haven’t used the On X App. This is my second full year Using nothing but the On X app on my phone and honestly, I don’t see any reason to use a GPS. If you already have On X be sure to use the TRO code when you renew your account to not only save 20% off but also help support the podcast. If you don’t have the On X app, well, I guess you just don’t know what your missing. OnXmaps.com or available at in your favorite app store.

MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab located in Bozeman, MT, has established itself as the elite source for improving mental toughness, physical preparation, and performance research for the backcountry hunter. I personally tested their pre-season Backcountry Hunter program here in Bozeman, with Dustin Diefenderfer, the founder of MTNTOUGH and I loved it. It is a great workout that will test you and push you to the limits physically and mentally.
Their online programs are 90-days, all video based, and is delivered through the private MTNTOUGH site that is accessible on any device.  Think of it as a private social training platform specifically built for Backcountry Hunters. They now have a 90-day online program for pre-season, and a brand new 90 day online program for post-season. The post-season program is specifically built to pack strength back on to a hunter after a long season in the field and will be available Jan 1. An ideal winter program to capitalize on all the work you have put in this hunting season. Make sure to go www.mtntough.com to take a look at these programs and there you will also find a few of their favorite workouts as free downloads, including a no-gear and a heavy pack workout.

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EP 307: Wild Yukon with Greg McHale and Travis Macy

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I first met Travis Macy over a year ago when we did our first podcast together. Travis is the author of The Ultra Mindset and has spent the better part of his life competing at the highest level of various adventure races and extreme competitions. He was just getting into hunting at the time but we hit it off very well as we have similar mindsets and honestly there is a lot of overlap in adventure racing and mountain hunting. Fast forward a bit to this year Travis went up to the Yukon with a fellow adventure racer and friend of his Greg McHale. Greg is also an adventure racing badass but has also been extreme mountain hunting most of his life.  Travis reached out and basically said you gotta get this guy on the podcast. I am glad I did as Greg is such a genuine guy but also an interesting hunter as he uses so much of what he does adventure racing to make him a better sheep hunter. Kayaks, rafts, bikes, and planes he has an arsenal of toys to go farther and harder than the next guy. A fun conversation about the Yukon, mindset, sheep hunting, and more.

Travis’ Charity – #TeamDonateLifeEndure
Travis’ Book – The Ultra Mindset: An Endurance Champion’s 8 Core Principles for Success in Business, Sports, and Life

Greg’s Show – “Greg McHale’s Wild Yukon”

Show Notes:
Travis & Greg Introductions – 04:13
Crazy Canadian Snow Race for Greg & Travis – 08:03
Greg Draw to Hunting & Adventure Races – 12:39
How Racing Skills Carry Over to Hunting – 15:47
Mindset & Discipline – 23:07
Hunting with the Lesser Experienced – 29:33
Travis’ Outlook After Hunting with Greg – 33:18
Greg’s High Expectations of Solitude – 41:47
The Unwritten Laws of the North Land – 46:15
Greg’s Giant Archery Ram – 50:47
You CAN Train & Practice All Year Long – 57:28
Make Goals, Time & Improve Yourself – 1:05:54
Travis’ Charity & His Book “The Ultra Mindset”- 1:14:37
Greg’s Show “Greg McHale’s Wild Yukon” & Social Media – 1:15:54

Today’s podcast is made possible by the awesome folks at On X. I can’t thank the good folks at On X enough, not only for making the podcast possible but for such killer product as well. There probably hasn’t bee more than a day or two in the last three months that I haven’t used the On X App. This is my second full year Using nothing but the On X app on my phone and honestly, I don’t see any reason to use a GPS. If you already have On X be sure to use the TRO code when you renew your account to not only save 20% off but also help support the podcast. If you don’t have the On X app, well, I guess you just don’t know what your missing. OnXmaps.com or available at in your favorite app store.

MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab located in Bozeman, MT, has established itself as the elite source for improving mental toughness, physical preparation, and performance research for the backcountry hunter. I personally tested their pre-season Backcountry Hunter program here in Bozeman, with Dustin Diefenderfer, the founder of MTNTOUGH and I loved it. It is a great workout that will test you and push you to the limits physically and mentally.
Their online programs are 90-days, all video based, and is delivered through the private MTNTOUGH site that is accessible on any device.  Think of it as a private social training platform specifically built for Backcountry Hunters. They now have a 90-day online program for pre-season, and a brand new 90 day online program for post-season. The post-season program is specifically built to pack strength back on to a hunter after a long season in the field and will be available Jan 1. An ideal winter program to capitalize on all the work you have put in this hunting season. Make sure to go www.mtntough.com to take a look at these programs and there you will also find a few of their favorite workouts as free downloads, including a no-gear and a heavy pack workout.

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EP 306: Nate Adams Freestyle Motorcross and Hunting

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What’s up ladies and gents, welcome to the podcast. I am really excited to share today’s podcast with you guys. I don’t often get star struck but it was a huge honor to have a guy like Nate Adams on the podcast. Most of you might not know who he even is unless of course, you are into motorcycles. Then I am sure you in a mix of excitement and curiosity as was I when I learned Nate was into chasing bulls with his bow. I had a blast talking to Nate and hearing his story, not only the ups and downs of his career but hunting and archery helped pull him out of the low points in his life. Couldn’t be happier with how this turned out and again pumped to share it with you guys. Big thanks to Nate for joining me, he is such a humble and down to earth guy. I have a lot of respect for him and everything he has accomplished.

Click Here and Check Out Nate’s Motorcross Glove Company “Deft Family”

One note on Backcountry Fuel Box. First off it is going really well and I can’t thank you guys enough for all the support. Love all the feedback and sounds like a ton of you really look forward to getting the box each month. If you are interested in stocking up for next season or maybe you want to join but haven’t yet we are doing a killer Holiday Special. We have a special 12 month Gift Subscription that is 25% off what you would normally pay. The holiday special brings it down to $25 per box. That is by far our lowest price and will not be available after December 20th I can promise you that. If you’re like me and you don’t know what to have your wife this is the perfect gift because each month you get a box of awesome snacks for hunting, scouting, or maybe when your home alone and don’t feel like cooking. Check it out, I will link to the gift box in the show notes and remember December 20th offer is gone. You will have to pay full price.

MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab located in Bozeman, MT, has established itself as the elite source for improving mental toughness, physical preparation, and performance research for the backcountry hunter. I personally tested their pre-season Backcountry Hunter program here in Bozeman, with Dustin Diefenderfer, the founder of MTNTOUGH and I loved it. It is a great workout that will test you and push you to the limits physically and mentally.

Their online programs are 90-days, all video based, and is delivered through the private MTNTOUGH site that is accessible on any device.  Think of it as a private social training platform specifically built for Backcountry Hunters. They now have a 90-day online program for pre-season and a brand new 90-day online program for post-season. The post-season program is specifically built to pack strength back on to a hunter after a long season in the field and will be available Jan 1. An ideal winter program to capitalize on all the work you have put in this hunting season. Make sure to go www.mtntough.com to take a look at these programs and there you will also find a few of their favorite workouts as free downloads, including a no-gear and a heavy pack workout.

Show Notes:
Introducing Nate Adams – 04:27
Nate’s First Elk Hunting Experience – 08:46
Why the Interest in Archery – 12:38
What Got Nate Through the Struggle – 18:38
Advice When Facing Serious Change – 28:51
Why Entrepreneurship Vs. a Regular Job – 36:32
Working Hard & Working Smart – 39:42
Advice Chasing a Career – 45:02
Dynamics of Racing Into Hunting – 46:47
Prioritizing the Requirements of Hunting – 48:56
Nate’s Montana Bull – 51:19
Race Industries Reaction to Nate Hunting – 59:45
Nate’s Company and Social Media – 1:06:15

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