Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast

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What Happened:

It was the summer of 2017. I was clocking miles like a long-haul trucker, repping campers for a living. My 7-year-old son called me out—said I'd promised to take him to Mount Rushmore. He was right. I'd driven past it more times than I could count, but I'd never stopped. So we hit the road.

We camped our way across the country, father and son, a Black duo in a tiny pop-up trailer, parking it beside some seriously decked-out RV setups. We saw the sights, roasted marshmallows, and somewhere near Albuquerque, we spotted something we hadn't seen in thousands of miles: another Black family camping. My son lit up and said, "Hey Daddy! Black people!"

That moment stuck. We talked to the family—Kimberly and crew—and she said something that flipped a switch in my brain: "Why don't you change that then?" That "why not you?" hit hard. By the time we were driving up the California coast, the name Black Folks Camp Too was born.

Principle:

Too often, we wait for permission—permission to belong, to show up, to start something meaningful. But sometimes, it takes seeing the gap with your own eyes, feeling the silence in certain spaces, to realize: you're the one who's supposed to fill it.

And in business, just like in the outdoors, if you're only serving the same people the same way… you're gonna miss the fire. The campfire, that is.

Transition:

Most people think getting more folks into the outdoors is about better gear or cool photos on Instagram. But that's not it. The real challenge is the invitation—and the welcome. And too many companies still don't know why the diversity gap exists, so they don't know how to fix it.

That's why a lot of businesses are struggling. Not because there's no market—but because they don't see who they're ignoring. And even when they do? They get hung up on the word Black in the name… instead of focusing on the unity behind the mission.

That's why:

That's why this episode matters. Earl Hunter isn't just talking about camping—he's talking about culture, connection, and cracking open an industry that's been too exclusive for too long. He's not asking for handouts or kumbayas. He's showing up with data, vision, and a real plan to shift the outdoor industry before it goes broke.

Call to Action (PAS style):

If you've ever felt like the outdoor world wasn't built for you—or your brand's been stuck serving the same crowd—it's time to tune in. Ignoring the invitation problem won't fix it. But this episode will give you a fresh lens and a fire to take action.

Hit play now. Let's change the campfire conversation.

Show Notes:

Earl Hunter

Black Folks Camp Too

Oboz Insoles

Sylvansport

Georgia Military College

Appalachian State University

Earl's Trail name: Icebreaker

Mount Rushmore

Unity Blaze

Favorite piece of outdoor gear: OBOZ Insoles

Favorite book: The Billion Dollar Bet, Bob Johnson

Advice: the first advice I would give folks is, is to go to our unity, go to black folks camp too, and go to our Unity blaze map and find campgrounds that are on our map that are actually there. Those folks are truly invited and welcoming you to camp at their campground.

I would also say to know before you go. Do as much research as you can. You have these devices now, and you have so many YouTube channels and things of that nature to learn about camping.

Follow up with Earl: [email protected]

Black Folks Camp Too

Thank you for joining us on another episode of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast. Be sure to visit our website, rick saes.com. You'll find show notes and links to everything we talked about and more. And while you're at it, if you found value in this show, give us a rating on Apple Podcast or spread the word and tell a friend.

That would really help us out too. We should tune in every week. Thanks again for listening to the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast.

#Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, #Black Folks Camp Too, #Earl Hunter, #diversity in the outdoors, #Appalachian State, #Unity Blaze, #outdoor industry, #inclusion, #Unity Blaze partners, #outdoor community, #backpacking, #state parks, #Oboz Footwear, #Spacious Skies Campgrounds, #outdoor lifestyle, #RV camping, #outdoor participation, #unity in outdoors, #generational transfer, #environmental stewardship.

Casey Hanisko

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Guest Focus

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Adventure Travel Trade Association

1. Ever stood at the edge of something terrifying—knowing the only way forward is to leap, but every cell in your body is screaming, Nope? That was me on a canyon swing in Interlaken. Spoiler: I needed a push.
2. You think making high-stakes decisions in business is tough? Try standing on the edge of a 300-foot drop, debating whether plummeting into the abyss is a good idea.
3. There's a moment in adventure—and in leadership—where hesitation creeps in. Your palms sweat. Your mind races. And sometimes, you need someone to give you that push.

I'd like to think I'm pretty fearless. I've hiked, biked, and paddled my way through some of the world's most stunning (and challenging) landscapes. But nothing—not rock climbing, not waterfall jumping, not even running a business—prepared me for the sheer terror of standing on the edge of a canyon swing in Interlaken.

Picture this: I'm perched on the platform, strapped in, heart pounding. My entire executive team—yes, the people I work with—are watching. The guy running the swing looks at me and asks, "Need a push?"

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

I sit there for two full minutes, locked in a battle with my own fear. Every rational thought in my brain says, Just do it. But my body? Oh, my body says, Are you out of your mind?!

Then, the guy places a hand on my back. Just enough pressure to remind me: I either take the leap myself, or I'm going anyway.

And that was it. I went. Terrified. Screaming. And, once I hit the swing… laughing.

That moment on the canyon swing? It's leadership in a nutshell.

• Leadership requires courage. Sometimes, you're at the edge of a big decision, knowing you need to move—but fear holds you back.
• Sometimes, you need support. That guiding hand (or well-placed nudge) from someone who sees your potential, even when you doubt yourself.
• And often, the thing you dread most? Turns out to be the most exhilarating experience of your life.

Whether it's taking the leap into a leadership role, starting that business, or stepping into unknown territory—you're going to feel fear. That's normal. The key is to recognize it, hold it, and move forward anyway.

The problem is, most people let fear stop them. They overthink. They hesitate. They tell themselves they need more time, more preparation, more certainty.

But here's the truth: the perfect moment? It doesn't exist.

Too many outdoor entrepreneurs and leaders stall out waiting for the "right time" to make their next move—whether that's scaling a business, stepping into leadership, or launching that dream trip.

That's why, in this episode of The Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, I sat down with Casey Esco—executive coach, adventure leader, and all-around expert on navigating uncertainty in business and the outdoors.

She shares exactly how adventure can teach us to embrace risk, push through hesitation, and build the courage to lead (even when you're scared out of your mind).

If fear has ever held you back from making a move—whether in your career, your business, or even your next adventure—you need to hear this episode.

Because courage isn't about being fearless, it's about taking the leap anyway.

#Outdoor Adventure, #Podcast, #Adventure Travel, #Leadership, #Coaching, #Outdoor Activities, #Nature, #Curiosity, #Camping, #Hiking, #Strategic Planning, #Storytelling, #Diversity, #Women Leaders, #Inclusivity, #Nature Inspired Coaching, #Outdoor Brands, #Business Strategy, #Personal Growth, #Passion, #Wellness, #Travel Experiences, #Adventure Community, #Outdoor Lifestyle, #Networking, #Conservation, #Adventure Stories

Today, Rick talks with Heather Physioc. Heather is a speaker, educator, trainer, and globally recognized leader in discoverability.

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Show Notes

WHAT HAPPENED: Ever planned the trip of a lifetime… only to have your wallet vanish before the adventure even begins?

Yeah. That was me.

I was in Peru, fresh off a 40-hour journey, jetlagged, under-caffeinated, and apparently running on "let's misplace everything" mode. Somewhere between airport security and the Lima coffee line, my wallet poofed into thin air.

Great start to a solo trip through the Andes, right?

But here's the wild part — losing that wallet wasn't the disaster it felt like. It became the perfect kick-in-the-hiking-boots reminder that adaptability isn't just an outdoor skill — it's a life skill. That week, I slept in tents outside of homes where I didn't speak the language, ate potatoes dug straight from the dirt, and learned how "risk" and "reward" share the same trail.

PRINCIPLE: What I learned — or remembered — was this: the outdoors doesn't wait for your plans to be perfect. And neither does life. You don't need permission, pristine conditions, or even a full wallet to step into something bigger than your comfort zone. You just need to go. And trust that you'll figure it out as you go.

TRANSITION: But here's where most of us get stuck — not because we lack the gear or the desire, but because we've been trained to wait for the right moment. The right job title. The right guide. The right, whatever. And in that waiting, we lose the chance to hear what nature — and our own gut — is trying to say.

THAT'S WHY: That's why I had Heather on the podcast. Because she gets it, she's blended a high-level marketing career with nature photography, conservation storytelling, and a serious dose of wild adventure. She talks about everything from leadership lessons in the backcountry to how observing owls in the city can rewire your creative brain.

If you've ever wondered whether the outdoors can really shift your mindset, your leadership style, or even your career — this episode is for you.

CALL TO ACTION: Feeling stuck in the scroll, burned out from the noise, and unsure where to begin? That's your sign. Stop waiting. Start small. And listen to this episode. It might just be the nudge your nervous system — and your soul — has been craving.

Follow up with Heather on her website: Heather Physioc, Speaker & Trainer

🎧 Listen here.

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Show Notes

Show Notes

Show Notes

WHAT HAPPENED:

I'll be honest—when I first started freelancing, I chased the big stuff. Wildfires out west. Epic storms. National parks everyone's heard of. And yeah, the views were killer, the access? Not so much. Crowds. Traffic. And trying to pitch a story that wasn't already told a hundred times by someone standing in the same exact spot? Near impossible.

Then I moved back to Cincinnati.

Yeah, the Midwest. You know, the place nobody writes about unless there's a flood or a football game.

But what I found? Holy hell. 5,000 acres of parks. National Water Trails. People pulling literal tons of tires out of rivers with their bare hands and busted backs. And stories—real ones. Raw. Personal. Uncovered.

One day, I'm chasing a moonbow in Kentucky. (Yes, that's a lunar rainbow, and yes, it's real.) Another, I'm writing about community gardens growing hope in the middle of urban food deserts. And all of it—every story—started right here in my own overlooked, underestimated backyard.

PRINCIPLE:

The best outdoor stories don't always come from the big, dramatic places. Sometimes, they're right under your nose—in the "boring" places, told by everyday folks doing extraordinary things. As outdoor storytellers, travelers, and advocates, we've got to stop thinking epic = better. Local can be just as powerful—if not more.

TRANSITION:

But here's the thing: too many creatives, writers, and adventurers are stuck in this belief that the only stories worth telling live out west or come with a plane ticket. That the Midwest, the South, or even your own neighborhood isn't "sexy" enough for an audience. So they scroll past, ignore it, and miss the magic right in front of them.

THAT'S WHY:

This episode with Jessica Erzen is so damn important. She reminds us that storytelling isn't about location—it's about perspective. It's about being curious enough to dig into the stories no one else is talking about. It's about realizing that a river full of tires can be just as compelling as a summit photo in the Rockies. Maybe more.

CALL TO ACTION:

Feeling like your outdoor stories aren't big enough to matter? You're not alone—most folks think if it's not wild, it's not worth it. But the truth? The stories that really move people are often right in their own backyard. Listen to Jessica's episode now—because the next great story might be just outside your front door.

Follow up with Jessica: [email protected]

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Show Notes

Principle: The truth is, the life you want isn't found in job boards or traditional paths—it's usually hiding in the stories of people who've already broken the mold. You don't need to have all the answers. You just need a glimpse of what's possible and the guts to say, "why not me?"

Transition: Most people get stuck right at that fork in the road. They're burned out, fed up with the 9-to-5 grind, and craving more than just two weeks of vacation. But they stay stuck because no one ever showed them what else is out there. They think they need more money, more skills, more permission.

That's why most people never leave Oklahoma City. (No offense, Oklahoma.)

That's Why: That's why this week's episode with Hugo Ortega is such a game-changer. We're not just talking about travel or yachting. We're talking about what happens when you stop waiting for the perfect moment—and just start chasing the life you actually want. Hugo lays it all out, and trust me, it's not what you think.

Call to Action: Tired of feeling trapped in a life that looks good on paper but feels like a slow death in khakis? This episode is your sign. Discover how one guy turned a pink slip into a passport to adventure—and how you can too. Listen now and start rewriting your own story.

Follow up with Hugo: [email protected]