Today, we’re talking with Nancy De Losa from AQTO Cycling Tours in Italy. For AQTO, the magic of riding in Italy is all about the challenge and reward. You get testing yourself on Italy’s most exhilarating climbs and descents while immersing yourself in authentic Italian hospitality. <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorbizpodcast/">Facebook</a>   <a href= "https://twitter.com/rick_saez">Twitter</a>   <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/rick.saez/">Instagram</a> Love the show? Subscribe,  <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outdoor-biz-podcast/id1244919639">rate, review, and share!</a> Sign up for my Newsletter  <a href= "https://ricksaez.substack.com/p/outdoor-adventure-lifestyle-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a> I’d love to hear your feedback about the show! You can contact me here:  <a href= "mailto:rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com">rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com</a>   What Happened: We didn’t mean to start a cycling tour business in Italy. No, really. It all started with a blog post. Damien rode a legendary vintage bike ride in Tuscany, blogged about it for his cycling apparel brand, and boom—emails started rolling in: “Do you run tours?” Cue the two of us looking at each other with raised eyebrows and saying, “...Maybe we do?” One spontaneous road trip, a few door knocks, and a hotel booking later—AQTO Cycling Tours was born. Here’s the kicker: I’m not a cyclist. Not even close. I married one. I live with one. But cycling? Doesn’t sing to my soul. Yoga and red wine, yes. Lycra and bike grease? Not so much. So I created something for the others like me—the non-cycling partners, the half-riders, the aspiring adventurers who want the Italian magic without the saddle sores. From curated cooking classes to 3,000-year-old olive trees, that little side program became a unique (and very loved) part of our brand. Principle: Just because you're not the “typical” expert in the room doesn’t mean you don’t belong in the business. In fact, your “different lens” might be the very thing that makes the experience more complete, more inclusive, and more memorable for everyone involved. Transition: A lot of us think we need to be “all in” on something to make it work—like being a hardcore cyclist to lead cycling tours. But the truth is, many adventure-based brands get stuck trying to serve only the enthusiasts. And in doing so, they forget about the partners, the dreamers, and the curious souls who crave the journey, just not the climbs. That’s why so many businesses feel out of reach for the average person. They’re built on the assumption that only experts belong. That’s Why: That’s why this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast exists—to show how Nancy and Damien built a boutique Italian adventure company that doesn't just cater to cyclists, but to humans who crave culture, community, and challenge. Whether you ride or not, their approach is a masterclass in designing an inclusive, enriching experience that welcomes everyone at the table (and on the trail). Call to Action: Tired of feeling like adventures are only for “serious” athletes? It’s frustrating when travel feels like a test, not a treat. That’s why this episode is a must-listen—because there’s a different way to explore. One that fits you. [Listen here to episode 506 now] Show Notes What what advice would you give someone who's never done an international cycling tour before but wants to give it a shot? I probably would say stop thinking about it and just do it.- Nancy De Losa Do you have a favorite book? Yes, it's called "Italian Joy" by Carla Olson. Favorite piece of cycling gear <a href= "https://www.q36-5.com/en-us/shop/wind-shell-black/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&ad_id=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADB-YxBPgpS1q1ImHCovJ7rzVTLRg&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoNzABhDbARIsALfY8VOV5uYlu_efrybXjI_GH7mT6VlD-Dhbsx56aBGnfMri86EQrN0DHJIaAp3gEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q36.6 windshell</a> Follow up with Nancy: <a href="https://www.aqtocycling.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AQTO Cycling</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt; Today, we’re talking with Nancy De Losa from AQTO Cycling Tours in Italy. For AQTO, the magic of riding in Italy is all about the challenge and reward. You get testing yourself on Italy’s most exhilarating climbs and descents while immersing yourself in authentic Italian hospitality.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorbizpodcast/"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Facebook&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;   &lt;a href= "https://twitter.com/rick_saez"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Twitter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;   &lt;a href= "https://www.instagram.com/rick.saez/"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Instagram&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Love the show?&lt;/strong&gt; Subscribe,  &lt;a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outdoor-biz-podcast/id1244919639"&gt;&lt;span class="s4"&gt;rate, review, and share!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Sign up for my Newsletter  &lt;a href= "https://ricksaez.substack.com/p/outdoor-adventure-lifestyle-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span class= "s4"&gt;HERE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;I’d love to hear your feedback about the show!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;You can contact me here:  &lt;span class="s3"&gt;&lt;a href= "mailto:rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com"&gt;rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="319" data-end="337"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "319" data-end="337"&gt;What Happened:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="339" data-end="408"&gt;We didn’t mean to start a cycling tour business in Italy. No, really.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="410" data-end="442"&gt;It all started with a blog post.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="444" data-end="692"&gt;Damien rode a legendary vintage bike ride in Tuscany, blogged about it for his cycling apparel brand, and boom—emails started rolling in: “Do you run tours?” Cue the two of us looking at each other with raised eyebrows and saying, “...Maybe we do?”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="694" data-end="795"&gt;One spontaneous road trip, a few door knocks, and a hotel booking later—AQTO Cycling Tours was born.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="797" data-end="982"&gt;Here’s the kicker: I’m &lt;em data-start="820" data-end="825"&gt;not&lt;/em&gt; a cyclist. Not even close. I married one. I live with one. But cycling? Doesn’t sing to my soul. Yoga and red wine, yes. Lycra and bike grease? Not so much.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="984" data-end="1289"&gt;So I created something for the others like me—the non-cycling partners, the half-riders, the aspiring adventurers who want the Italian magic &lt;em data-start= "1125" data-end="1134"&gt;without&lt;/em&gt; the saddle sores. From curated cooking classes to 3,000-year-old olive trees, that little side program became a unique (and very loved) part of our brand.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="1291" data-end="1294" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1296" data-end="1310"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "1296" data-end="1310"&gt;Principle:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1312" data-end="1415"&gt;Just because you're not the “typical” expert in the room doesn’t mean you don’t belong in the business.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1417" data-end="1570"&gt;In fact, your “different lens” might be the very thing that makes the experience more complete, more inclusive, and more memorable for everyone involved.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="1572" data-end="1575" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1577" data-end="1592"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "1577" data-end="1592"&gt;Transition:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1594" data-end="1716"&gt;A lot of us think we need to be “all in” on something to make it work—like being a hardcore cyclist to lead cycling tours.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1718" data-end="1940"&gt;But the truth is, many adventure-based brands get stuck trying to serve only the enthusiasts. And in doing so, they forget about the partners, the dreamers, and the curious souls who crave the journey, just not the climbs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1942" data-end="2073"&gt;That’s why so many businesses feel out of reach for the average person. They’re built on the assumption that only &lt;em data-start="2056" data-end= "2065"&gt;experts&lt;/em&gt; belong.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="2075" data-end="2078" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2080" data-end="2095"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "2080" data-end="2095"&gt;That’s Why:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2097" data-end="2340"&gt;That’s why this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast exists—to show how Nancy and Damien built a boutique Italian adventure company that doesn't just cater to cyclists, but to &lt;em data-start="2287" data-end="2295"&gt;humans&lt;/em&gt; who crave culture, community, and challenge.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2342" data-end="2502"&gt;Whether you ride or not, their approach is a masterclass in designing an inclusive, enriching experience that welcomes everyone at the table (and on the trail).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="2504" data-end="2507" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2509" data-end="2544"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "2509" data-end="2544"&gt;Call to Action:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2546" data-end="2811"&gt;Tired of feeling like adventures are only for “serious” athletes? It’s frustrating when travel feels like a test, not a treat. That’s why this episode is a must-listen—because there’s a different way to explore. One that fits &lt;em data-start="2772" data-end="2778"&gt;you.&lt;/em&gt; [Listen here to episode 506 now]&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2850" data-end="3254"&gt;&lt;span style= "font-size: 14pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Show Notes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What what advice would you give someone who's never done an international cycling tour before but wants to give it a shot?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;I probably would say stop thinking about it and just do it&lt;/em&gt;.- Nancy De Losa&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Do you have a favorite book?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Yes, it's called &lt;strong&gt;"Italian Joy"&lt;/strong&gt; by Carla Olson.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Favorite piece of cycling gear&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.q36-5.com/en-us/shop/wind-shell-black/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=&amp;utm_content=&amp;ad_id=&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADB-YxBPgpS1q1ImHCovJ7rzVTLRg&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwoNzABhDbARIsALfY8VOV5uYlu_efrybXjI_GH7mT6VlD-Dhbsx56aBGnfMri86EQrN0DHJIaAp3gEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Q36.6 windshell&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Follow up with Nancy: &lt;a href="https://www.aqtocycling.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;AQTO Cycling&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>

 Today, we’re talking with Nancy De Losa from AQTO Cycling Tours in Italy. For AQTO, the magic of riding in Italy is all about the challenge and reward. You get testing yourself on Italy’s most exhilarating climbs and descents while immersing...

Italy the AQTO Way: Travel, Ride, Live 506

“Even if you don’t have the resources or time for a six-month trek, start where you are, with what you have. Every step outside is a step toward a life more fulfilled.”   <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorbizpodcast/">Facebook</a>   <a href= "https://twitter.com/rick_saez">Twitter</a>   <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/rick.saez/">Instagram</a> Love the show? Subscribe,  <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outdoor-biz-podcast/id1244919639">rate, review, and share!</a> Sign up for my Newsletter  <a href= "https://ricksaez.substack.com/p/outdoor-adventure-lifestyle-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a> I’d love to hear your feedback about the show! You can contact me here:  <a href= "mailto:rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com">rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com</a>   How stuffing food into trash bags and hiking in tennis shoes planted the seed for a life of adventure. What Happened: Growing up, my family loved our little camping trips, and on one of them, my brothers and I convinced our parents to let us hike part of the Appalachian Trail overnight. (Big mistake — at least for our muscles.) We were wildly unprepared: sneakers from Kmart, trash bags over our shoulders instead of proper packs, and enough sore muscles to last a lifetime. I thought I was dying — but deep down, something lit up inside me. Even though every bone in my body hurt (and we ate an entire cooler of food afterward like ravenous raccoons), that night planted a seed. Over the years, I kept going back. Again and again. And that love for adventure grew into a walk across the entire Appalachian Trail… and eventually into fundraising hikes, family treks, bestselling books, and even TEDx talks. Not bad for a kid with a trash bag and a dream, right? Principle: Sometimes, the thing that feels the hardest at the beginning — the thing you think you're the worst at — is actually pointing straight at your biggest passion. Adventure (and success) doesn’t start with the perfect gear, the perfect timing, or even knowing what you’re doing. It starts by taking that messy, imperfect first step. And when you lean into it — not run away because it’s hard — it can completely change your life. Transition: Most people think they have to have it all figured out before they start — the perfect trail shoes, the best plan, the ideal conditions. But waiting until you're "ready" is just another way of letting your dreams collect dust. If you've been feeling stuck, thinking you can't "start until" you have everything lined up… you're holding yourself back from the adventure that could change everything. That’s why: That’s why in this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, we sat down with Jeff Alt to dig deep into how those messy, unglamorous first steps can transform into a life filled with meaning, impact, and unforgettable stories. You’ll hear how Jeff turned a painful first hike into a movement, and why you don’t need perfect gear, perfect conditions, or perfect timing to build an extraordinary adventure life. Call to Action (PAS framework in one sentence): If you’re tired of feeling stuck, waiting for the “right” time to start your dream adventure (pain), and you’re sick of watching opportunities pass you by while you hesitate (agitate), listen to this episode now and discover why the imperfect first step is the one that matters most (solution). Show Notes  If you could give one piece of advice to someone who's hesitant to get started, whether it's solo hiking or taking their family on hikes, long distance treks, what would you tell 'em?  Partner up with somebody who's done it. Or, if you've never been hiking you know, there, there's lots of outdoor clubs online clubs and they're, they're based in every city USA. Join that group, go to that talk at the outfitter. You know, a lot of your fears will be overcome just by hearing. "Oh. That's how you do that. Oh, you have to filter the water before you drink it."  And then if you're still like, I'm afraid to do this alone. Well, they say you shouldn't. Technically, go out backpacking alone anyway, right? So Go with a seasoned person for a night or two and mm-hmm. And learn the basics before you head off with your own family.   Do you have a favorite book?   Yes. Peter Jenkins, a Walk Across America  What about your favorite piece of outdoor gear? Under a hundred dollars?   Sea to Summit Air pillow.

<description>&lt;p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"&gt;“Even if you don’t have the resources or time for a six-month trek, start where you are, with what you have. Every step outside is a step toward a life more fulfilled.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorbizpodcast/"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Facebook&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;   &lt;a href= "https://twitter.com/rick_saez"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Twitter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;   &lt;a href= "https://www.instagram.com/rick.saez/"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Instagram&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Love the show?&lt;/strong&gt; Subscribe,  &lt;a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outdoor-biz-podcast/id1244919639"&gt;&lt;span class="s4"&gt;rate, review, and share!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Sign up for my Newsletter  &lt;a href= "https://ricksaez.substack.com/p/outdoor-adventure-lifestyle-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span class= "s4"&gt;HERE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;I’d love to hear your feedback about the show!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;You can contact me here:  &lt;a href= "mailto:rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;How stuffing food into trash bags and hiking in tennis shoes planted the seed for a life of adventure.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="641" data-end="1515"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "641" data-end="659"&gt;What Happened:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="659" data-end="662" /&gt; Growing up, my family loved our little camping trips, and on one of them, my brothers and I convinced our parents to let us hike part of the Appalachian Trail overnight. (Big mistake — at least for our muscles.)&lt;br data-start="873" data-end="876" /&gt; We were wildly unprepared: sneakers from Kmart, trash bags over our shoulders instead of proper packs, and enough sore muscles to last a lifetime. I thought I was dying — but deep down, something lit up inside me.&lt;br data-start="1089" data-end="1092" /&gt; Even though every bone in my body hurt (and we ate an entire cooler of food afterward like ravenous raccoons), that night planted a seed.&lt;br data-start="1229" data-end="1232" /&gt; Over the years, I kept going back. Again and again. And that love for adventure grew into a walk across the entire Appalachian Trail… and eventually into fundraising hikes, family treks, bestselling books, and even TEDx talks.&lt;br data-start="1458" data-end="1461" /&gt; Not bad for a kid with a trash bag and a dream, right?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="1517" data-end="1520" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1522" data-end="1971"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "1522" data-end="1536"&gt;Principle:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="1536" data-end="1539" /&gt; Sometimes, the thing that feels the hardest at the beginning — the thing you think you're the worst at — is actually pointing straight at your biggest passion.&lt;br data-start="1698" data-end="1701" /&gt; Adventure (and success) doesn’t start with the perfect gear, the perfect timing, or even knowing what you’re doing.&lt;br data-start= "1816" data-end="1819" /&gt; It starts by taking that messy, imperfect first step.&lt;br data-start="1872" data-end="1875" /&gt; And when you lean into it — not run away because it’s hard — it can completely change your life.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="1973" data-end="1976" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1978" data-end="2397"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "1978" data-end="1993"&gt;Transition:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="1993" data-end="1996" /&gt; Most people think they have to have it all figured out before they start — the perfect trail shoes, the best plan, the ideal conditions.&lt;br data-start="2132" data-end="2135" /&gt; But waiting until you're "ready" is just another way of letting your dreams collect dust.&lt;br data-start="2224" data-end="2227" /&gt; If you've been feeling stuck, thinking you can't "start until" you have everything lined up… you're holding yourself back from the adventure that could change everything.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="2399" data-end="2402" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2404" data-end="2843"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "2404" data-end="2419"&gt;That’s why:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="2419" data-end="2422" /&gt; That’s why in this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, we sat down with Jeff Alt to dig deep into how those messy, unglamorous first steps can transform into a life filled with meaning, impact, and unforgettable stories.&lt;br data-start= "2658" data-end="2661" /&gt; You’ll hear how Jeff turned a painful first hike into a movement, and why you don’t need perfect gear, perfect conditions, or perfect timing to build an extraordinary adventure life.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="2845" data-end="2848" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2850" data-end="3254"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "2850" data-end="2901"&gt;Call to Action (PAS framework in one sentence):&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="2901" data-end="2904" /&gt; If you’re tired of feeling stuck, waiting for the “right” time to start your dream adventure (pain), and you’re sick of watching opportunities pass you by while you hesitate (agitate), listen to this episode now and discover why the imperfect first step is the one that matters most (solution).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2850" data-end="3254"&gt;&lt;span style= "font-size: 14pt;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Show Notes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2850" data-end="3254"&gt; &lt;strong&gt;If you could give one piece of advice to someone who's hesitant to get started, whether it's solo hiking or taking their family on hikes, long distance treks, what would you tell 'em?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Partner up with somebody who's done it. Or, if you've never been hiking you know, there, there's lots of outdoor clubs online clubs and they're, they're based in every city USA. Join that group, go to that talk at the outfitter. You know, a lot of your fears will be overcome just by hearing. &lt;em&gt;"Oh. That's how you do that. Oh, you have to filter the water before you drink it."&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;And then if you're still like, I'm afraid to do this alone. Well, they say you shouldn't. Technically, go out backpacking alone anyway, right? So Go with a seasoned person for a night or two and mm-hmm.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;And learn the basics before you head off with your own family. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Do you have a favorite book?&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Yes. Peter Jenkins, a Walk Across America&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;strong&gt;What about your favorite piece of outdoor gear? Under a hundred dollars?&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Sea to Summit Air pillow. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2850" data-end="3254"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2850" data-end="3254"&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>

“Even if you don’t have the resources or time for a six-month trek, start where you are, with what you have. Every step outside is a step toward a life more fulfilled.”          Love the...

Lessons from the Trail: Parenting, National Parks, and Adventure with Jeff Alt 505

<a href= "https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorbizpodcast/">Facebook</a>   <a href= "https://twitter.com/rick_saez">Twitter</a>   <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/rick.saez/">Instagram</a> Love the show? Subscribe,  <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outdoor-biz-podcast/id1244919639">rate, review, and share!</a> Sign up for my Newsletter  <a href= "https://ricksaez.substack.com/p/outdoor-adventure-lifestyle-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a> I’d love to hear your feedback about the show! You can contact me here:  <a href= "mailto:rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com">rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com</a> Norie brings decades of experience from her roles at National Geographic Traveler and as a contributor to National Geographic. She shares fascinating insights into adventure storytelling, the evolving landscape of tourism, and the powerful shift toward regenerative travel. Subject: What a Red Puffy Jacket, a Black Lab, and the Tetons Taught Me About Adventure I discovered the magic of nature—only after realizing my feet were literally black with dirt. - Norie Quitos What Happened: If you told 12-year-old me that one day I’d be preaching the gospel of nature and conservation on a podcast, she would’ve laughed in your face while clutching her Lisa Frank diary. Back then, I was a hardcore indoors kid. My travel dreams were less “hike the Andes” and more “sip coffee outside a museum in Paris.” Nature? Great in theory. From a safe, clean, bathroom-accessible distance. But life had other plans. Specifically, two kids and a deep desire for them to experience something I hadn’t: the outdoors. Our first trip? My sister’s backyard. Borrowed tent. Questionable gear. But hey—we survived. That spiraled into state park weekends, and eventually, a full-on wagon adventure at the foot of the Tetons. Cue canvas tents, no showers, and yes—leeches. I was not okay. My soles were blacker than a burnt marshmallow, and I seriously questioned my life choices… until someone said, “It’s dirt, but it’s not dirty.” Mind. Blown. That moment changed everything. Principle: Adventure doesn’t require a plane ticket or a trust fund. It’s not always epic views and adrenaline rushes. Sometimes, it’s dirt, discomfort, and doing something that stretches you just enough to see the world—and yourself—a little differently. That shift in perspective? That’s where the real story begins. It’s not just about going places. It’s about who you become because you did. Transition: But here’s the thing… Most of us still think “adventure” only counts if it looks like a Patagonia ad. We think our stories aren’t worth telling unless they involve wild landscapes or bucket list bragging rights. The problem? That belief keeps so many of us from starting. From exploring our own backyards. From seeing travel as a tool for transformation—not just content creation. That’s Why: That’s why this episode with Nori Quintos hit home. Because it’s not just about where you go—it’s about how you go. Nori’s journey from suburban indoor kid to global storyteller proves that the adventure industry isn’t just changing—it’s opening up. She shares how regenerative travel is replacing tourism-as-usual, and why women over 50 are redefining what solo travel—and real power—looks like. Call to Action: Feeling stuck thinking your next adventure needs to be “epic” or expensive? That mindset’s the real roadblock. Break free with Nori’s story—because once you hear it, you’ll realize the best journeys don’t start with gear… they start with grit. Show Notes <a href= "https://www.adventuretravel.biz/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Adventure Travel Trade Association</a> <a href= "https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&amp;ai=DChcSEwj-8NXM2euMAxXnJ0QIHUwWIX0YABABGgJkeg&amp;co=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw_JzABhC2ARIsAPe3ynpyZLSTgGW1I0zfeh1odPYR93fppJO_K0mIP0DCL-IBnZmOF4rTl7oaAuICEALw_wcB&amp;ei=cZMHaPzMM9rEkPIPi4H0kQ4&amp;ohost=www.google.com&amp;cid=CAESVeD2p6M510xTt557l505_rdLXHvAG-BxdM4xK-WoMkfYxZoh9uJcd5Xvjecmo-xdmSDaS0fiBez6JOr4o6lKWuuJF7_BgFP51cZ5QQl0NO4Meha-WT0&amp;sig=AOD64_3eb78-2XHgrkK_o-wKTh-55ynBTg&amp;q&amp;sqi=2&amp;adurl&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8yc_M2euMAxVaIkQIHYsAPeIQ0Qx6BAgKEAQ"> Adventure Travel Conservation Fund</a> <a href= "https://www.eaglecreek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eagle Creek</a> <a href= "https://www.toadandco.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopMqk94rIaZx_CqawgYsu6bZ_e_7KvrWm671gL_woO8LkFt4XyV" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Toad & Co</a>

<description>&lt;p class="p2"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorbizpodcast/"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Facebook&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;   &lt;a href= "https://twitter.com/rick_saez"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Twitter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;   &lt;a href= "https://www.instagram.com/rick.saez/"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Instagram&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Love the show?&lt;/strong&gt; Subscribe,  &lt;a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outdoor-biz-podcast/id1244919639"&gt;&lt;span class="s4"&gt;rate, review, and share!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Sign up for my Newsletter  &lt;a href= "https://ricksaez.substack.com/p/outdoor-adventure-lifestyle-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span class= "s4"&gt;HERE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;I’d love to hear your feedback about the show!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;You can contact me here:  &lt;a href= "mailto:rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Norie brings decades of experience from her roles at National Geographic Traveler and as a contributor to National Geographic. She shares fascinating insights into adventure storytelling, the evolving landscape of tourism, and the powerful shift toward regenerative travel.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="112" data-end="203"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "112" data-end="203"&gt;Subject: What a Red Puffy Jacket, a Black Lab, and the Tetons Taught Me About Adventure&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="239" data-end="334"&gt;&lt;em&gt;I discovered the magic of nature—only after realizing my feet were literally black with dirt&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="239" data-end="334"&gt;- Norie Quitos&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="556" data-end="559" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="561" data-end="762"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "561" data-end="579"&gt;What Happened:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="579" data-end="582" /&gt; If you told 12-year-old me that one day I’d be preaching the gospel of nature and conservation on a podcast, she would’ve laughed in your face while clutching her Lisa Frank diary.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="764" data-end="972"&gt;Back then, I was a hardcore indoors kid. My travel dreams were less “hike the Andes” and more “sip coffee outside a museum in Paris.” Nature? Great in theory. From a safe, clean, bathroom-accessible distance.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="974" data-end="1097"&gt;But life had other plans. Specifically, two kids and a deep desire for them to experience something I hadn’t: the outdoors.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1099" data-end="1347"&gt;Our first trip? My sister’s backyard. Borrowed tent. Questionable gear. But hey—we survived. That spiraled into state park weekends, and eventually, a full-on wagon adventure at the foot of the Tetons. Cue canvas tents, no showers, and yes—leeches.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1349" data-end="1524"&gt;I was &lt;em data-start= "1355" data-end="1360"&gt;not&lt;/em&gt; okay. My soles were blacker than a burnt marshmallow, and I seriously questioned my life choices… until someone said, “It’s dirt, but it’s not dirty.” Mind. Blown.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1526" data-end="1557"&gt;That moment changed everything.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="1559" data-end="1562" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1564" data-end="1825"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "1564" data-end="1578"&gt;Principle:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="1578" data-end="1581" /&gt; Adventure doesn’t require a plane ticket or a trust fund. It’s not always epic views and adrenaline rushes. Sometimes, it’s dirt, discomfort, and doing something that stretches you just enough to see the world—and yourself—a little differently.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1827" data-end="1966"&gt;That shift in perspective? That’s where the real story begins. It’s not just about going places. It’s about who you become because you did.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="1968" data-end="1971" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1973" data-end="2202"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "1973" data-end="1988"&gt;Transition:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="1988" data-end="1991" /&gt; But here’s the thing… Most of us still think “adventure” only counts if it looks like a Patagonia ad. We think our stories aren’t worth telling unless they involve wild landscapes or bucket list bragging rights.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2204" data-end="2372"&gt;The problem? That belief keeps so many of us from starting. From exploring our own backyards. From seeing travel as a tool for transformation—not just content creation.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="2374" data-end="2377" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2379" data-end="2646"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "2379" data-end="2394"&gt;That’s Why:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="2394" data-end="2397" /&gt; That’s why this episode with Nori Quintos hit home. Because it’s not just about where you go—it’s about how you go. Nori’s journey from suburban indoor kid to global storyteller proves that the adventure industry isn’t just changing—it’s opening up.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2648" data-end="2796"&gt;She shares how regenerative travel is replacing tourism-as-usual, and why women over 50 are redefining what solo travel—and real power—looks like.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="2798" data-end="2801" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2803" data-end="3113"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "2803" data-end="2834"&gt;Call to Action:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start= "2834" data-end="2837" /&gt; Feeling stuck thinking your next adventure needs to be “epic” or expensive? That mindset’s the real roadblock. Break free with Nori’s story—because once you hear it, you’ll realize the best journeys don’t start with gear… they start with grit.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Show Notes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.adventuretravel.biz/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"&gt;Adventure Travel Trade Association&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&amp;amp;ai=DChcSEwj-8NXM2euMAxXnJ0QIHUwWIX0YABABGgJkeg&amp;amp;co=1&amp;amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw_JzABhC2ARIsAPe3ynpyZLSTgGW1I0zfeh1odPYR93fppJO_K0mIP0DCL-IBnZmOF4rTl7oaAuICEALw_wcB&amp;amp;ei=cZMHaPzMM9rEkPIPi4H0kQ4&amp;amp;ohost=www.google.com&amp;amp;cid=CAESVeD2p6M510xTt557l505_rdLXHvAG-BxdM4xK-WoMkfYxZoh9uJcd5Xvjecmo-xdmSDaS0fiBez6JOr4o6lKWuuJF7_BgFP51cZ5QQl0NO4Meha-WT0&amp;amp;sig=AOD64_3eb78-2XHgrkK_o-wKTh-55ynBTg&amp;amp;q&amp;amp;sqi=2&amp;amp;adurl&amp;amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8yc_M2euMAxVaIkQIHYsAPeIQ0Qx6BAgKEAQ"&gt; Adventure Travel Conservation Fund&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.eaglecreek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Eagle Creek&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.toadandco.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopMqk94rIaZx_CqawgYsu6bZ_e_7KvrWm671gL_woO8LkFt4XyV" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Toad &amp; Co&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

       Love the show? Subscribe,   Sign up for my Newsletter   I’d love to hear your feedback about the show! You can contact me here:   Norie brings decades of experience from her...

Regenerative Travel, Storytelling, and Embracing Adventure at Any Age with Norie Quintos 504

Today on episode 503 Jess Nepstad from Bru Trek joins me on The Show. Jess’s LinkedIn profile leads with 'Positively impact people every day!' He says they have a great little company in Bonner, MT - with a team of wonderful people who all enjoy life, the outdoors, work, and friends. <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorbizpodcast/">Facebook</a>   <a href= "https://twitter.com/rick_saez">Twitter</a>   <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/rick.saez/">Instagram</a> Love the show? Subscribe,  <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outdoor-biz-podcast/id1244919639">rate, review, and share!</a> Sign up for my Newsletter  <a href= "https://ricksaez.substack.com/p/outdoor-adventure-lifestyle-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a> I’d love to hear your feedback about the show! You can contact me here:  <a href= "mailto:rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com">rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com</a> What Happened: When I was a kid, the phrase “adventure ready” meant slapping a chili can into a backpack and pedaling 20 miles with your best friend and no helmet. Jess Nesad’s story took me right back. He and his buddy Mark did just that—bikes, backpacks, a plan (sort of), and zero water bottles. They made it to Luckock Park, camped under the stars, hiked to waterfalls, and sipped stream water like champions. It was rugged. It was real. And today? Jess is still chasing that kind of magic—but with a serious upgrade in gear and a lot more hydration. Fast forward a few decades, and he’s the founder of BruTrek, building over-engineered outdoor coffee gear that could survive a bear attack. (Okay, slight exaggeration—but seriously, this stuff is tough.) Principle: The gear you carry reflects how you show up in your adventures—and your business. Cheap tools, whether it’s instant coffee or uninspired branding, leave you flat. But when your tools are built for adventure—when they’re rugged, intentional, and actually designed for how you live—everything changes. Transition: Most outdoor brands talk a big game. But few are built by people who’ve lived it from both sides: the free-range childhood adventures and the boardroom branding meetings. If you’re tired of gear that breaks, branding that feels disconnected, or a business that doesn’t feel like you, there’s a reason for that. That’s why… That’s why this episode hits different. Jess bridges the gap between old-school outdoor grit and the next-gen mindset of thoughtful design, loyal community, and brand storytelling that actually means something. This episode isn’t just about coffee—it’s about creating a lifestyle that works as hard as you do. Call to Action: Still sipping cowboy coffee and calling it good? You deserve better. Don’t let bad gear (or bad branding) hold you back from the adventures you dream of. Listen to this episode and find out how to blend grit, growth, and a damn good cup of coffee into your brand. Show Notes  Favorite piece of gear Neck Gators Favorite Bru Trek Gear: <a href= "https://planetarydesign.com/product/steel-toe-2-0-french-press-sale/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steel Toe</a> Favorite Book/ Authors Book:  John Irving Authors:  Thomas McGuane  Russell Rowland A B Gruthery Contact Jess Email: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075774313462" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/planetarydesign/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Instagram</a> <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-nepstad-5907928/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LinkedIn</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Today on episode 503 Jess Nepstad from Bru Trek joins me on The Show. Jess’s LinkedIn profile leads with 'Positively impact people every day!' He says they have a great little company in Bonner, MT - with a team of wonderful people who all enjoy life, the outdoors, work, and friends.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorbizpodcast/"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Facebook&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;   &lt;a href= "https://twitter.com/rick_saez"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Twitter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;   &lt;a href= "https://www.instagram.com/rick.saez/"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Instagram&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Love the show?&lt;/strong&gt; Subscribe,  &lt;a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outdoor-biz-podcast/id1244919639"&gt;&lt;span class="s4"&gt;rate, review, and share!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Sign up for my Newsletter  &lt;a href= "https://ricksaez.substack.com/p/outdoor-adventure-lifestyle-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span class= "s4"&gt;HERE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;I’d love to hear your feedback about the show!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;You can contact me here:  &lt;a href= "mailto:rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="329" data-end="731"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "329" data-end="347"&gt;What Happened:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="398" data-end="825"&gt;When I was a kid, the phrase “adventure ready” meant slapping a chili can into a backpack and pedaling 20 miles with your best friend and no helmet. Jess Nesad’s story took me right back. He and his buddy Mark did just that—bikes, backpacks, a plan (sort of), and zero water bottles. They made it to Luckock Park, camped under the stars, hiked to waterfalls, and sipped stream water like champions.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="827" data-end="967"&gt;It was rugged. It was real. And today? Jess is still chasing that kind of magic—but with a serious upgrade in gear and a lot more hydration.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="969" data-end="1172"&gt;Fast forward a few decades, and he’s the founder of BruTrek, building over-engineered outdoor coffee gear that could survive a bear attack. (Okay, slight exaggeration—but seriously, this stuff is tough.)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="1279" data-end="1282" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1284" data-end="1554"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "1284" data-end="1298"&gt;Principle:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="1284" data-end="1554"&gt;The gear you carry reflects how you show up in your adventures—and your business. Cheap tools, whether it’s instant coffee or uninspired branding, leave you flat. But when your tools are built for adventure—when they’re rugged, intentional, and actually designed for how you &lt;em data-start= "1508" data-end="1514"&gt;live&lt;/em&gt;—everything changes.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="1619" data-end="1622" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1624" data-end="1883"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "1624" data-end="1639"&gt;Transition:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1541" data-end="1904"&gt;Most outdoor brands talk a big game. But few are built by people who’ve lived it from both sides: the free-range childhood adventures &lt;em data-start= "1724" data-end="1729"&gt;and&lt;/em&gt; the boardroom branding meetings. If you’re tired of gear that breaks, branding that feels disconnected, or a business that doesn’t feel like &lt;em data-start="1871" data-end="1876"&gt;you&lt;/em&gt;, there’s a reason for that.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="2032" data-end="2035" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2037" data-end="2422"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "2037" data-end="2052"&gt;That’s why…&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1911" data-end="2240"&gt;That’s why this episode hits different. Jess bridges the gap between old-school outdoor grit and the next-gen mindset of thoughtful design, loyal community, and brand storytelling that actually &lt;em data-start= "2123" data-end="2130"&gt;means&lt;/em&gt; something. This episode isn’t just about coffee—it’s about creating a lifestyle that works as hard as you do.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="2424" data-end="2427" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2429" data-end="2738"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "2429" data-end="2448"&gt;Call to Action:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2247" data-end="2549"&gt;Still sipping cowboy coffee and calling it good? You deserve better.&lt;br data-start= "2350" data-end="2353" /&gt; Don’t let bad gear (or bad branding) hold you back from the adventures you dream of.&lt;br data-start="2437" data-end="2440" /&gt; Listen to this episode and find out how to blend grit, growth, and a damn good cup of coffee into your brand.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Show Notes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Favorite piece of gear&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Neck Gators&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Favorite Bru Trek Gear: &lt;a href= "https://planetarydesign.com/product/steel-toe-2-0-french-press-sale/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Steel Toe&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Favorite Book/ Authors&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Book&lt;/strong&gt;:  John Irving&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Authors:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt; Thomas McGuane&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt; Russell Rowland&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;A B Gruthery&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact Jess&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Email&lt;/strong&gt;:&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075774313462" target= "_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.instagram.com/planetarydesign/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-nepstad-5907928/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Today on episode 503 Jess Nepstad from Bru Trek joins me on The Show. Jess’s LinkedIn profile leads with 'Positively impact people every day!' He says they have a great little company in Bonner, MT - with a team of wonderful people who all enjoy...

Brewing Adventure: Jess Nepstad on Outdoor Life, Coffee, and Bru Trek's Journey 503

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, This week I’m joined by Triple Crown Hiker Carey Kish. A tireless hiker, outdoor and travel writer, Registered Maine Guide, and self-proclaimed certified fun-meister. Carey’s the author of Beer Hiking New England and a longtime columnist whose stories have inspired outdoor lovers across Maine and beyond for over two decades. We dig into trails, tales, and yes . . . a few cold brews along the way. <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorbizpodcast/">Facebook</a>   <a href= "https://twitter.com/rick_saez">Twitter</a>   <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/rick.saez/">Instagram</a> Love the show? Subscribe,  <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outdoor-biz-podcast/id1244919639">rate, review, and share!</a> Sign up for my Newsletter  <a href= "https://ricksaez.substack.com/p/outdoor-adventure-lifestyle-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a> I’d love to hear your feedback about the show! You can contact me here:  <a href= "mailto:rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com">rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com</a> What Happened: I’ll be honest—before I ever hiked a long trail, I thought “grizzly country” was just a phrase thrown around to add spice to trail stories. Dramatic? Sure. But let me tell you, when you're deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, carrying bear spray for the first time, sleeping in wild country with bear scat nearby, you start to feel what it means to not be top of the food chain. And no, I didn’t see a grizzly. But they saw me. I know they saw me. But even wilder than the bears was the realization that after three long trails—Appalachian Trail, PCT, and CDT—I’d done it. Triple Crown, baby. I didn’t even set out to do it. It just happened. One trail became two, and then I thought, “What the hell, might as well do the third.” It was grueling, wild, hilarious (beer man, reporting for duty), and full of more characters than a Quentin Tarantino film. But that finish at the Canadian border? That was everything. Principle: Here’s the truth: You don’t need to have the perfect plan. You don’t need to start with all the gear dialed. You sure as heck don’t need to wait for the right time. The only thing that really matters? That you go. Just start. One step. Then another. Adventures don’t require perfection. They just need momentum. Transition: The problem is, most people let logistics, fear, or lack of a clear roadmap stop them from ever taking the first step. They think they need a six-month sabbatical, the latest gear, or some magical trail wisdom passed down by a bearded sage. They don’t. What they really need is someone who’s been there—who’s faced the bears (literal and metaphorical), hit the wall, and kept going. That’s why… That’s why I brought Carrie Kish on the podcast. Because she’s been through the highs and the lows—blisters, burnout, bourbon nights in the tent—and came out the other side with stories that prove you can do this. She’s not just a hiker; she’s a storyteller, a guide, and someone who’s figured out how to keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter what. Call to Action: If you’ve been dreaming of a big trail adventure but keep getting stuck in the planning—or worse, in the fear—this episode is your wake-up call. Stop waiting for perfect. Listen in now and discover how Carrie turned wild hikes and cold beers into a life well-lived (and how you can too). 🎧 Listen to the latest episode of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast now. Your trail starts here. Show Notes: Favorite piece of gear <a href= "https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiCy_fy5caMAxXePUQIHS6yIo8YABAJGgJkeg&co=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw782_BhDjARIsABTv_JCnqG7Z6JjzEK3K4iIHwYyzJWX5W-XTxcrFs1MYNuJNghGnTPSRAswaAvu7EALw_wcB&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESVeD2jxcXLXoepEmW_gG7suNPagOCwuTLci4fbPPLNKDdrYJMimMDRr4V_jyFitdgn4Rj0mNO9uuF9r2j8VV2yaIqSDgOjS_2L0lG9JCdETfTS7bqNHw&sig=AOD64_2fB9cHxEK12oG-jrVfOrG9gjyTYg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiVsvHy5caMAxVtJUQIHc9oFn0Q9aACKAB6BAgHEHw&adurl=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Puffy jacket from LL Bean</a> Favorite Authors <a href="http://www.colinfletcher.com/Colin_Fletcher_Home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GearColin Fletcher</a> <a href= "https://jonkrakauer.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Krakauer</a> <a href= "https://www.bonington.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Bonnington</a>  <a href= "https://www.marymorris.net/travel-visuals/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">The travel works of Mary Morris</a> Contact Carey Email: <a href= "mailto:maineoutdoors@aol.com">maineoutdoors@aol.com</a> <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/careykish/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Facebook</a> <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/careykish/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Instagram</a> <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/careykish" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">LinkedIn</a> <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00NR4B5NM" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Books</a>   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.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, This week I’m joined by Triple Crown Hiker Carey Kish. A tireless hiker, outdoor and travel writer, Registered Maine Guide, and self-proclaimed certified fun-meister. Carey’s the author of Beer Hiking New England and a longtime columnist whose stories have inspired outdoor lovers across Maine and beyond for over two decades. We dig into trails, tales, and yes . . . a few cold brews along the way.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorbizpodcast/"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Facebook&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;   &lt;a href= "https://twitter.com/rick_saez"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Twitter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;   &lt;a href= "https://www.instagram.com/rick.saez/"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;Instagram&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Love the show?&lt;/strong&gt; Subscribe,  &lt;a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outdoor-biz-podcast/id1244919639"&gt;&lt;span class="s4"&gt;rate, review, and share!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Sign up for my Newsletter  &lt;a href= "https://ricksaez.substack.com/p/outdoor-adventure-lifestyle-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;span class= "s4"&gt;HERE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;I’d love to hear your feedback about the show!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;You can contact me here:  &lt;a href= "mailto:rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com"&gt;&lt;span class= "s3"&gt;rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="329" data-end="731"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "329" data-end="347"&gt;What Happened:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="347" data-end="350" /&gt; I’ll be honest—before I ever hiked a long trail, I thought “grizzly country” was just a phrase thrown around to add spice to trail stories. Dramatic? Sure. But let me tell you, when you're deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, carrying bear spray for the first time, sleeping in wild country with bear scat nearby, you start to &lt;em data-start="677" data-end="683"&gt;feel&lt;/em&gt; what it means to not be top of the food chain.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="733" data-end="805"&gt;And no, I didn’t see a grizzly. But they saw &lt;em data-start="778" data-end="782"&gt;me&lt;/em&gt;. I &lt;em data-start="786" data-end="792"&gt;know&lt;/em&gt; they saw me.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="807" data-end="1091"&gt;But even wilder than the bears was the realization that after three long trails—Appalachian Trail, PCT, and CDT—I’d done it. Triple Crown, baby. I didn’t even set out to do it. It just &lt;em data-start="992" data-end="1002"&gt;happened&lt;/em&gt;. One trail became two, and then I thought, “What the hell, might as well do the third.”&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1093" data-end="1277"&gt;It was grueling, wild, hilarious (beer man, reporting for duty), and full of more characters than a Quentin Tarantino film. But that finish at the Canadian border? That was everything.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="1279" data-end="1282" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1284" data-end="1554"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "1284" data-end="1298"&gt;Principle:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="1298" data-end="1301" /&gt; Here’s the truth: You don’t need to have the perfect plan. You don’t need to start with all the gear dialed. You sure as heck don’t need to wait for the &lt;em data-start="1454" data-end= "1466"&gt;right time&lt;/em&gt;. The only thing that really matters? That you &lt;em data-start="1513" data-end="1517"&gt;go&lt;/em&gt;. Just start. One step. Then another.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1556" data-end="1617"&gt;Adventures don’t require perfection. They just need momentum.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="1619" data-end="1622" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1624" data-end="1883"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "1624" data-end="1639"&gt;Transition:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="1639" data-end="1642" /&gt; The problem is, most people let logistics, fear, or lack of a clear roadmap stop them from ever taking the first step. They think they need a six-month sabbatical, the latest gear, or some magical trail wisdom passed down by a bearded sage.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1885" data-end="1897"&gt;They don’t.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="1899" data-end="2030"&gt;What they &lt;em data-start="1909" data-end="1917"&gt;really&lt;/em&gt; need is someone who’s been there—who’s faced the bears (literal and metaphorical), hit the wall, and kept going.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="2032" data-end="2035" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2037" data-end="2422"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "2037" data-end="2052"&gt;That’s why…&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start="2052" data-end="2055" /&gt; That’s why I brought Carrie Kish on the podcast. Because she’s been through the highs and the lows—blisters, burnout, bourbon nights in the tent—and came out the other side with stories that prove you &lt;em data-start="2256" data-end="2261"&gt;can&lt;/em&gt; do this. She’s not just a hiker; she’s a storyteller, a guide, and someone who’s figured out how to keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter what.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;hr class="" data-start="2424" data-end="2427" /&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2429" data-end="2738"&gt;&lt;strong data-start= "2429" data-end="2448"&gt;Call to Action:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br data-start= "2448" data-end="2451" /&gt; If you’ve been dreaming of a big trail adventure but keep getting stuck in the planning—or worse, in the fear—this episode is your wake-up call. Stop waiting for perfect. Listen in now and discover how Carrie turned wild hikes and cold beers into a life well-lived (and how you can too).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="" data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;🎧 Listen to the latest episode of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast now. Your trail starts here.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2836" data-end="3147"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Show Notes:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Favorite piece of gear&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&amp;ai=DChcSEwiCy_fy5caMAxXePUQIHS6yIo8YABAJGgJkeg&amp;co=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw782_BhDjARIsABTv_JCnqG7Z6JjzEK3K4iIHwYyzJWX5W-XTxcrFs1MYNuJNghGnTPSRAswaAvu7EALw_wcB&amp;ohost=www.google.com&amp;cid=CAESVeD2jxcXLXoepEmW_gG7suNPagOCwuTLci4fbPPLNKDdrYJMimMDRr4V_jyFitdgn4Rj0mNO9uuF9r2j8VV2yaIqSDgOjS_2L0lG9JCdETfTS7bqNHw&amp;sig=AOD64_2fB9cHxEK12oG-jrVfOrG9gjyTYg&amp;ctype=5&amp;q=&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiVsvHy5caMAxVtJUQIHc9oFn0Q9aACKAB6BAgHEHw&amp;adurl=" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Puffy jacket from LL Bean&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Favorite Authors&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.colinfletcher.com/Colin_Fletcher_Home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;GearColin Fletcher&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://jonkrakauer.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;John Krakauer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.bonington.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Chris Bonnington&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt; &lt;a href= "https://www.marymorris.net/travel-visuals/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"&gt;The travel works of Mary Morris&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact Carey&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Email&lt;/strong&gt;: &lt;a href= "mailto:maineoutdoors@aol.com"&gt;maineoutdoors@aol.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.facebook.com/careykish/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.instagram.com/careykish/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/careykish" target="_blank" rel= "noopener"&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2740" data-end="2845"&gt;&lt;a href= "https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00NR4B5NM" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Books&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p data-start="2836" data-end="3147"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;That would really help us out too. We should tune in every week. Thanks again for listening to the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, This week I’m joined by Triple Crown Hiker Carey Kish. A tireless hiker, outdoor and travel writer, Registered Maine Guide, and self-proclaimed certified fun-meister. Carey’s the author of...

Inspiration and Insights from Triple Crown Hiker Carey Kish Inspiration and Insights from Triple Crown Hiker Carey Kish 502

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