The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin opens the show with his reaction to Gear Patrol's mention of THE ROCK FIGHT in their recent best products of 2024 list.

Colin and Producer Dave use this mention to pump the tires of an outdoor media scene who has way more clout than many realize when it comes to how they cover the brands that drive the conversation in the outdoor industry.

Then Eoin Comerford joins the show to showcase his recent deep dive into the evolving landscape of outdoor direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands based on his recent LinkedIn post.

Lastly it's time for The Parting Shot where Eoin highlights the importance of inclusivity and diversity within the industry, emphasizing that these values should be seen as business imperatives rather than mere societal goals while Colin wants to reject your very thoughtful hand written thank you note.

Follow Eoin Comerford on LinkedIn.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

Please follow and subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to [email protected].

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin is joined by the founder of LIVSN, Andrew Gibbs-Dabney, who shares his compelling journey from personal struggle to building an outdoor brand focused on sustainability and quality.

Andrew discusses the challenges of launching a new brand in a saturated outdoor market and highlights the need for innovation that aligns with environmental responsibility. The conversation also explores how LIVSN's approach to product development merges sustainability with functionality, ensuring that their offerings resonate with a younger, more environmentally conscious customer base.

Lastly today is the two year anniversary of the first episode of THE ROCK FIGHT! So Colin ends the show by reading TRF's first episode, Ski Resorts Are Not Outdoor, as today's Parting Shot.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

Please follow and subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to [email protected].

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Then they talk about a hiker was rescued from quicksand and implore outdoor media sites to give us all a little more reporting about something crazy that happens in the backcountry before clicking that upload button.

Next they enter the House of Housman to explore the controversial topic of wildlife management in Alaska, where plans to cull bears and wolves have raised ethical questions.

The episode of course ends with The Parting Shot! This week Justin admonishes some over eager mountain bikers while Colin gives the definitive ranking of Rankin/Bass Christmas specials.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

Please follow and subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to [email protected].

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Then Eoin Comerford joins Colin to analyze the dynamics of big box retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Academy, looking at their struggles and strategies in a competitive landscape, and what specialty retail can learn from these big chains.

The conversation then focuses on the recent collaboration between The North Face & Skims, where concerns about sustainability and brand integrity are highlighted before taking a look at the recent Under Armour investor day.

Colin wraps up the show with The Parting Shot where he offers a warning to those aspiring to become the next big water bottle after news broke last week about a recall impacting Stanley water bottles.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

Please follow and subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.

Want to pick a fight with THE ROCK FIGHT? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to [email protected].

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin is joined by the founder and editor in chief of Blister, Jonathan Ellsworth, to talk about making the backcountry a safer and more affordable place for outdoor enthusiasts.

Outdoor enthusiasts face significant risks when engaging in their favorite activities, and having the right insurance coverage can be a game changer; which is exactly what Blister+ is looking to be.

Blister+, the gear review site's membership program, includes an innovative outdoor injury insurance policy designed to protect adventurers from the financial burden of accidents.

The conversation delves into Ellsworth's personal experiences with serious injuries and the hefty medical bills that often accompany them, highlighting the importance of accessible coverage for high-risk sports. As the outdoor recreation community continues to grow, the need for affordable and effective insurance solutions becomes increasingly critical.

Hurricane Helene Relief Links:

• Support and Shop Western North Carolina Brands
• Fuel Goods
• Outdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief Fund
• GoFundMe for Bubba O'Learys
• Western North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource Guide
• East Tennessee Foundation Relief Fund

Head to www.rockfight.co and sign up for News From the Front, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter!

Please follow and subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star rating and written review wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out our other podcast on the Rock Fight Podcast Network: Gear & Beer! It's a relationship and advice show for those obsessed with the outdoorsy lifestyle.

Have a question or comment for a future mailbag episode? Send it to [email protected] or send a message on Instagram or Threads.

Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.