Simplicity, Resilience, and Raising Trout with the Iconic Ty Walker

"Doing everything will burn you out. Focus on a few things and do them well—that’s how you build something that lasts."

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we head to the Shenandoah Valley in rural Virginia (USA) to explore what it means to live with purpose and focus with Ty Walker, a trout farmer and steward of a historic 1930s hatchery. Ty shares his remarkable journey of leaving the noise and distractions of urban life to revive Smoke in Chimneys—a trout farm he resurrected with a century-old manual and a lot of grit. In a world obsessed with doing more, Ty teaches us the power of doing less, staying grounded in our work, and finding fulfillment in simplicity.

From sustainable farming and family to the unexpected lessons hidden in patience, Ty’s wisdom is an antidote to burnout and a reminder that bountiful living comes when we invest deeply in what matters most.

What can you learn about life, business and family from a Trout farmer? As it turns out, quite a bit.

Episode Highlights:

🌾 The Power of Doing Less: Why trying to “do it all” leads to burnout—and how focus is the real key to success.

📚 Learning from History: How Ty used a 1940s trout farming manual and old-school wisdom to rebuild a farm from the ground up.

🐟 Farming with Purpose: What makes Smoke in Chimneys trout so special, and how sustainable practices honor both the land and the fish.

🏡 Balancing Family and Farming: Ty’s reflections on creating a fulfilling life that prioritizes family and work with intention.

🌱 Resilience and Patience: How Ty navigated setbacks, embraced uncertainty, and trusted the process of reviving the hatchery.

🌿 The Spirituality of the Land: Why farming is more than a job—it’s about connection, humility, and stewardship of creation.

Detailed Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Ty Walker, trout farmer, father, and steward of Smoke in Chimneys.
06:15 – Leaving the City: Ty and Shannon’s leap from urban life to farm life—and the search for deeper purpose.
12:20 – The Trout Hatchery Revival: Discovering a forgotten 1930s trout hatchery and learning the ropes from a century-old manual.
20:10 – The Value of Focus: Ty’s belief in doing a few things well instead of trying to do everything.
28:30 – Raising Trout Sustainably: How Ty farms fish with respect for nature and historic methods.
36:45 – Resilience and Starting Over: Ty shares his challenges in rebuilding the land and learning a completely new skill.
44:15 – Family, Faith, and Balance: How Ty integrates his family and values into farm life.
52:00 – Life Lessons from the Land: The spiritual connection between farming, patience, and purpose.
58:00 – Final Reflections: Ty’s advice for slowing down, living intentionally, and reconnecting with what matters most.

Guest Bio:

Ty Walker is the owner and operator of Smoke in Chimneys, a revitalized 1930s trout hatchery located in New Castle, Virginia. Raised on the family farm in the Shenandoah Valley, Ty grew up surrounded by fishing, farming, and a deep appreciation for the land. After spending years in urban life, Ty and his wife, Shannon, returned to their roots with the mission of restoring a historic trout hatchery.

Using old-school methods and sustainable practices, Ty now raises trout that rival those caught in the wild while honoring the land’s legacy. Alongside his work as a farmer, Ty is a husband, father of four, and ordained minister who believes in connecting people to nature and purpose.

https://www.smokeinchimneys.com/

The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.

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