Beyond The Trailhead

craig obrist
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship

Beyond the Trailhead Podcast is where the outdoor world comes alive. We sit down with the people shaping the industry—founders, designers, and adventurers—to hear the stories behind the gear and the journeys that inspire it. From trailhead conversations to trail-tested reviews, this series dives into what makes the outdoor community unique, real, and worth exploring. Whether you’re a gear junkie, a weekend warrior, or someone who just loves trail talk, this is your spot to discover what’s happening beyond the trailhead. Guest suggestions or you would like to be on the show email at info@craigobrist.com

  1. GreenBelly Meals CEO & Creator Chris Cage | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 36

    3d ago

    GreenBelly Meals CEO & Creator Chris Cage | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 36

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Chris Cage, CEO and creator of Greenbelly Meals, the backpacking food brand known for ready-to-eat, high-calorie meal bars made for hikers, thru-hikers, bikepackers, climbers, and outdoor adventurers. Chris did not start out in the food world. After college, he worked as an accountant, realized it was not the path he wanted long-term, saved up money, quit, and spent nearly two years traveling, volunteering in Asia, bicycle touring through New Zealand, and eventually thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. After all of that, he came home with very little money left, moved back in with his parents, and started experimenting with backpacking food ideas in his mom’s kitchen. The first concept was a high-calorie “gloop” made with peanut butter, honey, and anything else he could pack calories into. Eventually, that idea turned into Greenbelly Meals. We also dive into: • Why Chris left accounting and chose adventure instead • How the Appalachian Trail inspired Greenbelly • Why early Greenbelly recipes started in his mom’s kitchen • What it was like working with a food scientist • The stress of making food, shipping orders, and doing everything himself • How Kickstarter helped Greenbelly get off the ground • Why Joe Rogan gave the brand a major bump • How SEO helped Greenbelly grow in the early years • Why Chris started putting his face behind the brand • The pros and cons of direct-to-consumer vs retail • Why YouTube became a major marketing channel for Greenbelly This episode is full of founder lessons, trail food talk, business mistakes, marketing strategy, and honest insight into what it actually takes to build an outdoor food brand. If you’ve ever eaten something terrible on trail and thought, “There has to be a better way,” this one is for you. Connect with Greenbelly Meals Website: https://www.greenbelly.co YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Greenbelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenbellymeal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenbellyMeals Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com

    50 min
  2. Overwatch X Rescue CEO & Creator Greg Pearson | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 35

    Jun 16

    Overwatch X Rescue CEO & Creator Greg Pearson | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 35

    Use Code BEYOND15 to get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue! You need this! In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Greg Pearson, CEO and creator of Overwatch x Rescue, a 24/7 emergency assistance subscription service built for people who live, work, and play beyond reliable cell service. Greg’s background is not your typical outdoor startup story. He spent years working in the world of risk, crisis response, military, law enforcement, private security, and global emergency operations before creating a service designed to answer one simple question: “I need help… what now?” Overwatch x Rescue was created to help coordinate emergency assistance and help cover the financial exposure that can come with a rescue, ambulance transport, helicopter evacuation, or other emergency response situation. Greg explains why many hikers hesitate to call for help, why rescue bills can be terrifying, and how Overwatch x Rescue works differently from traditional insurance models. We also dive into: • What Overwatch x Rescue actually does • Why satellite signal alone does not get you rescued • How their 24/7 emergency response system works • Why hikers hesitate before pressing SOS • The difference between insurance and first-payer rescue support • How Overwatch x Rescue connects with Globalstar and SPOT devices • Why more smartphones may soon have satellite connectivity • How Greg built a service around crisis response and human decision-making • Why preparation matters before you ever hit the trail • The future of outdoor safety and backcountry rescue This episode is a great one for hikers, backpackers, travelers, hunters, overlanders, paddlers, photographers, and anyone who spends time outside cell service. If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens after you hit SOS… this one is for you. 🚨 Connect with Overwatch x Rescue Website: https://overwatchxrescue.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overwatchxrescue Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overwatchxrescue LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/overwatch-x-rescue Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    47 min
  3. Why Small Outdoor Brands Struggle to Grow Online | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 34

    Jun 9

    Why Small Outdoor Brands Struggle to Grow Online | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 34

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Bekah Whitney, owner and creator of Ecoteric Marketing, a marketing agency focused on helping eco-conscious outdoor brands build marketing systems that actually get executed. Bekah’s story started while living full-time on the road in a cargo trailer. She quit a stable remote job without a clear plan, picked up her first clients, and slowly built her business from freelance social media work into a full marketing agency for small outdoor brands. Now, she helps brands connect the pieces that often get separated: social media, email marketing, website messaging, blogs, customer journey, content libraries, and overall strategy. We also dive into: • Why social media alone usually isn’t enough • How small brands can stop winging their marketing • Why strategy matters before running ads • The importance of email marketing and customer journeys • Why founders need to show their face more online • How behind-the-scenes content builds trust • Why polished content is not always what performs best • The biggest mistakes small brands make with marketing • Why execution matters more than another unused Google Doc • How outdoor brands can show up consistently without losing authenticity This episode is a great one for any small brand, creator, founder, or outdoor business trying to figure out how to grow online without feeling overwhelmed. If you’ve ever said, “We need to post more,” but had no real plan behind it… this one is for you. 🌿 Connect with Ecoteric Marketing Website: https://ecotericmarketing.com Contact: https://ecotericmarketing.com/contact Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecotericmarketing Ecoteric Marketing focuses on social media management, email marketing, blog writing, content creation, and marketing strategy for eco-conscious outdoor-focused companies. Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1h 7m
  4. AlpackaRaft Creator & Owner Thor Tingey | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 33

    Jun 2

    AlpackaRaft Creator & Owner Thor Tingey | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 33

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Thor Tingey, CEO and co-founder of Alpacka Raft, one of the most iconic brands in the world of packrafting. Alpacka Raft started after Thor completed a massive traverse through Alaska’s Brooks Range using boats that were never really built for that kind of adventure. The idea worked… but the gear didn’t. So Thor went to his mom, Sheri Tingey, who had a background in outdoor clothing design and kayaking, and asked her to build something better. That moment helped spark what would become Alpacka Raft and the modern version of packrafting we know today. We also dive into: • The early Alaska trips that started everything • Why packrafting was so limited before Alpacka • How Sheri Tingey helped design the modern packraft • The challenge of building rafts in the early days • Why Alpacka keeps manufacturing in Mancos, Colorado • How packrafts changed backcountry travel • The difference between whitewater, flatwater, and expedition boats • Why slow growth can be a smarter business strategy • The realities of running an outdoor brand through hard seasons • What happens when private equity enters the outdoor industry This episode is packed with adventure stories, business wisdom, product design insight, and a behind-the-scenes look at the brand that helped make packrafting what it is today. If you’ve ever looked at a lake, river, or remote wilderness route and thought, “I wish I had a boat right now…” this one is for you. 🚣‍♂️ Connect with Alpacka Raft Website: https://alpackaraft.com Our Story: https://alpackaraft.com/our-story Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpacka_raft Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alpackaraftllc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlpackaRaft Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    58 min
  5. Gryphon Gear Creator & Owner Gary Benninger | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 32

    May 26

    Gryphon Gear Creator & Owner Gary Benninger | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 32

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Gary Benninger, creator and owner of Gryphon Gear, a small handmade gear company known for quilts and sleeping bags built with serious warmth in mind. Gary’s story goes way back from reading about Admiral Byrd’s South Pole expeditions, to working as a research scientist at NASA, to spending more than 100 nights sleeping on snow. His love for cold-weather adventure eventually turned into a company focused on building sleeping bags and quilts that are not just light, but actually warm when the temperature drops. We also dive into: • How Gryphon Gear got started • Why Gary has such a passion for cold-weather camping • The science behind down, loft, heat loss, and overfill • Why Gryphon Gear uses 80% overfill in their bags and quilts • What a vapor radiation barrier actually does • Why condensation matters in winter sleeping bags • The difference between warmth ratings and survival ratings • Handmade gear, custom sizing, and small business realities • Why marketing is often harder than making the product This episode is packed with gear science, old-school outdoor stories, winter camping wisdom, and the kind of technical knowledge only someone like Gary can bring. If you’ve ever wondered why some sleeping bags keep you warm and others don’t… this one is for you. Connect with Gryphon Gear Website: https://www.gryphongear.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gryphongear Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15. Don’t forget to: • Like 👍 and Subscribe 🔔 • Share this with your hiking crew Let’s go Beyond the Trailhead.

    1h 6m
  6. Symbiosis Gear Creator & Owner Sarah Berkeley | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 31

    May 19

    Symbiosis Gear Creator & Owner Sarah Berkeley | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 31

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Sarah Berkeley, creator and owner of Symbiosis Gear, a woman-founded backpacking gear company making packs for people with boobs. Sarah’s story started on the Pacific Crest Trail, where she went through three different backpacks and still couldn’t find one that fit her body well. She saw men using small, sleek ultralight packs, but when she looked closer, the designs often didn’t offer the adjustability or fit she needed. So she reached out to a company with a simple design suggestion. They never wrote back. Instead of waiting for someone else to fix the problem, Sarah eventually built the pack herself. We also dive into: • Why many ultralight packs don’t work well for women’s bodies • The story behind Symbiosis Gear • What makes the Aspen backpack different • Why S-curve straps and adjustability matter • The reality of launching a product as a small brand • Ordering 500 backpacks and realizing that might be a lot • Getting scammed through a “try before you buy” app • Why women-specific gear still matters in the outdoor industry • The balance between listening to mentors and trusting yourself This episode is full of founder lessons, gear design insight, business mistakes, and honest conversation about building something that should have existed a long time ago. If you’ve ever worn a backpack that just didn’t feel like it was made for your body, this one is for you. Connect with Symbiosis Gear Website: https://www.symbiosisgear.com The Aspen Backpack: https://www.symbiosisgear.com/products/the-aspen Find a Retailer: https://www.symbiosisgear.com/pages/find-a-retailer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symbiosisgear Garage Grown Gear: https://www.garagegrowngear.com/collections/symbiosis-gear Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    58 min
  7. Bearvault's Marketing & Sales Grant Breidenbach | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 30

    May 12

    Bearvault's Marketing & Sales Grant Breidenbach | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 30

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Grant Breidenbach, Sales and Marketing Manager at BearVault, the company behind some of the most recognized bear-resistant food containers in the outdoor industry. If you backpack in bear country, there’s a good chance you’ve carried a BearVault… loved it, hated it, sat on it, stuffed it into your pack, or fought with it at the end of a long day. Grant shares the story behind BearVault, how the company started from a need to reduce human-bear conflict in the Sierra, and why their mission is about more than just protecting your food. It’s about keeping bears wild and keeping people safe outdoors. We also dive into: • The history of BearVault • The 5-year design process behind the new BV ONE • Why bear cans are required in so many wild places • How bears actually test these products • The truth about “bear-proof” vs. bear-resistant • Why the BV ONE collapses as your food stash shrinks • What went wrong during freezing rain testing • Counterfeit bear cans and why certification matters • The challenge of marketing a product people already own This episode is packed with gear design, wildlife education, product testing stories, and plenty of funny bear-can reality. If you’ve ever complained about carrying a bear can… this one is for you. Connect with BearVault Website: https://bearvault.com BV ONE: https://bearvault.com/products/bv-one Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearvault Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1h 16m
  8. Garage Grown Gear's Lloyd Vogel | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 29

    May 5

    Garage Grown Gear's Lloyd Vogel | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 29

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, we sit down with Lloyd Vogel, CEO of Garage Grown Gear. The platform that has helped launch and grow some of the most innovative brands in the outdoor industry. What started as a small side hustle in a basement turned into a powerhouse marketplace supporting 300+ small outdoor brands and Lloyd’s story is one every founder needs to hear. We dive into: • How Garage Grown Gear actually started (hint: it involved a giveaway) • The reality of building a business from scratch • Why small brands struggle to scale — and how to fix it • The truth about competition, copycats, and innovation in ultralight gear • What separates brands that make it… from the ones that don’t Lloyd also shares behind-the-scenes insight into how they discover new brands, what makes a product stand out, and why most founders burn out before they succeed. If you’re building a brand, love gear, or just want to understand how the outdoor industry really works this episode is packed. 👉 “Adversity isn’t a setback… it’s the process.”  🎙️ Follow Lloyd & Garage Grown Gear Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garagegrowngear Website: https://www.garagegrowngear.com Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1h 17m
See All (36)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Beyond the Trailhead Podcast is where the outdoor world comes alive. We sit down with the people shaping the industry—founders, designers, and adventurers—to hear the stories behind the gear and the journeys that inspire it. From trailhead conversations to trail-tested reviews, this series dives into what makes the outdoor community unique, real, and worth exploring. Whether you’re a gear junkie, a weekend warrior, or someone who just loves trail talk, this is your spot to discover what’s happening beyond the trailhead. Guest suggestions or you would like to be on the show email at info@craigobrist.com

Information

  • Creator
    craig obrist
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 craig obrist

You Might Also Like