G.O. Get Outside Podcast - Everyday Active People Outdoors Butcher Bird Studios

Named for the beloved naturalist, the John Muir Trail (JMT) traces 213ish miles through California’s spectacular Sierra Nevada mountains. Jason spent 26 days on the JMT in 2019. These are his daily musings and listener’s stories of joy, awe, hardship, frigid lakes, never-ending passes, thunderstorms, food, animals, friendships, trail culture, and the beautiful side of humanity.

Sean Kamp sought a life of business suits and politics. As his career began to flourish, he was faced with a decision: a promotion or the Appalachian Trail. Thru-hiking would lead Sean to reassess what he wanted from life and his place in society. Sean and Jason spoke one night about the intricacies of thru-hiking, traversing the outdoor industry, and the nitty gritty of living on the trail.

Emily McCarthy grew up on the beaches and sandlots of Florida where running became a lifelong passion. Adulthood would carry her across the globe working with volunteer groups and the CIA. Now, she and her husband run GORUCK, a group rooted in special forces principles where veterans and civilians come together to build active communities. Emily and Jason spoke over Skype one day about the mission of GORUCK, her experiences with other cultures, her history with the CIA, and the finer qualities of Red Rover.

North Carolina native John Gage grew up exploring the woods and his mechanical predilections. His drive to understand things lead him into the manufacturing industry. An experience with hypothermia while backpacking shifted his perspective on gear culminating in the founding of Appalachian Gear Company. He and Jason sat in a windy AT shelter one afternoon discussing John’s history with the outdoors, his career in textiles, and the path to 100% alpaca clothing.

Climber Taylor Carpenter taught herself to sew and started a business—Static Climbing—in her bedroom. Dedication, serendipity, and contributions from others would help it grow into a successful operation serving a global climbing market. Taylor and Jason sat in a yard in Bell one evening discussing her competitive athletic youth, her penchant for injury, the challenges of growing a business, dealing with anxiety, and the controversial chalk bag choice of belt or carabiner.

Steven Reinhold wants his adventures to make an impact. Early experiences with Big City Mountaineers shifted his pursuits towards adventure philanthropy. He balances his time with guiding, brand ambassadorship, volunteer work, and leading cleanup initiatives with the Trashtag Project. He and Jason spoke in a windy AT shelter one afternoon about his path to philanthropy, the realities of being a brand ambassador, and the inspirations and goals for #trashtag.