The Outdoor Biz Podcast Rick Saez
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- Business
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Winner of Four Outdoor Writers Association of America Excellence in Craft Awards The Outdoor Biz Podcast features inspiring conversations with Outdoor/Adventure Brand Founders and Leaders from Outdoor, Bike, Ski, Adventure Travel, Conservation, Industry Recruiters, Executives and, many others. They talk about their careers, tell inspiring stories, and offer advice and direction on the path you can take to get your job in the industry and grow your Outdoor Career. Hosted by Author, Speaker, and, Adventurer Rick Saez and available wherever you get your podcasts.
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Rachel Gross Unpacks the Evolution of Outdoor Gear and the American Outdoor Identity [EP 431]
This week I'm talking with Rachel Gross, an environmental and cultural historian of the modern U. S. and an assistant professor of history at the University of Colorado Denver. Among many accolades and experiences, Rachel was a Carson Fellow at the Rachel Carson Center in Munich and, for her doctoral research, wrote about the history of outdoor clothing and gear in the U.S. from the Civil War to the present. Her book is: Shopping All the Way to the Woods: How the Outdoor Industry Sold Nature to America
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If you write as much as I do, it’s nice to have a little backup with spelling and grammar, and I use Grammarly. Grammarly is a cloud-based typing assistant. It reviews spelling, punctuation, clarity, engagement, and delivery mistakes, detects plagiarism, and suggests replacements for the identified errors. It also allows users to customize their style, tone, and context-specific language.
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To try it out, go to ricksaez dot com slash grammarcheck and get signed up today. You can thank me later. That's Ricksaez dot com slash grammar check.
Show Notes 00:00 Shifted from outdoor pursuits to writing about them professionally.
04:46 Global scholars gather at Munich's Rachel Carson Center.
09:58 Early guidebooks promoted self-reliance in the outdoors, discouraging buying equipment and emphasizing the Woodcraft ethic of creating makeshift arrangements from natural materials.
11:15 Early white guidebook authors claim close Native American ties to validate their information sources. They emphasize their relationship with Native Americans as a way of asserting the authenticity of their knowledge. Their focus on white settlers' connections to the Native American past is reflected in the stories of native peoples being displaced from national parks in the early 20th century, which are recurrent themes in their publications.
15:35 Book delves into paradox of outdoor consumerism, exploring its history and impact on American attitudes towards nature.
18:23 Consumer identity linked to fancy cooking gadgets. Participation.
22:06 Outdoor industry leads in photography and sustainability.
24:56 Experts doubt Patagonia's sincerity in anti-consumerism ad.
29:14 "Ski Style" by Annie Gilbert Coleman is a recommended book that explores the culture and evolution of skiing in the 20th century. It provides insights into how skiing has become associated with specific social classes, economic accessibility, and the development of ski resorts and attire. The book encourages readers to critically evaluate the origins and evolution of this popular recreational activity.
32:21 Encouraging introspection on consumerism's values and influence. Reflecting on personal choices and societal impact.
33:46 Researcher finds value in personal stories for understanding.
Learn More
To learn more about Rachel and her work, visit her website at: https://rachel-gross.com/
You can also visit Rachel on these social sites:
Facebook
X
Next Steps If you enjoy interviews devoted to the outdoor industry, find us online at ricksaez.com/listen. We welcome likes and comments, and if you know someone who is also an outdoor enthusiast, go ahead and share our site with them, too.
Keywords #outdoor gear, #history of camping, #outdoor industry, #research, #cultural history, #environmental history, #environmental sustainability, #consumerism, #American outdoor identity, #consumer behavior, #product design, #sustainability initiatives
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The Art of Endurance: Nadia Ruiz's Stories of Running, Coaching, and Outdoor Pursuits [EP 430]
Today, I’m talking with endurance athlete Nadia Ruiz. I met Nadia at The Running Event in Austin last year. Nadia is a personal coach, the youngest female to finish 100 marathons, and has completed over 650 races around the globe. We talk about her love for running, the various events she has run, her coaching activities, and more.
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00:00 Inspired by Ironman race, dreamed of participating someday.
03:34 Expensive, equipment-heavy triathlon; initially aimed for marathon. Discovered LA Marathon.
09:17 During the COVID pandemic, to pass the time, I created lists of my top 10 favorite trail marathons, international races, and US marathons. I have participated in over 650 races across the globe in the past 26 years, finding great joy in the people I met, the sights I saw, and the food I enjoyed. The experience of racing frequently has allowed me to connect with others who share the same passion. The first race I ever did holds a special place in my heart, as it made me feel invincible.
13:08 Ecuadorian heritage fuels passion for trail running.
17:05 I fit running into my schedule whenever possible, whether it's during lunch or in the morning or evening. It's not a chore for me, and I've been running for 26 years.
22:19 Success begins with small, consistent steps taken daily. It's important to remember that even the best athletes had to start with that first challenging step.
23:23 Favorite Piece of Running gear: Trekking poles and Micro-spikes
24:09 Favorite Books: Champion Mindset, Running Your First Ultra: Customizable Training Plans for Your First 50K to 100-Mile Race: New Edition with Write-In Training Journal
25:30 I'm open to help, don't hesitate to connect
Learn More You can follow up with Nadia here:
Links
nadiacruiz@yahoo.com
Next Steps If you enjoy interviews devoted to the outdoor industry, find us online at ricksaez.com/listen. We welcome likes and comments, and if you know someone who is also an outdoor enthusiast, go ahead and share our site with them, too.
Keywords #endurancecoaching, #running, #triathlon, #strengthtraining, #mobility, #aging, #recovery, #snowboarding, #swimming, #cycling, #cross-country, #dog-training, #running gear, #outdoor gear, #ultra running, #trail running, #marathon, #Ironman, #LA marathon, #event marketing, #education, #cross training, #triathlons, #Inca Trail marathon, #racing experience, #outdoor industry, #event production
Podcast produced using Descript, CastMagic
Podcast hosted by Libsyn use code 'outdoorbizpod' for 20% OFF
Show Notes powered by Castmagic
Website powered by Wordpress
Note: As an Affiliate of Amazon and others, I earn from qualifying purchases. -
Mark Holyoak from RMEF: Unveiling the Work of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation [EP 429]
Welcome to Episode 429 of the Outdoor Biz Podcast. Today I’m talking with Mark Holyoak, Director of Communication at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Mark has been in the communications business for 35 years. He spent the first 24 years as a television broadcast journalist in Kansas, Washington and Montana. In 2012, he accepted the position of director of communication at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, where he oversees Bugle magazine, produces written and digital content, creates video scripts, and is responsible for all internal and external communications. He likes to hunt, fly fish, hike, play softball, basketball, and hockey, and ride his mountain unicycle with his kids.
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Show Notes 00:00 As a child in the 70s and 80s, I spent most of my time outside, exploring the creek bottoms, catching crawdads, fishing, and playing with friends. It was a carefree time when we would leave the house in the morning and only return when it was dark. I have fond memories of hiking, skipping rocks, and playing with critters - typical kid stuff, really. 04:41 Fond memories of hunting with parents in Utah. 07:04 Bonding through outdoor activities, father and son. 11:11 Transitioned from news anchor to public relations director. 15:21 Father, a petroleum geologist, inspired deep love for profession. 17:12 Gaining factory work experience, learning from veterans. 19:31 Elk organization's efforts support wildlife and habitat conservation through fundraising and projects like forest thinning and prescribed burns. 24:34 Preserving land for public hunting and fishing access. 27:16 Addressing environmental and animal rights movements is crucial. These movements pose challenges such as limiting fishing and public access. Professional wildlife managers and biologists are essential for informed decision-making. 30:41 Hunting expeditions with family and friends in the mountains, seeking elk but not always successful, while also feeling excited about introducing the activity to a grandson and an unexpected interest from an older daughter. 33:24 Take decisive action and create opportunities. 37:47 I Considered buying various fly fishing bait colors. 39:29 Manages Elk Foundation publication staff and media monitoring. 44:04 Conserved 72,000 acres, opened access to 78,000. Large easement in Kentucky for public access. 36:52 What's one or two of your favorite books? I'm not really a book reader. I'm more of an online article reader. RMEF's Bugle Magazine. Although I do like John Grisham, I'll say that. 34:34 Favorite piece of Outdoor Gear under $100: So I really like fly fish. I buy the materials, and I tie my own flies. I really enjoy that. And so I came across my wife's embroidery thread. She had Orange for October caddises and olive green for olive caddises and black and yellow for really vibrant, for just Adam's flies or just all sorts of everything. And so I didn't purchase it. I'm like, Hey, when's the last time you did any of this? Oh, I don't really do that anymore. I'm going to take this bag, it has all these different colors in it. So it wasn't a purchase. It was more of just a pilfering. Right. And, but that's what I use. I mean, you can obviously go and get different types of materials from Sportsman's Warehouse or Cabela's or wherever you shop and make your own bodies. But I'm telling you that embroidery stuff works great Learn More
To learn more about Mark and The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, visit their website at: https://www.rmef.org/
You can also visit The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation on these social sites:
YouTube
Facebook
X
Instagram
Next Steps If you enjoy interviews devoted to the outdoor industry, find us online at ricksaez.com/listen. We welcome likes and -
Trailblazing with Mari Bodensteiner and The Space Trailers Story [EP 428]
Welcome to Episode 428 of the Outdoor Biz Podcast with Mari Bodensteiner and Space Trailers. Mari grew up on the backwaters of the upper Mississippi. She is an avid hiker and amateur angler. Before her career in marketing, she taught English and Rhetoric at several universities across the country. Additionally, she contracted with the State Department to develop international educational programs in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. She currently works to grow the SPACE Trailers brand and is most inspired by the passionate consumers that she gets to interact with each day.
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Show Notes 00:00 The individual discusses their transition from teaching to a marketing role, emphasizing the influence of lifelong learning from education on shaping their career path. They note a connection between teaching rhetoric at the university level and their current role as a marketing director, highlighting how the communication principles they taught, such as ethos, pathos, and logos, directly translates to marketing messaging. 04:15 Chris and Rich have collaborated for over 30 years in manufacturing and entrepreneurship. They have a strong background in manufacturing and have successfully built numerous companies together. They recently acquired a company called space trailers from two eccentric brothers in Minnesota, and are now working with their family in this dynamic. 07:37 Families are enjoying the convenience and excitement of cross country road trips with compact trailers, freeing up extra space in their jam-packed vehicles for bikes and kayaks. There has been a surge in the shipping of these trailers, which are compact and lightweight, and can be stored vertically for easy delivery. This increase in demand for trailers is attributed to the transition back to a hybrid workplace or less flexibility in work arrangements. 10:03 Choose between a high rider and a low rider based on preference, considering the hitch height for vehicles like vans and Jeeps. In 2023, a new high rider XL was introduced, offering 20% more space, higher sides, a heavier axle, and additional wells for carrying more gear. This new trailer received positive feedback for its increased capacity, prompting requests for even higher sides. 15:21 At trade shows, we actively engage with consumers by encouraging them to visit our booth, share their experiences, and connect with us on social media. We also refer them to relevant consumer-driven social media groups for quick answers to their questions and concerns. 17:21 Enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and angling. Described the pleasant location on the Mississippi River and the bluffs, and mentioned the lack of snow and mild winter weather. Shared an experience of doing a polar plunge in Northern Wisconsin over the new year due to the absence of ice, usually used for fishing. 21:05 Customers express a strong affection for the brand, noting its unique appeal in the form of the substantial number of follow-up pictures they send. They derive a sense of pride and ownership from assembling the product, particularly appreciating the feature of the removable canopy. The process of putting it on for the first time and being able to take it off and on as needed evokes a feeling of accomplishment for them. Moreover, they find joy in sharing their experiences of traveling with the product, often showcasing the initial location they take it to. This not only offers a rewarding experience for the customers but also adds a layer of fun and connection for the brand. 25:43 The text emphasizes the importance of community-building for achieving success, drawing on Malcolm Gladwell's ideas about talent and success. It highlights the shift from solely focusing on tale -
Joe DiGirolamo Shares Thermore's Pursuit of Sustainability and Environmental Awareness [427]
In this episode, Rick Saez welcomes Joe DiGirolamo, Director of Sales at insulation company Thermore. After sharing their early experiences with outdoor activities and their current hobbies, they delve into the concept of plastic recycling for insulation production. They discuss the importance of adopting sustainability both in the manufacturing processes and everyday operations. Thermore's Ocean Down initiative, and the impact of our buying decisions on the environment. Joe illustrates these with his work in Thermore, particularly with the development of sustainable materials. He further urges listeners to make conscious, wise choices concerning consumption, especially when dealing with single-use plastics.
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Show Notes Questions we Discussed Share your first outdoor experience with us? Camping, hiking, biking, what was it?
How often do you get out to camp, hike, bike, etc, these days?
Tell us a bit about Thermore, it's a family business founded in Italy?
You've been with Thermore a long time. What were you doing before joining Theremore?
Thermore has been driving sustainability since day one, where does that ethos come from?
How has the process of developing sustainable materials evolved over the years?
I don't know much about Ocean bound plastic, what can you share with us about that?
How do you tweak the manufacturing to produce different insulation to fit different use cases? "blown" vs. "rolled for example.
What are the best practices we, as consumers, can do to achieve the same goal?
Tell us about Thermore’s Ocean Down. Has it been widely embraced?
What are some of your other initiatives to drive sustainability, both in manufacturing as well as day-to-day operations?
Do you have a favorite activity or place to get outside?
What is your favorite outdoor gear purchase under $100?
How about some of your favorite books?
Is there anything else you want to say or ask of our listeners?
Where can people find you if they’d like to follow up (email, Twitter, Instagram, etc)?
Learn More To learn more about Joe and Thermore, visit their website at: https://www.thermore.com
You can also visit Thermore on these social sites:
YouTube
Linkedin
Facebook
Instagram
Next Steps If you enjoy interviews devoted to the outdoor industry, find us online at ricksaez.com/listen. We welcome likes and comments, and if you know someone who is also an outdoor enthusiast, go ahead and share our site with them, too.
Keywords #Thermore, #JoeDiGirolamo, #Milan, #innovation, #sustainability, #recycled technology, #product development, #ocean-bound plastic, #Southeast Asia, #manufacturing, #recycled fibers, #single-use plastics, #plastic pollution, #sustainable materials, #outdoor industry, #family-owned, #outdoor activities, #golf, #tennis, #climate change, #environmental awareness
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Podcast hosted by Libsyn use code 'outdoorbizpod' for 20% OFF
Show Notes powered by Castmagic
Website powered by Wordpress
Note: As an Affiliate of Amazon and others, I earn from qualifying purchases. -
Tom Dempsey, Outdoor Industry Leadership, and SylvanSport's Innovative Approach [EP 426]
Hey everyone, welcome to Episode 426 with Tom Dempsey, founder and CEO of SylvanSport and a highly regarded national leader in the outdoor industry for several decades. SylvanSport designs and manufactures innovative recreation vehicles and outdoor gear. In addition to SylvanSport, Dempsey has founded and led several other companies in the outdoor recreation industry and is the founding chairperson of the North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Coalition, a non-profit group that directs and supports the state's Outdoor Recreation Industry Office.
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Show Notes Questions we Discussed Tell us about your first outdoor experience?
How many times do you get out to camp, hike, etc, these days?
Where does your love for industrial design come from?
And what was your job at Coleman? It was your first outdoor job, right?
You got into the kayak space when it was still relatively new. Are you a kayaker?
What was it about adventure sports that inspired SlyvanSport?
Tell us about the early days of Sylvan, is your first product still in the line?
How do you find time to run the company and maintain the role of chief product designer?
Sylvan also has a great company culture, can you share some of the things you do to maintain that?
What is the Sylvan distribution network like, how many RV dealers are you in?
Mountain Bridge Wilderness
Are all your products sold in the US or are there any international distributors?
Do you have a favorite place camp?
How about a spot to get away for an hour or so and get some outdoor time during the week?
Do you have any suggestions and/or advice for folks with a product idea to get it into production?
What is your favorite outdoor gear purchase under $100? Sylvan Sport WayLight
How about some of your favorite books? Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
And Tom has a special offer for our listeners . . . 20% off on gear (excludes their trailers). The code is: outdoorbiz20
Is there anything else you want to say or ask of our listeners?
Where can people find you if they’d like to follow up (email, Twitter, Instagram, etc)? tom@sylvansport.com
Learn More To learn more about Tom and SylvanSport, visit their website at: https://www.sylvansport.com/
You can also visit SylvanSport on these social sites:
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
Pinterest
X
Next Steps If you enjoy interviews devoted to the outdoor industry, find us online at ricksaez.com/listen. We welcome likes and comments, and if you know someone who is also an outdoor enthusiast, go ahead and share our site with them, too.
Keywords #camping, #outdoor activities, #industrial designer, #product production, #outdoor gear, #simplicity, #Sylvan Sport, #mountain bridge wilderness, #trade show, #Boy Scouts, #paddling. #product designer, #Auburn University, #RV industry, e3ntry-level RV, #company culture, #leadership
Podcast produced using Descript
Podcast hosted by Libsyn use code 'outdoorbizpod' for 20% OFF
Show Notes powered by Castmagic
Website powered by Wordpress
Note: As an Affiliate of Amazon and others, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Customer Reviews
Insights from Industry Experts
Each episode features engaging interviews with outdoor industry leaders, providing valuable knowledge and inspiration for both aspiring and seasoned outdoor professionals. A must-listen for anyone passionate about the outdoor business.
Always a good listen
Often times with the Outdoor Biz podcast, I find myself questioning how interested I am in the topic or guest when the title pops up every week… But Rick’s breezy interview style and the straight-to-the-point brevity of the show always makes for a valuable and worthwhile listen.
Best Podcast Ever
Enjoy the way they are presented.