Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Steven of My Life Outdoors, a gear-obsessed backpacker who grew his YouTube channel to over 1.2 million subscribers through high-production gear breakdowns and hands-on science experiments. 
In this one, we dive into Steven's emotional year supporting his wife through three separate cancer diagnoses, her rare complete response to immunotherapy, and the story of how Luke Nichols from Outdoor Boys randomly gifted him a fully-edited video to keep his channel afloat during the crisis. Steven also breaks down some of his most popular videos, including the custom rain chamber he build to prove that GORE-TEX jackets do in fact leach forever chemicals.
We also cover his quest for "true silence" that led him to anechoic chambers and the remote borders of Big Bend National Park, the logistics of building a winter quinzhee, and the counterintuitive thermodynamics of wearing fishnet base layers in freezing weather. 
We wrap the show with a last call to RSVP for our upcoming Seattle Hiker Meetup, a breakdown of how to get from the Denver airport to Waterton Canyon on the cheap, Peg Leg's list of trail foods she never gets tired of, a Question of the Day deciding between one day in Ancient Egypt vs one spent with aliens, a Triple Crown of our favorite Disney and Pixar movies, and a mailbag serving as a Durston Gear ad.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. 
Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 40% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Steven of MyLifeOutdoors
MyLifeOutdoors.com
MyLifeOutdoors Youtube
MyLifeOutdoors Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:12 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:07:50 - Introducing Steven
00:08:30 - How did your channel grow by more than half a million subscribers in the past year?
00:16:30 - How was it for you to manage being a partner and a creator while supporting your wife?
00:18:59 - Discussion about Luke Nichols gifting Steven a video to keep his channel going
00:23:13 - How is your wife doing now, and what does life look like post-treatment?
00:31:02 - Were you eased into the outdoors as a kid?
00:34:13 - Where was your first backpacking trip?
00:36:39 - What drew you to science-based content, and do you have an educational background in science?
00:39:26 - Are your kids into your outdoor content?
00:42:06 - Tell us about your PFAS/GORE-TEX video and its broader impact
00:47:19 - When you came out with the PFAS video, where were consumers in their awareness?
00:59:24 - Did you face any legal or industry pushback after the video?
01:01:43 - Tell us about your "disappearing silence in the wilderness" video
01:12:42 - What was your experience finding true silence in Big Bend?
01:14:24 - Tell us about building a quinzhee for your snow shelter video
01:26:05 - Discussion about post-PFAS rain gear — what are you using now?
01:28:34 - When you try gear you don't love, how do you handle that responsibly with such a large audience?
01:32:47 - How many gear pitches do you get, and how do you filter them?
01:35:01 - When did you decide to delegate some work to an assistant?
01:36:46 - What are your three favorite pieces of gear?
01:39:24 - Where do you source your gear knowledge and stay on top of new releases?
01:47:22 - Tell us about the science of mesh base layers and fishnet baselayers in cold weather
01:50:32 - How do you craft titles and thumbnails, and do you A/B test them?
01:52:45 - How do you handle negative comments online?
01:54:49 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 
How to Get From Denver to Waterton Canyon in Under $30 and 4 Hours by Jackson Mauser
8 Trail Foods I Never Got Tired of, Even After 22,000 Miles by Peg Leg
QOTD: If you knew you were safe, would you rather spend 1 day in ancient Egypt, or 1 day with aliens?
Triple Crown of Disney/Pixar movies
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Advertise on Backpacker Radio
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

Segments
Sun Hoodie Review: FarPointe Sun Cruiser
Trek Propaganda: 
Turkenna Saw a Black Bear by The Norris Trio

Before You Read Another Thru-Hiking Horror Story, Read This by Kelly Floro

QOTD: Would you rather, on day 1 of your thru-hike, lose your shelter and have to always cowboy camp on the AT, or lose your spoon and have to eat all meals with only your hands?
Triple Crown of movies everyone loves but you hate
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Advertise on Backpacker Radio
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Shawn Mahoney, aka the guy who carries a 20+ pound log named Larry over his shoulders, and with Larry he's hiked the Triple Crowner, Te Araroa, and just about all of the Northeast peaks.
In this one, Shawn explains why the heck he carries a massive log everywhere he goes, describes losing Larry down a steep slope  on the PCT and spending two hours bushwhacking to retrieve him, recounts nearly dying from a septic heart infection and medically induced coma- and the impact that's had on his passion for backpacking, and details how he waking up at 4am, or earlier, to bank miles pre-sunrise.
We also cover how he's raised several thousand dollars for charity, how you can contribute to his latest cause, his refusal to cook or cold-soak, and his party trick of solving a 9x9 rubik's cube while hiking, something he accomplishes mid interview.
We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda of Kelly's favorite thru-hiking memories, a heroic dog intimidating a black bear to save a kid's life - maybe, a trail debate on losing your spoon vs. your shelter, the Triple Crown of movies everyone loves but you hate, and I review the uber-popular FarPointe Sun Hoodie but you'll probably have to wait til Thursday for that one so kinda nevermind.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREK15HIKE" at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. 
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Shawn Mahoney and Larry the Log
Shawn's Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:40 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:10:30 - Introducing Shawn and Larry
00:12:30 - Why does Larry exist?
00:15:40 - How many times do you switch positions of the log over a day?
00:18:12 - Do you feel relief or separation anxiety when you put the log down?
00:20:11 - What branch of the military did you serve in, and how did you go from post-military training to hiking the AT with a log?
00:24:06 - Why a log instead of a weighted vest or rucksack?
00:27:07 - How do you get the log ready to be carried? What's the prep and sanding process?
00:29:32 - Have you thought about giving each log a unique name beyond "Larry"?
00:33:43 - What's it like navigating the AT bubble with a wide log — close calls with day hikers?
00:35:52 - What are all the charities you've raised money for, and how much in total?
00:40:45 - Discussion about the speed of hiking the AT
00:42:20 - Tell us about the septic heart infection and the 50/50 survival odds
00:47:30 - What was your mindset recovering from sepsis, and how did exercise become your outlet?
00:48:50 - What is your typical hiking style?
00:52:31 - Was there a moment where you had to reframe your identity from "not athletic" to what you are now?
00:54:14 - What do you do for work, and how do you afford to disappear for months at a time?
01:01:24 - You're headed to the Colorado Trail — what's the plan this time around?
01:03:10 - Have you ever done a thru-hike at a leisurely pace?
01:06:14 - What was Te Araroa like — especially navigating mud and terrain with a giant log?
01:10:15 - Are you ever in a gym, or is all your training done outside with the log?
01:11:01 - Do you have to be mindful about nutrition carrying 27 extra pounds all day?
01:15:34 - What is your base weight, and what's actually in the pack?
01:19:00 - What does Rubik's Cube problem-solving actually correlate to?
01:21:30 - Is there anything else you want to relay to listeners, and where can people find you?
01:22:05 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 
Turkenna Saw a Black Bear by The Norris Trio
Before You Read Another Thru-Hiking Horror Story, Read This by Kelly Floro
QOTD: Would you rather, on day 1 of your thru-hike, lose your shelter and have to always cowboy camp on the AT, or lose your spoon and have to eat all meals with only your hands?
Triple Crown of movies everyone loves but you hate
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Advertise on Backpacker Radio
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

Segments
Sun Hoodie Review: Outdoor Research AstroMan
Trek Propaganda: 
Hike naked day (Day 61) by Gerjan "Hungry" Hertgers

20 Strange Things Thru-hiking Can Do to Your Body That Nobody Talks About by Livvy Weld

The Triple Crowner Survey: Ranking the Best and Worst Triple Crown Trails by Katie Jackson

QOTD:  Would you rather have access to a life rewind button, or a life pause button?
Triple Crown of shitty beers
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Advertise on Backpacker Radio
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Tina Currin, aka Cash Money, a Triple Crown thru-hiker, Andrew Skurka guide, park ranger, wilderness EMT, and Guinness World Record holder. 
In this one, Tina explains how she set the world record for most air horns blown simultaneously outside the North Carolina governor's mansion, details how she bought her Colorado house sight-unseen off Zillow during a zero day on the CDT while soaking her feet in a trash can, and she recounts getting separated from her husband in a snowstorm on the CDT, where both of them hit their SOS buttons convinced the other was dead.
We also cover her Denali expedition, where she summited on day 22 with the final morsels of her food supply, after multiple deaths near her camp, why she thinks the PCT is boring, and how she landed her trail name after wielding a fat wad of singles at a trail magic session on the AT.
We wrap the show with the details of the upcoming Backpacker Radio Hiker Meetup in Seattle, a rundown of 20 strange things thru-hiking does to your body, ranking the AT, PCT, and CDT from best to worst- according to triple crowners, a debate over a life rewind button vs. a life pause button, a mailbag about taser-equipped trekking poles, and the triple crown of shitty beers.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. 
Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 40% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Tina "Cash Money" Currin
Tina's Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:40 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:10:43 - Introducing Tina Currin
00:14:03 - How did the protest grow into an official Guinness World Record attempt?
00:16:25 - Discussion about the Hopscotch music festival and pre-backpacking career
00:22:18 - Tell us about the "Saturday Chores" counter-protest campaign
00:27:00 - Tell us about the "Welcome to Raleigh, Y'all" multilingual yard sign campaign
00:30:08 - Are you from North Carolina originally?
00:32:26 - How did you get into backpacking?
00:35:52 - Discussion about van life
00:44:33 - At what point did van life turn into thru-hiking?
00:54:03 - What was it like doing the AT with your husband joining last minute?
00:56:31 - Discussion about post-trail depression and becoming a chronic thru-hiker
01:04:30 - Discussion about working as a park ranger
01:06:00 - What does Grayson do for work?
01:08:40 - When did you decide that you wanted to do more thru-hikes?
01:10:39 - Walk us through your sub-6-pound pack setup
01:20:30 - Has there ever been a time that you went too ultralight?
01:27:40 - Did the PCT feel boring to you?
01:29:25 - Tell us about the Arizona Trail
01:32:00 - What is your goal with ultralight?
01:36:00 - Tell us about your nutrition strategy
01:39:49 - Tell us about the first winter thru-hike of the New England Trail
01:45:30 - Discussion about transition from winter hikes to the CDT
01:50:00 - Tina's story about the snowstorm on the CDT
02:05:00 - Do you both carry Garmins now?
02:07:55 - Discussion about complacency and risk in experienced hikers
02:10:45 - Tell us about hiking the Ice Age Trail
02:17:15 - Tell us about guiding for Andrew Skurka
02:19:15 - What drew you to attempt Denali?
02:24:04 - What goes through your mind when people die at your camp?
02:29:00 - How do you accept the activities that make you feel alive?
02:32:16 - How did you get the trail name "Cash Money"?
02:34:30 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of thru-hiking?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 
Hike naked day (Day 61) by Gerjan "Hungry" Hertgers
20 Strange Things Thru-hiking Can Do to Your Body That Nobody Talks About by Livvy Weld
The Triple Crowner Survey: Ranking the Best and Worst Triple Crown Trails by Katie Jackson
QOTD:  Would you rather have access to a life rewind button, or a life pause button?
Triple Crown of shitty beers
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Advertise on Backpacker Radio
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.