Peax Thrive Vodcast

There's something about the magic of September! The elk bugles, the crisp mornings, the miles we grind, it's sacred ground for archery elk hunters.    In this Live From The Hunt Thrive Vodcast, I take you beyond the adrenaline and intense obsession of September. Yes, it's magic, it's important, but it's not "THE" important.  We dive into the obsession, the pressure, the expectations, and how to ke...

This episode is the first live from the hunt series! I'm on an archery elk hunt with Jeff Helm, Josh Smunk, and Brian Andrews.  Jeff is packing elk out, so Josh and I set down to record this live from the hunt episode.  Hope you enjoy it. ___________________________________________________ Additional Thrive Resources ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Treeline Academy Western Hunt Courses ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠  -  ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Use code THRIVE t...

The season is finally here, and I couldn't be more fired up. It's going to be a real test for me, but I would not want it any other way.  Before I head out into the Wilderness, I wanted to release a Live On Location episode I did with Corey Jacobson.  I was honored to sit down with Corey, he is one of the best elk hunters and arguably the world's best elk caller. Corey has forgotten more about elk...

In today's episode, we're cutting through the pack animal noise and answering one of the most common questions I get: What's the deal with pack llamas? What's all the hype? Are they really worth it? How do they stack up against horses, goats, or mules? Should you buy them? Can you rent them? Why llamas? I've spent the last decade building one of the most capable Western pack llama teams out there!...

The Western seasons are firing up, and if you're not already prepping, you're behind the curve.  On this episode of the Thrive Vodcast, I'm diving into how I'm prepping for back-to-back steep terrain, high-stakes hunts, while rehabbing from torn quad surgery and turning 60 along the way. We review some killer gear upgrades, share a few strategy shifts, and review another juicy plot twist in Colora...

Five Rules To Save Your Elk Season If you chase elk in the West long enough, you're going to face Hunt Area Paralysis. It happens when you pour all your effort and mental collateral into one so-called quote "money spot" , only to pack in and find it stone cold. No fresh sign. No bugles. No Nothing. But you end up staying anyway, because you can't walk away from the mental investment you've made. T...

After every season, I hear the same thing: 'Man, I wish I had prepared better.' Lack of preparation probably leaves more tags unfilled than poor shooting ever will. Today we're fixing that. We're diving into three elk-season preparations that can make or break your hunt, from mapping tech failures to motor-vehicle nightmares. This isn't the glamorous stuff people brag about on Instagram — but it's...

Welcome to Peax Thrive Vodcast Episode 26! This is another Live On Location episode, and I'm joined by one of the most intensely dedicated elk hunters I know—Dan Staten, the founder of ElkShape. Over the years, Dan and I have had some epic podcast conversations—and this one's no different.  If you know Dan, you know he is intense and doesn't cut corners. He's hands down one of the most disciplined...

Bear Spray "versus" firearm is the question we are going to tackle on today's Thrive Vodcast. It's a question of survival. If you spend time in grizzly country, you might only get one chance to get it right. We're not talking barstool debates or Instagram flexing. We're talking about what works when the chips are down and a grizzly bear is closing the gap at 30 miles an hour. When it comes to stop...

Do you ever wonder why elk aren't where they're "supposed" to be? Everything looks perfect, but the elk are not there! This is part two of my Live On Location Thrive Vodcast with Cody Rich from the Rich Outdoors.  Everyone has opinions, and you have heard them before: go high, go deep, go remote.  While those are generally solid suggestions, they only work with the right features and, more importa...

This episode kicks off a brand-new format of the Peax Thrive Vodcast: Thrive Live On Location, and we're coming to you straight from the Total Archery Challenge in Red Lodge, Montana. Fair warning: this episode hits a little differently. I'm joined by Cody Rich — one of the prolific and sharpest E-Scouting minds in the elk finding game.    When we sat down, we swore we would not talk E-scouting… a...

Welcome to the Peaks THRIVE Vodcast! Join Mark Livesay as he redefines hunting podcasts for Western hunters. This unique show dives deep into essential strategies, tools, and tactics to elevate your hunting game. Expect insights on advanced e-scouting, hunt planning, DIY backcountry meals, gear reviews, and tech training—all tailored for success in the field. Each episode features two formats: in-...