BOLOTOR Podcast

Sean Frado's journey began in Framingham, Massachusetts, where he was immersed in martial arts from a young age, thanks to his father, a fighter and gym owner. Initially training in boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai, Sean's passion for combat sports grew, leading him to transition to mixed martial arts (MMA) after moving to Texas in 2003. As he honed his skills in striking, jiu-jitsu, and wrestlin...

Amos Rodriguez is a passionate advocate for social justice and environmental stewardship, sharing a life story shaped by resilience and a deep connection to nature. Born in 1979 in El Salvador, Amos grew up amidst the turmoil of military regimes and violent conflict. His family, heavily involved in the church, faced brutal repression, with his mother imprisoned and tortured and his uncle killed fo...

Cody Idol is a passionate advocate for the hunting tradition and the son of renowned outdoor figure Dick Idol. Growing up in the breathtaking landscapes of Montana, Cody was heavily influenced by his father's legacy, which includes assembling the Legendary Whitetails collection and co-founding North American Whitetail magazine. With a deep respect for outdoor activities, Cody's childhood was fille...

Hunter and Hannah Adams are adventurers and van life influencers who travel the U.S. in their beloved 1974 Volkswagen van.   During the 2020 pandemic lockdown, feeling confined in downtown San Diego, they bought the vintage van for short camping trips but soon fell in love with outdoor living.   Despite initial concerns about breakdowns, they've embraced the hands-on work of maintaining and repair...

Bob Reece is a passionate fly-fishing guide and coach who transitioned from a career in education to pursue his lifelong love for the sport. Growing up in Nebraska, Bob was introduced to fly fishing by his father during trips to Wyoming, sparking a passion that would later define his professional journey. After drifting away from fishing due to sports and college football, he rediscovered it post-...

Stephen Jiroch is a passionate travel blogger and content creator based in California. He met his wife, Giselle, while running a martial arts studio in Santa Barbara, where she was studying at UCSB. Their shared love for adventure led them to blend Stephen's outdoor interests with Giselle's international travel experiences, culminating in the launch of their travel blog during the COVID-19 pandemi...

Doug McMann grew up on a farm in British Columbia, where he developed a passion for hunting inspired by stories of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. After working as a construction manager in Vancouver, Doug left city life for a remote valley of just 150 residents, driven by his dream to hunt mountain lions. Despite starting with no experience, he trained a hound, though his first attempt ended in t...

Brighton Peachey is a wilderness enthusiast and rescue professional who discovered her passion for the outdoors in high school after moving to Utah. Initially drawn to indoor rock climbing, she expanded her love for adventure by exploring hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking in college, where she also pursued a degree in wilderness rescue. ⁣ Brighton gained practical experience through search...

Shanna Birchett, whose name means "pretty" in Yiddish, grew up in Southern California as the sixth of eight children. Her early involvement in local 5Ks ignited her passion for running. After a church mission and starting a family, she paused her competitive running career to focus on raising six children. Despite the challenges, Shanna stayed active through strength training, particularly with P9...

Mel Harrison, originally from Ventura County in Southern California, has always been deeply connected to the natural world. Her passion for the outdoors blossomed while attending Humboldt State University in Northern California, where she immersed herself in environmental studies and outdoor activities. This led her to a variety of seasonal jobs, including work as a cave guide and wilderness range...

Jason Lupardus is a wildlife management expert based in Kentucky, with a diverse career spanning the southeastern U.S. Originally from Alabama, Jason's background includes handling bears in the Great Smoky Mountains, participating in elk reintroduction projects, and working with nonprofits dedicated to wildlife conservation. His passion for wild turkeys and outdoor adventures has led him to travel...

Jesse Anderson, originally from Michigan, is the founder and owner of Grizz Media, an outdoor media agency renowned for its marketing, photography, graphic design, and brand development services. His journey into the outdoor media world began with a deep passion for fishing, which he pursued rigorously after college. To meet the demands of sponsors for photos and videos, Jesse taught himself photo...

Amanda Powell is an outdoor enthusiast and advocate based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Despite having cerebral palsy, Amanda discovered a passion for hiking and adaptive mountain biking in 2017 when she learned about the accessibility options offered by U.S. National Parks. ⁣ Her love for the outdoors led her to found the nonprofit "Everybody on Trails," which provides adaptive equipment and organizes...

Alicia Morg is a passionate huntress based in Coltmont, Pennsylvania. Hailing from the coal region, Alicia's journey into hunting began at 21 with her first boyfriend. Despite not coming from a hunting background, her first successful hunt ignited a deep love for the sport. After parting ways with her boyfriend, Alicia continued to pursue her passion independently, managing trail cams and stands o...

Greg Sakowicz, originally from Michigan and Chicago, found his calling in Colorado after a midlife crisis led him to explore new opportunities following a layoff from his television news job. Settling in Denver, Greg developed a passion for hiking, which inspired his social media persona, "Fat Man Little Trail." ⁣ What began as a hobby quickly evolved into a successful platform, where Greg combine...

Joy Seward is an instructor at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Boulder, Wyoming, where she specializes in horsepacking expeditions that teach wilderness survival skills. With a background in environmental studies and art and communication, Joy combines her passion for the outdoors with her expertise in education. She grew up on a family farm in North Carolina, gaining early experi...

Michael Chamberlain's fascination with wild turkeys began in his suburban childhood outside Richmond, Virginia, nurtured by Saturday hunting trips with his diesel mechanic father. Inspired by a wildlife biologist friend of his father's, Chamberlain pursued his passion for wildlife biology at Virginia Tech, specializing in fisheries and wildlife science. In graduate school, Chamberlain's research f...

Hank Rogers is transitioning from a working man to an outdoor influencer with a focus on bass fishing. Raised in the Appalachian Mountains, Hank's early life was marked by various jobs and financial hardships. Despite these challenges, he pursued a college degree in computer networking at 30, leading to a successful career in IT, managing a data center for a medical facility. Married to his high s...

Trevon Stoltzfus, an avid hunter from New Mexico, grew up in a farming and ranching community near the Mexican border. Although his father didn't hunt, Trevon's passion for the outdoors was nurtured by his family, leading him to hunt with his grandfather and uncle. After a wrestling career that took him to the junior Olympics, Trevon transitioned to bull riding and later became a police officer. H...

Lani Chapko, a passionate climber from Seattle, Washington, has been drawn to outdoor activities from a young age, initially excelling in sprint kayaking. Her climbing journey began during college in Southern California, where friends encouraged her to take an outdoor adventure PE class despite her initial fear of heights. This class, which included both indoor climbing and outdoor trips, sparked...

Eva Seelye, based in Seattle, Washington, is a renowned adventure photographer and content creator with a unique and inspiring background. Born on a sailboat in Michigan and raised across diverse locations such as Washington, the Bahamas, and the Marshall Islands, Eva's adventurous spirit was nurtured from an early age by her mother. Her father's government job took the family to various remote pl...

Mike Radomski's  journey started with Phelps Mountain, and he soon found himself captivated by the physical challenge and beauty of the mountains. Despite initially underestimating the demands of hiking, Mike adapted his training and skills, eventually completing both the regular and Winter 46er challenges. This transformation from an athlete to a dedicated hiker provided him with fulfillment thro...

Snookie, a passionate fishing enthusiast, began her journey into fishing as a way to cope with the grief of losing her beloved grandfather, "Paw-Paw," in 2014. The nickname Snookie, given to her by her grandfather in 1988, symbolizes their close bond. After his passing, she found solace in fishing, reminiscing about their shared moments, and started documenting her healing process on Instagram. Gr...

Melissa's journey is marked by a series of transformative experiences that led her to a life of adventure and empowerment. Her story begins with the overcast skies of Ireland, reminiscent of the movie "Gregory's Girl." Melissa returned to the US due to job opportunities and visa challenges in the UK, which opened the door for a career shift and personal growth.  Melissa's involvement with Women Wh...

Tyler began to explore the outdoors, starting with a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) driven more by a desire to stretch his savings than a love for nature. His interest in the outdoors developed gradually, influenced by friends and his time living in rural Japan, where he hiked mountains on weekends. Over time, outdoor activities became a significant part of his life, leading him to adopt a...