BOLOTOR Podcast

Kimber enjoyed an active, nature-filled upbringing despite being born with a terminal transverse defect, resulting in an underdeveloped right hand. Her parents, particularly her supportive father, encouraged her to pursue her interests. Kimber's mother, who overcame a brain tumor and Cushing's disease, was initially worried but hopeful for Kimber's future. Her father focused on finding activities...

Don Higgins, an avid deer hunter from Central Illinois, grew up with a deep love for the outdoors, inspired by his grandparents' farm. Despite the scarcity of deer during his youth, he shot his first deer at sixteen, igniting a lifelong passion for hunting. Dedicating himself solely to deer hunting, Higgins became an expert archery hunter. Over the decades, he established himself in the field, wri...

April Vokey is a fly fisher, outdoorswoman, membership coordinator, casting instructor, mother, world-traveler, DIY enthusiast, and master of dirty jokes. Her journey in the fly fishing world has been one of her passion, dedication, and unwavering advocacy for the sport. From a young age, she felt an unbreakable bond with nature and the rush of the river. Even as a toddler, she was engrossed in th...

Coley Jens is a fascinating blend of adventurous spirit and dedicated environmental stewardship. Originally hailing from Detroit, Michigan, her formative years near Chicago ignited a lifelong passion for wildlife and critters, nurtured by frequent visits to museums and aquariums. A move to Florida in her youth only deepened this love affair with the natural world. After a stint in the military, in...

Alongside her sports career, Alison is a biochemist with a graduate degree. Her biggest challenge was overcoming a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a severe crash, which led her to pursue neuropsychology in grad school. Despite her injuries, she made a strong recovery and continued to excel in cycling, though she ultimately found herself not fully healthy. Alison has openly discussed the difficul...

As most freshwater anglers do, Gene Jensen (The Flukemaster) was exposed to bass angling and has been forever hooked. Today, he can be described as an avid bass angler and, at best, that description is an understatement. ⁣ Gene guided on Richmond Mill Lake for five years and it was there he learned he loved to teach people to fish. Today he owns and operates multiple social media channels, to incl...

Amanda Lynn Mayhew, born and raised in Northern Ontario, grew up surrounded by the great outdoors. Her family was heavily involved in fishing, hunting, and camping, fostering a love for nature in Amanda from a young age. Upon moving to Southern Ontario, she realized that such an outdoor lifestyle wasn't common there, leading her to explore fitness and bodybuilding. Amanda carried her passion for t...

Josh Murray is an accomplished actor and passionate traveler, whose journey began in New York and the Mid-Atlantic area. From a young age, Josh was deeply connected to nature, often exploring the outdoors and immersing himself in stories of explorers and frontiersmen. Initially on a path to a technical degree in computer science, personal challenges and a burgeoning passion for acting led him to s...

JJ Yosh is a prominent figure in the outdoor adventure space, known for his impressive social media presence and unique skill in handling animals, particularly his popular cat, Simon. His journey began in college, where his involvement in an excursion club sparked his passion for creating videos that promote outdoor activities. This passion continued post-college, leading to a series of inspiring...

Lauren Landers hails from the heartland of Joplin, Missouri, but her spirit found its true home amidst the vast expanse of the ocean. Her love affair with the sea began during idyllic family vacations to the Bahamas, where she found solace in the rhythm of the waves and the endless horizon. Fueling her passion, she pursued marine biology in college, diving headfirst into the study of the ocean's m...

Scott Martin, a seasoned professional bass angler, hails from a family deeply rooted in the world of fishing. Growing up with both parents fishing professionally, Scott's passion for the sport was ignited at a young age. Immersed in various aspects of the fishing industry, from guiding to managing a marina resort, Scott honed his skills and knowledge over the years. In 1999, Scott made his foray i...

Christine Reed's journey into the outdoors began in her 20s, sparked by a fascination with the Appalachian Trail. Despite a non-outdoorsy upbringing, she found purpose and inspiration through reading about the AT, leading her to plan and hike sections of the trail. Her path eventually led her to Yosemite, where she discovered rock climbing, although it wasn't until her move to Denver that she full...

Ryan Bauduin is a Marine Corps veteran, outdoor enthusiast, and founder of High Point Adventures, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping combat veterans find healing and purpose through outdoor experiences.  Enlisting pre-9/11, Ryan didn't anticipate combat, but the events of September 11 changed everything, deepening his understanding of the profound reality of military service. Deploying...

Kelly was practically born trad climbing. From the tender age of two, Kelly was out exploring and scaling mountains with her family all over the country. Kelly's real passion has always been for traditional adventure climbing and she has an impressive list of accomplishments and first ascents to her name. ⁣ At 18 Kelly ran from the concrete jungle to the hills of West Virginia to begin an apprenti...

John Crews is a seasoned professional bass fisherman with an impressive 24-year career in the industry. His journey began during his high school years when a friend introduced him to bass fishing tournaments, igniting a passion that would shape his future. Despite facing initial challenges in college, Crews graduated with straight A's in his final two years, all while nurturing his dream of becomi...

Brooke has chased down wilderness adventures from Alaska to Mongolia and wants to inspire YOU to "get outside & get happy!" In her experience, the outdoors can be a place of excitement, challenge, healing, and rejuvenation. ⁣ From her first job in Yellowstone National Park, to Vail, Colorado as a ski lift operator, to Montana as a wildland firefighter, and eventually to Alaska floating down the Yu...

Sanni McCandless Honnold has built a career at the intersection of life design and the outdoors. She started her professional life at an energy efficiency-focused tech startup in Seattle called EnergySavvy. After a few years in the nine-to-five world, Sanni took to the road for a year-long road trip as she rock climbed around the globe and pushed herself on adventures like thru-hiking the John Mui...

E.J. Snyder is a distinguished combat veteran with an illustrious 25-year military career, specializing in elite Airborne Ranger and Infantry Units. With a robust mindset, exceptional skills, and unwavering resilience, E.J. has earned accolades for his leadership qualities and exemplary performance in challenging environments. Decorated combat veteran with 25 years of service in prestigious Airbor...

Renee Anderson, also known as Wild Oregon Girl, is an Oregon-based blogger and outdoor enthusiast who captures the essence of hiking and nature adventures through her blog and social media. Inspired by her deep love for the outdoors and her artistic and writing background, Renee began blogging in 2011 after her child started school full-time. Her engaging content, which includes over 40,000 videos...

Alice Ford is an award-winning adventure filmmaker, travel host, stuntwoman, and sustainability advocate. Growing up amidst the natural beauty of New Hampshire, she developed a deep love for nature and adventure from an early age. Her father, a former ski-patrolman and river guide, instilled in her a passion for exploration and environmental stewardship, shaping her outlook on life. ⁣ From hiking...

Brandon Webb, a former Navy SEAL, brings a wealth of experience. Raised as a dual citizen on a sailboat, Webb's journey into the military was sparked by a book about SEAL Team Six, eventually leading him through SEAL training and into the ranks of SEAL Team 3. His tenure as an advanced sniper instructor provided him with unique experiences and opportunities, including collaborations with renowned...

Rick Spicer's journey began in the rugged landscapes of Arkansas, where he spent his youth immersed in the art of hunting and fishing. In the early '90s, his path took a new direction as he discovered the exhilarating world of rock climbing. After rigorous training with esteemed institutions like the American Alpine Institute and the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), Spicer rose to beco...

Jeanine Romo is an outdoor enthusiast and travel influencer whose journey from urban upbringing to adventurous explorer has captivated audiences worldwide. Growing up in East LA, Jeanine's exposure to outdoor activities was limited, but after college, she found herself drawn to hiking and travel Facebook groups, where she discovered a community of like-minded individuals who ignited her passion fo...

Ethan Gallogly, PhD ("Po") has been a leader in the Sierra Club, the Cal Hiking and Outdoors Society (CHAOS) at UC Berkeley, and the Outdoors Club of Southern California. His boots have covered countless miles, including the John Muir Trail, the High Sierra Trail, the Oregon Section of the PCT, the Tahoe–Yosemite Trail, and the Theodore Solomons Trail. ⁣ He was a reviewer for the Wilderness Press...

Troy experienced a rural upbringing infused with a strong sense of community. Despite facing challenges with ADHD in school, Troy's journey to success in the medical device sales industry is nothing short of inspiring. Reflecting on his struggles with traditional schooling, Troy found solace and success in hands-on work, a testament to his determination and adaptability. His son's similar journey,...