Free Outside

In this episode of the Free Outside podcast, I’m sharing my experience on the Ruby Crest Trail with Airborne, a stunning 74-mile journey through Nevada’s rugged Ruby Mountains. The trail offers incredible views, from jagged peaks to expansive valleys. But it wasn’t all easy—unexpected snowfall added a serious challenge to the hike, making it both more difficult and more memorable. takeaways The Ru...

A listener asked, so I answered. In this episode, I dive into the not-so-glamorous but absolutely essential topic of wag bags—those portable, sanitary bags we use to pack out human waste in the great outdoors. But don’t worry, I add my own humor and opinions to keep it interesting! Wag bags play a crucial role in responsible outdoor adventure, helping to keep our trails clean. I throw in some wag...

Sign up for Montana Meltdown: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?eid=17896 In this podcast episode, I sit down with Aaron Barber to dive into his experiences in trail running and race directing. We chat about the challenges of racing in extreme heat, like the Circle of Hell and the Phoenician 50k, and explore international events like a hundred in the Philippines. Aaron shares some wild stories...

Sign up for Montana Meltdown: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=117574 In this episode, I discuss recent trail running records broken, the importance of running your own race, the concept of working consistently rather than harder, and the upcoming race Montana Meltdown. I also share personal stories of falling, hurting my hands, and encounters with wildlife while running. takeaways David...

Today, we discuss two topics: training philosophy and finding one's career path. I share my insights on training theory, including the importance of different effort levels, the benefits of cold plunges and sauna work, and the progression from least specific to most specific training. I also share my personal journey of finding a career path, which involved exploring different industries, gain...

Today we interview Derrick Lytle, who has been a staple at most big trail running events, tackled ultras himself and even gone after the Arizona Trail FKT. Follow Derrick online: https://www.instagram.com/derricklytle/?hl=en Derrick Lytle is a videographer and photographer who got his start in video production by shooting paintball videos. He later transitioned to capturing trail running footage a...

In this episode, I discuss various topics, including Joe Stringbean McConaughey's attempt to break my unsupported record on the John Muir Trail, the concept of Fastest Known Times (FKTs), and some funny observations about the Olympics. I also talk about the decision to pull out of a race due to mental fatigue and share my experience participating in a beer mile. The episode concludes with a di...

In this episode, I share some of my hitchhiking stories, including a memorable ride with a woman who claimed to be a descendant of the lost princess Anastasia. I also talk about my experiences hiking the Ouachita Trail and the Ozark Highland Trail, as well as my coaching and upcoming race. I reflect on the importance of taking risks and going after goals, even if they don't always work out. So...

Jameson Collins set the supported FKT on the Oregon Coast Trail, a 450-mile trail, in six and a half days. We talked to him about how the record went, how he hallucinated, and why he wore two different watches. The Oregon Coast Trail consists of running on flat white beaches, crossing inlets, and timing tides correctly. Collins had to adjust his plans due to unforeseen circumstances, such as missi...

I interview Morgan Elliott, a runner specializing in short and fast races. We discuss the mindset of redlining during a race and how to determine if it's going to be a good day. We also talk about vertical kilometers (VKs) and the intense physical and mental challenges they present. Morgan shares his experience of representing the USA in international races and the camaraderie among team membe...

Sign up for our race: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?eid=17896 I’m here to share the story of my latest adventure on the Tahoe Rim Trail. Just 12 hours after a self-extraction from my FKT attempt, I’m ready to give you an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at what went wrong and why. From gut-wrenching nausea to a busted running pack and even a yellow jacket sting, this attempt turned into...

Sign up for our race! https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=117574 In this episode, we discuss the Montana Meltdown and the benefits of fixed-time races. I also share my experience participating in the Scummy Summer Slammer event and my preparation for the Tahoe Rim Trail FKT attempt. I discuss the importance of emotional connection in race planning and FKTs and share my unique approach to rac...

We have started a race! Sign up for the Montana Meltdown, the premiere new fixed time race in Bozeman, Montana: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=117574 In this conversation, I interview Mika Thewes, an experienced ultrarunner who has completed multiple 200-mile races. We discuss Mika's journey into ultrarunning, her experiences in races like Bigfoot and Tahoe, and her recovery from th...

Buy a Make America Eclipse Again Hat: https://www.freeoutside.com/shop In this episode, I dive into some of the wildest animal encounters I've had while hiking and camping. From a heart-pounding close encounter with a moose on the trail to the adrenaline rush of being charged by a grizzly bear, I'll take you through these intense moments. I'll also share my run-ins with territorial goa...

Devin Ashby is a full-time YouTube creator in the backpacking and camping space. Check out his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyZtccA-oMchXHai-CJyPA His Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountryexposure/?hl=en And His Etsy Shop: http://BACKCOUNTRYEXPOSURE.Etsy.com He makes videos reviewing backpacking gear, camping gear, and trip videos. Devin started his YouTube channel...

I share my backpacking adventures and FKT (Fastest Known Time) attempts in Montana and Costa Rica. I encounter bears, moose, and challenging trail conditions. Then I tell the story of an FKT attempt. Despite initially missing the FKT record, I persevered and successfully set the record on my second attempt at the record on Cerro Chirripo in Costa Rica. I emphasize the importance of taking risks, e...

In this conversation, I interviewed Brandon Wise, who also completed the Calendar Year Triple Crown. We discuss his experience with the Yellow Deli "commune", his motivation for attempting the Calendar Year Triple Crown, and the challenges he faced along the way. We also talk about the social aspect of thru-hiking and the importance of camaraderie on the trail. Support Brandon Weis'...

In this episode, I (Jeff Garmire) share the story of how 'Free Outside' was made. I talk about the challenges, including working with an unprofessional executive producer. We also discusses the process of filming the movie and the difficulties of capturing the essence of the trail while pursuing a record. I share experiences of premiering the movie and marketing it to audiences. I end the...

In this episode of "Free Outside," I, Jeff Garmire, sit down with Shelby Farrell, an incredible trail runner and FKT (Fastest Known Time) record holder. We dive into Shelby's impressive list of FKTs, including the Joshua Tree Traverse, the Backbone Trail, and an incredible attempt at the Long Trail Record. Shelby opens up about her journey into trail and ultra running, living the van...

Want to go into depth on what it takes to get an FKT on one of the most competitive trails? In this episode, I dive into the world of Fastest Known Times (FKTs) on the John Muir Trail (JMT). I provide background information on the JMT, its significance, and the history of FKT attempts on the trail. I then share my own journey of attempting to break the JMT FKT, including the challenges I faced and...

In this conversation, I talk with Cal Schwartzentruber and discuss experiences with thru-hiking and setting FKTs (Fastest Known Times) on various trails. We talk about the challenges and motivations behind attempting FKTs, the importance of planning and preparation, and the differences between the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). We also touch on the growing popularity of FKTs...

This episode of the Free Outside Podcast explores the history and rise of 200-mile races, and pedestrianism. I share my personal experience with backpacking and the mental health benefits of outdoor adventures and then delves into the origins of pedestrianism in the 19th century, where competitive walking was a popular sport. We explain how 200-mile running races evolved from the Western States 10...

We talk about filling out your dash, living a full life. Then I interview Liz Derstine, an accomplished trail runner and FKT (Fastest Known Time) record holder. We discuss Liz's trail name, her experience on the Appalachian Trail, her connection with Warren Doyle, and her transition to self-supported FKT attempts. Liz also shares her challenges with blisters, animal encounters, sleep deprivati...

Send in podcast ideas Jeff@freeoutside.com AI joins this podcast and conducts the interview, so we are going third person in the description. Jeff Garmire discusses his journey and experiences in long-distance hiking and ultra running. He shares how he got into these activities and the challenges he faced along the way. Jeff also talks about the importance of mental and physical preparation for se...

The conversation with Lloyd Vogel, co-founder of Garage Grown Gear, delves into the challenges and successes of running an e-commerce platform for small outdoor gear businesses. Lloyd shares insights on the state of the industry, the crossover between different outdoor disciplines, lessons learned from starting a business, and the importance of supporting small brands. The conversation also explor...