Just Ruck It

As winter finally starts to loosen its grip in New York, it’s tempting to jump straight back into last fall’s mileage and pretend nothing happened. But snow days, treadmill miles, and hibernation mode add up — and spring injuries happen when ego moves faster than conditioning. In this episode of Just Ruck It , Lindsay lays out a practical Spring Reset plan to rebuild your rucking base without blow...

The 12 Rucks of Christmas After a couple of months away from the mic, I’m back with a festive, low-pressure episode designed to bring a little joy, movement, and momentum back into your routine. Life has been… a lot. Between caregiving, the time change, and feeling like the cheese slid right off my cracker (let’s be honest—I don’t even know where the cracker went), this season has been about survi...

As the seasons shift from sunny summer to chilly fall, it gets harder to stay motivated. The days get shorter, the rain gets colder, and the lure of holiday food is strong. That’s where goals come in. In this episode of Just Ruck It , Lindsay shares why goal setting matters, how to build both big goals and micro-goals, and the many ways you can use your ruck as a full-body training tool. From the...

This episode of Just Ruck It gets real. What started as a four-mountain weekend for my 46Climbs challenge turned into something I didn’t expect: a panic attack on the descent from Phelps Mountain. I share the raw audio from the trail—slips, butt scoots, tears, and all—and reflect on how rucking prepared me to face that moment. From pacing and micro-goals to humor and humility, the trail taught me...

You don’t have to run to line up at a race. In this episode of Just Ruck It , I take you inside the Pound the Ground 5K — a local run/walk to support the Veterans Outreach Center — and show you how I turned it into a rucking win. From choosing weight and gear, to race-day etiquette, to the unexpected joy of finishing strong after a setback, this episode is your guide to bringing a ruck to your fir...

What does it really mean to be strong ? We all think we know — lifting, pushing, enduring. But the roots of the word tell a deeper story: one of tension, strain, and holding firm under pressure. In this episode, I dig into the etymology of strong and strength , tracing the word from Old English strang to the Proto-Indo-European string- , meaning “tight, drawn together.” We explore how strength has...

1 Year of Rucking – What Rucking Taught Me About Strength, Grit, and Showing Up One year ago, I was standing on Mount Jo, out of breath and wondering how the hell I let things get that hard. My knees hurt, my spirit was low, and I knew something had to change. So I picked up a pack. I picked up a coach. And I decided to start showing up for myself. In this episode, I’m celebrating a full year of r...

  Links: Instagram: @JustRuckingIt Substack: JustRuckIt. Substack.com Episode Summary: This one’s personal. In this raw and real episode, Lindsay opens up about hitting a wall—mentally, physically, emotionally. She’s home from vacation, facing chaos at work, grief on the farm, and a body that seems to be resisting every effort to train. With a 20-mile Mammoth March looming in the rugged hills of L...

Episode Summary: In this honest and hard-hitting episode of Just Ruck It , Lindsay tackles something every rucker (and every human) faces sooner or later: what to do when you've fallen off the bandwagon—and how to start again when the weight you carry isn't just in your pack, but in your heart, body, and mind. Whether you're dealing with injury, burnout, grief, or plain old life cha...

In this episode, Lindsay shares the story of her first solo hike into the Adirondack High Peaks—tackling Cascade and Porter, numbers 1 and 2 on her journey to become a 46er. From freezing temps and gear decisions to calf-deep mud and a surprise family legacy, this is a story about more than just reaching a summit—it's about discovering how far ruck training, self-trust, and a little grit can...

Six months of planning, 30 miles of trail, and one very stubborn migraine—I just got back from a four-day, three-night backpacking trip through the rugged hills of Pennsylvania, and I’ve got stories. In this episode, I’m taking you along for every soggy mile: the climbs, the crashes, the caffeine-fueled insomnia, and the gear that actually held up (plus what I’ll never bring again). From pit toile...

Practical Weight: What I Actually Carried on the Loyalsock Loop 📌 Episode Summary: In this episode of Just Ruck It , I’m breaking down my pack list for a 4-day, 3-night backpacking trip through the rugged Loyalsock Link Loop Trail in Pennsylvania. The original plan? Keep it light. The reality? Rain, unpredictable temps, and bear territory meant practical weight took priority over ideal weight. I...

This month, I’m taking on a new challenge:  Rucking 50 miles to raise awareness — and real support — for Stop Soldier Suicide. Rucking started as a way to carry the burdens of others.  Today, we carry them still — for ourselves, for each other, and for those still fighting battles we cannot always see. If you want to join the mission, there are a few ways you can help: 🔗 Support My 50-Mile Ruck C...

We dive deep into one of the most important questions in ruck training: how much weight should you carry? You’ll hear: Why men and women tend to make different mistakes when choosing pack weight What military research says about safe load carriage and injury risk How thru-hikers are redefining what “smart weight” looks like on the trail Personal lessons from Lindsay’s evolution—from a 10 lb beginn...

Welcome back, Ruckers! Today’s episode is a story about persistence, pain, laughter, and what happens when you stop waiting for perfect conditions and start moving anyway. Since 2023, I’ve been piecing together a 32-mile challenge across three of Rochester’s historic trail systems: Genesee Valley Greenway Lehigh Valley Trail Auburn Trail This personal project, now known as the ROC Rail-to-Trail Tr...

Episode Title: Rucking Your Why Host: Lindsay Podcast: Just Ruck It Introduction: Lindsay shares her motivation for rucking as she approaches a significant age milestone, emphasizing the desire to become the strongest, most self-sufficient version of herself. She challenges listeners to think about their own "why" behind their activities. Main Content: A Deeper Dive into Lindsay's W...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Just Ruck It , I’m recapping my very first ruck race experience at Rochester’s iconic “Running of the Green.” From solo butterflies to race-day surprises, I’m giving you the full behind-the-scenes on what it’s like to ruck through a 5-mile city course with a 30+ lb pack, a sea of green, and no clue how it would all play out. Whether you’re race-curious or just w...

Episode Summary In this episode of Just Ruck It , we’re talking about something bigger than just fitness—it’s about staying self-sufficient for life . This is personal for me. I’ve seen people lose their strength, their independence, and their ability to move freely. And I’ve seen others, same age, same life circumstances, continue thriving. The difference? Strength, movement, and the choice to tr...

🎙 Episode #12 – Just Ruck It Episode Summary: No time? No problem. If you’re waiting for free time to magically appear, you’ll be waiting forever. In this episode, we break down how to fit rucking into your day, no matter how packed your schedule is. From micro-rucks to habit stacking, work commutes, and mindset shifts, this episode will show you how to prioritize consistency and eliminate excuses...

Rucking Vs Rucking: Who gets a better workout? Episode Summary: Does rucking really burn more calories than running? Short answer—hell yes. And today, I’m breaking down exactly why. In this episode, we’re diving into the science of calorie burn and why strapping on a weighted pack torches more calories than pounding the pavement. We’re talking real research, military studies, and my own personal e...

Episode Summary: When was the last time you truly let yourself be bored? No music, no phone, no distractions—just you, your ruck, and the open trail. In today’s episode, we’re diving into why boredom is actually a superpower —and why a silent ruck might be the missing piece in your training and mindset. Modern life has conditioned us to avoid boredom at all costs, but the science says otherwise. W...

Rucking vs. Hiking vs. Backpacking: What’s the Difference? Is rucking just hiking with a heavier pack? And where does backpacking fit into the mix? In this episode of Just Ruck It , we break down the key differences between rucking, hiking, and backpacking—and why each has its own place in your adventure toolkit. Tune in to learn: ✅ What sets rucking apart from hiking and backpacking ✅ How these...

Episode Summary: In this special episode of Just Ruck It , I take you along for a winter group hike in the Catskills up to Giant’s Ledge. I sat down with some incredible women from Seek to Do More to talk about their experiences, challenges, and victories on the trail. From tackling icy climbs with microspikes to packing the right winter gear, this episode is packed with trail-tested insights, hil...

Episode #7: Competitive Rucking – Race Day Ready In This Episode: Join me, Lindsay, as I prepare for my very first competitive rucking event—a 5-mile race benefiting the YMCA of Greater Rochester for St. Patrick’s Day! Whether you’re curious about competitive rucking or already ruck regularly, this episode will help you gear up for success. We’ll cover: Why Competitive Rucking? The thrill, camarad...

Cold Weather Rucking: Stay Active, Stay Warm Episode Description: Welcome to Just Ruck It ! In this episode, Lindsay dives into the challenges and rewards of winter rucking. Don’t let the groundhog’s forecast of six more weeks of winter keep you indoors! Learn how to stay motivated, layer up properly, and conquer snowy trails with confidence. Whether you’re an experienced rucker or just starting o...