Just Trek Podcast

On this episode I have Christian and Katie Surprise - an adventurous power couple. Both are California based outdoor enthusiasts, peak baggers, backpackers, climbers, and are adventure photographers & videographers.  During our roadsurfer roadtrip to Eastern Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra, we got to meetup with them and record in the otherworldly Alabama Hills landscape. We chatted about thei...

On this episode I have SoCal based trekker, national park explorer, outdoor content creator, certified California naturalist, Outdoor Adventures+ Ambassador, and creator of the Grateful Gallivanter’s Blog & Podcast, Gallivanting with Grant, join me on the show. We chatted about Grant’s first hiking memories, his growth as a content creator, his top trails in the US, national parks that have su...

On this episode, I share my unforgettable roadsurfer, roadtrip adventure with my hiking crewmate to two of California's most legendary landscapes: Yosemite National Park and the Eastern Sierra.  Come hop in the camper van and join us on this journey that spanned over 5 days of exploration: traversing landscapes such as Red Rock Canyon State Park, Mono Lake, Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Mount Whit...

On this episode I have SoCal based trekker, backpacker, outdoor guide & safety instructor, wilderness first responder, wild keeper, and founder of Way Out Wild, Nikki Taylor aka Adventure Pea, joins me on the show.  We chatted about Nikki’s first hiking memories, her journey from the Philippines to Colorado to Los Angeles, the diverse outdoor experiences she fell in love with, the origin story...

For episode 86, I recorded with past guest Juan Flowers who is a big brother to many in the SoCal outdoor community including myself. Juan is a SoCal based trekker, backpacker, community leader, mental health advocate, certified California naturalist, and is the founder of Outdoor Adventures+ and the Urban Youth Nature Project. Back in the beginning of March, we decided to do an impromptu recordin...

On this episode I have Utah based adventure enthusiast, outdoor podcaster, content creator, backpacker, Vice President of Responsible Stewardship, and HIGHLANDER Adventure ambassador, Kenzie Smith, join me on the show.  In this special event edition episode, we chatted about all things related to HIGHLANDER Adventure and the upcoming Big Bear Lake hiking + backpacking festival going down from June...

On this episode I have LA based trekker, writer, photographer, conservationist, and leading voice of public lands managed by BLM, Josh Jackson of Forgotten Lands Project, join me on the show.  We chatted about Josh’s first meaningful memories out in nature, why he moved from the Midwest to the West Coast, what sparked his deep love for BLM land, the origin story to creating the Forgotten Lands Pro...

On this episode, I release the full recording from our third ever live podcast show. It was filmed at the Just Trek Podcast 5 Year Anniversary celebration on Sat, April 5th at the Happier Cafe by TADAA.Coffee space in Frogtown, Los Angeles. The live podcast show featured an all star panel of previous podcast guests that included Joshua Walker (outdoor content creator + travel blogger), Nicole Snel...

On this solo episode, I share my feelings on reaching the big 5 year anniversary milestone of the show. Join me on a trek down memory lane as I share how we celebrated past podcast anniversaries, my most memorable outdoor recording, and my reflections on the podcasting journey. I even received a surprise voice message from one of our most legendary guests on the show which was a very heartwarming...

On this episode I have LA based trekker and outdoor reporter for the LA Times, Jaclyn Cosgrove (they/them), join me on the show. We chatted about Jaclyn's emotions towards the historic LA fire crisis that ravaged entire urban communities, the impact of the National Park mass firings + park protests, outdoor survival stories, how their brother’s passing led to their transformative hiking journe...

On this episode I have Ventura based native storyteller & educator, tribal spiritual adviser, Native American activist, Chumash canoe paddler, and tribal elder in the Fernandeno Tataviam & Ventureno Chumash tribes, Alan Salazar, join me on the show. He is an absolute living legend for his contributions to Native American heritage and education. We chat about his first meaningful memories o...

For episode 79, I recorded with previous guest and fan favorite, Tomasa aka @iamoneness11, at Rocky Peak Summit in the Santa Susanna mountains in Los Angeles County. Even her beloved golden retriever named Miso joins us on the pod! Tomasa is a SoCal based trekker, peak bagger, backpacker, outdoor content creator, solo female world traveler, and was our Top Spotify Episode of 2024. We chatted about...

On this episode I have Philippines based adventure enthusiast, climber, trekker, dirt biker, scuba diver, model, and director, Simon Guinto, join me on the show. We chatted about his favorite outdoor adventure activities, why he moved from the US to the Philippines, his most memorable climb, summiting & trail running Mount Pulag - the tallest mountain on Luzon island & third tallest peak i...

On this solo episode, I share my raw thoughts and emotions of currently experiencing the most devastating wildfire in Los Angeles history. We have lost so many iconic trails, businesses, and entire densely populated neighborhoods have been scorched to the ground. At least 150,000 Angelenos have evacuated their homes, over 40,000 acres burned, over 12,000 structures destroyed, and at least 27 death...

On this episode, I share my wild and action packed adventures through Colorado’s Rocky Mountain landscapes and Denver’s urban sprawl. Join me on this unforgettable trip that included overcoming adversity & summiting an iconic Colorado 14er, trekking a section of the Continental divide trail, thrilling rides on a mountaintop adventure park, visiting one of the most legendary outdoor concert ven...

For episode 75, I recorded an adventure banger of a show with fan favorite, Victor Martinez, at Kenneth Hahn State Park in Los Angeles. Victor is a SoCal based trekker, trail runner, backpacker, solo world traveler, Highlander Adventure ambassador, Merrell ambassador, community leader, and is the founder of the LA Trail Killers. Victor was also our EP 37 and EP 55 guest on the show! I caught up wi...

** VIDEO VERSION ONLY AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY APP + YOUTUBE CHANNEL , all other streaming platforms are audio versions **  For episode 74, I recorded a special and impromptu trail conversation with Joseph Durkin aka The Hiking Chef in the Angeles National Forest in LA County. Joseph is a SoCal based hiker, professional chef & baker, outdoor content creator, and is the creator of the amazing YouTu...

On this episode I have LA based adventure enthusiast, climber, military veteran, actor, TV personality, content creator, and Founder CEO of Trace Club, Christian de la Torre, join me on the show. We chat about his first meaningful outdoor memories, the origin story to creating Trace Club, top outdoor destinations in California, outdoor tips & tricks, hosting a park nature cleanup series, how w...

On this episode I share my magical solo adventure of exploring Channel Islands National Park for the first time ever. It is California's most underrated island, one of the least visited national parks in the entire country, and is considered the Galapagos Islands of North America. Join me on this action packed day trip that included wildlife sightings, choppy boat rides, an epic 10 mile trek,...

On this episode I have SoCal based trekker, climber, peak bagger, mountaineer, and mountain dancer, Brett Patrontasch aka Summit Shuffler, join me on the show. We chat about his first hiking memories, top trails in California, hiking hacks & tips, summit shuffle dancing and climbing iconic peaks such as Mount Whitney & the Matterhorn, how dancing and climbing both fulfill him, the Pacific...

On this episode I have Pacific Northwest based trekker, peak bagger, outdoor adventurer, founder of the Yakima Valley Trekkers, and the voice behind the Hikes And Mics Podcast, Ivan Orozco, join me on the show. We chat about his  first hiking memories, the origin story to creating the Hikes and Mics Podcast, top trails in the Pacific Northwest, hiking hacks & tips, experiencing a Star Wars / M...

On this episode, I release the full recording from our second ever live podcast show. It was filmed at the Just Trek Podcast 4 Year Anniversary celebration on Sat, April 6th at the Happier Camper Outdoor Showroom + Happier Cafe here in Los Angeles. The guest panel featured SoCal Hometown Heroes such as Karla Amador (founder of @52hikechallenge), Cris Hazzard (creator of HikingGuy.com ), Anjelica A...

On this episode I have SoCal based trekker, peak bagger, outdoor content creator, and solo world traveler, Tomasa aka @iamoneness11, join me on the show. We chat about her first hiking memories, her top mountains in California, top international treks, hiking hacks & solo travel tips, what sparked her passion for solo adventuring, her love for Cotopaxi the outdoor brand, the importance of solo...

On this episode I have SoCal based trekker, peak bagger, outdoor adventurer, dancer, marketer, entrepreneur, restaurant owner of Sampa, and member of the Just Trek Crew, Jenny Valles, join me on the show. We chat about her first hiking memories, her top SoCal mountains, hiking hacks & tips, intense Death Valley storms, exploring an ancient lake, unforgettable Eastern Sierra summer trip, utiliz...

On this episode I have SoCal based trekker, backpacker, writer, plus size outdoor explorer, diversity & inclusion advocate, hiking guide, and community leader, Anjelica Avella aka Adventures with Anjelica, join me on the show. We chat about her first hiking memories, what sparked her passion for backpacking, the debut of her film documentary "Forward" at the Coast Film Festival, her...