The Rucker’s Edge: Rucking Tips, Training, and Gear

Weighted vests have exploded in popularity. Some people claim they're the secret to burning more calories. Others say they'll build muscle, strengthen your bones, and replace traditional strength training. But how much of that is actually supported by research? In this episode, Spencer sits down with nutrition coach, science communicator, and host of the Wits & Weights podcast, Philip Pape, to...

Many strength athletes avoid cardio because they worry it will interfere with muscle growth and strength gains. But what if the right kind of conditioning could actually make you a better lifter? In this episode of The Rucker's Edge, Spencer sits down with Ashley the Amazing, Army veteran, former professional bodybuilder, endurance athlete, Olympic weightlifting coach, and kinesiology professor, t...

Most ruckers don't quit because of fitness. They quit because their feet hurt. In Part 2 of my conversation with MudGear founder, Alex Thrasher, we move from understanding blisters to preventing them. Alex shares a foot care system that covers what to do before, during, and after a ruck to reduce hot spots, prevent blisters, and keep your training on track. We discuss sock selection, toenail care,...

Blisters can turn a great ruck into a miserable experience. In this episode of The Rucker's Edge, Spencer sits down with MudGear founder Alex Thrasher to discuss one of the most important topics in rucking: blister prevention. Alex explains why blisters happen, the three factors that create them, and how ruckers can dramatically reduce their risk through better sock selection, footwear choices, la...

If you've been training with a ruck but haven't chosen an event yet, this episode will help you find your next challenge. Spencer breaks down the landscape of ruck events, from beginner-friendly charity rucks and community gatherings to competitive races, GORUCK Challenges, Green Beret Fitness endurance events. You'll learn what each event involves, who it's best suited for, how much preparation i...

In Part 2 of our Training with a Ruck series, Drew Snarey from Frontline Athletic joins the show to explain how a rucksack can become a surprisingly effective strength-training tool. From squats and step-ups to carries, rows, presses, and core work, Drew breaks down the exercises that deliver the biggest return on investment and explains how to integrate them into an existing rucking routine. The...

Some ruckers use their ruck the same way every time: same route, same pace, same weight. And while long rucks are great for endurance and general health, they are only one piece of what a ruck can do for your fitness. In this episode of The Rucker’s Edge Podcast, Spencer breaks down six conditioning methods that can dramatically improve your cardiovascular fitness, work capacity, and overall perfo...

Travis Chapman from RUCKFWD joins The Rucker’s Edge Podcast to share how rucking became the first form of fitness he could consistently stick with after years of starting and stopping gym routines. He also discusses how he's using rucking to bring awareness and raise funds for a health condition that hits close to home: arthritis. We discuss: How he discovered rucking through GORUCK His experience...

What’s happening in the world of rucking right now? In this Spring 2026 edition of Rucking In The News, Spencer breaks down the biggest developments in rucking—from the launch of the GORUCK Rucker 5.0 to major community events, new training tools, and some truly inspiring stories from ruckers around the world. This episode covers: What’s new with the GORUCK Rucker 5.0 Which rucking brands are maki...

How do you build a ruck club that people actually want to be part of? In this episode of The Rucker’s Edge, Spencer sits down with Jessica, co-founder of Triton Ruck Club, to break down exactly how a small walking group turned into a thriving rucking community with multiple chapters. Jessica shares the real, unfiltered lessons from building a ruck club from the ground up—including what works, what...

What does it take to ruck 1,000 miles across Texas? In this episode of The Rucker’s Edge , Spencer sits down with Terrence to break down one of the most extreme rucking challenges ever attempted—crossing Texas on foot with 40 pounds on his back. But this conversation goes far beyond mileage. Terrence shares how his journey from addiction to purpose shaped this challenge, the physical and mental ba...

In this solo episode, Spencer breaks down the full Ruck Deep Dive research series from Mountain Tactical Institute (MTI). He covers what actually predicts ruck performance, whether strength or endurance training matters more, and how to structure your training if you want to get faster under a ruck. If you’ve been putting in miles but not seeing progress, this episode will make you reconsider how...

Why do so many ruckers deal with foot pain, ankle injuries, and overuse issues? In this episode, Spencer sits down with Jon Ritter, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), to break down what’s actually happening inside your body when you add load to walking—and why so many injuries come down to poor load management and weak foundations. You’ll learn how impact forces multiply with added weight, why inju...

Many runners believe the key to getting better is simple: Run more miles. But today’s guest explains why that belief can actually hold runners back. Sam Cvetkovski is an endurance athlete, ultra runner, rucker, and coach who helps athletes build durability and long-term performance. Her journey started in 2020 when she discovered rucking through GORUCK events. That eventually led to competing in s...

How do you train for elite hybrid fitness races while balancing work, a fulfilling life, and everyday responsibilities? In this episode, we sit down with Jon Ross-Wiley, a competitive hybrid athlete with podium finishes in DEKA Ruck events and experience racing some of the toughest obstacle courses in the sport. Jon shares how he structures his training, how he balances life as a full-time school...

Heart rate zones are talked about everywhere. But do we know how to actually use them? In this episode of The Rucker’s Edge, we break down heart rate training in a practical, no-nonsense way: What heart rate zones actually mean Why Zone 2 is the foundation for longevity and aerobic capacity How to estimate your zones How dehydration messes up your heart rate data How to interpret heart rate trends...

Quick check-in episode this week. Rather than rush a conversation or release something that didn’t meet the standard, I decided to take a short pause. But here’s what’s coming next. Next week we’re diving into heart rate monitors. We’ll break down: how to use heart rate during a ruck, when heart rate data is useful, and a few other things. I’m also bringing upcoming conversations with a high-level...

What does blood sugar actually mean for someone who rucks for fitness? In this episode, registered dietitian and author Kayla Girgen joins The Rucker’s Edge to break down glucose, insulin, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and how movement directly improves metabolic health. You’ll learn: What glucose really is and how your body uses it The role insulin plays in blood sugar regulation What insul...

In this solo episode of The Rucker’s Edge , Spencer breaks down how to handle a medically forced week off rucking without losing fitness or momentum. Drawing from his own recovery following a minor surgical procedure, Spencer explains what actually happens to fitness during short rest periods, how to support healing through sleep, nutrition, and breathing work, and how to return to rucking in a wa...

In this episode of The Rucker’s Edge , Spencer sits down with Andrew Brandt to explore how rucking fits into everyday life when work, family, and time constraints are real. Andrew shares how he rebuilt his fitness through consistent rucking, why walking with load supports long-term health span, and how small daily efforts create sustainable progress. This conversation focuses on practical applicat...

In this episode of The Rucker’s Edge, I sit down with John A. Dailey, author of the book Tough Rugged Bastards and the RTFU newsletter, to explore how rucking can be used intentionally to develop stress tolerance, emotional control, and better decision-making under load. John breaks down how stress inoculation works, why voluntary discomfort leads to adaptation, and how ruckers can train their ner...

Rucking doesn’t stop when the weather turns cold. But winter conditions introduce new challenges that ruckers need to be prepared for. In this episode of The Rucker’s Edge , Spencer sits down with Dan Vinson, founder of Wild Gym, to break down what it actually takes to ruck safely and effectively in snow and cold weather. Drawing from decades of experience as a mountain athlete, wildland firefight...

In this episode, I talk with Dean Pullman, founder and CEO of Man Flow Yoga, to break down how yoga for ruckers can improve posture, reduce pain, and increase longevity under load without requiring flexibility, experience, or long classes. Dean explains why most ruckers struggle with mobility due to years of sitting, poor posture, and limited movement patterns and how rucking can expose those weak...

In this episode of The Rucker’s Edge , I break down why reflective rucks matter, what a reflective ruck is, and how to use rucking as a tool for clarity, alignment, and intentional direction, especially during transitions like the end of a year or a birthday. You’ll learn: What separates a reflective ruck from a routine training ruck Why reflection turns experience into useful information How refl...

In this short, final episode of 2025, I take a moment to say thank you. No guest. No deep dive. Just a sincere reflection on the first year at The Rucker’s Edge—the listeners, the conversations, and the community that’s formed around rucking, long-term health, and smart training. I also share what’s ahead in 2026, including more practical insights on recovery, performance metrics, and conversation...