BLACKYAK Made For Missions - Podcast

A life shaped by the mountains: Experienced mountain and ski guide Reiner Taglinger shares how his passion started early, growing up close to the Alps. What began as childhood curiosity soon became a deeper path through climbing, mountaineering, and the German Alpine Club.

The conversation goes far beyond guiding itself. Reiner reflects on responsibility, risk management, mental strength, and how his profession has changed over the decades. One central topic is the impact of climate change: routes, seasons, and decisions in alpine terrain now require a different level of awareness and adaptation.

He also opens up about family life, work-life balance, and a serious illness that forced him back to “ground zero” physically and mentally. Through it all, the mountains remained a teacher, a place of clarity, and a source of strength.

An honest episode about experience, humility, change, and a lifelong connection to the mountains.

Ultra runner Mike Kratzer joins Matthias to explore endurance that goes beyond pace charts and results. Mike explains how habits outlast motivation, how he keeps training fresh, and how he adapts when plans change. He shares how long efforts fit alongside family life and why progress begins with simple daily movement. A grounded conversation about presence, curiosity, and finding joy in the process.

Outdoor photographer Daniel Hug shares how his geography background and passion for adventure shaped his career—from dives and Alpine climbs to documenting Jost Kobusch’s winter expeditions on Everest. He reveals what it takes to capture real stories in extreme places, balancing risk, creativity, and authenticity in a world increasingly shaped by AI and social media and why he leaves his camera behind in free time.

For Patrick von Känel, flying is more than a passion – it’s part of his identity. He took his first flight at 14, long before the law allowed it, and never looked back. Today, he ranks among the world’s best speed paragliders.

Patrick talks with Matthias about his unique path to the sky, the mental discipline it takes to fly fast, and why staying true to yourself is the real mission.

Daniel Ladurner balances two contrasting worlds: apple and wine farming in South Tyrol and his passion for alpine climbing. In this episode, he shares his journey from the Dolomites to Fitzroy, his training approach for aesthetic climbs, and his experiences with wingsuit flying and BASE jumping.

Discover how Daniel navigates risks, builds mental resilience, and draws strength from nature for his adventures.

Embark on an inspiring journey into the world of high-altitude mountaineering and beyond. In this episode Matthias Giraud sits down with the extraordinary climber and guide Dave Watson.

Dave shares his near-death experience during an avalanche, his mission to ski K2, and the profound lessons he’s learned from nature and life. Together, they reflect on the challenges of balancing family, career, and personal goals.

From extreme mountaineering to training Hollywood's elite, Mark Twight's journey has been anything but straightforward. He has reinvented himself countless times, often more than he acknowledges, delving deep into his core to gradually accept himself. Facing and overcoming challenges can leave lasting marks, sometimes making one hard and unyielding, with little room for inspiration. However, maintaining sensitivity and staying in touch with one's ever-changing environment fosters dynamic growth rather than becoming rigid and static.

Tune into this enlightening and inspiring podcast episode where no emotion, no experience nor wisdom falls short. 

Thank youMark and Matthias for sharing.

If, like Julian Fink, your mission is to enjoy life to the fullest, sometimes you have to be strong enough to know when it's time to turn back. Fortunately, having experience in mountain rescue and in an intensive care unit, he has always kept a cool head. Listen to our new episode to discover how this helped him and his strong rope team of friends on their ascent of the majestic "mountain tower" Cerro Torre, Patagonia.

Get to know Sepp Inniger: ambitious paraglider, test pilot and mountaineer. He started as a supporter at the X-Alps 2019, only to stand on the podium at the Eiger Challenge just a few weeks later. In this episode, he talks about his remarkable experiences of mastering the sport of hike-and-fly, with all its challenging weather conditions and the mental challenges of a competitor's life.

In the beginning her father took her on her first mountain mission, then she continued to pursue her new found passion for high altitude mountaineering on her own. Hannah Quatember shares her first expedition experience on Peak Lenin, approaching it with her characteristic serenity, a quality that will undoubtedly aid her in future missions like G2.