BOLOTOR Podcast

Amos Rodriguez is a passionate advocate for social justice and environmental stewardship, sharing a life story shaped by resilience and a deep connection to nature. Born in 1979 in El Salvador, Amos grew up amidst the turmoil of military regimes and violent conflict. His family, heavily involved in the church, faced brutal repression, with his mother imprisoned and tortured and his uncle killed for his activism. At just 10 years old, Amos fled from soldiers and found refuge with a compassionate stranger, eventually seeking help for his mother at a local church. Despite the trauma and hardships he endured, he remained committed to education and community service, later working in social services to support impoverished communities affected by the conflict. Inspired by his encounters with American social workers, Amos relocated to the United States to pursue higher education. His experiences have shaped his understanding of global social issues, prompting him to advocate for awareness and empathy regarding complex conflicts, particularly those similar to his own. His journey also involves a profound relationship with nature, where he learned survival skills such as hunting and fishing as a means of healing. These practices not only provided sustenance but also fostered a deep connection to the environment, reinforcing his commitment to teaching others about responsible hunting and sustainable living. In the U.S., Amos has transitioned to educating others about nature connection through classes on bow building, foraging, and outdoor skills. He is dedicated to creating a healthy farm environment that promotes wildlife and responsible practices while encouraging stewardship of the land.

Cody Idol is a passionate advocate for the hunting tradition and the son of renowned outdoor figure Dick Idol. Growing up in the breathtaking landscapes of Montana, Cody was heavily influenced by his father's legacy, which includes assembling the Legendary Whitetails collection and co-founding North American Whitetail magazine. With a deep respect for outdoor activities, Cody's childhood was filled with hunting and fishing, experiences that shaped his appreciation for nature and wildlife. As a young adult, Cody began to fully recognize his father's groundbreaking contributions to deer behavior analysis and outdoor writing. He embraced his own artistic pursuits and established a successful art business that sells work nationwide and internationally. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Cody has cultivated a significant presence on social media, where he shares insights on preserving hunting traditions and engages with a growing community of outdoor enthusiasts. Currently residing in Nashville and Naples, Cody remains deeply connected to his Montana roots, prioritizing time spent in nature and with family. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and dedication in his pursuits, encouraging others to celebrate every achievement in the outdoors, no matter the scale. Through his journey, Cody seeks to inspire the next generation of hunters and outdoor lovers, all while honoring the legacy of his father.

Bob Reece is a passionate fly-fishing guide and coach who transitioned from a career in education to pursue his lifelong love for the sport. Growing up in Nebraska, Bob was introduced to fly fishing by his father during trips to Wyoming, sparking a passion that would later define his professional journey. After drifting away from fishing due to sports and college football, he rediscovered it post-graduation and began guiding clients in Colorado and Wyoming while still teaching. ⁣ As he became increasingly disengaged from teaching, Bob made the courageous decision to follow his passion full-time, emphasizing the importance of planning and addressing fears associated with such a significant change. His experiences with successful guiding companies laid a strong foundation for his own business, where he values client relationships and logistical management. ⁣ Bob's journey has taken him internationally, including notable fishing trips to South America, where he explores unique fishing environments and engages with diverse clientele. He combines his guiding work with coaching and counseling, aiming to provide emotional growth through outdoor activities like fishing. Bob is committed to making the counseling process approachable and engaging, envisioning retreats that connect therapeutic practices with the joy of fishing.

Stephen Jiroch is a passionate travel blogger and content creator based in California. He met his wife, Giselle, while running a martial arts studio in Santa Barbara, where she was studying at UCSB. Their shared love for adventure led them to blend Stephen's outdoor interests with Giselle's international travel experiences, culminating in the launch of their travel blog during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially hesitant, Stephen embraced the journey as they began documenting local walks with a used camera. ⁣ As restrictions eased, they embarked on road trips across the U.S., quickly gaining a significant following on social media through their engaging content and consistent posting. In just three months, they amassed 100,000 followers, showcasing beautiful landscapes and providing itineraries to inspire travel. Stephen manages video editing for their content while Giselle focuses on photography and blog writing. Together, they emphasize the importance of organization and strategic planning in content creation. They also run a coaching business, helping other creators succeed by sharing insights on consistency and effective content strategies. ⁣ A dedicated martial artist, Stephen has recently earned a gold medal in Taekwondo sparring and is preparing for his sixth-degree black belt test. He continues to draw parallels between his martial arts discipline and their entrepreneurial journey, advocating for resilience and a positive mindset. Together with Giselle, they host the podcast "Unfiltered Adventures," sharing travel stories and tips while promoting their brand, "Creator Passport."

Doug McMann grew up on a farm in British Columbia, where he developed a passion for hunting inspired by stories of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. After working as a construction manager in Vancouver, Doug left city life for a remote valley of just 150 residents, driven by his dream to hunt mountain lions. Despite starting with no experience, he trained a hound, though his first attempt ended in tragedy with the dog's death. ⁣ Transitioning from carpentry to guiding, Doug successfully established his own outfitting business after catching mountain lions with his dogs. His hounds, a blend of American Leopardhound and Walker breeds, play a crucial role in his guiding work. Although initially skeptical of social media, Doug now uses platforms like Facebook and Instagram to attract clients, including international hunters. His guiding business thrives on word-of-mouth referrals and excellent personal service. ⁣ Doug's work also involves studying mountain lions for caribou conservation, using GPS collars to track their behavior and impact. Facing challenges with land access due to policy changes, he is considering a move to Belize for jaguar studies.

Brighton Peachey is a wilderness enthusiast and rescue professional who discovered her passion for the outdoors in high school after moving to Utah. Initially drawn to indoor rock climbing, she expanded her love for adventure by exploring hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking in college, where she also pursued a degree in wilderness rescue. ⁣ Brighton gained practical experience through search and rescue courses and went on to join the Salt Lake County Search and Rescue team. ⁣ Balancing family life with rescue work, she has been involved in intense rescue operations, including swift water rescues and helicopter evacuations. After relocating to Maine and stepping back from active rescue, Brighton has focused on building her social media presence, sharing outdoor tips and adventures to inspire families to explore nature together.

Shanna Birchett, whose name means "pretty" in Yiddish, grew up in Southern California as the sixth of eight children. Her early involvement in local 5Ks ignited her passion for running. After a church mission and starting a family, she paused her competitive running career to focus on raising six children. Despite the challenges, Shanna stayed active through strength training, particularly with P90X. ⁣ In 2020, after moving to St. George, Utah, Shanna reignited her running ambitions. With a coach specializing in heart rate-based training, she aims to qualify for the Olympic Trials with a marathon goal of 2:37. ⁣ Shanna balances her training with family life, training six days a week and using her Instagram account, "Motherhood_underrunning," to inspire and connect with other moms. Her journey reflects resilience and dedication as she pursues her dreams while supporting her growing community.

Mel Harrison, originally from Ventura County in Southern California, has always been deeply connected to the natural world. Her passion for the outdoors blossomed while attending Humboldt State University in Northern California, where she immersed herself in environmental studies and outdoor activities. This led her to a variety of seasonal jobs, including work as a cave guide and wilderness ranger, experiences that further fueled her love for nature and conservation. Pursuing her interests, Mel moved to Eugene, Oregon, for graduate school, where she specialized in environmental studies with a focus on natural history writing. Her career path eventually took her to Jackson, Wyoming, where she fell in love with the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. This newfound passion guided her to Montana, where she settled near Yellowstone National Park. In Montana, Mel has built a career around outdoor education, freelance writing, and blogging, particularly through her platforms "Traveling Mel" and "Yellowstone Trips." These outlets allow her to share her knowledge and love for Yellowstone, Montana, and family travel, while also promoting responsible tourism. Mel's adventurous spirit extended beyond Montana when she and her family decided to sell their home and embark on an almost three-year journey through Europe. Living in a new country each month, the family homeschooled their two young sons while Mel continued her work as a travel blogger and freelance writer. Their travels not only provided unforgettable experiences but also deepened their bond as a family. Returning to Livingston, Montana, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Harrison family seamlessly transitioned back to life in the U.S., thanks to their pre-existing homeschool and remote work lifestyle. Throughout the pandemic, Mel continued to thrive, finding new opportunities to write about responsible travel and outdoor activities. Today, Mel remains passionate about exploring the natural world and sharing her experiences with others. Whether she's planning a women's winter trip to Yellowstone, writing about her latest adventures, or simply enjoying the outdoors with her family, Mel continues to inspire others to appreciate and protect the environment.