BOLOTOR Podcast

Jason Lupardus is a wildlife management expert based in Kentucky, with a diverse career spanning the southeastern U.S. Originally from Alabama, Jason's background includes handling bears in the Great Smoky Mountains, participating in elk reintroduction projects, and working with nonprofits dedicated to wildlife conservation. His passion for wild turkeys and outdoor adventures has led him to travel across states like Florida and Wyoming. ⁣ Jason's love for the outdoors was sparked by his grandmother's fishing trips, which influenced his career shift from chemical engineering to wildlife management. He holds dual undergraduate and master's degrees in wildlife management from the University of Tennessee. His early career as a wildlife biologist in South Georgia involved working with private landowners on various wildlife projects. ⁣ After six years of managing wildlife projects, Jason joined the National Wild Turkey Federation, eventually becoming the Director of Conservation Operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he briefly transitioned to a development role before moving to the Union Sportsmen's Alliance as COO. Currently, as CEO of Turkey's for Tomorrow, he focuses on addressing the decline in wild turkey populations through research and conservation efforts. Jason is dedicated to ensuring future generations can enjoy the outdoors as he has. He advocates for effective turkey hunting practices and promotes the nonprofit's growth and impact through initiatives like the "Wild Turkey Science" podcast. For more information, visit TFTT.org.

Jesse Anderson, originally from Michigan, is the founder and owner of Grizz Media, an outdoor media agency renowned for its marketing, photography, graphic design, and brand development services. His journey into the outdoor media world began with a deep passion for fishing, which he pursued rigorously after college. To meet the demands of sponsors for photos and videos, Jesse taught himself photography and videography. ⁣ In 2018, Jesse shifted his focus from competitive fishing to hunting and launched Grizz Media. His company quickly gained traction, driven by his commitment to producing authentic and engaging content. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Jesse adeptly pivoted to tactical and self-defense media before returning to his primary focus on hunting content. Jesse's practical experience in media production has been key to Grizz Media's success, with notable achievements including landing Grizzly Coolers as a major client. His work reflects his passion for hunting, leading to unique projects such as filming brown bear encounters and creating content that resonates with outdoor enthusiasts. ⁣ Jesse's adventurous spirit extends beyond his media career. From professional bass fishing in his teens to traveling the world filming TV shows for the Outdoor Channel and pursuing wild game, he embodies the essence of adventure. Self-taught in various skills like photography, videography, and graphic design, Jesse is always on the lookout for new thrills, whether it's hunting, skiing, shooting, skydiving, or diving. Grizz Media is dedicated to blending media production with personal passion, aiming to expand into a national and international network with Grizz Hunt, promoting a lifestyle of rigorous hunting training and authentic content creation.

Amanda Powell is an outdoor enthusiast and advocate based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Despite having cerebral palsy, Amanda discovered a passion for hiking and adaptive mountain biking in 2017 when she learned about the accessibility options offered by U.S. National Parks. ⁣ Her love for the outdoors led her to found the nonprofit "Everybody on Trails," which provides adaptive equipment and organizes accessible trail meetups for people with disabilities. Amanda's experiences with adaptive biking have significantly improved her physical and mental well-being, helping her manage her condition and alleviate anxiety. ⁣ Through her popular Instagram account, @AmandaCapable, she shares her adventures and connects with a supportive community. Amanda aims to visit all U.S. national parks and dreams of owning a cabin in the woods, all while continuing her advocacy for outdoor accessibility.

Alicia Morg is a passionate huntress based in Coltmont, Pennsylvania. Hailing from the coal region, Alicia's journey into hunting began at 21 with her first boyfriend. Despite not coming from a hunting background, her first successful hunt ignited a deep love for the sport. After parting ways with her boyfriend, Alicia continued to pursue her passion independently, managing trail cams and stands on her own. ⁣ Alicia gained widespread recognition through a viral TikTok video she posted three years ago, where she famously declared she'd rather chase bucks than men. This video helped her build a significant online presence, amassing over half a million followers on Snapchat, nearly 200k on TikTok, and 70k on Instagram. Her rise in social media success was marked by a shift from a 13-year career as a retail training instructor to working with her mother's business, Rock and Block, before fully dedicating herself to her social media and hunting endeavors. ⁣ With sponsorships and a growing following, Alicia focuses on creating authentic content and engaging with her audience. She values simplicity in hunting gear, prioritizing scent and movement over brand names, and supports small businesses over large brands. Alicia is committed to daily hunting, continuous learning, and living in the moment without over-planning.

Greg Sakowicz, originally from Michigan and Chicago, found his calling in Colorado after a midlife crisis led him to explore new opportunities following a layoff from his television news job. Settling in Denver, Greg developed a passion for hiking, which inspired his social media persona, "Fat Man Little Trail." ⁣ What began as a hobby quickly evolved into a successful platform, where Greg combined humor and authenticity to engage his audience. His blog, "Screw It. I'm Trying," and his Reels on Instagram brought him significant growth, shifting from nature-focused content to humorous and relatable hiking experiences. ⁣ Balancing his day job with content creation, Greg continues to share his adventures and promote outdoor inclusivity, aiming to inspire thousands to enjoy nature.

Joy Seward is an instructor at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Boulder, Wyoming, where she specializes in horsepacking expeditions that teach wilderness survival skills. With a background in environmental studies and art and communication, Joy combines her passion for the outdoors with her expertise in education. She grew up on a family farm in North Carolina, gaining early experience in equestrian training and outdoor adventures. ⁣ In addition to her role at NOLS, Joy co-founded RecPak, a brand offering high-nutrition, lightweight snacks for endurance athletes. Launched nearly two years ago, RecPak addresses the need for better on-the-go nutrition in remote areas. Joy's work with RekPak complements her educational efforts, supporting athletes while expanding the brand's reach. ⁣ Joy's current focus includes leading a 16-day expedition in the Absaroka Range and attending events like the Lander Rock Climbing Festival to promote RecPak. She aims to grow RecPak into a sustainable brand and continue her career in outdoor education, including pursuing avalanche instructor certification. Balancing her professional ambitions with the challenges of remote work, Joy values risk management, community, humor, and perseverance in both her expeditions and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Michael Chamberlain's fascination with wild turkeys began in his suburban childhood outside Richmond, Virginia, nurtured by Saturday hunting trips with his diesel mechanic father. Inspired by a wildlife biologist friend of his father's, Chamberlain pursued his passion for wildlife biology at Virginia Tech, specializing in fisheries and wildlife science. In graduate school, Chamberlain's research focused on wild turkeys in the Mississippi Delta, where he combined his love of hunting with academic study. This hands-on experience, involving capturing turkeys, attaching radio transmitters, and tracking their movements, cemented his career in turkey research. ⁣ Chamberlain has uncovered intricate social behaviors in wild turkeys, noting their tendency to be social for most of the year but solitary during reproduction. His studies reveal turkeys' complex social structures and hierarchies, similar to humans, and their regional subspecies variations. He highlights the historical domestication of turkeys, leading to today's large, non-flying commercial breeds, and contrasts their leaner, wilder counterparts. ⁣ An advocate for sustainable hunting, Chamberlain shares tips and emphasizes the importance of mentorship for aspiring hunters. His extensive research addresses concerns about declining turkey populations, particularly in the southeast and midwest.

Hank Rogers is transitioning from a working man to an outdoor influencer with a focus on bass fishing. Raised in the Appalachian Mountains, Hank's early life was marked by various jobs and financial hardships. Despite these challenges, he pursued a college degree in computer networking at 30, leading to a successful career in IT, managing a data center for a medical facility. Married to his high school sweetheart for 30 years, Hank and his wife have five grandchildren. His technical background and passion for fishing inspired him to document his fishing adventures on YouTube, blending his IT skills with his love for the sport. Since starting his channel in 2017, Hank has grown his following, gaining sponsors and recognition. He now posts five videos weekly, focusing on the science and art of bass fishing. Hank emphasizes authenticity, consistency, and valuing one's worth as key to success in the influencer space. His ultimate goal is to transition to full-time content creation, exploring lesser-known lakes and providing valuable information to fellow fishing enthusiasts.

Trevon Stoltzfus, an avid hunter from New Mexico, grew up in a farming and ranching community near the Mexican border. Although his father didn't hunt, Trevon's passion for the outdoors was nurtured by his family, leading him to hunt with his grandfather and uncle. After a wrestling career that took him to the junior Olympics, Trevon transitioned to bull riding and later became a police officer. His job in sales brought him to Colorado, where he embraced the state's abundant wildlife and began writing for Eastman's Hunting Journal. Eventually, he founded "Outback Outdoors," a show focusing on relatable hunting experiences. ⁣ Trevon's passion for bow hunting and dedication to mentoring young wrestlers reflect his intense and committed personality. He enjoys the challenges of elk hunting and the unique taste of game meat, emphasizing ethical hunting practices. Trevon is also involved in conservation efforts and promotes hunting as a more ethical way to obtain meat compared to conventional farming. ⁣ His show "Outback Outdoors" has transitioned to a vlog format on YouTube, offering raw and in-depth content about his hunting adventures. Through his work, Trevon aims to inspire others to explore the outdoors and engage in ethical hunting practices.

Lani Chapko, a passionate climber from Seattle, Washington, has been drawn to outdoor activities from a young age, initially excelling in sprint kayaking. Her climbing journey began during college in Southern California, where friends encouraged her to take an outdoor adventure PE class despite her initial fear of heights. This class, which included both indoor climbing and outdoor trips, sparked a love for climbing that led her to explore canyoneering, backpacking, and multi-pitch trad climbing. ⁣ Starting with minimal formal training, Lani learned the ropes from more experienced friends, navigating early challenges and tricky situations through hands-on experience. Overcoming her fear of heights was a significant hurdle, but she has since learned to balance safety awareness with pushing her limits. Lani briefly experimented with free soloing but opted against it due to the risks involved. ⁣ Lani's climbing achievements include a free ascent of El Capitan's Freerider route. She is particularly impressed by climbers from previous decades who accomplished great feats with less advanced equipment. With a deep interest in climbing gear, influenced by her engineering background, Lani enjoys exploring different types of equipment and systems.