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Today’s guest is a solo river runner, rock climber, ultra marathon runner, outdoor enthusiast, and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Squirrel’s Nut Butter, a company based in Flagstaff, Arizona that makes the world’s best all-natural, anti-chafe and restorative skin salve.

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Amazing Products/Companies I Use

Squirrel's Nut Butter - https://squirrelsnutbutter.com/discount/ENDURANCE15 Use code "Endurance15" for 15% off!

Kahtoola - https://kahtoola.com

Dispersed Bikepacking Gear - https://Dispersed.bike

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https://www.instagram.com/theendurancestudio/

Interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast? Contact me at: [email protected]

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(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:58) Amazing Company & Product: Squirrel's Nut Butter

(00:02:44) Amazing Company & Product: Kahtoola

(00:03:39) Amazing Company & Product: Dispersed

(00:04:37) Chris Thornley Bio

(00:05:58) SNB Facility; Ingredients

(00:07:48) My first experiences with the product; SNB Origins; Saddle sores and usage

(00:11:36) The SNB Team; Manufacturing process and automation; Applications

(00:17:46) Origin story; Early days; Naming

(00:21:53) Chris' younger days; Cycling Criterium and Touring; Family influence

(00:29:05) Discovery of Western States Ultra running race; Running as a young man; Flow state; Family exercising

(00:38:14) Camping under the stars; High School track; 5 minute mile; First Marathon; First Ultra Marathon

(00:44:29) Heat Training; Embracing the unknown; Heat Strategies

(00:49:50) College years; Boston Marathon; End of running career

(00:55:42) Rock climbing; 48 hour solo fast; Running out of water; Sleeping on ledges

(01:07:06) Solo rafting trips; Boating origins; Relationship with Dad; Kayaking

(01:15:12) Flipping the boat in Lava Falls; Meeting Bruce Cline; Safety in numbers; 2010 first solo trip

(01:21:08) Safety protocol and systems during solo rafting trips

(01:31:04) Magic of solo trips; Camping logistics; Beaches in the Grand Canyon; Flow rates

(01:36:35) Tinkering; Embracing Boredom; Transitioning between solo trips and regular life; Empowering a team at work

(01:44:17) Putting your ego in check; Climbing Denali

(01:48:29) Upcoming solo trip using a Dory

(01:57:35) Commercial trips; Dealing with fear

(02:05:54) Information saturation; Finding solitude; Letting go of the rat race

(02:10:54) Manipulation of time; Being present; Clearing the mind for new ideas

(02:17:26) Whats the deal with the purple hat?

(02:22:22) Timber the Squirrel costume

(02:25:55) SNB Marketing; First big order with REI; International reach; Issues during covid

(02:34:06) Humanizing the product and brand; Challenges with natural ingredients

(02:38:40) Sustainability options and challenges; Using plastic vs. aluminum and paper

(02:47:41) Regulations; First international sale; Social media upsides

(02:52:49) Ambassador program; Grassroots Marketing; Newsletter; Imposter syndrome

(03:04:39) Rapid fire questions

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