In this conversation, Jeff Shapiro reflects on the nature of happiness and the importance of choice in experiencing it. He emphasizes that every moment, whether trivial or dangerous, holds significant value, particularly in the context of time spent with loved ones. Jeff shares personal experiences that have shaped his understanding of life as a privilege, urging listeners to recognize the priceless nature of their time and the moments they share with others.

Jeff Shapiro is a world-class climber, paraglider, and wingsuit BASE jumper whose life revolves around exploring both the physical and mental edges of human experience. With more than three decades of climbing, from first ascents in the Himalaya and Patagonia to bold solo adventures closer to home, Jeff has dedicated his life to understanding risk, mastery, and meaning in the mountains.

He’s one of the rare athletes who moves fluidly between vertical and aerial worlds, viewing both as expressions of art, connection, and mindfulness rather than adrenaline. Jeff’s thoughtful approach to adventure has made him a respected voice in the climbing community, a storyteller, mentor, and seeker whose philosophy centers on awareness, humility, and living deliberately.

Jeff's Instagram

This conversation explores the personal journey of running with Joe Grant, and the evolution of trail running culture. Joe discuss his experiences in the mountains, the importance of community support, and how cultural backgrounds shaped his outdoor pursuits. He reflects on the transition from casual running to professional aspirations, emphasizing the genuine passion that drives his adventures. Aaron Mulkey and Joe Grant explore the profound connection between passion and outdoor activities, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the journey rather than focusing solely on competition. They discuss personal growth through experiences in nature, the evolution of mindset with age, and the significance of being present in the moment. Joe shares insights from his recent expedition, highlighting the lessons learned from embracing flexibility and spontaneity in the wilderness. The conversation culminates in a discussion about future aspirations and the desire to continue growing through new challenges.

In this engaging conversation, Aaron Mulkey and Zahan Billimoria discuss the importance of training for ice climbing, emphasizing the need for a habit-driven approach, the significance of aerobic fitness, and the role of community in maintaining motivation. They explore effective strength training principles, the impact of age on athletic performance, and the necessity of adaptation in training. The discussion highlights that it's never too late to start training and that enjoyment in the process is crucial for long-term success. In this conversation, Zahan Billimoria and Aaron Mulkey delve into the intricacies of strength and endurance training, particularly for mountain athletes. They discuss the importance of maximizing strength training efficiency, understanding fatigue, and the specificity required in climbing training. Zahan emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset regarding fatigue in strength training versus endurance training, advocating for a focus on one-arm strength for ice climbing. They also explore the science behind strength versus endurance training, the significance of mobility, and the role of community in athletic training. The conversation culminates in a discussion about effective endurance training strategies, including the benefits of fasted training and setting ambitious athletic goals.

Zahan's Social 

Samsara Experience Website

Samara Experience Social 

In this conversation, Kelly Halpin shares her experiences from the Snowman Race in Bhutan, a unique ultra marathon aimed at raising awareness about climate change. She discusses the challenges of running at high altitudes, the cultural richness of Bhutan, and the importance of community and environmental advocacy. The conversation also touches on the role of art in climate action and the personal reflections on the connection to nature. Kelly expresses her future plans for running and climbing adventures, emphasizing the need for collective action in addressing climate issues.

Snowman Race, Bhutan, climate change, trail running, adventure, community, nature, advocacy, ultra marathon, environmental awareness, 

In this episode, I sit down with Zahan Billimoria who has been featured in several Teton Gravity Films and other publications. He is a mountain athlete, guide, coach, and founder of Samsara Experience. We dive deep into the nature of risk, not just as something to manage, but as something to learn from. We talk about what it means to train the body and mind for uncertainty, how education in the mountains mirrors the kind of learning that sticks, and why presence—not just preparation—is at the heart of performance.

Whether you're a climber, Skier, or just someone drawn to the mountains and training, this conversation offers something rich and real.

Zahan is what I call a mountain professor. 

Let’s get into it.

If you spend enough time in the mountains, you’re bound to come across things that leave you scratching your head, wondering, how did this happen? Nature is breathtakingly beautiful, yet also unforgiving. In this episode, I share the story of a massive bull elk I discovered above an icefall—a find that will forever leave me questioning how he got there while also inspiring dreams of the incredible life he must have lived. This elk was undoubtedly the king of the mountain. You can find videos of this discovery on my social media, but after listening to this episode, you’ll know the full story—more than just the speculation in the comments!

Thanks to Dan Vastyan, Chris Guyer and Christian Baumeister for joining the conversation. 

Whether Kimberly Cross is leading friends up frozen waterfalls, tackling alpine climbs, or inspiring her kindergarten class with the wonders of the outdoors, her mission remains the same—helping others step outside without fear and push past obstacles.

"Chasing an outdoor dream can build a renewed or deepened sense of self," she says. "Confidence, perseverance, and purpose grow when we experience the outdoors and witness the beauty these landscapes offer. It’s a powerful force for the mind, body, and soul."

Born with one hand and what she affectionately calls her "stump"—Kimberly knew that pursuing a sport like ice and alpine climbing wouldn’t be easy. But from a young age, her family encouraged her to embrace challenges, adapt, and never back down. So when she set her sights on climbing, she found a way to make it happen. Her relentless drive and passion caught the attention of The North Face, earning her a spot in one of their athlete development programs.

She continues to hone her skills at ice festivals across the West, proving time and time again that anything is possible. And while she pushes the limits in the mountains, she also balances a fulfilling career as a kindergarten teacher and cherishes time with her husband and stepkids. Kimberly has found a way to pursue her passion while creating balance—a true testament to her determination and love for the outdoors.

I have known Jackson Marvell for a while now and I have always been in awe of his continued pursuit to push himself in the sport of ice, rock and alpine climbing. He and his friends Alan Rousseau and Matt Cornell became very well known climbers when their names hit the New York Times for their accent of Jannu. Take a dive into Jacksons mind, life and his teams ascent of Jannu in this episode. 

Aaron Mulkey sits down with Matt Berry who is the head of QA and R&D at Black Diamond Equipment to talk everything ice screws. There are a ton of questions ice climbers have about the strength of ice screws and their placements. We dig into all of that, I ask every question I can think of. We also dive into the differences in Aluminum vs Steel ice screws. If you're an ice climber, this is a must listen!

I will also post a couple key pieces of this chat on my YouTube Channel. 

There is a YouTube video that Matt did with Will Gadd that is also really good to watch. Watch Here 

Aaron Mulkey shares information about The Cookeout Ice Festival and Wyoming Ice Festival events. They have an incredible lineup up of speakers at these two events. Aaron then shares a story about exploration and an Ice Axe he took through the bicep during an ice climbing fall many years ago deep in the backcountry. We also take time to remember Michael Gardner.

A great video about who Michael Gardner was.