Day Fire Podcast

This week Clint and Dawson talk about being prepared for Spring and Summer adventures! Where is Dawson going? Where are some special places you may want to visit? What do you need to take with you? PLUS - Clint surprises Dawson with a game of 'What Is Up With This Picture?'! Clint went through Dawson's Instagram pics and pulled up a few and asked Dawson to share the story behind them. Don't worry - the pictures are described and the stories are worth the listen!

You can also find them on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/dayfirepodcast

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This week we are talking with Michael Wurzel. Michael grew up in Nashville, Tennessee climbing at Kings Bluff and the now defunct Classic Rock Gym. When he turned 16 and bought his first car, you could often find him camping out at Rocktown and Zahnd on the weekends. His early climbing exploits led him to attending Sewanee for college and earning a degree in Environmental Policy. After a few years of being a climbing bum in Chattanooga, Michael earned a Master's in Environmental Science at UTC, and worked as the Executive Director of the Southeastern Climbers Coalition during its 20th Anniversary and beyond. Michael also worked at the Lula Lake Land Trust and the Friends of Moccasin Bend, always embracing the spirit of Chattanooga to make the place better.

Eventually, Michael got a job at Summit County Open Space and Trails in Breckenridge, Colorado, and gave up the good life in Chattanooga for the high rockies. Now, Michael is the Sustainability Coordinator for Summit County Government, responsible for implementing the county's climate action plan. When not working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Michael is skiing at Arapahoe Basin, the Colorado backcountry, or camping out in the Rockies somewhere, bagging easy peaks.

https://vimeo.com/72118303

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According to Wikipedia the definition of Highpointing is: the sport of ascending to the point with the highest elevation within a given area. Well, what if your 'given area' changed? All the time! That is where the Bargo Brothers come in! Brandon and Greg Bargo are two adventurous, and competitive, brothers from Texas who explore the United States by climbing the highest points in all 50 states. Their passion for the outdoors is not limited to climbing and their adventures have taken them all around the world.

They have also launched a successful TV series 'The Highpointers' on PBS that follows them on their journeys and documents the climbs, the cities, and the personalities they encounter along the way. We loved having the Bargo Brothers on Day Fire! They are natural storytellers and it's easy to understand why viewers tune in to each episode. Find out more about Branndon and Greg at: www.thehighpointers.com.

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This week Dawson and Clint talk with health and human performance coach - Mark Fasczewski! Mark is the CEO of Vantaggio Fitness and Nutrition and has spent much of his time focused on coaching cycling athletes. He shares stories from competing, training, and coaching! Mark has been a personal trainer for over twenty five years and has great insights on how to push and fuel the body. Their conversation covers a lot of ground - working with parents of young athletes, how to buy your first bike, the lessons learned from competition, and much more. Whether it's cycling on the road or gravel - for fun or medals - this was a fun podcast!

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This week Clint and Dawson talk with Chris and Sara who are a husband and wife duo who share their travels and adventures over on Youtube. Their wildly popular channel is called, "Let's Be Us", While their passion and primary content is travel related, their channel features life as digital nomad entrepreneurs as well as life at their new home in Chattanooga, TN.

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This week Dawson and Clint welcome Jake Wheeler back to Day Fire! Jake is the Social Media Manager for Aspen Snowmass. Did you know mountains and ski slopes have personalities? Well they do - and they talk about the different personalities and characteristics of each mountain in the Aspen Snowmass family. Plus, they talk about art, diversity, marketing, hosting the X-Games and other events, and yes - sticking with the Day Fire tradition - they shared some stories.

When Jake isn't working with his social media marketing team to produce the best content possible, he loves to take advantage of all that Aspen has to offer, which usually involves something outdoors. Good times were had by all on this episode of Day Fire!

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This week Clint catches up with Dawson as he wraps up his annual ski trip out west and before he heads home. How has COVID affected the trip? How was the snow? They talk about gear and the resorts Dawson has visited. PLUS - Dawson and some of his companions took some time and went exploring in the desert and the Canyonlands! Stories from the slopes with Dawson Wheeler!

Thanks to our sponsors: Rock/Creek Outfitters and the Mountain View Auto Family

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This week Dawson and Clint revisit one of their most popular topics – THE VAN LIFE! Clay Watson and Justin Shipp rejoin Day Fire to talk about the buildout options and the features centered around the Ford Transit! Gadgets – Comfort – Efficiency – Purpose – everything that goes in and on the Transit! Plus – they share some stories about where the van can take you and the memories you can make!

Clay Watson, who was born and raised in Southeast TN, has been employed at Mtn View Ford Lincoln for 24 years and is currently a Partner in the Mtn View Auto Group and serves as President of Mtn View Motorsports. He is an avid fisherman and van life adventurer.

Justin Shipp is the Founder and Owner of Site Seven Campers and an all-around van guru!

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This week Dawson and Clint talk about search and rescue with Nancy East. Whether you are someone who enjoys a quick hike on your favorite trails or someone who likes to disappear for days at a time – this podcast is important. What can you do to prepare for the unknown to happen? What do you pack? Who do you share your plans with? What happens when things do NOT go as planned? Nancy and Dawson share stories and give advice that will help you go into the great outdoors and get back home safely.

Nancy East has been an avid hiker and backpacker for over 25 years. She has completed three 900-miler maps of the Smokies, and she and her friend Chris Ford achieved a fastest known time (FKT) record during the last Smokies-900 map. and thru hikes of the Tahoe Rim Trail, the Wonderland Trail, Tour du Mont Blanc and many regional trails. Nancy is also a member of Haywood County's Search and Rescue Team, is on the founding board for the WNC Wilderness Safety Fund and is a semi-retired small animal veterinarian. Staying safe is a key component of enjoying our adventures! Great info and insights from Nancy on Day Fire Podcast!

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This week Dawson and Clint talk all things elk with Brad Miller and Jason Finnell. Brad serves as the Elk Program Coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Jason is an avid outdoor adventurer and hunter. The elk population in Tennessee is estimated to be between 400-500 and the ERZ (Elk Restoration Zone) covers 670,000 acres centered around the North Cumberland Plateau. They discuss how and why elk were introduced back into Tennessee, keeping the population healthy, the relationship between residents and the elk, why controlled hunts are important, the strategic plan moving forward, and much more!

Brad Miller serves as the Elk Program Coordinator based out of the North Cumberland WMA work center. Brad came to TWRA in 2016 from the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) where he worked as the Regional Biologist for Tennessee and North Carolina. Prior to working for the NWTF, Brad was the Assistant Chief of Wildlife at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission where he also served as the Deer Program Coordinator and supervised the elk program.

Brad is from Knoxville and received his B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee. His master’s topic examined silvicultural and prescribed fire techniques for improving wildlife habitat. Brad attended the University of Georgia and received a Ph.D. in Forest Resources.

Jason Finnell was born and raised in Chattanooga Tennessee. Jason is the mountain bike program director for the Schejola Foundation and helps open mountain bike programs for the Boys & Girls Clubs across the southeast.

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