On this episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with the multi-talented and wildly entertaining Chad Lubinski. Chad is one of the most well-rounded people I’ve ever met—he’s a thru-hiker, ultra runner, backcountry skier, climber, jujitsu practitioner, and full-time content creator. If you’ve been listening for a while, you may recognize him as the guy who once interviewed me—and now he’s back for his third appearance.

Follow Chad on the internet: https://www.instagram.com/chadahooche_/

https://www.youtube.com/ChadLubinski⁩

Also support us by joining our patreon: www.patreon.com/freeoutside

And shopping at our sponsors: garagegrowngear.com and Janji.com

-We kick off the conversation with the unexpected burden of being named Chad in the age of TikTok stereotypes, but quickly dive into topics like:

-Why thru-hikers should give trail running and ultra running a shot

-The underrated magic of fastpacking and why it’s the life hack for outdoor lovers with limited time

-Chad’s story of going from a probation officer to full-time content creator

-What it really takes to build a career around your outdoor passions

-Working with brands, avoiding the red flags, and learning how to say no

-The art of storytelling in adventure documentaries—and why gear isn’t everything

-Why filming your adventures doesn’t ruin the experience (and may actually make it better)

-The best kind of suffering (and how Chad would design the ultimate sufferfest race)

Whether you're curious about building a career in the outdoors, documenting your adventures, or just wondering what it takes to live an unconventional life, this one’s packed with inspiration, hard truths, and plenty of laughs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chad Lubinsky

03:00 The Impact of Names and Identity

05:51 Exploring Thru-Hiking and Ultra Running

09:12 Fast Packing: A New Approach to Hiking

12:01 The Transition from Hiking to Content Creation

14:59 Overcoming Adversity on the John Muir Trail

17:56 Taking the Leap: From Job Security to Content Creation

20:52 Building a Brand and Monetizing Content

23:57 Navigating Brand Partnerships and Content Creation

29:54 Navigating Brand Partnerships

39:04 The Art of Storytelling in Adventure Filmmaking

50:56 Capturing Authentic Experiences

56:57 Creating Unique Adventure Challenges

Keywords: Chad Lubinsky, thru-hiking, ultra running, fast packing, content creation, outdoor adventure, John Muir Trail, brand partnerships, hiking tips, outdoor lifestyle, brand partnerships, storytelling, adventure filmmaking, influencer marketing, content creation, authenticity, YouTube, adventure challenges, outdoor experiences, video production