On this episode of The Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with long-time friend and outdoor entrepreneur Luke Pearsall, the founder of Trail Goods Co, a new freeze-dried camping meal brand. Luke shares his winding path from working on major Hollywood productions like Lost and Entourage, to becoming an adventure guide in South America, and ultimately, to launching his own freeze dried food company.

Check out Trail Goods Co at trailgoods.co!

And on Instagram: instagram.com/trailgoodscompany

We dive into:

The persistence it takes to break into TV and film (including hilarious celeb stories)

What it’s like to guide 8-week tours through South America

How hunting, hiking, and conservation are deeply connected

The realities of starting a food business, from product development to retail

The influencer culture, sponsorship requests, and the right way to pitch a brand

Mine and Luke’s chaotic pandemic-era Instagram show, Tuesdays at 2

With plenty of laughs, insights, and industry secrets, this episode is for anyone who loves adventure, business, and wild career pivots.

Support our sponsors:

Janji.com and GarageGrownGear.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Luke Pearsall and Trail Goods Company

02:54 The Journey of Outdoor Passion and Early Experiences

06:06 Transitioning from TV to Outdoor Guiding

09:11 Life Lessons from the Film Industry

11:50 The Impact of Relationships and Networking

15:01 Guiding Adventures in South America

18:02 The Role of Food in Outdoor Experiences

21:01 Building Trail Goods Company

24:03 Navigating Challenges in Business

27:01 The Importance of Persistence and Connection

32:49 From Layoff to Launch: A Year of Transformation

41:31 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

52:58 The Art of Freeze-Drying: Quality vs. Cost

01:03:06 Building a Brand in a Crowded Market

01:06:16 The Art of Influencer Marketing

01:09:11 The Role of AI in Influencer Marketing

01:10:07 Creative Meal Options for Outdoor Adventures

01:12:00 Celebrity Encounters and Storytelling

01:14:07 Nostalgia and the Birth of 'Tuesdays at 2'

01:17:03 Personal Style and Identity

Keywords

Luke Pearsall, Trail Goods Company, outdoor adventure, hiking, food, film industry, networking, entrepreneurship, guiding, South America, entrepreneurship, freeze-dried meals, outdoor industry, business launch, networking, persistence, brand building, food industry, scaling, influencer marketing, influencer marketing, AI, outdoor meals, celebrity stories, social media, Tuesdays at 2, personal branding, hiking, food, storytelling