Join Rich Froning and the Mayhem crew as they talk about why fitness matters for every kind of hunter. From getting into the woods easier to hauling gear, dragging deer, and staying sharp at camp, being in shape makes the whole experience better. They break down Murph prep, rucking, and the track built for hunters who want a simple place to start.
The crew also tackles the idea that CrossFit is dangerous, explains why high-intensity training works so well, and shares how training with other people helps you stay consistent. Whether you’re getting ready for your first hunt or trying to make sure you can keep doing this for years to come, this episode is all about finding the track that fits you and putting in the work now so you’re ready when it counts.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with former professional strength coach Shane Wallen (Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, 49ers) and Angelo Dicicco. The crew dives into the "art" of, and frustration behind, effective, high-level fitness programming, sharing insights from training elite athletes to developing custom routines for intense, brutal workouts. Rich also reflects on applying decades of training wisdom to backcountry hunting preparation.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning talks about what it really means to stay ready all year long. Not just getting in shape a few weeks before the season, but building the kind of strength, endurance, and resilience that carries you through long days in the mountains. Rich breaks down the training methodology behind Mayhem Hunt: why we train the way we do, how to build a durable engine, and why consistency throughout the year matters more than last-minute preparation.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, Rich sits down with Todd Anderson and Scott Vandersloot to talk recovery the way it actually works in real life—sauna, cold plunge, sleep, and being intentional with all of it. They get into why cold is one of the most misused tools (and why it’s more of a “when” than a “yes or no”), why heat before bed can be a game-changer for sleep, and how temperature, consistency, and stress management play a bigger role than most people want to admit. The conversation bounces from hunting trips and terrible sleep in cold tents to nasal breathing, snoring, and the simple truth: you can’t out-tough bad sleep when decision-making, recovery, and performance are on the line.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Rich Froning and the Mayhem hunt team as they dive into all things happening at Mayhem Hunt. From a brewing 5K grudge match and Ironman training to a 24-hour trail relay, fitness is front and center as always. The crew recaps their whirlwind trip through the NWTF Convention and Western Hunt Expo, where new connections were made and new hunts potentially landed on the calendar. They tease an exciting fall lineup that includes archery antelope, elk, mule deer, and a backcountry spring bear hunt that's equal parts exciting and uncertain.

The big news? Hunt Camp is coming. Rich and the team break down their vision for an intimate beginner-to-intermediate Western hunting experience set in the Colorado mountains. Think full bow setups, glassing breakouts, pack skills, rucking, and plenty of campfire time. Whether you've never been out West or just want to tighten up your game, this episode gives you a first look at what to expect.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, we’ve got the guys from High Ground Beef Chips in the studio, Dillon Larson and Josh McCandless. It started with a problem that kicked it all off: finding real, lightweight nutrition on the move between deployments, long days, and no patience for filler ingredients. Dillon breaks down why they built High Ground as a meat chip: simple label, big protein, whole-food fuel that actually works in the backcountry.

From there, the conversation goes into why hunting/training with the boys can be a reset when life gets loud. We also get the meaning behind the name High Ground and their bigger goal: supporting Gold Star families and telling the stories that shouldn’t get forgotten.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Cutting the Distance, Jason and Dirk sit down with Bruce Pettet, CEO of Leupold, and Tim Lesser, VP of Product & Marketing, for an in-depth conversation around Leupold’s new BX-6 rangefinding binocular. They dig into what makes the BX-6 stand out, from elite optical quality to the power of the 4DOF and PCA ballistic solutions, pinning features, and real-world shooting applications. The discussion also pulls back the curtain on Leupold’s broader product philosophy and gives listeners a glimpse at what’s coming next down the pipeline. If precision, confidence behind the glass, and the future of range-finding optics matter to you, this episode delivers.

Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

Shop Phelps Merch

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of In Pursuit, the guys wrap up the home gym series by building the ultimate $10,000 setup—what’s actually worth the splurge, what’s a waste, and which “big ticket” pieces change the game (hello functional trainer, StairMaster debate, and all the toys you swear you need).

They also drop some real-world housekeeping: a Western Hunt Expo late-night workout at Ute CrossFit (cap is currently 50), plus a February Playbook discount for Mayhem Hunt programming—and then Rich casually announces a super-limited Colorado Hunt Prep Camp aimed at getting you mountain-ready for September.

If you'll be at Western Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City, then join Mayhem Hunt and MTN OPS for a workout at UTE CrossFit with Rich Froning!Where633 East 3300 South, #Suite B, Salt Lake City, UT 84106WhenFri, Feb 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mayhem-hunt-x-mtn-ops-western-hunt-expo-workout-tickets-1980562731445?aff=oddtdtcreator

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, Rich sits down with Father Steven Gadberry (the same Father Steven you’ve seen on the Shawn Ryan Podcast) for a mix of backcountry stories, real faith, and a lot of laughs.

They relive the “Gunnison days”—two guys who had no business being that deep in the mountains, a bull elk at 54.5 yards, and the kind of near-miss you never forget. Then it gets even crazier: a snowstorm that turned into a full-on survival scramble, getting turned around on the ridge, and the legendary GoPro freakout that still makes camp laugh.

From there, Father Steven shares why solo time in the mountains can be miserable at first—but powerful once the noise finally dies—plus the simple practices he leans on out there: Scripture, journaling, and silence. They also hit whitetails, kids getting into hunting, and why the “trophy” talk is mostly noise—any hard-earned animal is worth celebrating.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Rich and the crew break down their ideal mid-budget training setups and immediately get lost in plate math, duplicate lists, questionable equipment choices, and relentless chirping. From arguing whether 190 pounds of plates is “enough,” to sleds, sandbags, bikes, rowers, racks, yokes, ropes, and rucks, this one is part practical, part ridiculous, and fully honest. Along the way, the conversation drifts (as it always does) into accountability partners, why Snapchat might be sketchy after 30, GHDs that absolutely should not have been done, and what actually matters if your goal is to be harder to kill, not just fitter on paper.

They also talk Conquer90, hybrid training, running volume, upcoming events at Western Hunt Expo, and why sometimes the best programming ideas come from testing things the hard way.

If you’re building a home gym, training for the hunt, or just want to hear a group of competitive people argue over equipment like it actually matters, this episode delivers.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.