On this episode, I’m joined by Scotty Hsieh, a dance and art educator, community builder, and van life explorer, along with his beloved wolf dog Nanooki. The episode explores Scotty's journey from city life to embracing the camper van lifestyle, his spiritual and outdoor experiences, and the deep bond he shares with Nanooki. We discussed their adventures across stunning landscapes like Sedona, Mammoth Lakes, and Joshua Tree, and more emphasizing the transformative power of nature and introspection. The episode features discussions on the challenges and rewards of van life, significant moments with Nanooki, and the lessons learned from reconnecting with nature. Additionally, Scotty shares his aspirations for future projects emphasizing community and personal growth through outdoor exploration with Nanooki by his side. 

Follow Nanooki on https://www.instagram.com/nanooki_the_wolf/#

Follow Scotty on https://www.instagram.com/scotty.hsieh/

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Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this volume of the Trails & Tribulations series, I welcome Lauren from @YorAdventures, who shares her family's gripping story of a Rim-to-Rim backpacking trip in Grand Canyon National Park. Despite being relatively inexperienced and facing an unexpected and painful series of challenges—including a devastating car crash, trail closures, rock slides, vomiting, dehydration, and even broken noses—Lauren and her two oldest sons displayed extraordinary resilience and adaptability. Throughout their journey, they navigated significant obstacles while embracing the raw beauty of the canyon. Lauren's story is a testament to the strength of parental faith, childhood resilience, and the importance of flexibility. She also shares valuable lessons about hiking safety with kids, the importance of being prepared, and the lasting memories created by overcoming difficulties together as a family. Tune in to gain inspiration and insights into the unpredictable yet rewarding nature of family backpacking adventures.

Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story!

Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on [email protected]

Stay updated with Lauren & YorAdventures on:

https://www.instagram.com/yoradventures/

https://www.tiktok.com/@yoradventures

https://www.youtube.com/@yoradventures

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Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠

Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠

Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, I’m joined by San Diego based trekker, outdoor creator, Snow Peak ambassador, camp connoisseur, co-founder of the Camp Homies collective, and founder of Campthropology — Rolland Tizuela.

We dove into Rolland’s earliest hiking and camping memories, the origin story behind Campthropology, and his transformative 100-mile journey on the PCT as a McNair Scholar. We also talk about his viral “epic poo view” TikTok content, his top camping destinations in California, favorite San Diego trails, and the community-driven spirit behind the Camp Homies collective.

Rolland shares episode recommendations from the Campthropology podcast, breaks down American vs. Japanese camping styles, and unpacks the cultural ethos of Snow Peak. He also offers tips for new campers, reflects on the importance of discovering magic in your local outdoor spaces, and reveals the one outdoor experience he would relive all over again. At his core, Rolland is on a mission to make camping — and the great outdoors — more accessible to everyone.

Follow Rolland on http://instagram.com/campthropology

Follow Rolland on http://instagram.com/camp.homies

Shop Campthropology Merch on https://campthropology.com/

Listen to the Campthropology Podcast on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/9kp7f98v

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Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠

Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠

Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this gripping episode of the Trails & Tribulations series, I welcome Jose De La Rosa, a fellow SoCal peak bagger and hiking group leader, as he recounts a high-stakes rescue mission in the San Gabriel Mountains. After a successful group hike to Ontario Peak, Jose received a distress call from a friend who had slid down a canyon and was lost. What follows is an intense journey of leadership, teamwork, and determination as Jose and his friend Alfonso race against time and the elements to bring her back safely. The episode highlights critical lessons about the buddy system, staying calm in emergencies, and the importance of never being overconfident especially in challenging conditions. Jose's harrowing yet inspirational story underscores the unpredictability of group hiking adventures and serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience required when faced with unforeseen challenges.

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Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story!

Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on [email protected]

Follow HAFA on http://instagram.com/hikingadventuresforall

Join HAFA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/hikingadventuresforall

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Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠

Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠

Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠

Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

Join us for an extraordinary reverse episode of the Just Trek podcast as we celebrate the monumental 100th episode milestone. Hosted by the insightful Jonathan Flores, aka "The Brown Naturalist," this special episode flips the script, putting the spotlight on the founder and voice behind the podcast, Justin 'Justroc' Rimon. Broadcasting from the breathtaking sunset at Sandstone Peak in the Santa Monica Mountains, Justin shares his heartfelt reflections on his journey, from his life-changing first hike to the creation and evolution of the Just Trek podcast and crew. The conversation covers memorable hiking experiences, top trails, and valuable outdoor tips. Delve into the emotional and motivational facets of Justin's story as he talks about connecting with the outdoor community, the challenges and triumphs of reaching a 100-episode milestone, and the transformative power of nature. It's a tribute to community, resilience, and the spirit of adventure that fuels us all.

Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/JUST.TREK

Follow our guest host Juan on https://www.instagram.com/__juanflowers__/ and https://www.instagram.com/_outadvplus_/#

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Support on Just Trek on http://patreon.com/justtrek

Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠

Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode I have LA based trekker, peak bagger, community leader, comedy magician, runner, and the founder of the 5AM Crew, Omar Covarubbias aka The Great Omar, join me on the show.

We chatted about Omar’s wild first hiking memory, his evolution from being a professional magician to becoming a hiking leader, the formation and growth of the 5AM Crew in Griffith Park, his top trails in California, hiking hacks and outdoor tips, The Mt Baldy 5000 & Camp Baldy summer experience, his challenging ascent of Mt Whitney with Vamos Hiking Crew, and the one outdoor experience he would relive all over again. Omar shares valuable insights into leadership, community building, and the power of nature. This captivating episode highlights the inspiring journey of a man dedicated to elevating the well-being of his community through consistent early morning, sunrise hikes.

Follow the 5AM Crew on http://instagram.com/the.5amcrew

Follow The Great Omar on https://www.instagram.com/thegreatomar1/#

Learn more about 5AM Crew on https://the5amcrew.com/

Book The Great Omar for magic on https://thegreatomar.com/

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Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠

Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠

Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this gripping episode of the Trails & Tribulation series, I welcome Missy Martinez, a fellow SoCal trekker, as she recounts her terrifying solo hike + trail run on San Gorgonio mountain - the tallest mountain in Southern California. During an adventurous descent, Missy loses her footing and slides down the side of the mountain, resulting in a dramatic fall and a night spent lost in a burn zone. Despite being unprepared, she miraculously self-rescues, traversing over 60 miles and into a different county before encountering her saviors. Drawing strength from memories of her late father, Missy's story is a powerful testament to resilience and the critical importance of preparation, as she highlights the essential gear that could have made a significant difference. Tune in for a tale of survival, the kindness of strangers, and the lessons learned from the wild.

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Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story!

Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on [email protected]

The 10 Essentials Resources: https://tinyurl.com/4sxdny9u -- https://americanhiking.org/10essentials/

Follow Missy on https://www.instagram.com/missymar17

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Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠

Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠

Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠

Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, I have SoCal based trekker, backpacker, doctor, and all around adventure enthusiast, Dr. Shreya Reddy, join me on the show.

For this show, we dove into Shreya’s recent trekking accomplishments — summiting Mt. Whitney and completing the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks Challenge. We unpack what inspired her to take on Mt. Whitney, the challenges she faced along the way — from altitude sickness and fatigue to freezing temperatures — and the deep personal reflections she had at the summit. We discussed which peaks she tackled in the Six Pack of Peaks Challenge and which one pushed her the most. Plus we even took a moment to reminisce about how we first met during an unforgettable full moon group hike adventure.

Watch Youtube video version on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSdD0PMkU6w

Follow Shreya on https://www.instagram.com/drreddyforabreak

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Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠

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Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠

Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, we kick off Volume 1 of the Trails & Tribulations series! This trail tale dives into Marlee's unforgettable water canyoneering expedition through one of LA’s best-kept adventure secrets — Eaton Canyon and Falls. But we’re not talking about the popular trail to the waterfall. This story takes you above the falls, into a hidden & rugged canyon that’s tough to access and only for experienced canyoneers.

It was Marlee’s first long water canyoneering trip, packed with cliff jumps, endless rope rappels, icy plunge pools, and sheer drops that tested every ounce of courage she had. What started as an epic group adventure quickly turned into a battle against fear, fatigue, and the raw power of nature.

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Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story!

Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on [email protected]

Follow Marlee on https://www.instagram.com/littlemarrmaid

Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/

Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠

Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠

Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠

Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode I have LA based trekker, backpacker, fisher, hiking lead, Mountain House ambassador, and outdoor content creator, Exploring with Vee, join me on the show.

We chat about her first hiking memories, what inspired her to host group treks, her top trails in California, how the outdoors played a major role in her healing journey from a toxic relationship, her first solo backpacking experience in the Sierras, adventuring with her dog Bella, her absolute joy for fishing and the one outdoor experience she would relive all over again. 

Watch Youtube video version on https://youtu.be/-JtkBNvICY8

Follow Exploring with Vee on https://www.instagram.com/exploringwithvee

Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/

Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠

Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠

Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠

Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek