Stupid Hike for My Stupid Mental Health Podcast

This week I’m joined by Jeffrey James Binney — adventure traveler, storyteller, and content creator based in Denver. Before trading the stage for the trail, Jeffrey performed in the Chicago and First National Tour of the Broadway musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and even appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. After losing his mom to heart disease, he ran a 100-mile ultramarathon and made the award-winning documentary Once Is Enough (now on Amazon Prime). He’s worked with brands like REI, Westin, and Brooks Running, and is currently writing his next book, Motivationally Unstable (coming 2027).In our conversation, Jeffrey and I dig into what it means to build a successful and authentic career as an outdoor content creator, the challenges plus-size influencers face in a fit-centric industry, and how joy and mental health can coexist with life online. We talk about the ups and downs of creating content, why nature has a way of quieting the noise, and what it takes to stay real in an industry that often rewards perfection over honesty. Jeffrey shares his unique perspective on representation in the outdoors and offers powerful advice for aspiring creators looking to find their voice, their confidence, and their audience.Learn more about Jeffrey → instagram.com/jeffreybinneyWatch his film Once Is Enough → Amazon PrimeWhere to Listen and Watch:YouTube → /@andyfilmsandhikesSpotify → The Andy Films and Hikes PodcastApple Podcasts → The Andy Films and Hikes PodcastOr wherever you get your podcastsSupport the Show:Buy me a coffee → buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikesPatreon coming soon. Stay tuned.Connect with Me (Andy Neal):Instagram → instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikesTikTok → tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikesYouTube → /@andyfilmsandhikesThreads → threads.net/@andyfilmsandhikesFacebook → facebook.com/andyfilmsandhikesConnect with Jeffrey Binney:Instagram → instagram.com/jeffreybinneyFilm → Once Is Enough (Amazon Prime)

Thank you for listening, for supporting, and for helping me share these important conversations. Now, let’s jump into my conversation with Jeffrey James Binney.

The Andy Films and Hikes Podcast

This week I’m joined by Alistair Green, the Outdoorsy Educator. Alistair was raised in Glasgow, Scotland by a nurse and an educator, and now lives in Denton, Texas with his wife and two dogs. He is a lifelong public school teacher who now serves as a college professor at Texas Woman’s University, where he prepares future teachers and explores practical ways to connect education with the outdoors.

Alistair’s passions include sports, hiking, camping, road trips, and time with family. The outdoors is his reset button and a key part of his work and life balance. He is driven to inspire students to love learning and to empower teachers to rekindle their passion for educating the young minds of today and the leaders of tomorrow.

In our conversation, we dig into Title I field trips and why kids drop their armor outside, how Texas state parks make access possible, building outdoor classrooms on a budget, library gear-lending programs that remove barriers, and the ongoing debate about tagging locations online. We also talk Scotland versus Texas mindsets about public lands, how a simple walk can turn down the noise of life, starting a podcast from scratch, and creating a kinder digital campfire where people can actually connect.

Learn more about Alistair → instagram.com/theoutdoorsyeducator

Where to Listen and Watch:
YouTube → youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes
Spotify → The Andy Films and Hikes Podcast
Apple Podcasts → The Andy Films and Hikes Podcast
Or wherever you get your podcasts

Support the Show:
Buy me a coffee → buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes
Patreon coming soon. Stay tuned.

Connect with Me (Andy Neal):
Instagram → instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes
TikTok → tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes
YouTube → youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes
Threads → threads.net/@andyfilmsandhikes
Facebook → facebook.com/andyfilmsandhikes

Connect with Alistair Green:
Instagram → instagram.com/theoutdoorsyeducator
The Outdoorsy Educator - https://www.theoutdoorsyeducator.com

Thank you for listening, for supporting, and for helping me share these important conversations. Now, let’s jump into my conversation with Alistair Green.

The Andy Films and Hikes PodcastThis week I’m joined by Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller — physician, author, wife, mother, and Chief Medical Advisor at AllTrails. Suzanne is board certified in OB-Gyn and Integrative Medicine, with additional certifications in herbal medicine, Ayurveda, meditation, and nature and forest therapy.She is the award-winning author of The Outdoor Adventurer’s Guide to Forest Bathing and the founder of Trail Rx, a program that provides parks and trail systems with “nature prescriptions” to improve mental and physical health. Suzanne has served as Medical Director of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, lead physician for Chopra Whole Health, and currently practices at Honor Health Integrative Medicine in Scottsdale, Arizona, while also teaching as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix.In our conversation, Suzanne shares her personal journey through grief and burnout, her path into integrative medicine, and the science behind forest bathing — from reducing stress hormones in minutes to improving long-term health. She also gives practical ways to bring forest therapy into your daily life, whether you live near trails or in the middle of a big city.🌐 Learn more about Suzanne → IntegrativeInitiative.com✨ Where to Listen & Watch:YouTube → ⁠youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikesSpotify → The Andy Films and Hikes PodcastApple Podcasts → The Andy Films and Hikes PodcastOr wherever you get your podcasts☕ Support the Show:Buy me a coffee → ⁠buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠Patreon coming soon — stay tuned!📲 Connect with Me (Andy Neal):Instagram → ⁠instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠TikTok → ⁠tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠YouTube → ⁠youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikesThreads → ⁠threads.net/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠Facebook → ⁠facebook.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠📲 Connect with Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller:Instagram → ⁠instagram.com/docsusie⁠Website → ⁠integrativeinitiative.com⁠🌲 Thank you for listening, for supporting, and for helping me share these important conversations. Now, let’s jump into my conversation with Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller.

The Andy Films and Hikes Podcast

This week I’m joined by the incredible Marley Blonsky — cyclist, advocate, athlete, writer, and co-founder of All Bodies on Bikes. Marley is a passionate advocate for size inclusion in cycling and the outdoors. As the co-founder and Executive Director of All Bodies on Bikes, she has built a national movement to make cycling more welcoming and accessible for people of all sizes, identities, and backgrounds.

Marley’s work has been featured by The TODAY Show, The Washington Post, Bicycling Magazine (where she was named Rider of the Year), and Outside Magazine (which honored her as Outsider of the Year in 2024). In addition to her advocacy, Marley is a content creator, public speaker, and professional athlete for brands including Cannondale, Shimano, SHREDLY, Ride With GPS, and Osprey. She also has a forthcoming children’s book set to release in Spring 2026. Based in Portland, Oregon, Marley brings warmth, authenticity, and joy to everything she does — and her happy place is on the bicycle.

🌐 Learn more about All Bodies on Bikes → allbodiesonbikes.com

✨ Where to Listen & Watch:

• YouTube → youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes

• Spotify → The Andy Films and Hikes Podcast

• Apple Podcasts → The Andy Films and Hikes Podcast

• Or wherever you get your podcasts

☕ Support the Show:

• Buy me a coffee → buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes

• Patreon coming soon — stay tuned!

📲 Connect with Me (Andy Neal):
Instagram → instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes
TikTok → tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes
YouTube → youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes
Threads → threads.net/@andyfilmsandhikes
Facebook → facebook.com/andyfilmsandhikes

📲 Connect with Marley Blonsky:
Instagram → instagram.com/marleyblonsky
TikTok → tiktok.com/@marleyblonsky
YouTube → youtube.com/@marleyblonsky
Threads → threads.net/@marleyblonsky
Facebook → facebook.com/marleyblonsky

🌲 Thank you for listening, for supporting, and for helping me share these important conversations. Now, let’s jump into my conversation with Marley Blonsky.

What happens when you mix YouTube, curiosity, charisma, and a whole lot of science? You get this week’s guest: Trace Dominguez! 

Trace Dominguez is a science communicator, producer, television presenter, and digital creator. His work appears on channels from Vox Media, Discovery, Science, PBS television, PBS Digital Studios, and more. His production company, Trace Elements Media, develops, pitches, creates, and publishes content with partners and clients. On his podcast That’s Absurd Please Elaborate, Trace and his co-host answer silly questions by citing real research. Trace creates science videos on his YouTube channels Trace Elements and Uno Dos of Trace. He is Telly & Webby award winning and an Emmy-nominated producer and host.

Andy Neal sits down with the beloved science communicator and YouTube veteran to talk about his journey from the early days at Discovery Channel to carving out his own creative path as an independent creator.

They dive into the rise of YouTube, the realities of burnout, and what it really takes to make science accessible (and exciting!) in today’s world. Trace gets real about conspiracies, magical thinking, the decline of media literacy, and how AI is reshaping the way we tell science stories.

From the future of energy storage to why batteries are actually way cooler than you think, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. If you're curious about the universe—or just love a good deep-dive conversation—this one's for you.

More About Trace: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracedominguez.com⁠

Follow Trace on Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tracedominguez⁠

Follow Trace on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/tracedominguez⁠

Music is licensed from Musicbed.com.  

Subscribe to my YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠

Buy Andy a Coffee ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need Outdoor gear for your next adventure? Use Andy's REI affiliate link and help Andy out: ⁠⁠⁠https://alnk.to/fSeu523⁠⁠

In this engaging conversation, Gaby Rojas, the digital communications manager for America's Wildlife Refuges, shares her journey from a non-outdoorsy background to advocating for wildlife conservation. She discusses the importance of wildlife refuges, their role in preserving ecosystems, and how they serve as peaceful spaces for both wildlife and humans. Gabby emphasizes the need for inclusivity in outdoor spaces and the significance of community engagement in conservation efforts. The conversation also touches on the challenges of marketing while protecting natural spaces and the importance of responsible outdoor recreation.

Takeaways

- Gabby Rojas is the digital communications manager for America's Wildlife Refuges.

- Wildlife refuges are often overlooked compared to national parks and forests.

- Refuges provide a unique space for both wildlife and humans to thrive.

- Mental health benefits can be gained from spending time in nature.

- Inclusivity in outdoor spaces is essential for community engagement.

- Digital communication plays a crucial role in conservation efforts.

- There is a tension between marketing outdoor spaces and protecting them.

- Community involvement is vital for the success of wildlife refuges.

- Everyone can find a place in the outdoor industry, regardless of their background.

- Friends groups are passionate advocates for wildlife refuges.

What started as a simple suggestion — “maybe don’t blast your Bluetooth speaker on a quiet hiking trail” — turned into one of the most controversial things I’ve ever posted. But this video isn’t just about trail etiquette. It’s about something bigger.We’re living in a time where being kind, thinking of others, and showing basic respect can feel like a radical act. This is a video about what happens when we stop listening — to nature, and to each other.Yes, I’m snarky about Nickelback on trail. But this is really about how we’ve lost the ability to share space — in nature, in cities, online, everywhere — without demanding it all for ourselves.If you’ve ever been made to feel small for asking people to be considerate… this one’s for you. If you believe we can still be decent to each other, even when we disagree… this one’s for you too.If you're new here, I’m Andy Neal. I make videos about hiking, mental health, and making the outdoors more welcoming and accessible for every body.Subscribe for daily longform videos and shorts that explore real conversations happening on the trail and beyond.Follow me on social media:Instagram, TikTok, Threads, YouTube:   / andyfilmsandhikes   Facebook:   / andyfilmsandhikes  Full link list: https://chirp.me/andyfilmsandhikes Helpful resources:AllTrails – https://www.alltrails.comTen Essentials – https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advi... Leave No Trace – https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/ Music: “Noom (Instrumental)” by Mountain BoyLicensed via: https://www.muscled.comShot on DJI Osmo Pocket 3If you’re tired of the noise — literal and metaphorical — leave a comment.If you’re ready to turn down the volume and turn up the kindness, hit that subscribe button.

People always ask me, “How do I get into hiking if I’ve never done it before?”Here’s the truth: You don’t need fancy gear. You don’t need to move to the mountains. You don’t need to be in perfect shape.You just start.In this video, I’m hiking Grizzly Peak outside of Ashland, Oregon, talking about what helped me get started, what held me back, and why the outdoors are for everyone. If you’ve been watching trail content and thinking “I wish I could do that”… this is your sign.This video was filmed with minimal cuts on the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 with music licensed from muscled.com. The goal is simple: to encourage anyone who wants to hike but doesn't know where to begin.If you're new here, I'm Andy Neal. I make honest, real-world content about hiking, mental health, and making the outdoors more accessible—especially for people who don’t always feel represented in outdoor spaces.Subscribe to this channel if you want more content like this. New longform and shortform videos are coming weekly.Follow me on social media:Instagram, TikTok, Threads, YouTube:   / andyfilmsandhikes  Facebook:   / andyfilmsandhikes  Full link list: https://www.linktr.ee/andyfilmsandhikesHelpful resources:AllTrails – https://www.alltrails.comTen Essentials for Hiking – https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advi...Leave No Trace – https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/Music: “Alphabet (Instrumental)” by Penny & SparrowLicensed via: https://www.muscled.com

What happens when you mix solo travel, stunt work, Emmy-nominated storytelling, and a deep love for wild places? You get Alice Ford.

This week on The Adventure Is Out There Podcast, Andy Neal sits down with Alice Ford—stuntwoman, TV host, outdoor creator, and the visionary behind the PBS show Alice’s Adventures on Earth.

Alice’s path has been anything but linear: from a childhood spent running barefoot through the woods of New Hampshire, to doubling actors in Stranger Things and Transformers, to filming herself trekking through some of the most remote places on earth. In a world that often says you need a beard and a flannel to host outdoor TV, Alice forged her own path—pitching networks, building a YouTube audience from scratch, and taking her camera (and tripod) into the wild solo.

In this episode, we talk about: – Breaking into Hollywood stunts (and why most doors were closed)
– Starting her own travel docuseries and landing it on PBS
– What it's really like filming alone outdoors as a woman
– The ethics of outdoor content creation and stewardship
– Her time living with disappearing Indigenous tribes—and how it changed her
– Advice for aspiring outdoor creators (spoiler: it’s not just about going viral)

If you care about nature, storytelling, or simply doing the hard thing when the easy thing would’ve been easier—this conversation is for you.

More about Alice:
YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/user/alicelogan1
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/alicesadventuresonearth
Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.alicesadventuresonearth.com

Follow Andy:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes
Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes
Support future content by using Andy’s REI affiliate link: https://alnk.to/fSeu523

Music licensed from Musicbed.com.

What happens when you mix YouTube, curiosity, charisma, and a whole lot of science? You get this week’s guest: Trace Dominguez! 

Trace Dominguez is a science communicator, producer, television presenter, and digital creator. His work appears on channels from Vox Media, Discovery, Science, PBS television, PBS Digital Studios, and more. His production company, Trace Elements Media, develops, pitches, creates, and publishes content with partners and clients. On his podcast That’s Absurd Please Elaborate, Trace and his co-host answer silly questions by citing real research. Trace creates science videos on his YouTube channels Trace Elements and Uno Dos of Trace. He is Telly & Webby award winning and an Emmy-nominated producer and host.

Andy Neal sits down with the beloved science communicator and YouTube veteran to talk about his journey from the early days at Discovery Channel to carving out his own creative path as an independent creator.

They dive into the rise of YouTube, the realities of burnout, and what it really takes to make science accessible (and exciting!) in today’s world. Trace gets real about conspiracies, magical thinking, the decline of media literacy, and how AI is reshaping the way we tell science stories.

From the future of energy storage to why batteries are actually way cooler than you think, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. If you're curious about the universe—or just love a good deep-dive conversation—this one's for you.

More About Trace: ⁠https://www.tracedominguez.com

Follow Trace on Insta: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tracedominguez

Follow Trace on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/tracedominguez

Music is licensed from Musicbed.com.  

Subscribe to my YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Host Andy Neal on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out my TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@andyfilmsandhikes⁠⁠

Buy Andy a Coffee ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/andyfilmsandhikes ⁠⁠⁠

Need Outdoor gear for your next adventure? Use Andy's REI affiliate link and help Andy out: ⁠⁠https://alnk.to/fSeu523⁠⁠