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UFC legend Chad Mendes joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to talk about the mindset, discipline, and preparation that carried him from a small California farm town to the highest level of mixed martial arts.

Chad opens up about starting wrestling at five years old, becoming a two-time NCAA All-American, fighting for multiple UFC titles, and what it truly feels like when the cage door closes. He also shares stories from his battles with José Aldo, the origins of his “Money” nickname, life inside Team Alpha Male, and why preparation was always the foundation of his success.

Now living in Idaho, Chad has carried that same mentality into hunting, business, fatherhood, and conservation. He explains how preparing for a backcountry hunt compares to preparing for a championship fight, why passing hunting traditions on to the next generation matters, and why becoming a husband and father is the accomplishment he is most proud of.

Chad also talks about Fins and Featherz, his celebrity hunting and fishing guide service, his new energy gummy company Gate Drop, and the packed hunting season ahead.

This episode covers:

• Chad’s wrestling roots and college career
• His transition from wrestling into professional MMA
• Fighting José Aldo and competing for UFC gold
• Life with Team Alpha Male
• The mentality required to fight at the highest level
• How fighting preparation translates into hunting
• Raising kids around hunting and the outdoors
• Conservation and introducing new hunters
• Building Fins and Featherz and Gate Drop
• Why fatherhood means more than any championship

Follow Chad Mendes on Instagram and YouTube, and check out Fins and Featherz and Gate Drop to see what he is building outside the fight game.

Subscribe to the Mountain Dude Podcast for more conversations about hunting, fatherhood, faith, business, discipline, conservation, and life in the outdoors.

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Hunting is about more than filling tags—it’s about the experiences, lessons, and traditions we pass down to the next generation.

In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris records remotely after a 24-hour scouting trip with his four-year-old son, Kai. Together, they talk about searching for mule deer and antelope, learning new country, balancing hunting with family, and making the outdoors enjoyable for young kids.

Chris also shares practical advice for preparing for hunting season, including physical training, shooting consistently, scouting, maintaining your equipment, organizing your gear, and developing the discipline required to succeed when opening day arrives.

This episode is a reminder to chase the hunting experience you truly want, appreciate the time spent with your family, and start doing the work now that will prepare you for the season ahead.

Topics covered:

• Introducing young children to hunting and scouting
• Balancing fatherhood, family, business, and time outdoors
• Scouting desert mule deer and antelope
• Building discipline before hunting season
• Preparing your bow, vehicle, gear, and equipment
• Using visualization and mental preparation
• Why a successful hunt is about more than filling a tag

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a five-star review, subscribe to the channel, and share it with another hunter preparing for the upcoming season.

Initial Ascent creates premium hunting pack systems designed to carry heavy loads more comfortably.

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Professional hunter, guide, and lifelong outdoorsman Dan Whitmus returns to the Mountain Dude Podcast for one of our favorite conversations yet.

With over 300 days a year spent in the field, Dan shares what it's really like to make a living chasing adventure across Alaska, Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, and beyond. From surviving grizzly bear charges and a bush plane crash to helping first-time hunters experience their very first harvest, this episode is packed with incredible stories and even better life lessons.

But this conversation goes far beyond hunting. We dive into how Dan's perspective has evolved over four decades in the mountains, why too many hunters put unnecessary pressure on themselves, and why the greatest trophy isn't always hanging on the wall.

If you love elk hunting, backcountry adventure, grizzly stories, or simply hearing wisdom from someone who's truly lived it, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this episode:

Dan's unbelievable 300-day hunting calendar
Surviving multiple grizzly bear encounters
A bush plane crash in remote Alaska
Why experience matters more than trophies
The biggest mistakes hunters make
Lessons learned from 40+ years in the mountains
The evolution of a hunter
What keeps Dan chasing adventure after all these years

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment letting us know your favorite story from Dan.

Follow Dan Whitmus:
Instagram & Facebook: @danwhitmus

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What if taking better care of yourself meant more seasons in the mountains with the people you love?

In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down with Jake Arvold and Kaylee Stevens of First Phorm Outdoors to talk about the deeper purpose behind fitness, faith, hunting, and living a life that allows you to experience more.

Jake shares the incredible story behind the creation of First Phorm Outdoors—from leaving college after hearing a life-changing podcast, to building a movement centered around health, community, and the outdoors. Along the way, the conversation dives into injury, perseverance, mental toughness, and the emotional realization that taking care of ourselves today can mean more years chasing elk, hiking mountains, and creating memories with our families tomorrow.

This isn't just a conversation about supplements or working out. It's about building a life that lets you keep answering the call of the mountains for decades to come.

If you enjoy authentic conversations about hunting, faith, fitness, family, and personal growth, be sure to subscribe and join us every week on the Mountain Dude Podcast.

👇 Learn more about First Phorm Outdoors:
https://1stphorm.com/

Follow First Phorm Outdoors:
https://www.instagram.com/1stphormoutdoors/

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What happens when a man refuses to settle for a life of comfort, routine, and simply going through the motions?

In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down with Jonathan McCormick of Red Beard Outdoors to discuss faith, family, fitness, hunting, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. Jonathan shares the incredible story of overcoming a life-threatening condition at birth, how mentorship introduced him to western hunting, and why he believes too many people are missing out on the adventures and experiences that make life worth living.

From raising kids in the outdoors to preparing yourself physically and mentally for the future, this conversation is packed with wisdom for hunters, fathers, husbands, and anyone looking to live with more purpose.

Topics covered:

Jonathan's incredible survival story
Growing up in North Carolina
Serving a mission in Mexico
Finding western hunting later in life
The importance of mentorship
Raising kids in the outdoors
Faith, family, fitness, and purpose
Building Red Beard Outdoors
Why adventure matters
Leaving a legacy for future generations

If you're a hunter, father, husband, or simply someone looking to become the best version of yourself, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Listen to more Mountain Dude Podcast episodes:
https://www.initialascent.com

Follow Jonathan McCormick / Red Beard Outdoors:
Instagram: @redbeard.outdoors
YouTube: Red Beard Outdoors

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Website: https://www.initialascent.com

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What separates hunters who occasionally get lucky from hunters who consistently find and kill mature mule deer year after year?

In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young and Dennis sit down with Idaho bowhunter Travis Nowotny to dive deep into the mindset, scouting strategies, and stalking tactics that have helped him become one of the most respected mule deer hunters in the West. From summer scouting and locating target bucks to closing the final yards on a mature deer, Travis shares decades of hard-earned lessons from chasing giant bucks on public land.

The conversation goes far beyond hunting tactics. Travis opens up about balancing family, business ownership, and an obsession with hunting while building a life that allows him to pursue what matters most. He also shares one of the most powerful lessons he's learned after years of chasing mature bucks:

"You can't kill the buck if you don't try."

In This Episode:
How Travis scouts for mature mule deer
Finding target bucks before season opens
Spot-and-stalk tactics for open-country mule deer
Wind, thermals, and closing the final distance
Why confidence kills more bucks than gear
Lessons learned from decades of bowhunting
Balancing family, business, and hunting
The mistakes that cost hunters opportunities on giant deer

If you're preparing for mule deer season, looking to become a more effective bowhunter, or simply enjoy hearing from hunters who consistently get it done, this episode is packed with practical knowledge you can apply this fall.

GOAT KNIVES 4TH OF JULY SALE

Travis is also the founder of Goat Knives, a company built around creating lightweight, purpose-built knives for serious hunters.

For a limited time, Goat Knives is offering 15% OFF sitewide through July 4th, making it a great time to upgrade your hunting kit before the season.

Check them out:
GoatKnives.com

Follow Travis:
@travisnowotny

Mountain Dude Podcast
Hosted by Chris Young

Faith. Family. Hunting. Becoming better in the mountains and in life.

#MountainDudePodcast #TravisNowotny #MuleDeerHunting #Bowhunting #PublicLandHunter #WesternHunting #ArcheryHunting #BigBuckHunting #SpotAndStalk #BackcountryHunting #GoatKnives #HuntingPodcast #MuleDeer #IdahoHunting #ChrisYoung

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If you've watched hunting films featuring Brady Miller, Brian Call, Nate Simmons, John Gabrio, or projects produced alongside some of the biggest names in western hunting, there's a good chance you've already seen Luke Dusenbury's work.

In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast presented by Initial Ascent, Chris Young and Dennis Stokes sit down with one of the most respected storytellers behind the camera in the hunting industry.

Luke shares how a devastating college baseball injury led him to photography, what he's learned after spending nearly 100 days a year in the field, and the unique perspective he's gained by filming some of the best hunters in the country. The conversation dives into storytelling, backcountry hunting, faith, purpose, entrepreneurship, and the moments that have shaped Luke's career.

The episode also explores another major setback that nearly ended his hunting season, how that experience changed his perspective, and why it ultimately inspired the creation of Vessol—a new lightweight power solution built specifically for hunters, filmmakers, and backcountry adventurers.

Whether you're passionate about hunting, content creation, business, or faith, this episode is packed with lessons on perseverance, purpose, and trusting God's plan.

Topics Covered:
Filming hunts professionally
Lessons from top western hunters
Backcountry storytelling and cinematography
Recovering from a major injury
Entrepreneurship and product development
The story behind Vessol
Faith and purpose in difficult seasons
What makes a hunting film memorable

Check out Initial Ascent Packs:

Initial Ascent

Follow Luke:

Luke Dusenbury Photography

Follow Vessol:

Vessol

This is the Mountain Dude Podcast, where we climb higher together.

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#MountainDudePodcast #FaithGritGear #BackcountryLife #ChristianOutdoorsmen #HuntingPodcast
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On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with the crew behind Mtn2Mtn Media to talk about the passion, purpose, and chaos behind documenting life in the backcountry. From filming hunts with family and friends to building a growing llama packing operation, this episode dives deep into what it really means to pursue adventure while staying grounded in the things that matter most.

We talk spring bear hunting, backcountry filmmaking, balancing hunting with family life, the importance of slowing down and enjoying the experience, and how storytelling can inspire the next generation of hunters. The guys also break down their unique llama setup for extended backpack hunts, the realities of filming DIY hunts, and why camaraderie in the mountains matters more than punching a tag.

If you love authentic hunting stories, backcountry adventure, and conversations about purpose, grit, and preserving the hunting lifestyle, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Check out Mtn2Mtn Media:
Instagram & YouTube: Mtn2Mtn Media

This episode is presented by Initial Ascent
Built for hunters who demand comfort under heavy loads, Initial Ascent pack systems are designed to help you go farther, stay longer, and carry heavy loads more comfortably.

Shop Initial Ascent Packs & Gear:
Initial Ascent Pack Systems

Listen to the Mountain Dude Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more conversations with hunters, outdoorsmen, and people who are driven to climb higher together.

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What happens when fatherhood, business, fitness, and western hunting all collide?

In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down with Kevin Guillen from Wilderness Athlete to talk about the deeper side of hunting, balancing family and ambition, and why the wilderness still calls men to do hard things.

Kevin shares his journey from growing up hunting ducks in California, working for Fish & Game, and eventually helping rebuild Wilderness Athlete from the ground up alongside his wife and team. The conversation dives deep into entrepreneurship, intentional living, physical fitness, fatherhood, and the reality of balancing adventure with responsibilities at home.

This episode goes far beyond hunting stories. It’s about purpose, discipline, gratitude, and becoming the kind of man your family can look up to.

Topics in this episode:

Building Wilderness Athlete
Entrepreneurship in the hunting industry
Fatherhood and balancing hunting with family life
Western hunting culture
Fitness and longevity for hunters
Backpack hunting lessons
The truth about social media hunting success
Why obstacles create growth
Staying mentally and physically sharp
Intentionality in life and the outdoors

Follow Kevin & the brands:

Wilderness Athlete
Western Hunter Magazine

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder to keep climbing higher.

#MountainDudePodcast #WildernessAthlete #WesternHunter #BackcountryHunting #Fatherhood #HuntingPodcast #ElkHunting #Entrepreneurship #Fitness #MountainDude

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On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast presented by Initial Ascent, Chris sits down with Sean Curtis for one of the most honest and grounded conversations we’ve had on the show yet.

Sean shares his journey from growing up in Wyoming and teaching himself how to hunt, to playing college baseball, competing on American Idol, and touring as a country musician for nearly a decade before ultimately walking away from the road life to focus on faith, family, and the mountains.

The guys dive deep into:

learning elk hunting through failure
solo hunting and what it teaches you about yourself
why elk hunting becomes an obsession
balancing ambition with fatherhood
the importance of time with your family
finding purpose beyond success
how modern hunters are adapting to increasingly educated elk

Sean also opens up about the moment he realized he was watching his kids grow up through FaceTime calls from the road, and why he canceled an entire tour schedule to come home and be present with his family.

If you’re passionate about western hunting, archery elk hunting, fatherhood, faith, and becoming a better man both on and off the mountain, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Check out Sean here:
Instagram: @sean307curtis

If you’re looking for a backcountry hunting pack system built for serious mountain hunters, check out the IA5K, the Scout, and the rest of the lineup at:
Initial Ascent

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