When Rick Matney walked away from a medical career to build Chrome Chasers with his wife Dori, he wasn’t chasing money, he was chasing meaning.

From guiding in the Alaskan wilderness to cooking world-class meals from what he catches and forages, Rick lives a life that blends science, survival, and soul. In this episode, Travis Bader travels to Wrangell, Alaska to discover what makes this place—and this guide—so special.

They dive into:

• Rick’s drastic right turn from med-school valedictorian to bush guide
• What it takes to thrive in the Alaskan backcountry
• Lessons from years of hunting, trapping, and foraging
• Working with MeatEater and building a business rooted in conservation
• How food becomes the bridge that connects people to nature

👉 Subscribe for more conversations that explore the outdoors, mindset, and mastery.
🎧 Listen to The Outpost—Silvercore Club’s private members-only podcast—for deeper, personal stories and tips.
🎯 Silvercore Club members get discounts on top optics through Armament Technology and more: https://silvercore.ca

Follow Rick and Dori at Chrome Chasers Lodge:

https://www.instagram.com/chromechaserslodge

https://www.chromechasers.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wildgamechef

https://www.wildgamechef.com

______

Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Armament Technology sponsor
01:00 – Welcome to Alaska and Chrome Chasers
03:00 – The reality of Wrangell and life in a temperate rainforest
07:15 – From valedictorian to fishing guide: the moment everything changed
10:45 – Trading med school for a life of wild purpose
13:00 – Generations of hunters, trappers & foragers
16:30 – Cooking as a survival skill turned artform
19:55 – From field to fine dining and global recognition
21:00 – Guiding style and the pursuit of perfection
23:15 – Working with MeatEater and sharing the love of food
26:00 – Guiding is psychology: reading people in the wild
28:50 – Failure as a teacher and the importance of letting clients learn
33:40 – The perfect guest and embracing discomfort
36:00 – Bears, storms & real Alaskan wildlife
40:20 – Growing up skiing, racing, and learning risk
42:25 – Reloading, precision rifles & finding calm in focus
45:30 – Why he guides today and what he’s truly chasing
48:20 – Favorite fish to catch and client stories
55:00 – The future of Chrome Chasers and ethical harvest
1:01:00 – Final thoughts & closing

He’s the storyteller behind one of the most respected names in ammunition.
Jonas Hellentin of Norma Ammunition joins Travis Bader for an inside look at how one of the oldest ammunition makers in the world continues to innovate while staying true to its roots.

From the Swedish forests to the Norma factory floor, Jonas shares the brand’s 120-year legacy of craftsmanship, how their bullets are tested, and why Scandinavian hunting culture values precision, ethics, and community above all else.

This episode explores the balance between tradition and technology, the ethics of hunting, the coming lead-ban challenges, and what it means to carry pride in every round.

Follow Norma Ammo- https://www.norma-ammunition.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/normaammo

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/normaammo/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ArzX0LPgGfkmdmZyVJZoQ

Factory Tour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRRrf67XT7M    

GET FREE -  Silvercore stickers by leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, screenshot that review and send it to [email protected] with your mailing address.

Silvercore Club Promotion and Giveaways - 

Stoeger Canada 40% off clothing, 20% everything else and free shipping on orders over $150 (unit October 14 2025) - https://www.stoegercanada.ca/

Nanuk Cases - 30% off all cases

Armament Technology - Keep an eye on Silvercore Outdoors social media for your chance to win a 3moa Micro Red Dot sight by SAI!- https://armament.com/collections/sai-optics-riflescopes/products/sai-optics-mini-red-dot-sight

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Silvercore Club discounts  

02:00 – Welcome Jonas Hellentin: carrying Norma’s legacy forward  

04:00 – Travis’ visit to the Norma factory in Sweden  

07:00 – Inside the factory: automation meets human craftsmanship  

09:00 – What makes Norma different from other ammunition makers  

11:00 – The philosophy behind “It’s up to you”  

13:30 – Swedish teamwork and the “hive mind” culture  

17:00 – Hunting traditions: inclusivity and heritage in Sweden  

21:00 – The origins of Norma Ammunition – from Norway to Sweden  

27:00 – Multi-generational craftsmanship and pride in the factory  

31:00 – From brass cup to finished cartridge: how ammo is made  

34:00 – The overlooked secrets of ammunition accuracy  

40:00 – Human error and humility in shooting  

43:00 – Norma’s innovation in bonding technology  

48:00 – The story behind Norma’s eco-friendly packaging  

51:00 – Social media restrictions and reframing the outdoor message  

55:00 – Education through Norma Academy and building trust  

59:00 – The importance of unity in the hunting and shooting community  

1:03:00 – Hunters as stewards of nature  

1:05:00 – Testing and the science of ballistic gel  

1:09:00 – Eureka moments and lessons learned in R&D  

1:11:00 – Deciding which new calibers to develop  

1:12:00 – The lead ban and its ethical implications  

1:18:00 – The future of hunting and responsible innovation  

1:20:00 – Closing thoughts and Norma Academy links

He grew up in the wide-open country of eastern Montana, chasing elk bugles and learning the outdoors with his dad. Today, Dylan Dowson has spent over a decade with OnX Hunt, shaping how hunters connect with the land through technology and storytelling.
In this episode, we dive into Dylan’s journey from small-town Montana to the forefront of digital mapping, the secrets behind OnX’s explosive growth, and the tension between tradition and tech in hunting. Dylan also shares unforgettable hunting stories, from calling in elk to the legendary “Scuba Moose” adventure in British Columbia.
Whether you’re an old-school map-and-compass hunter or a tech-savvy explorer, this conversation is packed with insights, laughs, and stories that remind us why we hunt.

📌 Topics include:
Growing up hunting in Montana
How OnX became an essential hunting tool
Elk hunting strategies during the rut
Balancing technology with tradition
Family hunting and raising kids with a connection to food
The unbelievable “Scuba Moose” recovery story

🎯 Don’t forget: Silvercore Club members get access to exclusive tips from 
Dylan and other industry leaders. Learn more at silvercore.ca.

https://www.instagram.com/dylan.hunter.dowson

https://www.instagram.com/onxhunt/

https://www.onxmaps.com/

______

Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – Montana roots and OnX beginnings
06:00 OnX growth, marketing, and storytelling
12:00 Rangefinders, tech, and the ethics of hunting technology
17:30 Elk hunting strategies and advice
27:00 Calling elk vs. spot-and-stalk tactics
37:00 Family hunting and raising kids with food awareness
44:00 Axis deer in Hawaii & the “Scuba Moose” story
1:04:00 Final thoughts and advice

David MacDonald’s story is one of survival, service, and strength. After surviving 47 broken bones from an IED blast in Afghanistan, he rebuilt his life, helped others with PTSD, and now manages Beretta Defense Technologies in Canada.

In this powerful conversation, we explore:

• The legacy and future of Beretta and its global brands.
• The reality of firearm laws and politics in Canada.
• The overlooked mental health challenges men face, from veterans to fathers.
• The importance of brotherhood, community, and purpose.

This episode goes far beyond firearms, diving into resilience, family, and what it means to live with meaning.

👉 Share this with someone who needs to hear it.

https://www.berettadefensetechnologies.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-macdonald-5693146a/

https://www.stoegercanada.ca

______

Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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🕒 Timestamps

00:00 – Silvercore Club giveaways & guest intro
01:54 – David MacDonald returns to the podcast
02:35 – Beretta Defense Technologies explained
04:23 – Beretta’s 500-year legacy & family ownership
06:46 – Beretta group brands: Benelli, Sako, Tikka, Steiner & more
09:15 – Behind the scenes at the Tikka & Sako factories
13:46 – Barrel life myths & factory standards explained
17:58 – Human error vs equipment failure in firearms
20:55 – Gun customization, training, and marketing
25:05 – The Canadian handgun freeze & firearms politics
31:00 – Buyback programs, registries & advocacy challenges
36:50 – The firearms community’s internal conflicts
40:50 – Educating the public about Canadian gun laws
47:00 – Navigating bureaucracy & firearms policy
55:00 – Fatherhood, change, and raising kids differently
01:01:13 – Postpartum depression, PTSD & men’s mental health
01:15:30 – Social media, loneliness & the need for men’s groups
01:28:00 – Suicide, warning signs & supporting friends
01:43:00 – Nature, hunting & outdoors as therapy
01:49:00 – Service, veterans, and reclaiming identity
01:52:07 – Closing thoughts & community challenge

Phillip Millar went from soldier to lawyer, and he’s never stopped fighting battles that matter. In this episode we get into the lessons he carried from military service into the courtroom, the cost of speaking out, and why telling the truth can make you a target.

This is a raw, unfiltered look at courage, conviction, and the price of standing your ground.

https://www.instagram.com/theroguelawyer

https://www.instagram.com/thirdeyeinsights.ca/

https://millarslaw.com/
https://thirdeyeinsights.ca/

______

Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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Timestamps

0:00 – Intro – Soldier to Lawyer
3:42 – Lessons from the Military
10:15 – Speaking Truth to Power
18:07 – The Price of Challenging the System
26:55 – Stories from the Courtroom
35:20 – Media, Spin, and Public Perception
44:12 – Standing Up When It Costs You
53:05 – Why Courage Matters More Than Comfort
1:03:10 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Zach Hanson was thriving in the world of AI and big tech...until the layoffs came. Two mortgages, a family to support, and no job in sight, he did what few with a white-collar background ever dare: he turned to trapping to survive. In this raw and timely conversation, Zach reveals how losing the comfort of corporate life reconnected him to skills that most of society has forgotten, skills that may be our only hedge in an uncertain future.

Travis and Zach explore what it means to be truly self-reliant in a world increasingly propped up by fragile systems. From welding school to wolf trapping, from modern brain rot to the mental health cost of career fragility, this is a conversation about grit, identity, and rediscovering the value of getting your hands dirty. Zach's new book, The Trade Gap, might just be the blueprint for how to stay human in an AI-powered world.

Order Here: https://geni.us/the-trade-gap

https://thetradegap.com/

https://www.instagram.com/letmedielearning/

______

Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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Timestamps of Key Moments:

• 00:01:42 – The nostalgic charm of Merits Café and small-town hospitality
• 00:04:50 – Fishing in Idaho and the surprising joy of tenkara rods
• 00:08:00 – Life in Atlanta, Idaho and Travis' transformative trip to the Hansons' cabin
• 00:09:55 – From white collar to off-grid: Zach’s journey into trapping and trades
• 00:10:45 – Laid off and out of options: how trapping paid the mortgage
• 00:14:10 – Welding school, starting from zero, and why it matters
• 00:15:30 – How America abandoned trades and built a fragile workforce
• 00:18:45 – The great shift in education: STEM vs. self-reliance
• 00:22:15 – Redefining general education and the modern renaissance person
• 00:26:50 – The Venn diagram of AI and trades: where the winners will be
• 00:30:05 – Brain rot, social media, and the cost of convenience
• 00:34:45 – Travis' AI blunder with GSP and the perils of outsourcing sincerity
• 00:39:00 – Should we disclose when AI helps us? Ethical lines in creativity
• 00:44:20 – The power draw of AI and the trades crisis nobody’s ready for
• 00:47:05 – Oklahoma’s model for reviving trades in high school
• 00:52:25 – TVM vs. TVE: Why building it yourself will always matter more
• 01:00:55 – What do you really do? Redefining identity outside of job titles
• 01:04:00 – What success looks like when you stop chasing titles
• 01:10:30 – A friend lost to suicide and the mental health cost of obsolescence
• 01:15:15 – The Adobe example: fear of learning something new vs. choosing growth
• 01:17:00 – Why The Trade Gap is ultimately about giving people more options

Ron Spomer has hunted wild terrain across six continents, tested elite gear, written thousands of articles, and shaped how generations think about the outdoors. But none of that explains the man behind the rifle.

In this rare and deeply personal conversation, Travis Bader sits down with the legendary outdoorsman to ask what no one else does: What’s he really been chasing?

Ron opens up about the quiet moments that changed him, the ego traps of the industry, and why the biggest threat to hunting today isn’t anti-gun activists, it’s our own disconnection from nature, each other, and ourselves.

They dive into legacy, ethics, spiritual frequency, and the kind of beauty that doesn’t need a trophy photo to matter. This episode will change how you see the wilderness, and your place in it.

______

Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

____

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Silvercore Club & Outpost intro
02:00 – Ron Spomer joins, and Travis shares why he’s inspired by him
04:15 – The high school English teacher who changed Ron’s life
06:00 – Discovering writing and the innate drive to be in nature
08:00 – Early childhood, grouse hunting, and connection to the woods
10:00 – “What am I really chasing?” – Beauty, vibration, and truth
13:00 – Finding the tiniest flower: humility and connection
15:00 – Vibrations, radios, and the unseen ways we connect to nature
17:00 – What should people be asking Ron that they never do?
20:00 – “Hunt honest, shoot straight”: ethics, integrity, and legacy
22:00 – Urbanization, habitat loss, and hard truths hunters avoid
25:00 – Modern media, YouTube, and sneaking conservation into ballistics
27:00 – First-time elk hunters and rediscovering awe
30:00 – Self-reliance, sourdough, and the post-COVID outdoor renaissance
33:00 – Surprised to still be alive—and grateful
35:00 – Land stewardship and making old dreams real
37:00 – Type II fun and memorable hardship in the wild
39:00 – Free beauty: the magic of seeing what’s unearned
41:00 – The cost of a career away from home and fighting ego
44:00 – German hunting traditions and communal values
48:00 – Division in the hunting world and how storytelling bridges it
50:00 – Social media negativity, comment sections, and fragile egos
53:00 – Industry rivalry vs. respect: why competition helps
56:00 – Optics innovation and price vs. value
58:00 – The power of narrative branding in optics and firearms
01:02:00 – Storytelling to survive censorship
01:04:00 – Travis on rebranding to Silvercore Outdoors
01:06:00 – Where did all the outdoor heroes go?
01:08:00 – The Rifleman and restoring personal responsibility
01:10:00 – Legacy: Passing on a love for wild places and honest hunting
01:14:00 – Hunters as conservationists—and how to reclaim the role
01:17:00 – Final reflections on legacy, mentorship, and shared joy
01:18:00 – “Where are you taking me moose hunting next?”

What do elite performers, world-class cops, and Olympic athletes have in common? They train the mind as hard as the body. In this mind-expanding conversation, Travis Bader is joined by Jeff Johnsgaard, veteran police officer, Force Science Institute consultant, and founder of Training on Purpose by Design.

Jeff has taught use-of-force and high-stakes performance across four continents and multiple tier-one units. But in this conversation, he pulls back the curtain, not just on tactics, but on the mental software upgrades that determine who thrives in danger and who shuts down.

You’ll learn:

• How to reframe fear as fuel.
• Why most training creates failure under real pressure.
• The shocking truth about “slow trigger presses.”
• How elite operators pre-live critical incidents through mental rehearsal.
• Why your body can’t tell the difference between imagining and doing.
• What’s wrong with the way we teach cops, kids, and executives—and how to fix it.

This one isn’t just for shooters or law enforcement. It’s for anyone who wants to perform better when it counts.

🔗 Learn more about Jeff’s work: https://www.onpurpose.training and follow him at https://www.instagram.com/jeff_johnsgaard/
🎣 Silvercore Club members: Don’t miss 40% off Skeena Spey Lodge (act quick limited space) and Tiffany’s bacon recipe!
👉 Not a member yet? Visit Silvercore.ca/club

______

Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

____

00:00 – Silvercore Club updates & member perks
02:00 – Jeff Johnsgaard introduction: Who he trains and why
06:45 – “I’m a software guy”: Why mindset beats gear
10:15 – Threat vs. Challenge: The mindset that rewires your physiology
14:00 – The turning point: When Jeff realized words were weapons
20:30 – Mental rehearsal saves lives: The traffic stop study
26:00 – Michael Phelps, Wayne Gretzky, and world-class visualization
32:30 – The trap of post-performance rumination
34:45 – Failure is feedback, not a flaw
37:15 – Motivation: The forgotten force multiplier
41:30 – Why “slow trigger press” ruined Travis’s shooting
45:45 – Own your grip, own your trigger
48:45 – The most dangerous training scar in law enforcement
52:00 – How Jeff taught his daughter to drive like a tactical thinker
56:45 – Translating this to business and leadership
01:01:00 – The power of pre-experiencing critical moments
01:06:30 – Feed-forward vs. feedback: Escaping toxic rumination
01:12:00 – Using emotion, breathing, and body anchors to perform
01:17:00 – Visualizing for peak performance vs. anxiety
01:23:30 – “Prehabilitation”: Training like a combat veteran—before the fight
01:27:00 – One truth Jeff would pass on if he had to start over
01:33:00 – The Circle of Excellence: Anchoring performance states
01:36:00 – Wrap-up and resources

Canada bans suppressors. But in the U.S. and Europe, they’re considered essential safety tools. In this episode, Travis Bader sits down with Kyle Grob of KGM Technologies, a leading U.S. suppressor manufacturer, to dismantle the myths, politics, and science behind silencers.

Kyle shares how suppressors became wrongly vilified, how health and safety data is driving legal reform in the U.S., and what Canadians are missing due to outdated, emotion-driven laws. From engineering accuracy to military adoption, Travis and Kyle dive into real-world implications, regulatory nightmares, and what it would take to make change in Canada.

This is not about stealth. It’s about safety, hearing protection, and common sense.

🔗 Share this episode. Tag Silvercore. Let’s elevate the conversation.

https://kgm-tech.com/suppressors/

https://www.instagram.com/kgmsuppressors

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3erC59YOTKQV028ehe_BoA

______

Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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🕒 Key Timestamps

00:00 Intro
02:00 Suppressors in Canada and why they’re banned
05:45 U.S. history: suppressors & the NFA
09:00 Canada copied U.S. law without evidence
11:00 Health & safety driving U.S. suppressor reform
14:00 The Hearing Protection Act & federal deregulation
17:00 Travis's DIY suppressor story
21:00 Engineering precision: EDM & gas dynamics
28:00 POI shift and suppressor consistency
31:00 Travis’s baffle strike experience
35:00 Volume vs. baffle design for noise reduction
38:00 ATF regulation and KGM’s compliance
44:00 Canadian held in U.S. prison for barrel trace
47:00 Logic vs. emotion in firearms policy
59:00 Step-by-step approach to Canadian reform
01:06:00 Future of integrally suppressed rifles

Discover the elite insights of former JTF2 Operator, world-champion endurance athlete, and high-performance coach, Shaun Taylor. In this exclusive conversation, Shaun shares powerful lessons from decades of trial and error, guiding you on the path to superior sleep, effective stress management, optimal nutrition, hormonal optimization, and an unbreakable mindset. Whether you're a performance-driven athlete or simply seeking to live your best life, learn the strategies Shaun employs daily to maintain peak performance and personal fulfillment.

https://www.instagram.com/shauntaylors1/

https://www.instagram.com/the_collective_ig/

https://www.youtube.com/@the_collective_yt/streams

https://the-collective.ca/

https://open.spotify.com/show/51fDAvBeENd0ANZhkw2pww

______

Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

____

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – The vision for a Silvercore Podcast Live Event
• 03:00 – Welcoming Shaun Taylor & The Collective
• 04:00 – The power of showing intensity authentically
• 10:00 – Shaun’s comprehensive approach to sleep
• 19:00 – Using tools like the Oura ring for sleep tracking
• 25:00 – Sleep hygiene protocols & practices
• 40:00 – Supplements for sleep optimization
• 51:00 – Mindfulness strategies for deeper sleep
• 52:30 – Managing stress & the internal vs. external worlds
• 1:10:00 – Meditation & the path to mindfulness
• 1:18:00 – Perspective shifting & problem-solving
• 1:26:00 – Shaun's essential guide to optimal nutrition & macros
• 1:39:00 – Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): pros, cons & personal insights
• 1:57:00 – Exploring peptides: potentials and pitfalls
• 1:59:00 – Routines, mindset, and finding your purpose
• 2:05:00 – Final thoughts & what's next