#61 - JE Wilds - Old Stag Mindset

JE Wilds joins the podcast to talk about building a life around adventure, storytelling, and documenting the wild. From picking up his first camera in 2007 to filming remote backcountry hunts and wildlife encounters around New Zealand and beyond, Joe has spent years creating authentic outdoor stories that resonate with people who love nature, travel and the pursuit of meaningful experiences. In this conversation we dive into the mindset behind filming your own adventures, staying present in the moment while behind the camera, and why the story matters far more than the trophy. We also talk about solo missions into wild places, the philosophy behind targeting older animals, the realities of creating outdoor content for YouTube, and how the landscape of adventure storytelling has evolved over the years. This episode is about much more than hunting - it's about creativity, passion, nature, and building a life around the things that make you feel alive. IN THIS EPISODE - How JE Wilds started filming outdoor adventures in 2007 - Building a life around passion - Turning said passion into business - The balance between experiencing the moment vs documenting it - The art of telling authentic outdoor stories - Solo backcountry adventures and remote travel - The philosophy behind hunting older animals - Filmmaking in the outdoors - The evolution of YouTube adventure content - Why storytelling matters more than the trophy TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Early days filming hunting adventures 08:20 – Being present while filming in the moment 15:30 – Wildlife obsession since childhood 22:10 – Snake hunting and exploring Australia 31:45 – The philosophy of targeting old stags 45:20 – Why the story matters more than the trophy 58:10 – How guiding shaped his hunting mindset 1:12:40 – Turning YouTube into a full-time career 1:26:00 – The legendary tree-stand stag hunt 1:45:30 – Hunting with Joe Fluerty 2:06:00 – Behind the scenes of a tahr hunt 2:10:00 – Fishing, filming and future plans VIDEO | PHOTO | FILM | MARKETING You’re end-to-end Digital Solution Work with us… www.flowstateproductions.com.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wadekelly_/ https://www.instagram.com/flowstate_productions/ THE FLOW STATE COLLECTIVE PODCAST from FLOW STATE PRODUCTIONS Pty. Ltd.