Hollywood, Hiking, and Meals - The Trail Goods Co. Story

On this episode of The Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with long-time friend and outdoor entrepreneur Luke Pearsall, the founder of Trail Goods Co, a new freeze-dried camping meal brand. Luke shares his winding path from working on major Hollywood productions like Lost and Entourage, to becoming an adventure guide in South America, and ultimately, to launching his own freeze dried food company.Check out Trail Goods Co at trailgoods.co!And on Instagram: instagram.com/trailgoodscompanyWe dive into:The persistence it takes to break into TV and film (including hilarious celeb stories)What it’s like to guide 8-week tours through South AmericaHow hunting, hiking, and conservation are deeply connectedThe realities of starting a food business, from product development to retailThe influencer culture, sponsorship requests, and the right way to pitch a brandMine and Luke’s chaotic pandemic-era Instagram show, Tuesdays at 2With plenty of laughs, insights, and industry secrets, this episode is for anyone who loves adventure, business, and wild career pivots. Support our sponsors: Janji.com and GarageGrownGear.comChapters00:00 Introduction to Luke Pearsall and Trail Goods Company02:54 The Journey of Outdoor Passion and Early Experiences06:06 Transitioning from TV to Outdoor Guiding09:11 Life Lessons from the Film Industry11:50 The Impact of Relationships and Networking15:01 Guiding Adventures in South America18:02 The Role of Food in Outdoor Experiences21:01 Building Trail Goods Company24:03 Navigating Challenges in Business27:01 The Importance of Persistence and Connection32:49 From Layoff to Launch: A Year of Transformation41:31 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship52:58 The Art of Freeze-Drying: Quality vs. Cost01:03:06 Building a Brand in a Crowded Market01:06:16 The Art of Influencer Marketing01:09:11 The Role of AI in Influencer Marketing01:10:07 Creative Meal Options for Outdoor Adventures01:12:00 Celebrity Encounters and Storytelling01:14:07 Nostalgia and the Birth of 'Tuesdays at 2'01:17:03 Personal Style and IdentityKeywordsLuke Pearsall, Trail Goods Company, outdoor adventure, hiking, food, film industry, networking, entrepreneurship, guiding, South America, entrepreneurship, freeze-dried meals, outdoor industry, business launch, networking, persistence, brand building, food industry, scaling, influencer marketing, influencer marketing, AI, outdoor meals, celebrity stories, social media, Tuesdays at 2, personal branding, hiking, food, storytelling