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PODCAST · health

In Pursuit

by MeatEater

In Pursuit is your definitive guide to fitness and performance in the wild. Hosted by Rich Froning, four-time CrossFit Games champion and founder of CrossFit Mayhem. This show goes beyond the hunt, diving into what drives us to test our limits in the backcountry and beyond. Each episode features raw, wide-ranging conversations with athletes, hunters, doctors, and thought leaders, from the gym to the lab to the wilderness, connecting the grit of mountain hunting to the pursuit of something deeper: purpose, resilience, and human potential in the wild.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Sep 15, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Introducing: Gunfighters, with Bryan Burrough

    Author Bryan Burrough exhumes the gritty history of Old West gunfighters. From Billy the Kid to Wyatt Earp to John Wesley Hardin and dozens more, this collection of stories proves how very violent America's nineteenth century frontier actually was, and traces the blood-soaked history of the...

  2. Announcing: Blood Trails, Paradise Prison

    Blood Trails is a true crime podcast born in the outdoors--and in this three-part summer mini-series, Paradise Prison, we're going to follow American hunters and gun owners who were trapped in Turks and Caicos in 2024. The story received international media attention, and you might think you know...

  3. Ep. 48: Spike Camp - The Finale

    On this final episode of In Pursuit, Rich, Angelo, and Jeff cover everything from Leadville training and endurance nutrition to pack-out strategies, backcountry fitness, and the gear that makes long days in the mountains a little more manageable. The Mayhem Hunt team shares a big update for the...

  4. Ep. 47: David Curtis - Raising the Next Generation of Hunters

    This week on In Pursuit, Rich sits down with longtime friend, hunter, endurance athlete, and Leadville local David Curtis. From getting lost on his first elk hunt to completing the legendary Leadman series, David shares what keeps him coming back to hard things. The conversation dives into…

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  5. Ep. 46: Spike Camp - Fueling for the Backcountry

    Rich, Scott, and Jeff break down their approach to backcountry nutrition, hydration, caffeine, and camp meals. They share lessons learned from DIY hunts and guided trips, the mistakes they've made, and the simple systems that keep them going when the days get long. From peanut butter sandwiches…

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  6. Ep. 45: Jake Dalton - Olympian Turned Bowhunter

    This week on In Pursuit, Rich sits down with two-time Olympian Jake Dalton to talk about life after chasing greatness. Jake spent more than two decades in gymnastics, competing at the highest level and representing Team USA at the Olympic Games. But after retirement, he found himself searching…

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  7. Ep. 44: Spike Camp - Preparing New Hunters

    On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning recaps the first Mayhem Hunt Prep Camp in Colorado. From a 24-hour mountain bike race in Amarillo straight into 11 days in the mountains, the crew breaks down what it took to build a camp designed around real backcountry preparation. The episode covers...

  8. Ep. 43: Jeff Helm - Four Bulls in One Year

    This week on In Pursuit, Rich and Angelo sit down with Jeff Helm, a Michigan native turned Texas hunter, guide, entrepreneur, and all-around outdoorsman. Jeff shares how a kid shooting birds out of the backyard bird feeder became a bowhunter who has now taken more than 30 bulls, including four…

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  9. Ep. 42: Spike Camp - How to Pace Yourself in the Backcountry

    On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich is joined by Jeff Dodds and Angelo Dicicco. They sit down for another Spike Camp episode to talk through one of the most overlooked parts of western hunting: pacing yourself. From training and rucking to e-scouting, nutrition, recovery, and knowing when to push...

  10. Ep. 41: Pete Nelson - The Hidden Benefits of the Sauna

    This week on In Pursuit with Rich Froning, Rich, Angelo, and Pete Nelson from SISU Sauna get into ultra running, sauna and cold plunge, fasting, faith, youth sports, and the value of having good people around you when things get hard. Pete shares stories from a 75-mile ultra in Joshua Tree. Rich...

  11. Ep. 40: Spike Camp - Axis Deer Hunt

    This week on In Pursuit, Rich Froning and the crew head to Texas chasing free range axis deer with Perennial Outfitters. What starts with a perfect shot turns into a long track, pouring rain, and a reminder that hunting rarely goes according to plan. The guys talk through the highs, lows, missed...

  12. Ep. 39: Christian Huff - Balancing Family Life and Hunting

    Christian Huff joins Rich to talk about faith, hunting, fitness, and what it looks like to pursue something with purpose. They get into Christian’s late start in hunting, his growing love for deer season, the humbling side of bowhunting, and why training for something matters. They also talk…

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  13. Ep. 38: Spike Camp - Bulletproof Your Body for the Mountains

    Join Rich Froning and the Mayhem Hunt Crew in a new Spike Camp episode, It's a practical conversation on building a body that can handle the demands of the backcountry. Rich sits down with AJ Wilkerson of 931 Performance Therapy to cover ankle stability, stronger knees, low back health, shoulder...

  14. Ep. 37: Tyler Jones - Life Lessons From the Woods

    In this episode, Rich sits down with Tyler Jones to talk whitetail hunting, training through injuries, raising resilient kids, and how adversity often shapes us more than success ever could. They get into the value of fitness for hunters, lessons learned through sport and fatherhood, and why...

  15. Ep. 36: Spike Camp - Don't Procrastinate Your Hunt

    In this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, the Mayhem hunt team break down what it actually takes to stay ready. Training isn’t just for the gym. It’s for the moments that count. From building real strength and conditioning to having the discipline to show up when it’s hard, this is about...

  16. Ep. 35: Brandon Brinkman - Whitetail Hunter's First Elk Experience

    Brandon Brinkman from Garmin joins Rich and the crew for a conversation on building a life around the things that matter. They get into late-onset hunting, CrossFit, Western hunt lessons, Garmin tech, and why small wins are what keep people coming back for more.Brandon shares how ideas from…

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  17. Ep. 34: Spike Camp - How To Involve Your Family in the Hunting Process

    Join Rich Froning and the Mayhem Hunt crew, on In Pursuit, as they break down what it looks like to bring your family into the hunting lifestyle and why it matters more than the hunt itself. From getting kids involved early to balancing time away, this episode covers how to make the outdoors...

  18. Ep. 33: Jake Curreri - The Future of Wearables and Health Metrics

    On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, the crew sit down with Jake Currei, CEO of Qalo, to talk fitness, technology, and what it really means to stay ready. Jake shares his journey from CrossFit coach to tech entrepreneur and how QALO is evolving from durable silicone rings into…

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  19. Ep. 32: Spike Camp - How to Find Your Fitness Program

    Join Rich Froning and the Mayhem crew as they talk about why fitness matters for every kind of hunter. From getting into the woods easier to hauling gear, dragging deer, and staying sharp at camp, being in shape makes the whole experience better. They break down Murph prep, rucking, and the track...

  20. Ep. 31: Shane Wallen - How to Specify Training for Your Sport

    In this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with former professional strength coach Shane Wallen (Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, 49ers) and Angelo Dicicco. The crew dives into the "art" of, and frustration behind, effective, high-level fitness programming, sharing insights from training...

  21. Ep. 30: Spike Camp - Don't Stop Training

    On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning talks about what it really means to stay ready all year long. Not just getting in shape a few weeks before the season, but building the kind of strength, endurance, and resilience that carries you through long days in the mountains. Rich breaks down the...

  22. Ep. 29: Todd Anderson - Optimizing Sleep for Maximum Recovery

    On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, Rich sits down with Todd Anderson and Scott Vandersloot to talk recovery the way it actually works in real life—sauna, cold plunge, sleep, and being intentional with all of it. They get into why cold is one of the most misused tools (and why it’s...

  23. Ep. 28: Spike Camp - You Can Never Be Too Prepared For The Mountains

    Join Rich Froning and the Mayhem hunt team as they dive into all things happening at Mayhem Hunt. From a brewing 5K grudge match and Ironman training to a 24-hour trail relay, fitness is front and center as always. The crew recaps their whirlwind trip through the NWTF Convention and Western Hunt...

  24. Ep. 27: High Ground Beef Chips - Always Take the High Ground

    On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, we’ve got the guys from High Ground Beef Chips in the studio, Dillon Larson and Josh McCandless. It started with a problem that kicked it all off: finding real, lightweight nutrition on the move between deployments, long days, and no patience for...

  25. Ep. 151: Cutting the Distance - Leupold Optics BX-6 and More

    In this episode of Cutting the Distance, Jason and Dirk sit down with Bruce Pettet, CEO of Leupold, and Tim Lesser, VP of Product & Marketing, for an in-depth conversation around Leupold’s new BX-6 rangefinding binocular. They dig into what makes the BX-6 stand out, from elite optical quality to...

  26. Ep. 26: Spike Camp - $10,000 Home Gym

    On this episode of In Pursuit, the guys wrap up the home gym series by building the ultimate $10,000 setup—what’s actually worth the splurge, what’s a waste, and which “big ticket” pieces change the game (hello functional trainer, StairMaster debate, and all the toys you swear you need). They…

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  27. Ep. 25: Father Stephen Gadberry - Not Your Normal Priest

    On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, Rich sits down with Father Steven Gadberry (the same Father Steven you’ve seen on the Shawn Ryan Podcast) for a mix of backcountry stories, real faith, and a lot of laughs. They relive the “Gunnison days”—two guys who had no business being that…

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  28. Ep. 24: Spike Camp - $5,000 Home Gym

    Join Rich and the crew break down their ideal mid-budget training setups and immediately get lost in plate math, duplicate lists, questionable equipment choices, and relentless chirping. From arguing whether 190 pounds of plates is “enough,” to sleds, sandbags, bikes, rowers, racks, yokes, ropes,...

  29. Ep. 23: Matt Johnson - Running Across Texas for Veterans

    On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with Matt Johnson for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about purpose, pain, faith, and the power of fitness to change lives. Matt opens up about his journey from a turbulent childhood and military service to discovering endurance sports as a...

  30. Ep. 22: Spike Camp - $1,000 Home Gym

    On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, we kick off a series on building a no-nonsense home gym, starting with a strict $1,000 budget. The goal is simple: what equipment actually matters if you want to train hard, stay consistent, and be prepared without wasting money. Next up is the...

  31. Ep. 21: Pat Spinosa - Highlighting Rural America

    Join Rich Froning and Pat Spinosa on this episode of In Pursuit, as they sit down to talk rural America, agriculture, and the “Like a Farmer” brand Pat built with NFL QB Josh Allen. They cover the pillars behind the movement—outdoors, sports, food, and country music—plus why the next generation…

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  32. Ep. 20: Spike Camp - Optimizing the Offseason to Improve Your Health and Fitness

    On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with the crew to talk off-season training for hunters—why now is the time to build strength, maintain conditioning, and let fat loss happen as a byproduct of consistent work. They also preview the upcoming Conquer 90 Challenge with Mountain…

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  33. Ep. 19: Ian Schinelli - Becoming a Navy SEAL and the Importance of Mental Resilience

    Join Rich Froning as he sits down with former Navy SEAL Ian Schinelli for a deep dive into preparation, pressure, and what it takes to stay ready when it matters. From marathon and swim events for the SEAL Foundation to the realities of SEAL training, Ian breaks down how running, swimming, and...

  34. Ep. 18: Spike Camp - Texas Whitetail Hunting

    On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich heads to Texas with Watkins and Scott for a whitetail trip that turns into a crash course in ranch life, management tags, and making good shots under pressure. They walk through the buck that got away, the hog that didn’t, and the perfect heart shot that…

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  35. Ep. 17: Dale Brisby - Trapping Skunks and Roping Maverick Bulls

    Join Rich Froning for a lively episode with Dale Brisby, the cowboy comedian and rodeo hand known for turning ranch life into pure entertainment. Dale shares everything from announcing wild Can-Am races to fixing ranch problems, chasing mules, dealing with skunks, and surviving the daily chaos…

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  36. Ep. 16: Spike Camp - Whitetail Season Updates and Training With Purpose

    In this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with Scott and Byrd to catch up on the past few weeks of hunting, training, and time in the Tennessee woods. They share the moments that stood out most. Bird guiding his family into some great deer. Rich taking his kids out for their own first...

  37. Ep. 15: John Welbourn - Former NFL Lineman

    Join Rich Froning for a powerful conversation with John Welbourn, a former NFL lineman who forged a decade-long career battling the toughest competitors in the sport. John shares how he stumbled into the early days of CrossFit, competed at the Games with only a week of preparation, and eventually...

  38. Ep. 14: Spike Camp - Rifle Elk Hunt Recap and First Time Hunting Experiences

    In this episode of Spike Camp, Rich Froning discusses his recent rifle elk hunt, and recaps the trip with Scott and Watkins. Watkins goes through his first hunting experience and discusses how his training held up to the challenge the mountains provided. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on...

  39. Ep. 13: Trent Ellis - Marine, Outdoorsman, and Rising Social Media Voice

    In this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with Trent Ellis, Marine, outdoorsman, and rising social media voice, whose mix of grit, humor, and authenticity has built him a loyal following. Trent opens up about his journey from small-town Mississippi dreams of football, to deployments...

  40. Ep. 12: Spike Camp - Richard Ryan Recap and Watkins Training for Going West

    In this Spike Camp episode, Rich, Scott, and Watkins discuss what all training Rich has had Watkins do to get ready for his first trip out west. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube…

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  41. Ep. 11: Richard Ryan - Author and Co-Founder of Black Rifle Coffee

    In this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with Richard Ryan, co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee, author of The Warrior’s Garden, and regenerative agriculture advocate. They dig into the hidden costs of the attention economy, why stepping away from social media can reset your priorities,...

  42. Ep. 10: Spike Camp - Nate Illingsworth Recap and How to Take the First Step

    In this Spike Camp episode, Rich and the team unpacks their conversation with Nate and takes a dive into what a friend is doing with a non-profit that he started and hosts dream hunts. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The...

  43. Ep. 9: Nate Illingsworth - Changing Your Life and Hunts Through Fitness

    In this episode of In Pursuit, Rich sits down with fitness trailblazer, Nate Ilingsworth, to explore how transforming your body can revolutionize your life and your hunts. Nate shares his journey of harnessing fitness to boost resilience, sharpen focus, and conquer the challenges of the wild....

  44. Ep. 8: Spike Camp - Andy Galpin Recap and What We Learned from an Unsuccessful September

    In this Spike Camp episode, Rich and Byrd sit down to unpack their latest hunts in Idaho and Wyoming. From brutal early mornings and carb-loading on Pop-Tarts to chasing bulls through rugged country, the guys break down what went right, what went wrong, and what it taught them. They talk fitness...

  45. Ep. 7: Dr. Andy Galpin - Fueling for the Hunt with Human Performance Science

    In this episode of In Pursuit Rich sits down with renowned human performance scientist Andy Galpin to unpack the science of fueling for the hunt. Andy dives into cutting-edge strategies for optimizing nutrition, recovery, and endurance to conquer the demands of western hunting. Blending practical...

  46. Ep. 6: Spike Camp - Zach Sieler Recap and What Perseverance Can Bring

    In this Spike Camp episode, the team reflects on their conversation with Zach Sieler and dives deep in how his NFL style training translates to the the backcountry. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast...

  47. Ep. 5: Zach Sieler - Advocating for the Outdoors, Playing in the NFL, and the Underdog Mentality

    In this episode of In Pursuit Rich sits down with NFL standout Zach Sieler to share his passion for the outdoors and how it fuels his life on and off the field. From advocating for conservation to thriving as an underdog in the high-stakes world of professional football, Zach reveals how his...

  48. Ep. 150: Cutting the Distance - Elk Calling Set Ups with Steve Fernandez

    On this episode, Dirk talks with long time friend and hunting guide, Steve Fernandez. They hit on elk hunting and specific calling setups and strategies. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The…

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  49. Ep. 4: Spike Camp - Joel Turner Recap and Shooting Under Fatigue

    In this Spike Camp episode, the team reflects on their insightful conversation with Joel Turner and takes a deeper dive into the strategy behind programming fitness for optimal shooting performance. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips...

  50. Ep. 3: Joel Turner - Masterclass on Mental Control for Archery and Life

    In this episode of In Pursuit, Rich sits down with archery expert Joel Turner to explore the power of mental clarity in mastering both the bow's and life’s challenges. Joel shares his journey to developing his distinctive shooting method, offering insights that blend precision, focus, and...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

In Pursuit is your definitive guide to fitness and performance in the wild. Hosted by Rich Froning, four-time CrossFit Games champion and founder of CrossFit Mayhem. This show goes beyond the hunt, diving into what drives us to test our limits in the backcountry and beyond. Each episode features raw, wide-ranging conversations with athletes, hunters, doctors, and thought leaders, from the gym to the lab to the wilderness, connecting the grit of mountain hunting to the pursuit of something deeper: purpose, resilience, and human potential in the wild.

HOSTED BY

MeatEater

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does In Pursuit have?

In Pursuit currently has 326 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is In Pursuit about?

In Pursuit is your definitive guide to fitness and performance in the wild. Hosted by Rich Froning, four-time CrossFit Games champion and founder of CrossFit Mayhem. This show goes beyond the hunt, diving into what drives us to test our limits in the backcountry and beyond. Each episode features...

How often does In Pursuit release new episodes?

In Pursuit publishes regularly with 326 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to In Pursuit?

You can listen to In Pursuit on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts In Pursuit?

In Pursuit is created and hosted by MeatEater.
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