Jason sits down with Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes of Initial Ascent to dive into the story behind their hunting pack company. They talk about what inspired them to start the brand, the hands-on prototyping process, and the rigorous testing their packs endured before ever hitting the market. The conversation highlights the innovation that sets their pack system apart, as well as where they're headed next in the world of high-performance backcountry gear.

Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls

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Shop Phelps Merch

Jason sits down with Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes of Initial Ascent to dive into the story behind their hunting pack company. They talk about what inspired them to start the brand, the hands-on prototyping process, and the rigorous testing their packs endured before ever hitting the market. The conversation highlights the innovation that sets their pack system apart, as well as where they're headed next in the world of high-performance backcountry gear.
Connect with <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/jason-phelps">Jason</a>, <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/dirk-durham">Dirk</a>,<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/dirk-durham"></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://phelpsgamecalls.com/">Phelps Game Calls</a>
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Shop&nbsp;<a href="https://store.themeateater.com/collections/turkey-calls">Phelps Merch</a>

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.

In Pursuit is your definitive guide to fitness and performance in the wild. Hosted by <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/rich-froning">Rich Froning,</a> 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.

In Pursuit

Ep. 134: Initial Ascent with Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d756d2d2-58c4-4cbf-a382-b2c801530ceb/transcript

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 training methodology behind Mayhem Hunt: why we train the way we do, how to build a durable engine, and why consistency throughout the year matters more than last-minute preparation.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

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 training methodology behind Mayhem Hunt: why we train the way we do, how to build a durable engine, and why consistency throughout the year matters more than last-minute preparation.
Connect with <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/rich-froning">Rich Froning</a>
MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterClips">Youtube Clips</a>
Subscribe to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e9e45523-0753-414b-9663-b402016ea892/transcript

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 more of a “when” than a “yes or no”), why heat before bed can be a game-changer for sleep, and how temperature, consistency, and stress management play a bigger role than most people want to admit. The conversation bounces from hunting trips and terrible sleep in cold tents to nasal breathing, snoring, and the simple truth: you can’t out-tough bad sleep when decision-making, recovery, and performance are on the line.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

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&mdash;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&rsquo;s more of a &ldquo;when&rdquo; than a &ldquo;yes or no&rdquo;), why heat before bed can be a game-changer for sleep, and how temperature, consistency, and stress management play a bigger role than most people want to admit. The conversation bounces from hunting trips and terrible sleep in cold tents to nasal breathing, snoring, and the simple truth: you can&rsquo;t out-tough bad sleep when decision-making, recovery, and performance are on the line.
Connect with <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/rich-froning">Rich Froning</a>
MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterClips">Youtube Clips</a>
Subscribe to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/881fec4e-de71-411f-818a-b3fc000a1a54/transcript

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 Expo, where new connections were made and new hunts potentially landed on the calendar. They tease an exciting fall lineup that includes archery antelope, elk, mule deer, and a backcountry spring bear hunt that's equal parts exciting and uncertain.


The big news? Hunt Camp is coming. Rich and the team break down their vision for an intimate beginner-to-intermediate Western hunting experience set in the Colorado mountains. Think full bow setups, glassing breakouts, pack skills, rucking, and plenty of campfire time. Whether you've never been out West or just want to tighten up your game, this episode gives you a first look at what to expect.

Connect with Rich Froning

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips

Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube

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 Expo, where new connections were made and new hunts potentially landed on the calendar. They tease an exciting fall lineup that includes archery antelope, elk, mule deer, and a backcountry spring bear hunt that's equal parts exciting and uncertain.
 The big news? Hunt Camp is coming. Rich and the team break down their vision for an intimate beginner-to-intermediate Western hunting experience set in the Colorado mountains. Think full bow setups, glassing breakouts, pack skills, rucking, and plenty of campfire time. Whether you've never been out West or just want to tighten up your game, this episode gives you a first look at what to expect.
Connect with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/rich-froning">Rich Froning</a>
MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterClips">Youtube Clips</a>
Subscribe to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork">The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube</a>

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/81cc21a7-c7ec-4216-9df0-b3f5011af95c/transcript

Ep. 134: Initial Ascent with Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes

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