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.

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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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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

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 Atomic Habits shaped the way he trains, hunts, and works. Instead of chasing one finish line, he talks about building systems you can actually sustain and stepping into the identity of the person you want to become. The conversation also dives into public land train wrecks, learning through failure, stacking fitness year-round, and how the right tools can make a real difference when you're deep in the backcountry.

Connect with Rich Froning

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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 Atomic Habits shaped the way he trains, hunts, and works. Instead of chasing one finish line, he talks about building systems you can actually sustain and stepping into the identity of the person you want to become. The conversation also dives into public land train wrecks, learning through failure, stacking fitness year-round, and how the right tools can make a real difference when you're deep in the backcountry.
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>
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Ep. 35: Brandon Brinkman - Whitetail Hunter's First Elk Experience

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0344134e-c561-414e-b7bb-b426015fe855/transcript

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 something your family actually enjoys. The guys share real moments—from missed shots to backyard campouts—and practical ways to make it fun, not forced. They also touch on the upcoming Mayhem Hunt Camp and why it’s built for anyone looking to get started the right way.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about the hunt, it’s about investing in your family and becoming better because of it.

Connect with Rich Froning

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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 something your family actually enjoys. The guys share real moments&mdash;from missed shots to backyard campouts&mdash;and practical ways to make it fun, not forced. They also touch on the upcoming Mayhem Hunt Camp and why it&rsquo;s built for anyone looking to get started the right way. At the end of the day, it&rsquo;s not just about the hunt, it&rsquo;s about investing in your family and becoming better because of it.
Connect with <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/people/rich-froning">Rich Froning</a>
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Ep. 34: Spike Camp - How To Involve Your Family in the Hunting Process

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c93ca689-89c0-463b-81f5-b41f00087c2c/transcript

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 wearable health technology.

They break down key metrics like sleep, heart rate variability, stress, and recovery — and why tracking them can help everyday people make smarter decisions about training, nutrition, and long-term health. The conversation also explores how small insights can drive meaningful habit changes and even reveal hidden issues before they become real problems.

If you want a practical look at using data to perform better in the gym, in the backcountry, and in life, this episode delivers.

Connect with Rich Froning

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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 wearable health technology. They break down key metrics like sleep, heart rate variability, stress, and recovery &mdash; and why tracking them can help everyday people make smarter decisions about training, nutrition, and long-term health. The conversation also explores how small insights can drive meaningful habit changes and even reveal hidden issues before they become real problems. If you want a practical look at using data to perform better in the gym, in the backcountry, and in life, this episode delivers.
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>
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Ep. 33: Jake Curreri - The Future of Wearables and Health Metrics

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f8c64534-1c2d-4a6a-a9b2-b4180167d377/transcript

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

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