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PODCAST

The Mountain Dude Podcast

Welcome to the Mountain Dude Podcast, brought to you by Initial Ascent – where we share stories of grit, determination, and the relentless pursuit of growth. This is a space where backcountry hunting meets the deeper lessons of life – success born from struggle, and the art of carrying heavy loads more comfortably, both physically and metaphorically, through faith and perseverance.

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All Episodes

67:53

You Can’t Out-Hunt a Bad Diet | Kyle Kamp of V2P...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/12/02

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis Stokes sits down with Kyle Kamp, founder of Valley to Peak Nutrition, to break down the fundamentals of nutrition for everyday life and for backcountry hunters who demand more from their bodies.Kyle shares his powerful personal story—growing up with poor eating habits, reaching 270 pounds as a young man, and ultimately transforming his life through small, sustainable nutrition changes. That transformation sparked a

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60:08

Faith, Failure, and the First Bow Kill | Tim Tucker...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/11/25

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Tim Tucker — a young hunter, creative, and man of faith — to talk about perseverance, target panic, and finding redemption through archery and family.From missed opportunities in the elk woods to finally sealing his first bow kill on an Idaho antelope with his dad by his side, Tim’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth. We dive into how he rebuilt his confidence, the mental side of archery, and how God

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103:38

Behind the Man: The Life, Faith, and Grit of Joe...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/11/18

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Joe Elliston, Co-Founder of Initial Ascent, for a deep dive into the man behind the brand. From his childhood adventures and early hunting roots to the lessons learned through leadership, loss, and faith—Joe opens up in a raw, heartfelt conversation that goes far beyond gear talk.He shares stories of family, resilience, and how carrying heavy loads—both in the backcountry and in life—shaped who he is

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70:49

Building Argali Outdoors: Brad Brooks on Hunting &...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/11/11

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brad Brooks, CEO and Founder of Argali Outdoors, to talk about building one of the most trusted backcountry hunting brands in the West. Brad shares the story behind Argali’s mission to create lightweight, durable gear for serious hunters, his roots in the mountains of Idaho, and the lessons learned balancing business, conservation, and the pursuit of wild places.From entrepreneurship and gear design to

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84:44

Dirt Roads, Discipline, and the Drive to Be Better:...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/11/04

Got questions? Send us a text!This episode pulls back the curtain on Dennis Stokes, co-founder of Initial Ascent, in a way you’ve never heard before. It’s not about how the company started (you can find that story elsewhere). This is about Dennis, himself, his upbringing, battles with pride, lessons learned through failure, and the relentless mindset that shaped him.From dirt roads in rural Florida to Division I football fields and faith-fueled business ventures in Idaho, Dennis shares how a drive

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71:43

When the Shot Doesn’t Hit… What Hunting Teaches You -...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/10/28

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Chris Young sits down to recap his 2025 early season — chasing antelope across Idaho’s high desert, learning through missed shots, and staying grounded through it all.From spot-and-stalk bowhunting challenges to lessons in faith, family, and perseverance, Chris dives deep into what hunting really teaches you when things don’t go as planned. This one’s packed with real, raw insight every hunter can relate to — the highs, the

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65:10

When God Sends You an Elk Tag | Chris Young x Revol...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/10/21

Got questions? Send us a text!In this powerful episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Chris Young to hear the full story behind his new elk hunting film Late Season Legacy, filmed by Clint Easley of Revol Entertainment and premiering on the Vortex Nation YouTube Channel.What started as a dream tag for a once-in-a-lifetime Idaho elk hunt turned into something far deeper — a story of faith, family, and purpose.From glassing over 200 bulls and naming giants like “Swoop,” “Wide Load,”

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67:38

From Elk Hunts to Angry Dick Leather | The...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/10/14

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Richard Bettencourt and his dad Dick Bettencourt of Steep Kuntry Outdoors — a father-and-son elk hunting duo who represent what hunting is really about: grit, family, and perseverance.From their first archery bull to building Steep Kuntry into a respected western hunting brand, the Bettencourts share the highs, lows, and lessons learned chasing elk deep in Idaho’s backcountry. They talk about mindset,

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64:21

Thriving in the Mountains Past 60. | Jim Naccarato’s...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/10/07

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of The Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Jim Naccarato, founder of Iron Mountain Skull Hangers. From backcountry elk hunts to building some of the most trusted European mount hangers in the industry, Jim shares his story of grit, determination, and craftsmanship.We dive into unforgettable elk hunting encounters, lessons from years of chasing bugles in rugged country, and the work ethic that turned welding skills into a thriving business for hunters

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81:06

Behind the Lens with Clint Easley (Filmmaking,...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/09/30

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode, we sit down with Clint Easley, filmmaker, hunter, and founder of Revol Entertainment, to uncover what really goes into crafting powerful hunting films in the backcountry. From wedding shoots to wild terrain, Clint shares the highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes chaos of filming in unforgiving environments.Whether you're chasing bulls with a bow or chasing stories through a lens, this episode is packed with real talk, laughs, and lessons from the

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77:37

Become a Better Shooter: Rodger Holscher

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/09/23

Got questions? Send us a text! Last week's episode's audio was the story part, btw. We apologize. In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Rodger Holscher—law enforcement officer, lifelong hunter, and one of the most dialed riflemen you'll ever meet. From growing up on a California cattle ranch to navigating high-stakes situations as a game warden and cop, Rodger shares raw, hilarious, and hard-earned wisdom from both the field and the force. We talk: Backcountry balli...

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73:29

Law Enforcement to Long-range Expert: Rodger Holscher

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/09/16

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Rodger Holscher—law enforcement officer, lifelong hunter, and one of the most dialed riflemen you'll ever meet. From growing up on a California cattle ranch to navigating high-stakes situations as a game warden and cop, Rodger shares raw, hilarious, and hard-earned wisdom from both the field and the force.We talk:Backcountry ballistics and long-range accuracyHow to read wind, build stable shooting

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44:03

Why Most Hunters Quit Early (And How to Push...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/09/09

Got questions? Send us a text!Welcome back to the Mountain Dude Podcast by Initial Ascent. In this solo episode, host Chris Young dives deep into the one factor that separates successful hunters from those who come home empty-handed: mental toughness.From chasing bugles deep in September elk country to grinding through long solo hunts, Chris shares personal stories of struggle, failure, and breakthrough moments that transformed his mindset and elevated his success in the backcountry. You’ll hear how

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64:30

Training, Faith & 40+ Packouts a Year: "Hollywood"...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/09/02

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode, we sit down with “Hollywood” Dave Beronio, elite athlete, guide, packout machine, and wedding officiant with over 1,500 ceremonies under his belt. From the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe to hauling 50 animals a year off Utah’s peaks, Dave’s story is one of relentless drive and intentional living. He opens up about the training and nutrition that keep him going year-round, the spiritual mindset that guides his every step, and the iconic "Beronio

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78:31

The E-scouting Guru and the Secrets to Elk Hunting...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/08/26

Got questions? Send us a text!On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Mark Livesay—the E-Scouting Master behind TreeLine Academy and one of the most respected educators in the elk hunting world. Mark has spent decades refining his system for digital scouting elk hunting areas and has taught thousands of hunters how to create detailed hunt plans before they ever set foot in the mountains.We dive into Mark’s journey from pouring over topo maps to becoming one of

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77:03

Elk Calling Tactics, Hunting Lessons, and Real-life...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/08/19

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of The Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Cody McCarthy—elk caller, Slayer Calls pro, and man of faith—to hear his incredible journey from killing his first bull at 12 years old to becoming one of the most respected voices in the elk hunting world. Cody shares raw, emotional stories from his early hunts with family, lessons learned from football and overcoming major health challenges, and how faith has shaped every step of his life.We dive into elk

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92:24

The Legend of The Bugler: Dirk Durham

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/08/12

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we're joined by none other than Dirk Durham, aka The Bugler, a backcountry legend and one of the most respected elk callers in the game.From his stormy-night birth in rural Idaho to bowhunting elk for over three decades, Dirk walks us through the experiences that shaped him. You’ll hear the story of his first elk, the lessons he learned from his dad, and how a close encounter with a moose hunt led to some wild

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60:40

Elk Every Year: Zach Bowhay’s Secrets to Long-Term...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/08/04

Got questions? Send us a text!Zach Bowhay is one of the most consistently successful elk hunters in the West. In this episode, he joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to break down what it really takes to fill tags year after year—without relying on hype, gimmicks, or lucky draws. From generational hunting knowledge to mental toughness, Zach shares the mindset and strategies that have kept him punching tags across multiple states for decades.Whether you’re chasing your first bull or looking to sharpen

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64:48

Burning Beds, Backcountry Demons & Bowhunting Elk...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/07/29

Got questions? Send us a text!In this raw and hilarious episode, Nate Illingsworth joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to share his insane journey—from nearly burning down his house mid-romance to losing 80 pounds and tackling backcountry elk hunts head-on. Nate opens up about fitness, faith, mental resilience, and the power of doing hard things—all with a wild twist of humor and honesty.If you’re into elk hunting, CrossFit-style training, macro tracking, or just hearing gritty stories from the

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75:39

Gear Talk Pt 2: Clothing Systems & the Merino vs...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/07/22

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of Gear Talk, we go deep into clothing systems for backcountry hunting. From the hot debate of Merino wool vs synthetic base layers to how to layer effectively without overpacking, this is your ultimate breakdown of what to wear, when, and why.Whether you’re prepping for spring bear or late-season elk, this episode is packed with field-tested insight and hard-earned gear wisdom. Be warned, you may walk away adding a few items to your cart. Subscribe and

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27 results

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