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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

56:56

A Conversation on Priorities: When Hunting Season...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2026/01/13

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, Dennis and Chris sit down for a real, candid conversation about balancing hunting, family, faith, and the demanding pace of everyday life. After two back-to-back episodes with Kyle Kamp of Valley 2 Peak Nutrition, the guys shift gears and recap their own hunting seasons — the highs, the lessons learned, and the encounters that shaped them this fall.Dennis walks through a jam-packed few months that included an unforgettable

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95:42

One Misstep Ends the Goat Hunt | Brian Call

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2026/01/06

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brian Call, founder of Gritty Films and one of the most respected voices in western hunting and backcountry preparation.Brian breaks down what it really takes to stay consistent as a hunter year after year—from physical and mental preparation to decision-making in the mountains. We talk discipline, responsibility, leadership, faith, and why the work you put in long before the season matters more than any

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55:43

Inside the Innovation of Backcountry Gear | PEAX...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/12/30

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down again with Brice Bishop and Jeff Helm of PEAX Equipment to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to design and build gear trusted by backcountry hunters.From trekking poles to teepees, titanium stoves to headlamps, Brice and Jeff open up about the multi-year development cycles, product failures, engineering breakthroughs, and the vision that drives PEAX to create gear that isn’t just “me too”—but truly

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98:14

How "Gritty" Became Gritty | Brian Call

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/12/23

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brian Call—better known as Gritty—to unpack the early days of hunting films, the rise of his platform, and how he helped shape the modern era of outdoor storytelling. Brian walks through his transition from self-filming hunts to building a podcast that drew tens of thousands of listeners and introduced a new wave of long-form hunting content.We cover the film tour days, his first major break, learning social

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68:33

The Untold Story of PEAX: Faith, Loss, and Building a...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/12/16

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Brice Bishop and Jeff Helm of PEAX Equipment to unpack one of the most compelling brand journeys in the hunting industry today — from a single pair of trekking poles to one of the fastest-growing backcountry gear companies.This conversation goes far beyond gear. Brice and Jeff open up about faith, family, grief, risk, entrepreneurship, innovation, and what it takes to build something that lasts. Their story

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53:21

Backcountry Fueling That Actually Works (Part 2 with...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2025/12/09

Got questions? Send us a text!In Part 2 of our deep-dive with Kyle Kamp, Founder of Valley 2 Peak Nutrition, we get into the gritty, practical, real-world fueling strategies hunters actually need in the backcountry.Kyle breaks down how to build a full day of food on the mountain, why most hunters bonk under high-intensity output, how to time slow and fast digesting carbs, and why protein is often misunderstood in the field. He even shares the exact system he used on a 10-day Alaska sheep hunt — from

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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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33 results

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