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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

57:22

He Missed an Elk at 27 Yards… Then Everything Changed...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2026/03/03

Got questions? Send us a text!In this powerful episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Guy Duplantier, the voice behind Western Contours Podcast, for one of the most raw and transparent conversations we’ve had around the Mountain Dude table.From growing up in Inglewood, California during the height of inner-city chaos to discovering bowhunting as a self-taught adult, Guy shares how stepping into the mountains reshaped his identity, humbled his pride, and ultimately led him into a

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34:22

Shrink the Mountain | Brian Barney at Western Hunt Expo

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2026/02/24

Got questions? Send us a text!Recorded live at the Western Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City, this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast features a powerful, in-person conversation with Brian Barney about what it truly takes to build consistency in the mountains — and in life.Brian has archery hunted for 21 straight years and consistently punches tags on public land, easy-to-draw units. But this conversation goes deeper than hunting success.We talk about:Why mental toughness is built daily — not flipped on

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65:16

How to Become a Better Shooter for Hunting Season w/...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2026/02/17

Got questions? Send us a text!Rodger is officially the first repeat guest on the Mountain Dude Podcast — and there’s no one better to bring back.In this episode, we dive deep into what it actually takes to become a better marksman in real hunting scenarios. Not just shooting groups at the range — but making ethical, confident shots when it matters most. Roger and I have spent more time on the mountain together than anyone else, and I’ve personally seen him make shots that most hunters simply

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47:49

Biggest Gear Launch Ever | New Packs, Duffels &...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2026/02/10

Got questions? Send us a text!In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we pull back the curtain on the largest product launch in Initial Ascent history.If you’ve ever wondered what actually goes into designing premium hunting and backcountry gear, this episode is a full behind-the-scenes look. We break down years of development, real-world testing across the globe, and the feedback that shaped every detail of these new products.You’ll get an exclusive first look at the Sawtooth Duffel Series

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44:31

Building Discipline That Lasts with Chris Young

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2026/02/03

Got questions? Send us a text!In this solo episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we get real about what it actually takes to fill tags consistently — and it has nothing to do with motivation.With spring seasons right around the corner, this episode is a wake-up call for anyone who’s been telling themselves “I’ll start later.” We break down why preparation starts now, how discipline will always outlast motivation, and why the offseason is where successful hunters are truly made.This episode blends

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45:14

Why Most Elk Hunters Aren’t Prepared | Dan Staton...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2026/01/27

Got questions? Send us a text! This is Part 2 of our conversation with Dan Staton, and this episode is where things get tactical, practical, and deeply personal. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, go start there. This episode builds directly on Dan’s origin story and takes it forward into how YOU get better—right now. In this conversation, Dan breaks down exactly what hunters should be doing in the offseason to fill more tags in 2026. From draw strategies and tag planning, to daily discipli...

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62:34

The Hard Years That Built ElkShape | Dan Staton’s...

The Mountain Dude Podcast ·

2026/01/20

Got questions? Send us a text! In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we sit down with Dan Staton, the man behind ElkShape, to unpack the raw, unfiltered story that shaped one of the most respected voices in elk hunting today. Before ElkShape was a brand, before the films, before the training programs, Dan was just a kid growing up in Washington—hunting with his dad, learning lessons the hard way, and slowly becoming obsessed with elk, the mountains, and the discipline it takes to succeed ...

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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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40 results

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