In Pursuit

MeatEater

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.

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20 episodes
Updated July 9

Episodes20

Newest first

Ep. 48: Spike Camp - The Finale
On this final episode of In Pursuit, Rich, Angelo, and Jeff cover everything from Leadville training and endurance nutrition to pack-out strategies, backcountry fitness, and the gear that makes long days in the mountains a little more manageable. The Mayhem Hunt team shares a big update for the future of In Pursuit. After a year of conversations, the podcast is coming to a close as the team shifts its focus toward more hands-on content. Less talking, more doing. Thank you for being part of the journey. The pursuit continues. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 9 · 41 min
Ep. 47: David Curtis - Raising the Next Generation of Hunters
This week on In Pursuit, Rich sits down with longtime friend, hunter, endurance athlete, and Leadville local David Curtis. From getting lost on his first elk hunt to completing the legendary Leadman series, David shares what keeps him coming back to hard things. The conversation dives into hunting, fatherhood, endurance racing, raising resilient kids, and why some of life's best lessons are learned in the mountains. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 2 · 48 min
Ep. 46: Spike Camp - Fueling for the Backcountry
Rich, Scott, and Jeff break down their approach to backcountry nutrition, hydration, caffeine, and camp meals. They share lessons learned from DIY hunts and guided trips, the mistakes they've made, and the simple systems that keep them going when the days get long. From peanut butter sandwiches to freeze-dried meals and everything in between, this episode is packed with practical advice for your next hunt. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 25 · 35 min
Ep. 45: Jake Dalton - Olympian Turned Bowhunter
This week on In Pursuit, Rich sits down with two-time Olympian Jake Dalton to talk about life after chasing greatness. Jake spent more than two decades in gymnastics, competing at the highest level and representing Team USA at the Olympic Games. But after retirement, he found himself searching for a new challenge. That search led him to the mountains, where fly fishing, bowhunting, and the pursuit of hard things became the next chapter. The conversation covers everything from the pressure of competing on the world stage to the lessons learned through failure, fatherhood, and finding purpose beyond sport. Jake shares the highs and lows of his first successful mule deer and elk hunts, including the nerves, mistakes, and moments that make bowhunting unforgettable. Rich and Jake also dive into why high performers are drawn to challenge, how the outdoors sharpens the mind, and why the best memories are often built alongside family and friends. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 18 · 56 min
Ep. 44: Spike Camp - Preparing New Hunters
On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning recaps the first Mayhem Hunt Prep Camp in Colorado. From a 24-hour mountain bike race in Amarillo straight into 11 days in the mountains, the crew breaks down what it took to build a camp designed around real backcountry preparation. The episode covers mock pack outs, land navigation, reading topo maps, shooting bows and rifles at distance, gear lessons, altitude workouts, glassing, bushwhacking, and the reality of what it takes to get an animal off the mountain. Rich and the crew also share stories from camp, lessons learned from the athletes who came out, and what they would build into next year’s version, including overnight backcountry work and mock hunts. Fitness matters, but being ready in the backcountry takes more than being in shape. This episode is all about preparation, toughness, and learning the skills before the stakes are real. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 11 · 36 min
Ep. 43: Jeff Helm - Four Bulls in One Year
This week on In Pursuit, Rich and Angelo sit down with Jeff Helm, a Michigan native turned Texas hunter, guide, entrepreneur, and all-around outdoorsman. Jeff shares how a kid shooting birds out of the backyard bird feeder became a bowhunter who has now taken more than 30 bulls, including four elk in a single season. From DIY backcountry elk hunts to guiding free-range Axis deer in Texas, Jeff breaks down the lessons learned from decades of chasing animals across the country. The conversation goes far beyond hunting. Jeff opens up about fatherhood, raising his son Jake in the outdoors, the value of shared suffering, and why some of life's most important conversations happen on the drive home from a hunt. They also discuss building community through archery, launching Arrowheads Bowhunting Company, and how hunting has a way of revealing what truly matters. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 4 · 47 min
Ep. 42: Spike Camp - How to Pace Yourself in the Backcountry
On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich is joined by Jeff Dodds and Angelo Dicicco. They sit down for another Spike Camp episode to talk through one of the most overlooked parts of western hunting: pacing yourself. From training and rucking to e-scouting, nutrition, recovery, and knowing when to push versus when to back off, this episode is packed with practical advice for anyone getting ready for hunt season. They break down what it actually feels like to spend long days in the mountains, how fitness impacts decision making in the field, and why being underprepared can ruin a hunt before it ever really starts. The guys also share stories from past hunts, lessons learned the hard way, thoughts on training with your hunting partners, and why the mental side of hunting can be just as challenging as the physical side. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 28 · 46 min
Ep. 41: Pete Nelson - The Hidden Benefits of the Sauna
This week on In Pursuit with Rich Froning, Rich, Angelo, and Pete Nelson from SISU Sauna get into ultra running, sauna and cold plunge, fasting, faith, youth sports, and the value of having good people around you when things get hard. Pete shares stories from a 75-mile ultra in Joshua Tree. Rich recaps the Mayhem 50-mile relay and the reality of trying to hold it together through the middle of the night. They talk recovery, discipline, competition, raising kids, and the kind of accountability that only comes from being surrounded by people who won’t let you quit. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 21 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 40: Spike Camp - Axis Deer Hunt
This week on In Pursuit, Rich Froning and the crew head to Texas chasing free range axis deer with Perennial Outfitters. What starts with a perfect shot turns into a long track, pouring rain, and a reminder that hunting rarely goes according to plan. The guys talk through the highs, lows, missed opportunities, good laughs, and what keeps them coming back anyway. They get into spot and stalk hunting in Texas, learning from guides, preparing for the mountains, and why time in the field matters. There is plenty of chaos, cactus, bad luck, redemption, and the kind of stories that only happen when you are hunting with your buddies. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14 · 54 min
Ep. 39: Christian Huff - Balancing Family Life and Hunting
Christian Huff joins Rich to talk about faith, hunting, fitness, and what it looks like to pursue something with purpose. They get into Christian’s late start in hunting, his growing love for deer season, the humbling side of bowhunting, and why training for something matters. They also talk about David, discipline, fatherhood, and how the outdoors has a way of pointing you back to what matters most. It’s a fun conversation with plenty of laughs, missed shots, big goals, and a real look at the kind of work that shapes a man. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 7 · 1 hr
Ep. 38: Spike Camp - Bulletproof Your Body for the Mountains
Join Rich Froning and the Mayhem Hunt Crew in a new Spike Camp episode, It's a practical conversation on building a body that can handle the demands of the backcountry. Rich sits down with AJ Wilkerson of 931 Performance Therapy to cover ankle stability, stronger knees, low back health, shoulder durability, and how to train for real world hunting demands. They get into rucking, prehab, single leg strength, eccentric loading, and simple ways to build resilience before season starts. This episode is packed with actionable tools to help you prepare better, move better, and hold up when the load gets heavy. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 30 · 57 min
Ep. 37: Tyler Jones - Life Lessons From the Woods
In this episode, Rich sits down with Tyler Jones to talk whitetail hunting, training through injuries, raising resilient kids, and how adversity often shapes us more than success ever could. They get into the value of fitness for hunters, lessons learned through sport and fatherhood, and why preparation is about a lot more than punching tags. It’s a conversation about faith, grit, and the long road of becoming who you’re meant to be. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 23 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 36: Spike Camp - Don't Procrastinate Your Hunt
In this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, the Mayhem hunt team break down what it actually takes to stay ready. Training isn’t just for the gym. It’s for the moments that count. From building real strength and conditioning to having the discipline to show up when it’s hard, this is about doing the work before you need it. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 16 · 42 min
Ep. 35: Brandon Brinkman - Whitetail Hunter's First Elk Experience
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 MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 9 · 58 min
Ep. 34: Spike Camp - How To Involve Your Family in the Hunting Process
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 MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 2 · 41 min
Ep. 33: Jake Curreri - The Future of Wearables and Health Metrics
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 MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 26 · 56 min
Ep. 32: Spike Camp - How to Find Your Fitness Program
Join Rich Froning and the Mayhem crew as they talk about why fitness matters for every kind of hunter. From getting into the woods easier to hauling gear, dragging deer, and staying sharp at camp, being in shape makes the whole experience better. They break down Murph prep, rucking, and the track built for hunters who want a simple place to start. The crew also tackles the idea that CrossFit is dangerous, explains why high-intensity training works so well, and shares how training with other people helps you stay consistent. Whether you’re getting ready for your first hunt or trying to make sure you can keep doing this for years to come, this episode is all about finding the track that fits you and putting in the work now so you’re ready when it counts. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 19 · 37 min
Ep. 31: Shane Wallen - How to Specify Training for Your Sport
In this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with former professional strength coach Shane Wallen (Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, 49ers) and Angelo Dicicco. The crew dives into the "art" of, and frustration behind, effective, high-level fitness programming, sharing insights from training elite athletes to developing custom routines for intense, brutal workouts. Rich also reflects on applying decades of training wisdom to backcountry hunting preparation. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 12 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 30: Spike Camp - Don't Stop Training
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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 5 · 42 min
Ep. 29: Todd Anderson - Optimizing Sleep for Maximum Recovery
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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 26 · 50 min

In Pursuit

Ep. 48: Spike Camp - The Finale

Ep. 47: David Curtis - Raising the Next Generation of Hunters

Ep. 46: Spike Camp - Fueling for the Backcountry

Ep. 45: Jake Dalton - Olympian Turned Bowhunter

Ep. 44: Spike Camp - Preparing New Hunters

Ep. 43: Jeff Helm - Four Bulls in One Year

Ep. 42: Spike Camp - How to Pace Yourself in the Backcountry

Ep. 41: Pete Nelson - The Hidden Benefits of the Sauna

Ep. 40: Spike Camp - Axis Deer Hunt

Ep. 39: Christian Huff - Balancing Family Life and Hunting

Ep. 38: Spike Camp - Bulletproof Your Body for the Mountains

Ep. 37: Tyler Jones - Life Lessons From the Woods

Ep. 36: Spike Camp - Don't Procrastinate Your Hunt

Ep. 35: Brandon Brinkman - Whitetail Hunter's First Elk Experience

Ep. 34: Spike Camp - How To Involve Your Family in the Hunting Process

Ep. 33: Jake Curreri - The Future of Wearables and Health Metrics

Ep. 32: Spike Camp - How to Find Your Fitness Program

Ep. 31: Shane Wallen - How to Specify Training for Your Sport

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

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