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.
Episodes
43 episodes
“You Don’t Lose—You Learn” | The Mindset That Changed Everything for Dark Energy
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Garrett Aida, founder of Dark Energy, to dive deep into the mindset, struggle, and relentless pursuit behind building one of the toughest power systems in the outdoor industry.<...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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58:02
The Real Story Behind Building a Hunting Channel | Samong Yang
On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Samong Yang of Samong Outdoors to talk about his journey from a kid filming backyard chickens on an iPod Touch to becoming one of the most respected public land hunting creators on ...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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45:16
From Combat Control to Building On Glass | Zach Adams
In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Zach Adams, owner and founder of On Glass Adapter, to talk about the journey from elite military service to launching an innovative hunting brand.Zach shares his path from g...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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58:50
He Missed an Elk at 27 Yards… Then Everything Changed w/ Guy Duplantier
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 growi...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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57:14
Shrink the Mountain | Brian Barney at Western Hunt Expo
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....
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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34:14
How to Become a Better Shooter for Hunting Season w/ Rodger Holscher
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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1:05:12
Biggest Gear Launch Ever | New Packs, Duffels & Accessories Revealed
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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47:41
Building Discipline That Lasts with Chris Young
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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44:23
Why Most Elk Hunters Aren’t Prepared | Dan Staton (Part 2)
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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45:05
The Hard Years That Built ElkShape | Dan Staton’s Story (Part 1)
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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1:02:25
A Conversation on Priorities: When Hunting Season Meets Real Life
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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56:47
One Misstep Ends the Goat Hunt | Brian Call
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 consis...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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1:35:33
Inside the Innovation of Backcountry Gear | PEAX EQUIPMENT
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 pol...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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55:34
How "Gritty" Became Gritty | Brian Call
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 th...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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1:38:05
The Untold Story of PEAX: Faith, Loss, and Building a Hunting Brand from Nothing
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 f...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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1:08:24
Backcountry Fueling That Actually Works (Part 2 with Kyle Kamp of Valley 2 Peak Nutrition)
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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52:34
You Can’t Out-Hunt a Bad Diet | Kyle Kamp of V2P Nutrition
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 bodi...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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1:07:06
Faith, Failure, and the First Bow Kill | Tim Tucker on Overcoming Target Panic
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 opportuniti...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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59:21
Behind the Man: The Life, Faith, and Grit of Joe Elliston
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 leade...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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1:42:53
Building Argali Outdoors: Brad Brooks on Hunting & Gear Innovation
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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1:10:04
Dirt Roads, Discipline, and the Drive to Be Better: Dennis Stokes
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, b...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:23:59
When the Shot Doesn’t Hit… What Hunting Teaches You - Chris Young
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 bow...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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1:10:58
When God Sends You an Elk Tag | Chris Young x Revol Entertainment
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 You...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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1:04:25
From Elk Hunts to Angry Dick Leather | The Bettencourt Family Behind Steep Kuntry Outdoors
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 perseveran...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:06:53
Thriving in the Mountains Past 60. | Jim Naccarato’s Story
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 o...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:03:36
