From Combat Control to Building On Glass | Zach Adams Artwork

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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The Mountain Dude Podcast

From Combat Control to Building On Glass | Zach Adams

March 10, 2026 • Initial Ascent • Season 1 • Episode 41

0:00 | 58:50

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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 growing up in Colorado to becoming an Air Force Combat Controller, the mental grit required to make it through selection and pipeline training, and how those same principles carried over into entrepreneurship.

We dive into:

• The reality of Air Force Special Operations and the Combat Control pipeline
• Lessons learned from deployment and high-level training
• His transition from active duty into engineering school at Boise State
• The origin story behind On Glass Adapter
• The challenges of prototyping, product iteration, and building a brand from scratch
• Why listening to customer feedback matters
• What’s next for On Glass in 2026

If you’re into backcountry hunting, entrepreneurship, product design, or just want to hear a powerful story of grit and persistence — this episode is for you.

Zach’s story is a reminder that success isn’t complicated… it’s consistency, discipline, and refusing to quit.

About On Glass Adapter

On Glass Adapter is an innovative optics mounting system designed to simplify filming and glassing in the field. Built for hunters who demand efficiency, durability, and clean design, On Glass eliminates the need for bulky phone cases while keeping your setup streamlined and field-ready.

Learn more here:
👉 https://onglassadapter.com

Follow On Glass on Instagram:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/onglass_adapter

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro
03:00 – Air Force Combat Control & selection
17:00 – Deployments & life lessons from the military
24:00 – Getting into backcountry archery hunting
32:00 – The origin of On Glass Adapter
40:00 – Prototyping, feedback, and business growth
55:45 – Advice for young entrepreneurs
57:00 – Rapid fire

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This is the Mountain Dude Podcast — where we climb higher together.

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https://initialascent.com/

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