Athlete On Fire

Scott Jones and Brett Armour both own facilities on the western slope of Colorado in Grand Junction and Fruita.This conversation explores the journey of establishing Armour Athletics in Grand Junction, focusing on community impact, personal ties to the area, and the evolution of youth sports training. They discuss their backgrounds in athletics, the importance of discipline in youth sports, and the challenges of running a sports facility. They also delve into the trends in skill development, arm care, and the role of coaches in shaping young athletes' futures.We hope you enjoy this episode and share it with other parents of young athletes!

This episode explores the journey of two friends, Scott and Chris, as they share their experiences in hunting, the challenges they faced, and the lessons learned along the way. From early influences and personal stories to the cultural significance of hunting, they discuss the importance of perseverance, preparation, and the joy of sharing these experiences with the next generation. Scott and Chris started hunting in Colorado the same year and have been learning everything they can over the last 5-6 years! We hope you enjoy the storytelling and journey!Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Journey01:17 Early Influences and Background03:29 The Return to Hunting05:40 First Harvest Experience10:17 Cultural Significance of Hunting12:09 Overcoming Barriers to Entry13:29 Learning Through Experience16:10 The Challenges of Elk Hunting19:21 Lessons from the First Year24:49 Scouting and Preparation28:42 The Thrill of the Hunt32:25 Reflections on the Experience34:09 The Importance of Companionship36:50 The Second Year of Hunting51:14 The Hardest Physical Challenge58:13 The Final Moments of the Hunt01:04:09 Celebrating Success01:10:55 Lessons Learned and Future Goals01:16:14 The Importance of Teaching the Next Generation01:22:15 Dream Hunts and Future Aspirations

On this episode Katie Wightman shares her journey from a background in national parks and being an avid hunter. She discusses her experiences with trail running and the Becoming Ultra project, solo adventures in the wilderness, and the importance of mentorship in hunting. She reflects on her first big game hunt, the techniques she employs, and the philosophical aspects of hunting, including its role in conservation and sustainable living. She emphasizes the importance of understanding where food comes from and the responsibilities that come with hunting!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Keity Whiteman00:55 Keity's Background in National Parks04:39 Trail Running and Its Connection to Hunting08:28 Solo Adventures and Safety in the Wilderness16:43 The Night Run Experience28:01 Keity's Journey into Hunting34:46 First Big Game Hunt Experience42:07 Hunting Styles and Techniques46:45 The Importance of Mentorship in Hunting01:11:42 Philosophical Views on Hunting and Conservation

Charlie Pappas has one speed and one focus. All out and laser. Charlie mentored Scott by getting him his first bow, teaching him how to shoot, and taking him on his first hunt(an epic one at that). His passion for the outdoors, his family, his friends, his work, and everything else is completely contagious.  We hope you walk away from this episode inspired to do and be better. We did!

Zero To Harvest is a new series with Athlete On Fire. Exploring why and how everyday hunters do what they do! Hope you enjoy!Ben Welnak is the reason Athlete On Fire exists. His podcast was the first time I knew there was such a thing back 15 years ago. Life happens, and interests change and now we sit down to talk about our newest and biggest passion, hunting. We explore the journey of hunting and outdoor experiences, focusing on the evolution from childhood influences to adult hunting practices. We talk about fishing, hunting, and the lessons learned along the way, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, patience, and the willingness to learn from mistakes. We delve into experiences and lessons learned from hunting, particularly elk hunting. They discuss the importance of calmness, confidence, and the need for practical experience over theoretical knowledge. The conversation highlights the progression of skills in hunting, the significance of being prepared, and the societal and conservation aspects of hunting. They emphasize the value of sharing experiences to educate others and foster a deeper connection with nature.Chapters00:00 The Origins of Podcasting and Hunting Journeys02:46 Childhood Influences and Early Outdoor Experiences05:30 The Transition to Hunting and Mentorship08:13 First Experiences with Fishing and Hunting11:02 Lessons Learned from Early Hunting Adventures14:14 The Importance of Patience in Hunting16:49 The Evolution of Hunting Skills and Techniques19:49 The First Harvest and Learning to Process Game22:40 Reflections on Mistakes and Growth in Hunting25:17 Access to Hunting Grounds and Overcoming Barriers28:31 The Journey of Learning and Sharing Experiences49:01 Learning Through Experience in Hunting52:08 The Importance of Confidence and Calmness54:40 Progression in Hunting Skills58:51 Lessons from Elk Hunting Adventures01:13:48 Efficiency in Hunting Gear and Techniques01:15:58 The Societal Importance of Hunting and Conservation

Scott has a conversation with Adam Ludwin who shares his entrepreneurial journey from founding Captify Technologies to discovering the transformative power of breathwork.He discusses the challenges of running a high-pressure business, the importance of self-awareness, and how he transitioned into creating fivepointfive, an app designed to make breathwork accessible and beneficial for everyone.Adam emphasizes the physiological and psychological benefits of breathwork, its role in education, and the necessity of teaching healthy coping mechanisms to future generations. They discuss the significance of breath work in enhancing performance, recovery, and overall well-being. He emphasizes the importance of different breathing techniques for various activities, including weight training and endurance sports. The discussion also covers the benefits of nose breathing, the role of breath work in recovery, and natural alternatives to pre-workout supplements. We think you'll enjoy this unique perspective with something all athletes can implement in their lives!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Adam Ludwin and His Journey02:53 The Birth of Captify Technologies05:50 The Transition to Breathwork and Self-Discovery09:13 Lessons Learned from Building a Business12:01 The Launch of 5.5 and Its Vision15:09 Understanding Breathwork: Definitions and History17:56 The Science and Benefits of Breathwork20:46 Breathwork in Education and Its Importance23:47 Physiological Effects of Breathwork Techniques28:09 Breath Work for Performance and Recovery30:39 Breathing Techniques for Weight Training32:28 Nose Breathing vs. Mouth Breathing34:18 The Importance of Recovery Breathing36:03 Natural Alternatives to Pre-Workout Supplements39:31 Breath Work for Endurance Athletes42:28 Diaphragmatic Breathing Techniques43:03 Improving Sleep Quality through Breathing46:08 The Business Journey of Breath Work App 

Scott Jones and Henry Abbott explore the importance of outdoor play, the evolution of sports, and the significance of injury prevention in athletics. They share personal anecdotes about their childhood adventures and parenting experiences, emphasizing the need for unstructured play in children's lives. Abbott discusses his journey as a sports writer and his recent work on biomechanics and injury prevention, highlighting the joy of movement and the relationships built through sports. They delve into various aspects of athletic performance, focusing on injury prevention, particularly ACL injuries, and the biomechanics of landing. They discuss the importance of understanding body mechanics, the impact of footwear on performance, and practical coaching tips for athletes. The dialogue emphasizes the need for tailored training methods and the significance of addressing common issues like 'computer back' in today's athletes.They discuss the evolution of running techniques, the significance of ballistic training, and practical drills that can be applied by anyone. The conversation also touches on the concept of Misogi, emphasizing the value of outdoor challenges and creative training methods to engage communities and promote physical fitness.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background03:03 The Joy of Outdoor Adventures06:02 The Importance of Play in Childhood08:59 Navigating Parenting and Outdoor Activities11:59 The Evolution of Sports and Competition15:08 Injury Prevention and Biomechanics18:03 The Power of Movement and Joy21:57 Exploring Athletic Insights27:15 Understanding ACL Injuries33:32 The Importance of Landing Mechanics39:41 Addressing Computer Back Issues41:02 The Shoe Debate in Athletics49:53 Injury Insights and Athletic Training50:12 The Evolution of Running Techniques51:45 Ballistic Training for Peak Performance53:41 Practical Drills for Everyone57:28 Youth Sports and Development01:01:10 The Concept of Masogi and Outdoor Challenges01:05:22 Creative Training Methods and Community Engagement

On this episode,  Dr. Scott Frey discusses his journey from academia to the world of sports science, focusing on the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and athlete performance. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the brain's adaptability and how it can enhance training techniques for endurance athletes. The discussion also covers traditional sports psychology and how a proactive approach can lead to better performance outcomes.They discuss strategies for managing mental load, overcoming perfectionism, and navigating the emotional ups and downs of endurance events. The role of technology in training is also examined, highlighting the potential distractions it can create. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Backgrounds08:54 Transitioning from Academia to Sports Science16:55 Understanding Traditional Sports Psychology23:56 Innovative Training Techniques for Endurance Athletes32:03 The Impact of Mental Fatigue on Performance39:00 Overcoming Perfectionism in Training45:00 Navigating the Ups and Downs of Endurance Events48:47 The Role of Technology in Athletic Performance56:54 Personal Stories and Lessons from Endurance Racing

In this engaging conversation, Scott and Cassidy Randall explore the world of freelance writing, the impact of AI on creativity, and the adventures that inspire Cassidy's work.  They discuss the challenges of the writing industry, the importance of vulnerability in creative pursuits, and share personal stories about their journeys in the outdoor and writing realms. They discusses the challenges and opportunities of navigating social media as a writer, the value of platforms like Substack for building community and sharing stories, and her journey in writing her book '30 Below,' which highlights the first all-women's ascent of Denali.  She reflects on the impact of trailblazing women in mountaineering and shares personal adventures that inspire her work. The discussion emphasizes the importance of storytelling, community, and the legacies of those who break barriers in their fields. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties02:09 Getting to Know Cassidy Randall03:11 The State of Freelance Writing06:30 The Impact of AI on Writing07:39 Exploring Influential Writers10:09 Living in Missoula, Montana12:42 Cassidy's Journey to Writing21:06 The Vulnerability of Writing26:14 Navigating the Social Media Landscape28:42 The Value of Substack and Community Building30:10 Exploring the Journey of Writing and Publishing34:50 Unveiling the Story Behind '30 Below'46:32 Impact and Legacy of Trailblazing Women53:04 Personal Adventures and InspirationsCassidy's book is here!Check out her website. Find your own adventures!

Our guest, Jenn Pattee, is an ultra runner and entrepreneur who took on the challenge of riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Canada to Mexico.  Seeing how much the sport of running can open up opportunities for adventure is always inspiring.  She shares stories from the trip like the rough start, some sketchy characters, and some lucky rides! Enjoy!   Check out here adventure on IG and Follow Jenn