The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

575 | Mental Skills to Master the Mountains

In this episode, mental performance expert Ben explains how hunters can master their "interior world" to overcome pressure and fatigue on demanding backcountry hunts. By breaking down complex psychological concepts, like the CBT triangle and the ABC model, into actionable tools, he provides a roadmap for building genuine confidence. The conversation emphasizes that mental toughness is a practiced skill, developed through intentional discomfort and disciplined focus rather than grit or genetics.
The Two Buckets of Performance: Ben simplifies mental performance into two primary objectives: managing emotions in difficult situations and training attention to be where it needs to be.
The WIN Acronym: To stay grounded in the present, Ben suggests using WIN (What’s Important Now). This helps performers move past previous mistakes or future anxieties and focus on the next right decision.
The ABCs of Mindset: Behavior is often a result of an Activating Event, a Belief, and a Consequence. By changing the underlying belief (B) about a situation, an individual can radically change their emotional and behavioral response (C) to the same event.
Confidence vs. "Faking It": True confidence is not about "faking it until you make it," which Ben argues is unsustainable. Instead, it is built by pairing real-world experience with true, evidence-based self-talk that focuses on things within the individual's control.
Physiological Regulation: In high-pressure moments (like "buck fever"), breathing is the most effective tool for regulating the nervous system. Slowing down the exhale helps down-regulate the body, signaling the brain that it is safe and reducing jitters or racing thoughts.
Redefining Mental Toughness: Mental toughness isn't just about physical strength; it’s a constellation of skills that allow for peak performance regardless of setbacks. It involves being intentional during training by removing distractions (like music or podcasts) to build a stronger mind-body connection.
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...
4 Core Mental Skills (PDF): https://exomtngear.com/core-mental-skills
Ben's Website: https://theexaminedlifecounseling.com/
Ben's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexaminedlifecounseling/
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 304 | Scouting vs Hunting, Rifle Trends, and Backcountry Rescue

Steve & Mark discuss listener questions about a 5-day elk hunt strategy (scouting, hunting, and packing), what they do for rescue plans and logistics on remote adventure hunts, their experience with Spartan Precision bipods, how they think about choosing a rifle cartridge, and more...
The "Tallboy" Nalgene Holder — https://exomtngear.com/tallboy
Global Rescue — https://www.globalrescue.com/
IMG Rescue — https://www.imglobal.com/assistance-services/global-rescue
Garmin Search & Rescue — https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/906397/
Spartan Precision Podcast — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/177 & https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/306
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

574 | Building the Mountain Hunter: Physiology, Foundations, and the 20-Week Training Plan

John Frieh from Evoke Endurance joins us to discuss a new 20-week training plan, developed in collaboration with Scott Johnston, specifically designed for the unique demands of backcountry hunting. The conversation explores the physiological foundations of endurance, the importance of structured programming, and how hunters can transition from being "strong" to being "aerobically fit" for the mountains.
Why Fitness is a Specific Task
Definition: Fitness is defined as the specific ability to perform a chosen task; being fit for one activity often means being "unfit" for another if the training is too specialized.
Safety: In mountain hunting, fitness acts as a safety buffer that determines your ability to handle multi-day efforts and return home safely.
The Hunting Demand: Unlike many mountain sports where loads decrease over time, hunting is unique because the physical demand often peaks at the end when packing out an animal.
The Power of the Aerobic "Gas Tank"
Mitochondria: Endurance is powered by mitochondria, the "powerhouses" of the cells that produce energy (ATP) from fat.
Efficiency: Proper aerobic training increases mitochondrial density, which John compares to upgrading a truck's fuel economy—allowing you to go longer and faster without running out of "gas."
The Deficiency: Most hunters are already strong but "aerobically deficient," meaning they lack the efficiency to move all day without getting "cranky" or hitting a wall.
Structured Training Phases
A successful program follows a linear progression to give the body clear, "un-muddled" messages for adaptation:
Aerobic Base: The foundation of the program involves low-intensity work (Zone 2) to build mitochondria. This phase often feels "boring" or "slow" but is mandatory for long-term success.
Max Strength: This phase focuses on the "motor." It uses high weights and low repetitions to improve the neurological connection between the brain and muscles without adding unnecessary bulk.
Muscular Endurance: The final phase pulls the "tank" and "motor" together using sport-specific training, such as hiking with heavy packs (starting around 40 lbs), to prepare for the actual hunt.
Training Logistics and Common Mistakes
Avoid the "Shortcut": There is no 6-week shortcut to elite endurance; aerobic systems can take up to seven years to fully maximize.
Heart Rate Discipline: Monitoring heart rate is the only way to ensure you are training the correct energy system. If you cannot breathe through your nose or hold a conversation, you are likely going too hard and missing the aerobic benefit.
Strength Bias: Many athletes fall into the trap of only training what they are already good at (usually strength for hunters), rather than performing a "ruthless self-assessment" to find their weak links.
Equipment: While a full gym is helpful, the absolute minimum requirements for this type of training are a heart rate strap and a backpack with weight.
THE TRAINING PLANS...
Use code EXO before 04/30/26 to save on the training plans...
20 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-20-week-training-plan/
28 Week Training Plan: https://evokeendurance.com/training-plans/backcountry-hunting-training-plan/
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...
Episode 475 | "Proven Training Methods for the Mountain Hunter": https://the-experience-project.com/proven-training-for-mountain-hunting/
Scott's Books: https://amzn.to/3zAQH42
Evoke Endurance: https://evokeendurance.com/
Your Heart Rate Zones: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/setting-your-hear-rate-zones/
Understanding Muscular Endurance: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/muscular-endurance-all-you-need-to-know/
Additional Free Resources from Evoke: https://evokeendurance.com/resources/
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 303 | Health, Hot Tents, & Tripod Choices

Steve & Mark discuss some of their takeaways from the recent, must-listen episode with Andy Galpin. They also answer listener questions about using hot tents and stoves for backpack hunting, what tripod and head they would buy with a $300 budget (for each item), and more...
The Experience Challenge — https://exomtngear.com/challenge
Andy Galpin Episode — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/573
Kyle Kamp / V2P Nutrition — https://v2pnutrition.com/
Tripod & Heads from S&S Archery — https://sandsarchery.com/collections/lightweight-tripods
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

573 | Everyday Habits for Hunting Performance with Dr. Andy Galpin

Andy Galpin returns to the show to discuss everyday habits that can help or hinder your performance as a hunter. Topics covered include physical training and injury prevention, the power of sleep, what does and doesn't matter in nutrition, mental skills for high performance, and more...
Physical Preparation & Injury Prevention
Identify Your "Performance Anchors": Prioritize training based on your specific weaknesses—whether it is ankle stability, back strength, or nutritional deficiencies—that are most likely to cause failure during a long hunt.
Develop Tissue Tolerance: The goal is to prepare your body (specifically low back, knees, and ankles) to handle the repetitive stress of a multi-day hunt so you don't "break" on day three.
Use Your Actual Gear: Do not wait until the hunt to wear your boots or pack. Wear them during daily activities or training to let your body adapt to the specific stress loads of that equipment.
The Power of Sleep
The Number One Risk Factor: Poor sleep is a primary driver of injury risk and negatively impacts everything from cognitive focus to food cravings.
Consistency Over Duration: It is better to sleep the same six hours every night than to fluctuate between four and nine hours. Your body optimizes sleep better when it recognizes a consistent pattern.
Perception Matters: A person's perception of how they slept often dictates their performance more than the actual hours of sleep they received.
Nutrition & "Major in the Majors"
Focus on Quality: Avoid getting lost in "minor" details like seed oils if you are still eating inconsistent meals or highly processed gas station food.
The Micronutrient Factor: While calories and macros determine body composition, micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, fiber) determine how you actually feel and perform.
Protein Intentionality: Many people eat less protein than they realize. Reaching high targets (e.g., 1g per pound of body weight) requires specific planning rather than just "eating meat".
Mental Performance Skills
Talk to Yourself, Don't Listen: To build grit, use your own name (or a nickname) when encouraging yourself. This creates a psychological detachment that allows you to view a problem as a "coach" rather than being embedded in the suffering.
Physical Grounding: Use a "reset button," such as touching a specific wristband or looking at a meaningful acronym, to regain focus when you feel overwhelmed or lost.
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...
The Experience Challenge: https://exomtngear.com/challenge
Vitality Blueprint: https://www.vitalityblueprint.com/exo — Save 10% with code EXO10 through 04/30/26
Andy's Website: https://www.andygalpin.com/
Andy's Podcast: https://performpodcast.com/
Andy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandygalpin/
Episode 454 | Hunting & Human Performance: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/454
Episode 542 | Resilience, Joint Health, & Sleep: https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/542
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 302 | Bears, Bivvies, Practice Questions & More...

Steve & Mark answer listener questions about hunting spring bear after a mild winter, nuances of selecting a type of bivy, determining how much shooting practice is enough (or too much), and more...
The Experience Challenge — https://exomtngear.com/challenge
Backpack Hunting With A Bivy Sack — https://exomtngear.com/bivy
How to Hunt Mule Deer Podcast Series — https://exomtngear.com/search?q=how+to+hunt+mule+deer
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

572 | Hunting Dall Sheep in Alaska's Brooks Range

In this episode, we talk about hunting Dall Sheep in the Brooks Range of Alaska. Our guest, Joey Klutsch, is an Alaska Master Guide and Owner of Katmai/Aniakchak Guide Service.
He will be taking the winner of The Experience Challenge on a Dall Sheep hunt this August. We discuss the logistics of the hunt, what makes clients quit on difficult hunts, why mindset is more important than good gear and fitness, what gear is and isn't required, and much more. 
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE...
The Experience Challenge: https://exomtngear.com/challenge
Joey's Website: https://katmaiguideservice.com/
Joey's Instagram: https://instagram.com/aniakchakguideservice
Alaska Wildlife Notebook on Dall Sheep: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/education/wns/dall_sheep.pdf
Alaska Guide to Judging Dall Sheep: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/hunting/dallsheephunting/pdfs/dall_sheep_guide_to_judging_sheep_horns_under_full_curl_regulation.pdf
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 301 | Elk Advice, Optics in the USA, Hunting Bans, and More...

Marks goes solo to answer listener questions about hunting elk off-trail and making noise, why we haven't recommended spotting scopes from Leupold, what we should do about a proposed hunting ban in Oregon, and more.
Links mentioned in this episode...
The Experience Challenge — https://exomtngear.com/challenge
Exo Newsletter — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
"Roosevelt vs Rocky Mountain Elk, And How to Hunt Both" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/142
"Changes & Challenges to Hunting & Wildlife with John Stallone" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/491
"Finding & Protecting Alaska with Bjorn Dihle" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/563
Howl for Wildlife — https://www.howlforwildlife.org/
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership — https://trcp.org
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

571 | New Hip, Late AZ Elk, & More with Josh Kuntz

Return guest, Josh Kuntz, joins us to discuss his recent hip replacement and his late-season elk hunting in Arizona. We explore the mindset needed to push through setbacks, the value of an active lifestyle, elk hunting in Arizona, and more.
"Better Basecamp, Better Hunting" — http://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/329
"Shared Success on Backcountry Bulls" — https://exomtngear.com/blogs/podcast/390
Josh's Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/josh.kuntz/
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
Email Sign-up: https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
Contact Us: podcast@exomtngear.com
Leave A Message: https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
Podcast Episode Archive: https://exomtngear.com/podcast

MM 300 | Register for The Experience Challenge

Steve & Mark discuss the purpose of The Experience Challenge, and how you can join this week. Registration is only open through this Sunday (March 15th)...
https://exomtngear.com/challenge
The Hunt Backcountry Podcast is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear: https://exomtngear.com/
EXO INSIDER NEWSLETTER — https://exomtngear.com/newsletter
ASK YOUR QUESTION — podcast@exomtngear.com
LEAVE A MESSAGE — https://speakpipe.com/huntbackcountry
VIEW & SEARCH THE PODCAST ARCHIVE: https://exomtngear.com/podcast