In Pursuit

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 28: Spike Camp - You Can Never Be Too Prepared For The Mountains Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Join Rich Froning and the Mayhem hunt team as they dive into all things happening at Mayhem Hunt. From a brewing 5K grudge match and Ironman training to a 24-hour trail relay, fitness is front and center as always. The crew recaps their whirlwind trip through the NWTF Convention and Western Hunt Expo, where new connections were made and new hunts potentially landed on the calendar. They tease an exciting fall lineup that includes archery antelope, elk, mule deer, and a backcountry spring bear hunt that's equal parts exciting and uncertain.

The big news? Hunt Camp is coming. Rich and the team break down their vision for an intimate beginner-to-intermediate Western hunting experience set in the Colorado mountains. Think full bow setups, glassing breakouts, pack skills, rucking, and plenty of campfire time. Whether you've never been out West or just want to tighten up your game, this episode gives you a first look at what to expect.

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Ep. 27: High Ground Beef Chips - Always Take the High Ground Feb 12, 2026

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On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, we’ve got the guys from High Ground Beef Chips in the studio, Dillon Larson and Josh McCandless. It started with a problem that kicked it all off: finding real, lightweight nutrition on the move between deployments, long days, and no patience for filler ingredients. Dillon breaks down why they built High Ground as a meat chip: simple label, big protein, whole-food fuel that actually works in the backcountry.

From there, the conversation goes into why hunting/training with the boys can be a reset when life gets loud. We also get the meaning behind the name High Ground and their bigger goal: supporting Gold Star families and telling the stories that shouldn’t get forgotten.

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Ep. 151: Cutting the Distance - Leupold Optics BX-6 and More Feb 11, 2026

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In this episode of Cutting the Distance, Jason and Dirk sit down with Bruce Pettet, CEO of Leupold, and Tim Lesser, VP of Product & Marketing, for an in-depth conversation around Leupold’s new BX-6 rangefinding binocular. They dig into what makes the BX-6 stand out, from elite optical quality to the power of the 4DOF and PCA ballistic solutions, pinning features, and real-world shooting applications. The discussion also pulls back the curtain on Leupold’s broader product philosophy and gives listeners a glimpse at what’s coming next down the pipeline. If precision, confidence behind the glass, and the future of range-finding optics matter to you, this episode delivers.

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Ep. 26: Spike Camp - $10,000 Home Gym Feb 05, 2026

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On this episode of In Pursuit, the guys wrap up the home gym series by building the ultimate $10,000 setup—what’s actually worth the splurge, what’s a waste, and which “big ticket” pieces change the game (hello functional trainer, StairMaster debate, and all the toys you swear you need).

They also drop some real-world housekeeping: a Western Hunt Expo late-night workout at Ute CrossFit (cap is currently 50), plus a February Playbook discount for Mayhem Hunt programming—and then Rich casually announces a super-limited Colorado Hunt Prep Camp aimed at getting you mountain-ready for September.

If you'll be at Western Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City, then join Mayhem Hunt and MTN OPS for a workout at UTE CrossFit with Rich Froning!Where633 East 3300 South, #Suite B, Salt Lake City, UT 84106WhenFri, Feb 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mayhem-hunt-x-mtn-ops-western-hunt-expo-workout-tickets-1980562731445?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Ep. 25: Father Stephen Gadberry - Not Your Normal Priest Jan 29, 2026

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On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, Rich sits down with Father Steven Gadberry (the same Father Steven you’ve seen on the Shawn Ryan Podcast) for a mix of backcountry stories, real faith, and a lot of laughs.
They relive the “Gunnison days”—two guys who had no business being that deep in the mountains, a bull elk at 54.5 yards, and the kind of near-miss you never forget. Then it gets even crazier: a snowstorm that turned into a full-on survival scramble, getting turned around on the ridge, and the legendary GoPro freakout that still makes camp laugh.
From there, Father Steven shares why solo time in the mountains can be miserable at first—but powerful once the noise finally dies—plus the simple practices he leans on out there: Scripture, journaling, and silence. They also hit whitetails, kids getting into hunting, and why the “trophy” talk is mostly noise—any hard-earned animal is worth celebrating.

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Ep. 24: Spike Camp - $5,000 Home Gym Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Join Rich and the crew break down their ideal mid-budget training setups and immediately get lost in plate math, duplicate lists, questionable equipment choices, and relentless chirping. From arguing whether 190 pounds of plates is “enough,” to sleds, sandbags, bikes, rowers, racks, yokes, ropes, and rucks, this one is part practical, part ridiculous, and fully honest. Along the way, the conversation drifts (as it always does) into accountability partners, why Snapchat might be sketchy after 30, GHDs that absolutely should not have been done, and what actually matters if your goal is to be harder to kill, not just fitter on paper.
They also talk Conquer90, hybrid training, running volume, upcoming events at Western Hunt Expo, and why sometimes the best programming ideas come from testing things the hard way.
If you’re building a home gym, training for the hunt, or just want to hear a group of competitive people argue over equipment like it actually matters, this episode delivers.

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Ep. 23: Matt Johnson - Running Across Texas for Veterans Jan 15, 2026

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On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with Matt Johnson for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about purpose, pain, faith, and the power of fitness to change lives.
Matt opens up about his journey from a turbulent childhood and military service to discovering endurance sports as a lifeline. What starts with running becomes a calling—one that leads him to ultra-endurance feats, running across Texas, and raising significant funds for veterans through Valor Fit. Along the way, Matt shares the realities of trauma, failure, marriage, identity loss, and near-breaking points—and how faith, community, and fitness pulled him back.
Rich and Matt dig into what it really means to prepare for life when the stakes are real: learning from failure, stewarding influence responsibly, using fitness as a gateway to community, and serving something bigger than yourself. This episode isn’t just about running far—it’s about running toward purpose, choosing discipline over isolation, and changing the trajectory of entire families by bringing veterans back into community.

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Ep. 22: Spike Camp - $1,000 Home Gym Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of In Pursuit with Rich Froning, we kick off a series on building a no-nonsense home gym, starting with a strict $1,000 budget. The goal is simple: what equipment actually matters if you want to train hard, stay consistent, and be prepared without wasting money. Next up is the $5,000 gym, followed by the $10,000 build. The crew debates sleds versus barbells, benches versus vests, dumbbells, sandbags, and pull-up bars, breaking down what gives you the most return when space and budget are limited. There’s plenty of disagreement, practical experience, and real-world perspective from years of training in stripped-down setups.

They also touch on the end of whitetail season, property management, getting kids into shooting sports, and Conquer 90, a 90-day challenge built around discipline, fitness, and consistency.

If you’re building a home gym or rethinking what you really need to train well, this episode delivers.

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Ep. 21: Pat Spinosa - Highlighting Rural America Jan 01, 2026

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Join Rich Froning and Pat Spinosa on this episode of In Pursuit, as they sit down to talk rural America, agriculture, and the “Like a Farmer” brand Pat built with NFL QB Josh Allen. They cover the pillars behind the movement—outdoors, sports, food, and country music—plus why the next generation is crucial for keeping farming strong in a changing world.
The conversation also digs into rancher-athlete culture, direct-to-consumer meat, processing realities, conservation, and a few fun detours—duck hunting stories and the never-ending chicken debate.

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Ep. 20: Spike Camp - Optimizing the Offseason to Improve Your Health and Fitness Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning sits down with the crew to talk off-season training for hunters—why now is the time to build strength, maintain conditioning, and let fat loss happen as a byproduct of consistent work. They also preview the upcoming Conquer 90 Challenge with Mountain Ops, break down the different training tracks (including the new Everyday Hunter hybrid program), and discuss the importance of goals, accountability, and community in preparing for the hunts that matter most.

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