HikeStrong Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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HikeStrong Podcast

Marcus Shapiro | Hiking Strength and Conditioning Coach

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Health & Fitness

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/20d. Total Eps: 37

The HikeStrong Podcast is where I share practical guidance on hiking, backpacking, and trekking preparation. Each episode blends fitness insight with real-world training strategies to help you build strength, endurance, and confidence for any trail.

I sit down with guests to break down how to train for demanding hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals using smart strength training, endurance training, and conditioning approaches. You’ll hear clear advice on altitude training, uphill training, and injury prevention, all woven into training conversations that support preparation for major destinations such as Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Rim to Rim, Tour du Mont Blanc, the Camino de Santiago, Patagonia, Machu Picchu, the Alps, and the Dolomites.

Because training is never one‑size‑fits‑all, I also bring listeners inside real programs. In select episodes, I interview clients in a deep‑dive format that reveals week‑by‑week training details — real data, real challenges, and real solutions — offering a clearer picture of how people actually prepare for hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals.

A cornerstone of my approach is elevation‑gain training. I believe that consistently building weekly elevation gain is one of the strongest predictors of success on any major adventure. In each episode, I share clear, actionable ways to develop that strength — even if you don’t have access to hiking terrain — so you can stay on track whether you train on hills, treadmills, stair machines, or step‑ups.

If you're preparing for a major trip, gearing up for a multi-day backpacking route, or building a long-term plan for tougher hiking or trekking challenges, you’ll find episodes that support every step of your training.

Beyond training, some episodes feature voices from across the hiking, backpacking, and trekking worlds — guides, operators, storytellers, and industry experts whose insights can shape how you think about adventure. These conversations broaden your perspective and influence your outdoor experiences, even when the focus isn’t directly on training.

Listen, train with purpose, share with your adventure partners — then take on at least one unforgettable hiking, backpacking, or trekking experience each year. Train | Hike | Repeat

I’m Marcus Shapiro, a hiking strength and conditioning coach and an early pioneer in online training for hiking, backpacking, and trekking, helping adventurers get physically ready for everything from local elevation goals to high-altitude expeditions.

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https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
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https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
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https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
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https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast
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Score global : 48%

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Inside the Outdoor Industry: Lessons from REI, Osprey, and Years Filming in the Field | HikeStrong | Ep. 33

mardi 3 février 2026 • Duration 59:36

What do years inside the outdoor industry actually teach you about gear, preparation, and creating in nature?

In this episode of the HikeStrong Podcast, Marcus Shapiro sits down with outdoor photographer and filmmaker Dan Holz, co-founder of Fieldborn Creative, to talk about what he learned from nearly a decade working on the retail floor at REI, more than seven years leading photo and video at Osprey, and decades working in the field with hikers, athletes, and outdoor brands.

Dan shares behind-the-scenes insight into how outdoor gear is really designed and tested, why pack fit matters more than weight, and how working with real athletes in the field differs from staging outdoor marketing shoots. Drawing on his experience as a photographer and filmmaker, he explains how preparation — both physical and logistical — allows people to be present on the trail and on set, rather than just getting through the day.

Marcus and Dan also talk about how COVID reshaped hiking culture and the outdoor industry, what brands learned during that surge, and why authentic outdoor storytelling depends on lived experience, not polish or performance.

Whether you’re a hiker planning a big trip, someone curious about how outdoor brands operate behind the scenes, or a creator interested in authentic outdoor storytelling, this episode offers an honest, grounded perspective from someone who’s lived it.

Featured Guest
Dan Holz
Co-Founder, Fieldborn Creative
Dan is a lifelong outdoor professional whose career spans retail leadership at REI, creative direction at Osprey, and decades of fieldwork capturing authentic outdoor stories around the world. His work is rooted in lived experience and reflects how adventure actually unfolds.
🔗 Learn more: https://fieldborncreative.com

Dan and Marcus will both be at https://hikeexpocolorado.com/ in May 2026.

HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/

Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:
https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/

Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans:
https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/

LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast

Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:
https://hikestrongpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Swiss Alps Hiking at 63 – Part 3: Planning a Swiss Hut-to-Hut Adventure | HikeStrong | Ep. 32

vendredi 23 janvier 2026 • Duration 32:47

Thinking about a Swiss Alps hut-to-hut hike but don’t know where to start? How do you actually plan it—and what do most first-timers get wrong?

In the final episode of this series, Marcus and Alex, founder of The WanderWeGo Co., dive into the practical realities of hiking in Switzerland. Alex shares what makes the Swiss Alps different from hiking in the U.S., including cultural norms, trail design, and the Swiss trail rating system—an area that often surprises American hikers.

They break down what a mountain hut really is, what it’s like to stay in one, and why hut-to-hut hiking is far more welcoming than many people expect, even for solo travelers or beginners. Alex also explains the logistics behind route planning, booking huts, packing smart, and preparing for the elevation gain that defines alpine hiking.

This episode is a roadmap for anyone inspired by Dave’s story and wondering how to take their own first step toward a Swiss Alps adventure—with clarity instead of overwhelm.

Topics covered:

Hiking in the Swiss Alps vs. the U.S.
Understanding Swiss trail ratings
What the hut-to-hut experience is really like
Planning routes, booking huts, and packing smart
Common mistakes first-time Alps hikers make
How beginners can confidently start planning

Get expert advice on hiking in the Swiss Alps from Alex, founder of The WanderWeGo Co.

HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/

20 Weeks, 20 Lessons to Stay Trail Fit | Part 1 – Lisa’s TMB Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 23

jeudi 16 octobre 2025 • Duration 27:17

I had a pretty ambitious goal going into this conversation with my client, Lisa. The idea was to cover all 20 weeks of her Tour du Mont Blanc training plan, and my hope was that each week you’d learn something you could apply to your training — or at least walk away with a little inspiration.

And the good news is — it turned out great. I’d never done this format before, and it ended up becoming a two-part series. Part 1 focuses on Lisa’s base training phase — the foundation that built her strength, balance, and confidence for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Part 2 dives into her peak phase and includes a special guest from Mountain Travel Sobek, the company she traveled with.

In this episode, Lisa shares lessons from the early weeks of her program — from mastering lunges and stair work to staying consistent while juggling family life and flat Michigan terrain. Whether you’re training for your first big hike or just need a dose of motivation, you’ll come away with practical tips, insights, and a few laughs from Lisa’s journey.

Mountain Travel Sobek - The Adventure Company | Est. 1969

HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/

23 Stairs, a Treadmill & 61,350 Feet: Alicia’s Journey to Kilimanjaro | HikeStrong Podcast Ep. 22

jeudi 18 septembre 2025 • Duration 43:05

What does it take to climb Kilimanjaro when you don’t live near mountains? And what happens when you decide to do it all over again for the Inca Trail?

In this episode, I sit down with Alicia—a self-described “non-athlete” who trained on 23 stairs behind a building and a treadmill with a pack on her back to summit Kilimanjaro. She’s funny, self-deprecating, and brutally honest about what it really feels like to take on a trek of this size. Expect a few laugh-out-loud moments mixed with some hard-earned wisdom.

Now she’s training with me again, this time for the Inca Trail. By Week 5 she’s already logged 67 miles and 25,623 feet of elevation gain—compared to 62 miles and 17,749 feet at the same point in her Kilimanjaro plan. Why the difference? This time, the training is packed into 8 weeks instead of 12, and with experience comes a new awareness of how to push and how to know your limits.

HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/

What Every Traveler Should Know About Guides | Chris Anderson (Part 2) | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 21

vendredi 25 juillet 2025 • Duration 28:54

Most travelers walk away from a guided trip thinking, “That was amazing”—but they have no idea what it actually took to make it feel that way.

In Part 2 of my conversation with former REI Guide of the Year Chris Anderson, we go behind the curtain to uncover what guides really do:

How REI tried to flip the script and treat guiding as a real career—and why that model didn’t survive
The long hours, behind-the-scenes prep, and emotional labor that guests never see
The broken tipping culture—and why it puts guides in a tough, awkward position
What it really means to serve 10+ guests for 14+ hours a day with zero margin for error
How underprepared guests affect group dynamics, safety, and morale
The impossible math behind seasonal contracts, no PTO, and $100 day rates
Why the best guides make you feel like the trip ran itself—and how much effort that actually takes

If you’ve ever been on a guided trip—or plan to—this episode will change how you see your guide forever.

🎧 Start listening now—and maybe rethink that tip envelope.

Check out the LinkedIn post from Chris that sparked this two-part series…

HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/

Rise and Fall of REI Experiences | Conversation with Chris Anderson (Part 1) | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 20

vendredi 18 juillet 2025 • Duration 27:49

When REI announced it was shutting down its Experiences Division, the internet exploded with outrage. For many, it felt like the company was abandoning one of the most meaningful things it offered - a way to actually get people outside, not just sell them the gear.

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Anderson, Former director of Risk Management & Guide Training at REI - a key leader behind the Experiences Division - to unpack what really happened behind the scenes.

We cover:

Why REI acquired Arizona Outback Adventures (AOA) in 2019
The original vision for Experiences and how it aligned with REI’s mission
Internal data that showed Experiences boosted member spending and loyalty
What changed after the pandemic—and why even a successful program can get cut
Why REI’s commitment to paying guides fairly may have made long-term profitability an uphill battle

Chris brings a rare perspective—both operational and deeply personal—to a story that’s about much more than one company. It’s about the gap between mission and margin in the outdoor industry.

🎧 If you’ve ever taken a guided trip and had no idea what went on behind the scenes - Part 2 will change the way you see the entire experience.

That’s where we go behind the curtain: exploring the emotional labor of guides, the broken tipping culture, and what needs to change to make this industry sustainable - for

Check out the LinkedIn post from Chris that sparked this two-part series…

HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/

52 Days on Everest: It Will Break You - Unless You’re Ready. Alex Harz Was. | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 19

vendredi 13 juin 2025 • Duration 55:10

In this exhilarating episode, I talk with Alex Harz, creator and star of the captivating documentary "The Quest Everest." Alex shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories of his meticulous year-long training regimen, intense mental preparation, and unforgettable experiences climbing from Lukla to the summit of Mount Everest.

Listen in as Alex reveals:

The surprising challenges he faced, including unexpected toe injuries and the infamous "Khumbu cough."
The reality of the Everest climb—navigating treacherous ladders, repeated ascents through the Khumbu Icefall, and life at extreme altitudes.
Insights on the Sherpa community and the cultural significance of the Everest region.
Valuable advice on physical and mental preparation for Everest Base Camp and high-altitude trekking.

This episode isn't about encouraging listeners to summit Everest themselves. Instead, it's an opportunity to experience thrilling moments vicariously—through gripping anecdotes and vivid storytelling from someone who's been there. Listeners will gain rare insights into extraordinary situations they'll likely never face firsthand, from navigating treacherous ladders above crevasses to confronting the raw intensity of the death zone. Ultimately, it's about stepping into the climber's boots, absorbing the awe-inspiring drama, and using that inspiration to conquer the mountains in their own lives.

Whether you're dreaming of Everest Base Camp or inspired to conquer your personal Everest, Alex's story will motivate you to push past your self-imposed limits.

Key Highlights:

How Alex prepared physically and mentally for 52 intense days on Everest.
Stories of overcoming mental barriers at crucial moments.
The profound cultural experiences in the Khumbu Valley.
Tips for aspiring Everest Base Camp trekkers.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Follow Alex: The Quest Series Instagram
Virtual Reality Experience: Quest Everest VR
Documentary: The Quest Everest

HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/

Pro Athlete Turned Hiker Tia Banks’s Mind Over Mountains Journey After a Grade 5 Knee Tear | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 18

vendredi 23 mai 2025 • Duration 40:43

Tia Banks never laced up hiking boots until her mid-30s—after a career as a pro basketball and flag-football athlete was cut short by a Grade 5 cartilage tear in her right knee. In this 41-minute episode, we explore:

Reinventing yourself after injury: How she pivoted from court and field into totally unfamiliar trails, rediscovered her identity and went on to summit Kilimanjaro while battling illness, whipping winds and half the oxygen she was used to.
Why “too late” is a myth: How a total novice built high-altitude endurance with pre-dawn weighted walks, stair-climb marathons and expert breath-work coaching.
The power of your tribe: How one voice on a dark summit night turned “I want to quit” into “I will keep going,” and why Tia now pairs every hiker with a dedicated “partner in climb.”
Unconventional training secrets: The mindset tools—optimism, “keep deciding” and resilience practices—that outlast raw talent on any trail.
Mind Over Mountains: A deep dive into Tia’s interactive book and coaching platform, where you map your personal “life mountains” and transform setbacks into stepping-stones.
From summit to spotlight: How Tia turned her late-start passion into a full-time calling—leading treks to Guadalupe Peak (Texas), Pico de Orizaba (Mexico) and beyond, and bringing mountain-born lessons into schools and boardrooms.

Whether you’re gearing up for your first day hike or facing an Everest-sized challenge at home, Tia’s journey proves it’s never too late to start—and you don’t climb alone.

Get started at tiabanks.com —grab the book, join a group trek, or book her for your next resilience workshop.

HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/

94K Feet Up, 88 Pounds Down: 30-Day Upper Dolpo Nepal Trek at 67—Stairs, Treadmills & Deadlifts | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 17

vendredi 16 mai 2025 • Duration 23:30

I’ll never forget the email that landed in my inbox last November. “Failure isn’t an option,” Trudy wrote. “How do I get in tip-top shape for a 30-day Upper Dolpo trek?”

Fast-forward five months: Trudy—67 years young and 88 pounds lighter—had logged almost 275 miles and 94,000 feet of elevation gain training, half of it on real stairs and mountain trails, the rest on treadmills between deadlifts and trap-bar sessions. She showed up in Nepal ready for twelve high passes (six over 16,500 ft, topping out at 18,250 ft) and the cultural immersion she’d been craving since her Peace Corps days.

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the program we built together: how we ramped weekly goals from 12 miles/3,000 ft to 18 miles/4,000 ft, why a 25-pound training pack and forty-lap stair grinds became her secret weapon, and how she toed the line between over-training and optimal conditioning.

Trudy joins me to share the human side, chatting with curious neighbors during two-and-a-half-hour staircase sessions, balancing powerlifting meets with summit prep, and using Diamox along with smart acclimatization days to keep altitude sickness at bay.

If you’re eyeing Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, or your own backyard epic hike, Trudy’s journey proves that meticulous prep and a rock-solid mindset trump age, altitude, and doubt every time.

HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/

Kilimanjaro Confidence Blueprint: Altitude Adaptation, Route Savvy, Guide Magic | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 16

vendredi 25 avril 2025 • Duration 46:00

I’ve been a fitness partner with Thomson Safaris since 2009. So when I finally got the chance to interview someone from their team, I didn’t waste time on the usual fluff—no “best time to go,” no “how high is the mountain,” and no softball questions to promote their brand. We went straight to the real issue that every Kilimanjaro trekker talks about: altitude.

Carolyn Hardy, Senior Safari & Kilimanjaro Consultant at Thomson Safaris, joined me for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to get to the top of Kilimanjaro—and why confidence, preparation, and the right team matter more than anything.

This episode will provide you with the information and confidence you need to choose the right route, prepare mentally and physically, and understand how world-class guides help you succeed, even when altitude strikes.

What We Cover in This Episode:
- The truth about altitude sickness—why almost everyone feels it and what to expect
- How Thomson Safaris’ guides monitor, support, and adapt to help trekkers summit successfully
- Carolyn’s personal altitude experience on Kilimanjaro—and how the guides kept her safe
- What makes Thomson’s guides different (hint: it’s not just the certifications)
- How guides build trust, manage group dynamics, and keep morale high
- Why fitness is your job—and the rest is the guide’s job
- A full breakdown of the four main routes to the summit, including:

Grand Traverse: Best for first-timers, longer acclimatization, upgraded tents
Western Approach: Most popular, good balance of challenge and cost
Umbwe Route: Most physically demanding—only for experienced trekkers
Machame Route: Budget-friendly, but crowded and fast-paced

- How to choose your route based on budget, fitness level, experience, scenery, solitude, and even knee issues
- Thoughts on Diamox—who takes it, how it’s prescribed, and when to start
- The difference between mental vs. physical preparedness, and why both matter
- What’s not in the pre-departure packet—but probably should be
- Extra gear tips: boots vs. trail runners, paracord for drying clothes, and more
- How Thomson treats its porters, and why their ethics matter when choosing an operator

ThomsonTreks.com / ThomsonSafaris.com

Carolyn Hardy: info@thomsonsafaris.com

HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/