Who the WYLD Things Are with Ryan Maguire – Details, episodes & analysis

Meghan Buchanan (@ggrit on IG) is not interested in playing the victim. She’s an aerospace engineer, a mountaineer on a mission to climb the Seven Summits, a dyslexia advocate, and someone who’s been tested again and again by life. You may have seen her on Outlast Season 2 on Netflix, where survival gets messy fast. But this episode isn’t about the show. It’s about the real-life survival stories that came before and after.

We talk about what it actually feels like to face trauma while keeping a goal in sight. What it takes to rebuild after being brought to your knees. And how to keep showing up when nobody’s clapping for you.

Meghan doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She opens up about grief, betrayal, mountaineering disasters, and the invisible weight of always having to prove yourself. She also shares what she’s learned from the mountains, from her body, and from walking through some dark seasons with her head up.

This one is for anyone who’s been through something and kept going.

Matthew Lefthand is a record-breaking ultra-endurance cyclist who’s redefining what’s possible on two wheels. In this episode, we dive into his journey from a 270-pound marathon runner to one of the fastest ultra bikers in the world. He recently shattered the Race Across the West course record, completing the brutal 860-mile route from Oceanside to Durango in just 1 day, 21 hours, and 39 minutes, averaging nearly 19 mph through desert heat and mountain climbs. Earlier this year, he also set the highest 24-hour mileage ever recorded by an American—576 miles at the Sebring 24. But beyond the numbers, this conversation is about the mental, physical, and spiritual transformation that fuels those rides. Matthew talks about what it means to suffer with purpose, how his Navajo heritage and family drive him forward, and what it takes to truly give everything you have. If you’re chasing big goals or need a reminder of what the human body and spirit are capable of, this one’s for you.

On this episode of Who The WYLD Things Are, Ryan sits down with Joel van der Loon — world-class survivalist, wilderness skills instructor, and finalist on Alone Season 7. Joel shares stories from his upbringing in the bush of Tanzania, lessons from surviving 66 days in the Arctic, and his philosophy on preparedness, adaptability, and living in harmony with nature. This episode is packed with wisdom on primitive skills, mental resilience, and what it truly means to be self-reliant in the wild.Join Ryan on a wilderness experience

In this episode, host Ryan Maguire is joined by Nate Smith to break down the vision behind Last Mountain Man Standing, the ultimate test of endurance and grit coming to Conifer, Colorado, on June 21, 2025. They dive into what makes this event unique—a brutal 4.1-mile loop packed with rugged terrain and tough obstacles, where racers must complete a lap every hour until only one remains. Ryan and Nate discuss the inspiration behind the race, the challenge of balancing strength and endurance, and what competitors can expect on race day.

Whether you're racing, spectating, or just love pushing limits, this episode gives you an inside look at what’s shaping up to be one of the toughest events in the mountains. Sign up now and learn more here

This episode is brought to you by Kula Sports Performance—helping athletes train smarter, recover faster, and perform at their peak.

In this episode, host Ryan Maguire dives into the details of the upcoming 2025 wilderness courses from WYLD RYDE Outdoors in connection with The Survival University. From essential survival skills to wilderness connection and exploration, Ryan breaks down what participants can expect from each course. He also shares insights on the locations, hands-on challenges, and the mindset required to thrive in the wild. If you’re looking to elevate your outdoor skills and embrace true self-reliance, this episode is your ultimate guide.

LINK TO COURSES

https://thesurvivaluniversity.com/hs-search-results?term=ryan+maguire&type=SITE_PAGE&type=LANDING_PAGE&type=BLOG_POST

In this electrifying episode, host Ryan Maguire dives into the epic victory of Team Colorado at the 2025 Dubai Games, joined by two elite athletes, Veejay Jones and Jack Bauer. The trio breaks down the intense battles, clutch performances, and the untold stories behind the scenes that led to Colorado's dominance on the world stage. From grueling obstacles to game-changing strategies, they uncover what it truly took to bring home the gold.

Veejay Jones shares firsthand experiences from the course, revealing pivotal moments that tested the team’s grit and unity. Jack Bauer adds his analytical edge, dissecting the competition's strengths and how Team Colorado's preparation paid off. Together, they relive the most nail-biting moments, including a last-minute surge that turned the tide, and the raw emotions of crossing the finish line victorious.

Listeners get an insider's view of the camaraderie, rivalries, and relentless training that defined this unforgettable journey. Whether you're a hardcore OCR fan or just love a good underdog story, this episode captures the spirit of competition and the thrill of achieving the impossible.

This ReWYLD episode revisitsEpisode 2 with survival expert Matt Graham. Known as one of the world’s top primitive survivalists, Matt has spent years living off the land, mastering ancestral skills, and pushing the limits of human endurance. In this conversation, he shares insights on minimalism, self-reliance, and the deep connection between survival and mindset. Listeners who missed this episode the first time now have the chance to experience it again.

Matt has decades of experience living off the land. Matt went for a walk one day and ended up spending six months on his own in the wild. He lives in a remote area of southern Utah where he primarily sleeps in primitive structures.Matt started down this path at age 15, when he first became a triathlete and rock climber. At age 23, Matt proved his amazing athletic endurance as a runner when he ran the Pacific Crest Trail – 1,700 miles crossing the length of the California crest – in 58 days.Matt has been teaching primitive skills for the past 20+ years, including at the Boulder (Utah) Outdoor Survival School and guiding llama packing trips while continuing to compete as an endurance athlete. He then became an outdoor instructor for an at-risk youth therapy project known as the “Anasazi Outdoor Program.” In addition to these programs Matt also did training courses for the Young Marines and Canadian Cadets.Matt is a world class master of the atlatl and started competing years ago against world champions. He’s also skilled at hunting with the long bow and in the primitive art of brain-tanning hides to make clothing. He’s studied Judo, Tae Kwan Do, Wushu Kung fu, and Jeet Kune Do.Matt is featured in the documentary Living Wild as well as in Discovery’s Dude, You’re Screwed, and has been both a Stone Age living consultant for "Survivorman" Les Stroud and The Amazing Race.

#WhoTheWYLDThingsAre #ReWYLD #Survival #MattGraham

In this episode, Eric Hinman—entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and high-performance lifestyle expert—shares his approach to training, recovery, and business. He discusses the mindset and daily habits that drive his success, from ultra-endurance racing to building a personal brand. Listeners will gain insights into optimizing performance, balancing work and fitness, and creating a life of purpose.

This episode is sponsored by Kula Sport Performance, the premier destination for athlete recovery and optimization. Learn more at www.kulasp.com and follow them on Instagram at @kulasportsperformance.

Uninterested in the American dream, Kris Reed dropped out of high school to pursue a life of nature connection and outdoor adventure. Over the last 20 years he’s taught ancestral earthcrafts and survival skills, backpacked over 15,000 miles, and accumulated more dirt time by bicycle and canoe. By sticking to the philosophy of “limited wants, unlimited means” Kris has cultivated a life free of many of the trappings of modern society, allowing him to live on a near permanent sabbatical. If you head into the wild you’re bound to cross his tracks at some point.

In Episode 71 of Who the WYLD Things Are, Ryan sits down with Osborne to dive into the world of backcountry skiing and snowboarding. They discuss essential gear, safety tips, and navigating the wild terrain of Colorado's backcountry. From epic powder days to the risks and rewards of adventures, Osborne shares his experience, and the two talk about how to make the most of the winter wilderness. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just getting started, this episode is packed with insights for your next snow-filled adventure!