First in the Stack
Coming Weekly and Worth Opening
Welcome to my first substack. I was resistant to starting one because my website gets pretty decent viewership, I already do a twice-weekly podcast, and I am busy coaching and trying to be an elite athlete myself. I have a lot going on, even in a society that is addicted to answering “Busy” in response to “How are you?” BUT that's exactly why I am starting a substack.
Oh, and also I am going after the Appalachian Trail FKT this year and will be sharing the process on here.
It is more work, but it is also the opportunity to share all my work. There is a lot going on and continually developing each week. On top of that, I love learning new things, finding new deals, and forming new opinions. So, my simple concept of this substack is a newsletter in my own voice every week. And please just “like” the posts even if you don't read them, it really helps my ego.
The first blurb
My first job in the outdoor industry was as a writer. I have journaled daily about all my adventures since I was 20 (14 years ago) and here is my first ever post:
The beginning
As I continue to read journals, and guidebooks it begins to sink in how real this hike really is. I am about two weeks away from flying out and still searching for solutions to a couple pieces of gear. Planning is not my strongest suit and it is especially evident in the where I am now. Every time I go through my gear I realize more and more things that would be nice to add. If weight were not an issue, I could easily take a seventy pound pack or even pull a wagon.
The family is slowly but surely accepting the fact that I am actually going to do this. I think by now they all have heard and realize I will be spending the summer in the backwoods. I just wish I could get out and on the trail sooner. The excitement is killing me. 2700 miles is a long way.
'Just Walk'
I think I expected the sign-off “just walk’ to be my thing. Thankfully, it was not. But the writing industry really sucks, at least in the outdoor space, and I miss expressing myself, and making a newsletter that I can do what I want with sounds fun. And of course, I need a new project.
So, here is the newsletter for this week:
Free Outside Podcast episodes this week:
Jeffrey’s 2024 Award show: a satirical award show where we give out awards like “Best Walker”, “Owner of Arizona”, “Best Influencer” and “They Still Run?” among others.
Katie Gunvalson talks about her experience going for the southbound PCT record and how it ended tragically. This was a really fun conversation.
Hot and Cold: An episode dedicated to the science of passive heat exposure (sauna and hot tub) and cold plunges.
Patreon.com/freeoutside Topic This week:
Join for 5$ a month, I put out extra bonus content every week over there and you can support all this stuff by being a member there.
This week: First Draft of the Award Show: I filmed a funny episode before Derek Lytle agreed to do the year-end “Jeffrey’s” award show with me. In this solo episode, I wear a tie but no shirt for 20 minutes of jokes.
Other new content
A fun Crocs video on Instagram
Deal of the Week: I raced in these shoes this year and really like them. The foam is quality, and the uppers are more breathable than most shoes. They are also very light. These are just a good deal currently if adidas work for your feet:
Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Trail
Love your logo graphic! Got me hooked, I'm a subscriber now ;-)
So happy to see you here on Substack and very much looking forward to your AT attempt as well as all the process stuff leading up to it, which I expect in many ways will be even more interesting than the attempt itself. That, after all, is just walking.