Day Fire Podcast

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Jason Vance. Jason has been riding bicycles for 40 years. He began racing in the late 90’s while at Oregon, focusing on track cycling. After moving to Nevada to pursue graduate studies, He was introduced to MTB’ing by a colleague and would eventually abandon all skinny-tired aspirations. An academic position would bring him to Charleston SC; after navigating the hurdles of tenure (and addressing his neglected health), He fell in love with the rugged trails in Pisgah Forest. Through chance encounters, he stumbled upon the southeast ultra-endurance community in 2018, via Eric Wever’s Pisgah 36, Kim Jordan Murrell’s Dirty 130, and Karlos Rodriguez Bernart’s Cross Florida ITT. He soon found himself craving long miles across the beautiful forest roads and trails of western NC, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia -and any chance he is forced to take a 30 minute nap in the dirt. Currently, he is first to ride all of the ITT's in the Cherokee forest in 3 days. First to do all thre

This week Dawson and Clint dig through the 2023 episodes and pull out a handful of their favorite stories to reshare with you! Enjoy! Story 1 - Episode 198 Ghost Fireflies with Catey McClary from the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont! This was so cool and we should all plan on going to see it if possible! Story 2 - Episode 202 Rigging and Cameras for the Olympics with Chris Watford! There is WAY more that goes into it than we thought! Story 3 - Episode 200 with Ben Friberg! Ben has traveled the world. This story is about his trip to Papua New Guinea and asking the Shaman the meaning of life! It's all about the translation in this story! Story 4 - Episode 199 with Kim Smith came on Day Fire to talk about caving and this story centers around access and best practices! Story 5 - Episode 191 The Great Western Loop with Nick "Chezwick" Gagnon! Skydiving and LSD - that is all that needs to be said! Thanks for listening! Find all our episodes at dayfirepodcast.com This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Joe Royer. Joe resides in Memphis and is the co-owner of Outdoors, Inc., which was founded 1974. Joe was a member of the U.S. Canoe and Kayak team in the late 60's and 70's, and is a world traveler, an adventurer and a lifelong cyclist. All these experiences influenced Joe’s vision for better access and inclusion for parks and recreation. Joe has volunteered on non-profit boards such as Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation (TN Green), Tennessee Environmental Council, Mississippi River Trail, Wolf River Conservancy, Friends of Shelby Farms, and Greater Memphis Green Line. His efforts, along with his business partner, Lawrence Migliara, have been instrumental in establishing Memphis's annual Canoe and Kayak Race on the Mississippi River. In addition, Outdoor, Inc. has acted as host for the longest-running cyclocross race in the country that is now a gravel bike race. Joe is a champion for the outdoor industry and for Memphis. Thanks for listening! Find all our epi

This Week Clint and Dawson sit down with Camila Simon. Camilla is the Executive Director for HECHO. She is passionate about elevating Latino voices in local, state and national conservation efforts, especially when it comes to accessing public lands. Since she joined HECHO in November 2014, she has worked to broaden the definition of a conservationist, and elevate the importance of Hispanic/Latino generational ties to the land and what that knowledge can add to public policy debates around access to the outdoors and conservation of land, water, and air for future generations. To support this, she has led many advocacy efforts that brought Hispanic/Latino perspectives to the forefront of national conservation campaigns. Camilla also has cultivated a prolific guest blog series featuring Hispanic/Latino stories of connection to the outdoors, stewardship of natural resources for future generations, and conservation leadership. In 2018, Camilla was instrumental in envisioning and forming a mutually beneficial par

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Cassandra Riddle. Cassandra's list of accomplishments, talants, and hobbies is impressive. Yet she also has suffered from Cystic Fibrosis all her life but wasn't diagnosed until last year. Cassandra was an international opera singer and performed all over the world. She was based out of NYC in the 90's and early 2000's, and in 1997 won an Emmy award. At the height of her career, she retired for new challenges and began to run marathons, triathlons and became a talented rock climber. She has climbed both here in the United States as well as internationally. In fact, she just returned from a climbing trip in Greece. She also owned a business that focused on private sport-specific training. She has been a music director for a private school and even taught motorcycle safety. Recently she received a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and now works as a Mental Health Counselor at UTC. How does anyone do so many amazing things, much less do all this with C

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Bill Hodge. Bill became the Montana State Director for The Wilderness Society in January of 2023 after serving four years as the Executive Director of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation. This role withThe Wilderness Society is his second tour with the organization. During Bill’s first term he started the ground-breaking organization Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (AKA -SAWS). Bill has spent the last 15 years fighting for the preservation and stewardship of some of America’s wildest public lands. From deep in the backcountry to the halls of Congress, Bill has been a champion of the National Wilderness Preservation System. He was the recipient of the Bob Marshall Award for Wilderness Stewardship from the United States Forest Service in 2013 and was recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change for building the next generation of conservation leaders in 2014. Prior to his work in conservation Bill was the Chief Marketing Officer of Action Sports Medi

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with John Davis. John is a Master Scuba Diver trainer with the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) and is also an instructor for Scuba Schools International (SSI). John enjoys teaching people how to dive, and currently does instruction at Choo Choo Dive and Aquatic Center in Chattanooga Tennessee. He has organized and lead dive trips for the last thirty-five years all over the world. John is an avid underwater photographer. We tell stories, ask shark questions and get some details on how to get started in the sport. Thanks for listening! Find all our episodes at dayfirepodcast.com This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

This week Dawson and :Clint go into the studio for some fun and stories! 'Did You Know' facts about animals AND stories/advice from Dawson! Trust me - this one is fun! Tune-in and play along! Share and Enjoy! By the way - do you know where otters store extra food? What do you call a group of crows? Thanks for listening! Find all our episodes at dayfirepodcast.com This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Matt Schweiker. Matt grew up in Memphis Tn and then went to College at University of Alabama. After college he moved West to Seattle, WA where he had his first real outdoor experiences climbing mountains and backcountry skiing in the Cascades. In 2012, moved to Yangshuo China and worked seasonally guiding outdoor education trips. In the off-seasons, traveled and began bike touring. Completed bike touring trips in Western China, New Zealand, Africa and South America. Matt moved to Chattanooga in 2019 and began bikepack racing. Completed TNGA in 2020, Colorado Trail in 2021, Silk Road Mountain Race in 2022 to mention just a few races and events. We could do 10 podcasts with Matt and still not have covered all his adventures and races. We focus on his 2021 Silk Road Race in Kyrgyzstan and his upcoming Great Divide race happening this June 2023. Thanks for listening! Find all our episodes at dayfirepodcast.com This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Chris Watford. Chris grew up in a very outdoors oriented family. His family owned an outdoor outfitting shop in Roswell, Georgia called Call Of The Wild. The business was established in 1978 by his father. He grew up in this family business and took it over after graduation from college and operated it until 2005. Chris's primary passion has always been rock climbing, having gone for the first time on a Boy Scout trip at 11 years old in 1976. He started in earnest in 1978 or 79. Chris has authored and published 5 editions of a rock climbing guidebook series called the Dixie Cragger's Atlas, which cover climbing areas in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. While operating the retail shop, he was also a vendor of climbing and safety equipment for industrial users, high rise window washers, Fire and Rescue departments as well as the film and video industry. This led to quite a bit of work on film, television and commercial sets, doing everything from camera safety to assist

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Sean Blanton. Sean is the owner/founder of Run Bum Races. In 16 years Sean has run over 300 ultra runs. Sean's company Run Bum hosts some of the most scenic, iconic, destination ultras/events in the country. Check out his events here. https://www.runbumtours.com . Sean is a true steward of the forest and while he is always giving back to the Parks and public lands he runs his events on, he also can be found out in the forest clearing and cutting down trees on trail systems he simply enjoys. Not to boast but I asked him how many hours he spends boots on the ground volunteering in the forest and the answer was around 300 hours with tools in hand. Bravo to Sean. He also holds the FKT for the Florida Trail which is 1108 miles. He is a paraglider, skydiver and speed flyer. He is the host of the Bend dont break podcast. Thanks for listening! Find all our episodes at dayfirepodcast.com This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Ben Friberg. Ben is an explorer, an adventurer, a paddle board racer, who has paddled from Cuba to Key West. He has raced down the Yukon river and traveled the world and has met 7 indigenous peoples; Lapps/Sami Sarek/Sweden, Bedouin Sinai/Egypt, Quechua (Ausengate/Peru), First Nations Alaska/Yukon Territory, Sepik/Crocodile Clan - Papua New Guinea, First Nations Bering Strait (Russia/Alaska), Achuar (Amazon). Ben shares his insights and travels with us. Some of Ben's journeys have included his family which includes two little ones who are 3 and 1. Ben's wife Kim is also the love of his life and a highly talented adventurer and athlete. Thanks for listening! Find all our episodes at dayfirepodcast.com This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Kim Smith. Kimberley Bodenhamer Smith’s Facebook Bio says: “Texan born in California and residing in Tennessee: Mudder, Author, unicyclist, Caver, Transhumanist, and an Episcopalian.” Many other labels and clubs could be added to the vast interests of this American TAG Caver. Kim, as she prefers to be called by friends and family (or Kimmie with an IE) is a typical Alpha female caver. "She states you either love me or hate me. I have a polarizing personality. Kim bought Chilliheads a fleece product company, from Darrell and Susan Bryant in the winter of 2010. The company started on Signal Mountain, TN in 1991. Chilliheads was one of the first fleece hat and liner companies in the southwest and serviced mountaineers, rock climbers, skiers, kayakers and cavers just to name a few markets. This was a “golden ticket” into the caving community that is notoriously a very closed community for a number of very legitimate reasons which we discuss. Kim states; there are only 1

This week Dawson and Clint sit down with Catey McClary. Catey is President and CEO of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Catey joined Tremont as President and CEO in the Fall of 2018. A Tennessee native, Catey formed an early connection to the outdoors and first attended Tremont Institute in the sixth grade with her school. Inspired by her time in nature, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Environmental Biology from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. After graduation, she completed an internship with the Fisheries Department in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and then hiked 400+ miles of the Appalachian Trail through Virginia. Catey has worked in non-profit administration for nearly 20 years, previously as SOAR’s Chief Financial Officer. She is strongly committed to conservation, having served on the Conservation Trust of North Carolina and their Future Leaders Conservancy advisory board. She has also served as a board member for Alliance For Better Nonprofit

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Derick Lugo aka Mr. Fabulous. Derick is the author of the Unlikely Thru Hiker; "a must read for everyone". Derick in 2022 was back on the trail thru hiking the CDT. Derick is a natural storyteller and he shares his journey up the CDT. We also hear a little about future adventures up Mt. Shasta and there is a second book deal coming soon. You can buy Derick's book on Amazon so grab a copy. We look forward to his next book and all his future adventures. Thanks for listening! Find all our episodes at dayfirepodcast.com This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

This week Clint and Dawson sat down with Jen Loofbourrow. Jen is the Founder and owner of Alpine Fit. Jen shares some adventure stories and how they guided her professional path to entrepreneurship. In her early twenties she fell in love with expeditions kayaking the outer islands of Alaska's southeast coastline. Inevitably, she and her friends experienced variable conditions, sun to rain, and everything from freezing water temps to natural hot springs. With no access to laundry for weeks at a time, and limited space, she could take only essential basics, and each piece of gear had to perform. She refined and honed her packing list and found substitute products for what she really wanted, which all too often weren't available. Since then, she has embarked on many extended traveling and backpacking trips, in addition to the activities she likes to do regularly in her normal life. Her journey in apparel began as a materials developer at lululemon in Vancouver, then lingerie and swimwear retail store owner in

This week Clint and Dawson sat down with Bill Emberson from Chattanooga Tennessee. By day, Bill is President of, Americas, Propex Furnishing Solutions, Inc. But give Bill 5 minutes of free time and he has a fly rod in his hand. Bill is a lifelong fisherman who loves to share his passion with everyone who wants to have a fishing experience. Bill has fished all over the US and currently guides on the Soque River. Bill shares tips and tricks and of course we talk fishing stories. I have been fortunate to spend many days on the water with Bill and many nights around a campfire swapping stories about fishing and outdoor adventures. A great outdoor instructor and friend and it was a pleasure to have him in the studio. Thanks for listening! Find all our episodes at dayfirepodcast.com This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Day Fire Podcast has been around for years and from time-to-time we like to visit our archives and RESHARE some great conversations! This is an episode picked out by Clint! Forever Strong with Grace Ragland - Episode 12! (Grace has passed away - she lived her life with passion and faced her challenges head on! Her life was an inspiration to many and an example to us all!) In June of 2018 Grace Ragland set off on the Grand Depart to mountain bike the Tour Divide from Banff, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, which is 2725 miles. Part of Grace's trip was to bring awareness to her life long battle with MS. The training and preparation was over and now it was time to go, but something was a little off. From day one this elite highly experienced mountain biker was experiencing a sudden cold and fatigue and had to pull up and rest a few days. Now alone with the race out in front of her, Grace's race begins and nothing is going to stand in her way! Grace's successful journey on the Great Divide is a story in itse

Day Fire Podcast has been around for years and from time-to-time we like to visit our archives and RESHARE some great conversations that some of our loyal listeners may have missed! This is a Dawson Wheeler pick: 'A Life Worth Living' Episode 160 with Rush Sturges and Marc Hunt! This week Dawson and Clint, along with special guest host - Marc Hunt, sit down with whitewater kayaker, filmmaker, and musician - Rush Sturges! Rush grew up in California around the whitewater community and it was there he developed a love and passion for the sport and the adventure. He has traveled the world and competed at the highest level - from freestyle to racing. Rush is also a well known and respected filmmaker! You can find one of his documentaries currently on Netflix – ‘The River Runner’! It is a must watch! His ability to capture the rawness and unforgiving nature of the rivers and the emotions and stories of those who seek adventure on them, is uncanny. His love for the sport and film has taken him to some of the most

Dawson Wheeler is out west on his annual skication! Clint slowed him down long enough to catch up on the snow - share some stories - give some advice - living on sandwiches - pillow fights - and much more! Thanks for listening! Find all our episodes at dayfirepodcast.com This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm