Show Notes
This week on In Pursuit, Rich sits down with longtime friend, hunter, endurance athlete, and Leadville local David Curtis.
From getting lost on his first elk hunt to completing the legendary Leadman series, David shares what keeps him coming back to hard things. The conversation dives into hunting, fatherhood, endurance racing, raising resilient kids, and why some of life's best lessons are learned in the mountains. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from In Pursuit
On this final episode of In Pursuit, Rich, Angelo, and Jeff cover everything from Leadville training and endurance nutrition to pack-out strategies, backcountry fitness, and the gear that makes long days in the mountains a little more manageable. The Mayhem Hunt team shares a big update for the future of In Pursuit. After a year of conversations, the podcast is coming to a close as the team shifts its focus toward more hands-on content. Less talking, more doing. Thank you for being part of the journey. The pursuit continues. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rich, Scott, and Jeff break down their approach to backcountry nutrition, hydration, caffeine, and camp meals. They share lessons learned from DIY hunts and guided trips, the mistakes they've made, and the simple systems that keep them going when the days get long. From peanut butter sandwiches to freeze-dried meals and everything in between, this episode is packed with practical advice for your next hunt. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on In Pursuit, Rich sits down with two-time Olympian Jake Dalton to talk about life after chasing greatness. Jake spent more than two decades in gymnastics, competing at the highest level and representing Team USA at the Olympic Games. But after retirement, he found himself searching for a new challenge. That search led him to the mountains, where fly fishing, bowhunting, and the pursuit of hard things became the next chapter. The conversation covers everything from the pressure of competing on the world stage to the lessons learned through failure, fatherhood, and finding purpose beyond sport. Jake shares the highs and lows of his first successful mule deer and elk hunts, including the nerves, mistakes, and moments that make bowhunting unforgettable. Rich and Jake also dive into why high performers are drawn to challenge, how the outdoors sharpens the mind, and why the best memories are often built alongside family and friends. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of In Pursuit, Rich Froning recaps the first Mayhem Hunt Prep Camp in Colorado. From a 24-hour mountain bike race in Amarillo straight into 11 days in the mountains, the crew breaks down what it took to build a camp designed around real backcountry preparation. The episode covers mock pack outs, land navigation, reading topo maps, shooting bows and rifles at distance, gear lessons, altitude workouts, glassing, bushwhacking, and the reality of what it takes to get an animal off the mountain. Rich and the crew also share stories from camp, lessons learned from the athletes who came out, and what they would build into next year’s version, including overnight backcountry work and mock hunts. Fitness matters, but being ready in the backcountry takes more than being in shape. This episode is all about preparation, toughness, and learning the skills before the stakes are real. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on In Pursuit, Rich and Angelo sit down with Jeff Helm, a Michigan native turned Texas hunter, guide, entrepreneur, and all-around outdoorsman. Jeff shares how a kid shooting birds out of the backyard bird feeder became a bowhunter who has now taken more than 30 bulls, including four elk in a single season. From DIY backcountry elk hunts to guiding free-range Axis deer in Texas, Jeff breaks down the lessons learned from decades of chasing animals across the country. The conversation goes far beyond hunting. Jeff opens up about fatherhood, raising his son Jake in the outdoors, the value of shared suffering, and why some of life's most important conversations happen on the drive home from a hunt. They also discuss building community through archery, launching Arrowheads Bowhunting Company, and how hunting has a way of revealing what truly matters. Connect with Rich Froning MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.