Grit, Years of Rebuilding, and the Backcountry Mindset with John Cleveland

True resilience isn't proven when life goes according to plan—it’s forged when everything gets shattered and you refuse to stay down. In this episode of The AM Lift, host Travis Hovel sits down with close friend, author, and avid backcountry hunter John Cleveland to unpack an unbelievable story of grit, survival, and relentless mindset.

After enduring a catastrophic leg injury that led to dozens of grueling surgeries, John didn’t just fight his way back to walking—he returned to punishing backcountry elk hunts, demanding training regimens, and published his own book. John joins Travis to break down how to endure relentless medical battles, silence the victim mindset, and hold the line when giving up would be the easy choice.

What you’ll get from this episode:

• Surviving the Crucible: The physical and psychological toll of a devastating injury—and the exact mental framework required to face repeated trips to the operating room without breaking.
• The Backcountry Standard: How high-altitude elk hunting demands radical self-reliance, patience, and deep physical endurance.
• Writing the Scars: The process of capturing hard-earned lessons on the page and why documenting your struggle serves others.
• Refusing the Victim Card: Why extreme personal responsibility and consistent daily standards beat circumstance every time.

If you’re facing a brutal physical setback, a long recovery, or a season where the hill feels too steep to climb, John’s story will reset your standard for what is possible.

Hit subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode of The AM Lift.