Join Rich and the crew break down their ideal mid-budget training setups and immediately get lost in plate math, duplicate lists, questionable equipment choices, and relentless chirping. From arguing whether 190 pounds of plates is “enough,” to sleds, sandbags, bikes, rowers, racks, yokes, ropes, and rucks, this one is part practical, part ridiculous, and fully honest. Along the way, the conversation drifts (as it always does) into accountability partners, why Snapchat might be sketchy after 30, GHDs that absolutely should not have been done, and what actually matters if your goal is to be harder to kill, not just fitter on paper.

They also talk Conquer90, hybrid training, running volume, upcoming events at Western Hunt Expo, and why sometimes the best programming ideas come from testing things the hard way.

If you’re building a home gym, training for the hunt, or just want to hear a group of competitive people argue over equipment like it actually matters, this episode delivers.

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 sits down with Matt Johnson for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about purpose, pain, faith, and the power of fitness to change lives.

Matt opens up about his journey from a turbulent childhood and military service to discovering endurance sports as a lifeline. What starts with running becomes a calling—one that leads him to ultra-endurance feats, running across Texas, and raising significant funds for veterans through Valor Fit. Along the way, Matt shares the realities of trauma, failure, marriage, identity loss, and near-breaking points—and how faith, community, and fitness pulled him back.

Rich and Matt dig into what it really means to prepare for life when the stakes are real: learning from failure, stewarding influence responsibly, using fitness as a gateway to community, and serving something bigger than yourself. This episode isn’t just about running far—it’s about running toward purpose, choosing discipline over isolation, and changing the trajectory of entire families by bringing veterans back into community.

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 with Rich Froning, we kick off a series on building a no-nonsense home gym, starting with a strict $1,000 budget. The goal is simple: what equipment actually matters if you want to train hard, stay consistent, and be prepared without wasting money. Next up is the $5,000 gym, followed by the $10,000 build. The crew debates sleds versus barbells, benches versus vests, dumbbells, sandbags, and pull-up bars, breaking down what gives you the most return when space and budget are limited. There’s plenty of disagreement, practical experience, and real-world perspective from years of training in stripped-down setups.

They also touch on the end of whitetail season, property management, getting kids into shooting sports, and Conquer 90, a 90-day challenge built around discipline, fitness, and consistency.

If you’re building a home gym or rethinking what you really need to train well, this episode delivers.

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.

Join Rich Froning and Pat Spinosa on this episode of In Pursuit, as they sit down to talk rural America, agriculture, and the “Like a Farmer” brand Pat built with NFL QB Josh Allen. They cover the pillars behind the movement—outdoors, sports, food, and country music—plus why the next generation is crucial for keeping farming strong in a changing world.

The conversation also digs into rancher-athlete culture, direct-to-consumer meat, processing realities, conservation, and a few fun detours—duck hunting stories and the never-ending chicken debate.

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 sits down with the crew to talk off-season training for hunters—why now is the time to build strength, maintain conditioning, and let fat loss happen as a byproduct of consistent work. They also preview the upcoming Conquer 90 Challenge with Mountain Ops, break down the different training tracks (including the new Everyday Hunter hybrid program), and discuss the importance of goals, accountability, and community in preparing for the hunts that matter most.

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.

Join Rich Froning as he sits down with former Navy SEAL Ian Schinelli for a deep dive into preparation, pressure, and what it takes to stay ready when it matters. From marathon and swim events for the SEAL Foundation to the realities of SEAL training, Ian breaks down how running, swimming, and thousands of reps built the foundation he needed long before stepping into BUD/S. He explains the shock of Hell Week, the mindset that keeps you from quitting, and why controlling your head is more important than controlling your body.

The conversation turns to shared suffering—how CrossFit, hunting, and even long mountain days create the same kind of bond Ian found in the military. He and Rich talk about balancing training with real life, why community makes hard things possible, and what happens to your calm under pressure when the chaos hits.

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 heads to Texas with Watkins and Scott for a whitetail trip that turns into a crash course in ranch life, management tags, and making good shots under pressure. They walk through the buck that got away, the hog that didn’t, and the perfect heart shot that somehow left almost no blood on that dry Texas ground.

They get into hunting over corn, how Stealth Rig and the crew manage 25,000 acres for better genetics and herd health, and what it feels like to leave knowing there were still tags on the table. If you care about bowhunting, meat in the freezer, and learning from both good shots and bad ones, this one is worth the listen.

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.

Join Rich Froning for a lively episode with Dale Brisby, the cowboy comedian and rodeo hand known for turning ranch life into pure entertainment. Dale shares everything from announcing wild Can-Am races to fixing ranch problems, chasing mules, dealing with skunks, and surviving the daily chaos that comes with horses and small-town living.

Rich and Dale get into how fitness fits into ranch work, why elk hunting has become a yearly reset, and what really happens on guided hunts and private land. Dale talks about running with Cam Haines, learning jiu-jitsu, and heading into Arizona to help the Navajo Nation rope wild maverick cattle — one of the craziest experiences he’s ever had.

It’s an episode full of humor, honesty, and stories only someone like Dale can tell.

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.