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Spiked Out

Spiked Out

Written by: The Journeyman
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About this listen

Welcome to the Spiked Out Podcast - your go-to for real stories, real people, and real insight from the wildland fire world. Brought to you by The Journeyman, we interview seasoned pros, share education, tips on getting certified, landing jobs, and making the most of the season. Whether you're already on the line or just getting started, we've got you covered. Tune in and get Spiked Out with us.

© 2026 Spiked Out
Episodes
  • No Code, Muay Thai & Real Skills
    Jan 27 2026

    College costs $200K+ and 4 years. Here's what you can build instead for less money and more capability.

    Part 2 with Maxim Smith diving into practical cycles from The Preparation: no-code fluency that lets you ship real products, Muay Thai training in Thailand that builds discipline and fight composure, and real-world readiness skills that make you harder to break.

    What we cover:

    The "Hacker" Cycle: No Code = Real Leverage
    Not cyberpunk - it's AI-assisted tools that ship working products fast
    Building custom CRMs and websites with natural language
    Automating content workflows without writing code
    How small teams compete with big companies using AI infrastructure

    Resilience Without Paranoia
    Simple, realistic prepping: food, water, heat, off-grid communication
    Why fragile systems require capable individuals
    Becoming more useful when things break

    Shooting as Capability
    Building respect, calm, and competence
    Useful for hunting, defense, and confidence under pressure
    Safe, structured learning that removes fear

    Troubleshooting & First Principles Thinking
    Mindset borrowed from aviation maintenance
    How to isolate root causes and solve complex problems
    Becoming invaluable in work and life

    Muay Thai Block in Thailand
    4 hours/day, 6 days/week focused training
    Rebuilding endurance, discipline, composure in a fight
    Why hard physical training compounds everything else

    Technical Ropes & Rescue Training
    Stacking capability layers for emergencies
    Skills that hold in real situations

    Book Sales, Marketing & What's Next
    Real numbers from launching The Preparation
    Women's preparation track tailored for real needs
    EMT skills, REMS, and staying sharp off-season
    How AI will shape the next decade

    Find The Journeyman App here:
    Google Play Store:
    play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

    Apple App Store:
    apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

    Visit Our Website
    livetjm.com/home

    Find Maxim Smith here:
    https://www.maximsmith.com/

    [00:00:00] The "Hacker" Cycle Explained
    [00:04:10] Survival Basics And Prepping Mindset
    [00:08:20] CQB, Shooting Skills, And Confidence
    [00:14:00] Becoming More Capable In A Risky World
    [00:18:30] A Women's Prep Book And Self-Defense
    [00:24:00] Building TJM Tools With AI
    [00:26:20] EMT Skills, Ropes, And REMS Training

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    27 mins
  • Autonomy Without Debt
    Jan 20 2026

    What if the most valuable four years of your life weren't spent in a classroom, but stacking skills, shipping value, and building real businesses?

    We break down The Preparation - a structured framework that replaces drift with momentum through 16 focused cycles. Each cycle delivers a hard skill, body of knowledge, and layer of confidence you can bank on. No debt required.

    What we cover:
    The Framework: 16 Cycles Over 4 Years
    How anchor courses (Muay Thai, heavy equipment, private pilot, sailing) pair with reading and online coursework
    Compounding effect: each cycle builds on the last
    Goal isn't novelty - it's earning leverage

    The Entrepreneur Cycle
    Simple benchmark: create legal entity, craft clear offer, land one sale in 3 months
    Real example: agricultural drone seeding business that seeded 10 acres in under 45 minutes
    Marketing abroad, legal setup, turning personal needs into paid services

    Hard Skills That Pay
    Muay Thai training in Thailand
    Heavy equipment operation
    Private pilot license
    Sailing certification
    Drone operation and agricultural services
    Each one opens doors and income streams

    For Veterans & Career Switchers
    GI Bill-eligible programs: EMT training, pilot schools, heavy equipment courses
    How military soft skills (leadership, integrity, composure) translate to entrepreneurship
    Building autonomy without debt

    Travel as Education
    Thailand, South Africa, Chile - expanding perspective and sharpening judgment
    Learning by doing in different contexts
    Cultural immersion that builds adaptability

    Why This Works
    Cycle stacking = spot opportunities faster
    Act with clarity, never feel pigeonholed
    Build skills that compound over time
    Create multiple income streams
    Graduate debt-free with real businesses

    The Bottom Line:
    This isn't anti-education - it's a structured alternative for those who want autonomy, skills, and entrepreneurial capability without the debt. College works for some paths (medicine, law, engineering). This is for those who want to build differently.

    Find The Journeyman App here:
    Google Play Store:
    play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

    Apple App Store:
    apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

    Visit Our Website
    livetjm.com/home

    Find Maxim Smith here:
    https://www.maximsmith.com/

    [00:00:00] The Mindset Of Lifelong Preparation
    [00:05:31] Skill Cycles And Global Learning
    [00:11:45] Building A Drone Seeding Business
    [00:18:02] Stacking Skills For Opportunity
    [00:21:12] Veterans, GI Bill, And Transition Paths

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    21 mins
  • Quiet Competence Wins: How Contractor Medics Build Trust Without Swagger
    Jan 13 2026

    Ever wonder why some contractor medics get looped into the crew's plan while others end up alone on a ridge?
    It's all about trust. We break down the real mechanics of earning credibility on the fireline—and how quiet competence, not loud swagger, sets you up for the right role when it counts.

    What we cover:
    Making the Jump: City Fire to Contractor
    Admin fears, check-in, and demob mysteries solved
    What a solid contractor company actually provides (binder, support, purchasing)
    How to choose a company that has your back

    Building Credibility Without the Patch
    Introducing yourself at briefing (what to say, what not to say)
    Using Avenza maps to align placement with crew leads
    Positioning your rig for highest-risk work = faster response time
    Why 5 minutes with each crew lead can flip you from outsider to trusted asset

    Setting Boundaries With Respect
    Why medics belong where people work, not miles from action
    How to push back on "safety" requests that put you off-mission
    Saying no with respect and clear rationale

    Field Gear That Actually Improves Long Shifts
    Instant coffee that helps
    Pocket wash that removes grime fast
    Small items that solve two problems, add no weight

    Living the Dirtbag Adventure Life
    Low-cost adventures, ice climbs, and navigation skill-building
    Fastest Known Time attempt on the Mickelson Trail
    Building grit and judgment without big budgets

    Simplifying the Paperwork
    Digital shift tickets = fewer demob headaches
    How to reduce rewrites and admin stress
    More time for training, scouting helispots, scanning hazards

    The Bottom Line:
    If you're moving from structure to wildland contracting or trying to elevate your presence as a single resource, this is your field guide. Prepare before you arrive, communicate like time matters, pack smart, and protect your role with calm authority.

    Find The Journeyman App here:
    Google Play Store:
    play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

    Apple App Store:
    apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

    Visit Our Website
    livetjm.com/home

    Undercover Dirtbag Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/undercoverdirtbags?igsh=bWl6cGU1Yms4bXVm

    [00:00:00] First-Time Contractor Nerves
    [00:05:20] Earning Trust As A Line Medic
    [00:10:20] Speaking Up About Safety And Role
    [00:16:00] Undercover Dirtbags Story
    [00:18:20] Affordable Adventure Mindset

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    20 mins
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