{"podcast":{"title":"The Hunt Backcountry Podcast","slug":"the-hunt-backcountry-podcast-431193","podcast_index_feed_id":431193,"rss_url":"https://feed.podbean.com/huntbackcountry/feed.xml","website_url":"https://huntbackcountry.podbean.com","image_url":"https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/1310813/hb-podcast-logo-1400.jpg","author":"by Exo Mtn Gear","episode_count":649,"summary":"Backcountry hunters talking backcountry hunting. No advertisers or sponsors, no fluff, no BS. We discuss tactics, strategies, gear, hunt stories, and more — featuring a wide variety of guests, from industry experts to everyday listeners of the show. Your hosts, Steve & Mark, have decades of experience hunting the mountains for elk, deer, bear, antelope, sheep, mountain goats, caribou, and more. While this podcast is 100% independent and free from advertising or sponsorship, it is brought to you by Exo Mtn Gear, which we own and operate. Exo’s mission is to build the best backcountry hunting pack systems available, provide the best service possible, and do it all right here in the USA. Learn more at: https://exomtngear.com/ Contact us at any time with your questions or feedback by emailing us: podcast@exomtngear.com. Or visit the searchable archive of all podcast episodes we have published over the past decade at: https://exomtngear.com/podcast. Thanks for listening! —Steve & Mark","last_synced_at":"2026-07-23T02:18:40.057020+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hunt-backcountry-podcast-431193"},"episode":{"title":"574 | Building the Mountain Hunter: Physiology, Foundations, and the 20-Week Training Plan","slug":"574-building-the-mountain-hunter-physiology-foundations-and-the-20-week-training-plan","published_at":"2026-04-01T12:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hunt-backcountry-podcast-431193/574-building-the-mountain-hunter-physiology-foundations-and-the-20-week-training-plan","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hunt-backcountry-podcast-431193","url":"https://huntbackcountry.podbean.com/e/574/","audio_url":"https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/nd3cx4scmp2m5hmy/574.mp3","summary":"John Frieh from Evoke Endurance joins us to discuss a new 20-week training plan, developed in collaboration with Scott Johnston, specifically designed for the unique demands of backcountry hunting. The conversation explores the physiological foundations of endurance, the importance of structured programming, and how hunters can transition from being \"strong\" to being \"aerobically fit\" for the mountains. Why Fitness is a Specific Task Definition: Fitness is defined as the specific ability to perform a chosen task; being fit for one activity often means being \"unfit\" for another if the training is too specialized. Safety: In mountain hunting, fitness acts as a safety buffer that determines your ability to handle multi-day efforts and return home safely. The Hunting Demand: Unlike many mountain sports where loads decrease over time, hunting is unique because the physical demand often peaks at the end when packing out an animal. The Power of the Aerobic \"Gas Tank\" Mitochondria: Endurance is powered by mitochondria, the \"powerhouses\" of the cells that produce energy (ATP) from fat. Efficiency: Proper aerobic training increases mitochondrial density, which John compares to upgrading a truck's fuel economy—allowing you to go longer and faster without running out of \"gas.\" The Deficiency: Most hunters are already strong but \"aerobically deficient,\" meaning they lack the efficiency to move all day without getting \"cranky\" or hitting a wall. Structured Training Phases A successful program follows a linear progression to give the body clear, \"un-muddled\" messages for adaptation: Aerobic Base: The foundation of the program involves low-intensity work (Zone 2) to build mitochondria. This phase often feels \"boring\" or \"slow\" but is mandatory for long-term success. Max Strength: This…","meta_description":"John Frieh from Evoke Endurance joins us to discuss a new 20-week training plan, developed in collaboration with Scott Johnston, specifically designed for…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":5305,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-hunt-backcountry-podcast-431193/episodes/574-building-the-mountain-hunter-physiology-foundations-and-the-20-week-training-plan/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-hunt-backcountry-podcast-431193/574-building-the-mountain-hunter-physiology-foundations-and-the-20-week-training-plan.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}