HikeStrong Podcast
The HikeStrong Podcast is where I share practical guidance on hiking, backpacking, and trekking preparation. Each episode blends fitness insight with real-world training strategies to help you build strength, endurance, and confidence for any trail.I sit down with guests to break down how to train for demanding hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals using smart strength training, endurance training, and conditioning approaches. You’ll hear clear advice on altitude training, uphill training, and injury prevention, all woven into training conversations that support preparation for major destinations such as Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Rim to Rim, Tour du Mont Blanc, the Ca...
From the Flatlands to Kilimanjaro: Two Paths, One Summit | HikeStrong | Ep. 38
Katherine and Ellen set out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro together, but they came into the journey from very different fitness backgrounds. In this episode, they share how they trained from the flatlands, what surprised them on the mountain, and how preparation, friendship, guides, and mindset helped them reach the summit.
In this episode of the Hike Strong Podcast, Marcus talks with Katherine and Ellen, two friends who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro together with Thomson Treks.
Katherine, 66, came into the experience with a long background in endurance sports, including triathlons, open-water swimming, cycling, and running. Ellen, 55, was...
Travel Better, Not More: Insights You’ve Never Heard | HikeStrong | Ep. 37
Most hikers focus on the trail—almost no one understands what shapes the experience before they arrive.
What does it really take to create a great hiking experience—and who’s working behind the scenes to make it possible?
In this episode, Marcus Shapiro sits down with Shannon Stowell, CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), to explore the hidden systems that shape adventure travel around the world. From developing destinations like the Jordan Trail and Patagonia to training guides and supporting local communities, Shannon shares how ATTA quietly influences the experiences hikers...
Training for the Camino After a Heart Attack: One Man’s Return to Hiking | HikeStrong | Ep. 36
In this episode of the Hike Strong Podcast, Marcus Shapiro sits down with Joel — a 63-year-old retired physician who went from a heart attack, beta-blockers, and years of declining fitness… to completing the Camino de Santiago and rediscovering what he’s capable of.
Nine months before this conversation, Joel reached out with a simple question:
Can I actually do this?
After a STEMI in his 40s, years of weight gain, and the limitations of beta-blockers, Joel felt out of shape, uncertain, and honestly — afraid of elevation. But he also had a growing list of adventur...
Training for Mount Kilimanjaro at 68: Sibling Summit Story | HikeStrong | Ep. 35
How do you train for Mount Kilimanjaro at 60+ without living near mountains?
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro isn’t just about summit night — it’s about the months of preparation beforehand.
In this episode, siblings Bob and Susan (both in their late 60s) share how they trained separately in completely different environments and successfully summited Kilimanjaro together.
Susan lives in the Washington, D.C. area and trained using local hikes in Virginia and Maryland, treadmill work, stairs, and strength training — one year after her second hip replacement. Bob lives in Iowa and t...
Who’s Really Behind the Hiking Gear Videos You Watch? | HikeStrong | Ep. 34
Most hikers research hiking gear and watch gear reviews before a trip.
You’ve probably watched hiking gear videos before your last hike—but have you ever thought about who’s creating them?
In this episode, we step inside the world of user-generated content (UGC) and talk with a real outdoor creator about how it actually works in the hiking and outdoor gear industry.
Marcus sits down with Ryan Heck, a UGC creator who works with outdoor brands like KĂśHL and BioLite, to talk about:
What user-generated content actually isHow R...Inside the Outdoor Industry: Lessons from REI, Osprey, and Years Filming in the Field | HikeStrong | Ep. 33
What do years inside the outdoor industry actually teach you about gear, preparation, and creating in nature?
In this episode of the HikeStrong Podcast, Marcus Shapiro sits down with outdoor photographer and filmmaker Dan Holz, co-founder of Fieldborn Creative, to talk about what he learned from nearly a decade working on the retail floor at REI, more than seven years leading photo and video at Osprey, and decades working in the field with hikers, athletes, and outdoor brands.
Dan shares behind-the-scenes insight into how outdoor gear is...
Swiss Alps Hiking at 63 – Part 3: Planning a Swiss Hut-to-Hut Adventure | HikeStrong | Ep. 32
Thinking about a Swiss Alps hut-to-hut hike but don’t know where to start? How do you actually plan it—and what do most first-timers get wrong?
In the final episode of this series, Marcus and Alex, founder of The WanderWeGo Co., dive into the practical realities of hiking in Switzerland. Alex shares what makes the Swiss Alps different from hiking in the U.S., including cultural norms, trail design, and the Swiss trail rating system—an area that often surprises American hikers.
They break down what a mountain hut really...
Swiss Alps Hiking at 63 – Part 2: From Training to the Trail | HikeStrong | Ep. 31
After months of training, what is it actually like to hike hut-to-hut in the Swiss Alps for the first time? This is the reality of a first Swiss hut-to-hut experience.
In Part 2, Dave is joined by Alex, founder of The WanderWeGo Co. and the consultant who designed his Swiss Alps route. Together, they move from preparation to lived experience—talking honestly about what surprised Dave on the trail, what challenged him most, and where his training showed up when it mattered.
They discuss why Alex intentionally steered Dave toward a mo...
Swiss Alps Hiking at 63 – Part 1: Training, Mindset, and Starting from Scratch | HikeStrong | Ep. 30
What does it really take to train for a Swiss Alps hut-to-hut hike at 63—especially if you’re new to multi-day hiking? For Dave, it became a path back to strength, confidence, and independence.
In Part 1 of this three-part series, I sit down with Dave, a first-time hut-to-hut hiker, to talk about the training journey that prepared him for the Alps—and how that process became much more than physical preparation. Week after week, our training check-ins evolved into deeper conversations about aging, independence, freedom, and what it means to stay capable later in life.<...
Training for Mount Rainier: Blake’s Two-Attempt Journey to the Summit — Part 2 | HikeStrong | Ep. 29
In Part 2 of this conversation, Blake Hansen returns to Mount Rainier with lessons learned from his first attempt. This episode focuses on what changed the second time — particularly around gear, systems, and on-mountain decision making.
We talk through how Blake refined his pack, clothing, hydration setup, food strategy, and break efficiency, and how those adjustments made the climb feel more controlled and sustainable. Blake also shares what he learned about layering, managing temperature, and staying ahead of fatigue as conditions changed throughout the climb.
Part 2 brings the st...
Training for Mount Rainier: Blake’s Two-Attempt Journey to the Summit — Part 1 | HikeStrong | Ep. 28
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, I sit down with Blake to walk through the beginning of his Mount Rainier journey — why the mountain became a goal, how his first training cycle unfolded, and what happened during his initial summit attempt.
We talk through the early training data, the challenges that showed up both in preparation and on the mountain, and how travel fatigue, limited sleep, hydration mistakes, and respiratory symptoms factored into the climb and ultimately led him to turn around just below 13,000 feet on summit day.
This episode focuses on th...
I Don’t Hate Backpacking Anymore: Michele's Midlife Confidence Comeback | HikeStrong | Ep. 27
In this episode, Michele shares how one miserable backpacking experience in Yosemite — a trip that began with a rolled ankle and a 5,000-foot descent — nearly pushed her away from backpacking altogether. But instead of giving up, she decided to try again. With structured training and a clearer understanding of how to prepare for a heavy pack, she returned to the trail for a four-day trek in Death Valley and had a completely different experience.
Michele talks about rebuilding confidence in midlife and discovering that the right training made the trail feel not...
How Training for Adventure Strengthens Family Bonds | Part 2 – Hilary and Alexis’ Kilimanjaro Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 26
In Part 2, Hilary and Alexis take us through the final weeks of training, their milestone breakthroughs, and the moments on Mount Kilimanjaro that revealed not just their physical readiness — but their resilience, mindset, and bond as a mother-daughter team.
We talk about how they balanced real life with peak-phase training, including graduation, a full-time job, and a family bike trip that forced them to consolidate workouts and rely on discipline rather than perfect circumstances. Hilary describes how the lunge progression and balance work finally resolved decades of knee pain from an old ACL reconstruction...
How Training for Adventure Strengthens Family Bonds | Part 1 – Hilary and Alexis’ Kilimanjaro Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 25
When Hilary and her daughter Alexis signed up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, they each trained on their own schedule but stayed connected through shared goals, encouragement, and a deep commitment to see the journey through together.
In this first half of their story, Hilary shares how her customized training plan—and especially the lunge progression—transformed the knee she’d struggled with since ACL surgery, leaving it stronger and more stable than it had felt in years. Alexis talks about something different but equally powerful: the gift of disconnection. High on the mo...
20 Weeks, 20 Lessons & The MT Sobek Story | Part 2 – Lisa’s TMB Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 24
In Part 2 of this conversation, Marcus and Lisa pick up where they left off—digging into the peak phase of her 20-week training plan leading up to the Tour du Mont Blanc. They talk about how Lisa managed higher mileage and tougher elevation goals, how she kept her body feeling good and avoided overtraining as the workouts got tougher, and the mindset that carried her through the final stretch of preparation.
Later in the episode, Marcus brings in Travis Wardell, Program Director for Europe at...
20 Weeks, 20 Lessons to Stay Trail Fit | Part 1 – Lisa’s TMB Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 23
I had a pretty ambitious goal going into this conversation with my client, Lisa. The idea was to cover all 20 weeks of her Tour du Mont Blanc training plan, and my hope was that each week you’d learn something you could apply to your training — or at least walk away with a little inspiration.
And the good news is — it turned out great. I’d never done this format before, and it ended up becoming a two-part series. Part 1 focuses on Lisa’s base training phase — the foundation t...
23 Stairs, a Treadmill & 61,350 Feet: Alicia’s Journey to Kilimanjaro | HikeStrong Podcast Ep. 22
What does it take to climb Kilimanjaro when you don’t live near mountains? And what happens when you decide to do it all over again for the Inca Trail?
In this episode, I sit down with Alicia—a self-described “non-athlete” who trained on 23 stairs behind a building and a treadmill with a pack on her back to summit Kilimanjaro. She’s funny, self-deprecating, and brutally honest about what it really feels like to take on a trek of this size. Expect a few laugh-out-loud moments mixed with some hard-earned wisdom.
Now she’...
What Every Traveler Should Know About Guides | Chris Anderson (Part 2) | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 21
Most travelers walk away from a guided trip thinking, “That was amazing”—but they have no idea what it actually took to make it feel that way.
In Part 2 of my conversation with former REI Guide of the Year Chris Anderson, we go behind the curtain to uncover what guides really do:
How REI tried to flip the script and treat guiding as a real career—and why that model didn’t surviveThe long hours, behind-the-scenes prep, and emotional labor that guests never seeThe broken tipping culture—and why it puts guides in a tough, awkwa...Rise and Fall of REI Experiences | Conversation with Chris Anderson (Part 1) | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 20
When REI announced it was shutting down its Experiences Division, the internet exploded with outrage. For many, it felt like the company was abandoning one of the most meaningful things it offered - a way to actually get people outside, not just sell them the gear.
In this episode, I sit down with Chris Anderson, Former director of Risk Management & Guide Training at REI - a key leader behind the Experiences Division - to unpack what really happened behind the scenes.
We cover:
Why REI acquired Arizona Outback Adventures (AOA...52 Days on Everest: It Will Break You - Unless You’re Ready. Alex Harz Was. | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 19
In this exhilarating episode, I talk with Alex Harz, creator and star of the captivating documentary "The Quest Everest." Alex shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories of his meticulous year-long training regimen, intense mental preparation, and unforgettable experiences climbing from Lukla to the summit of Mount Everest.
Listen in as Alex reveals:
The surprising challenges he faced, including unexpected toe injuries and the infamous "Khumbu cough."The reality of the Everest climb—navigating treacherous ladders, repeated ascents through the Khumbu Icefall, and life at extreme altitudes.Insights on the Sherpa community and the cultural significance of th...Pro Athlete Turned Hiker Tia Banks’s Mind Over Mountains Journey After a Grade 5 Knee Tear | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 18
Tia Banks never laced up hiking boots until her mid-30s—after a career as a pro basketball and flag-football athlete was cut short by a Grade 5 cartilage tear in her right knee. In this 41-minute episode, we explore:
Reinventing yourself after injury: How she pivoted from court and field into totally unfamiliar trails, rediscovered her identity and went on to summit Kilimanjaro while battling illness, whipping winds and half the oxygen she was used to.Why “too late” is a myth: How a total novice built high-altitude endurance with pre-dawn weighted walks, stair-climb marath...94K Feet Up, 88 Pounds Down: 30-Day Upper Dolpo Nepal Trek at 67—Stairs, Treadmills & Deadlifts | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 17
I’ll never forget the email that landed in my inbox last November. “Failure isn’t an option,” Trudy wrote. “How do I get in tip-top shape for a 30-day Upper Dolpo trek?”
Fast-forward five months: Trudy—67 years young and 88 pounds lighter—had logged almost 275 miles and 94,000 feet of elevation gain training, half of it on real stairs and mountain trails, the rest on treadmills between deadlifts and trap-bar sessions. She showed up in Nepal ready for twelve high passes (six over 16,500 ft, topping out at 18,250 ft) and the cultural...
Kilimanjaro Confidence Blueprint: Altitude Adaptation, Route Savvy, Guide Magic | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 16
I’ve been a fitness partner with Thomson Safaris since 2009. So when I finally got the chance to interview someone from their team, I didn’t waste time on the usual fluff—no “best time to go,” no “how high is the mountain,” and no softball questions to promote their brand. We went straight to the real issue that every Kilimanjaro trekker talks about: altitude.
Carolyn Hardy, Senior Safari & Kilimanjaro Consultant at Thomson Safaris, joined me for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to get to the top of Kilimanjaro...
Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans Helped Matthew Summit Kilimanjaro, Choose Any Hiking Challenge and Train | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 15
On today’s episode of the Hike Strong Podcast, I'm talking with Matthew, who shares his inspiring journey from feeling unhealthy and unmotivated to successfully completing a Kilimanjaro summit—his very first multi-day trek.
Matthew used my FREE 12-Week Hiking Training Plans from FitForTrips.com to get fit, lose weight, and build the essential leg strength needed for steep descents, rocky terrain, and intense stair sessions.
You'll hear firsthand how structured, realistic training helped Matthew overcome his doubts, turning his summit day into an enjoyable and empowering experience.
And remember, if you...
A Hiker’s Story: From Doubt to Determination | Exercise to Hiking-Focused Training | Kili to Backpacking | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 14
In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Renee—one of my amazing clients living in Montana at the time of her successful summit, now living in Alaska. Even if Kilimanjaro isn’t on your radar, you’ll find plenty of motivation and training nuggets here for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by a big, iconic hike. Renee was 40 when she tackled the 19,341-foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and later braved a demanding Alaskan backpacking trip.
I’m Marcus Shapiro, hiking strength and conditioning coach and founder of FitForTrips.com. Join me as I sit...
14ers, Everest Base Camp & Kilimanjaro | Your Path to Non-Technical High-Altitude Trekking | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 13
I sat down once again with Will Burkhart, founder of Badass Adventures, to dive into a new topic: non-technical high-altitude mountaineering. Will was my very first guest on this podcast, and his episode on Rim to Rim hiking is a must-listen for anyone tackling the Grand Canyon in a single day. But today, we’re going even higher!
We define non-technical high-altitude mountaineering as climbing between 14,000 and 19,400 feet without the use of ropes or belaying. Will has created a tiered approach to getting into this ty...
Required R2R & TMB Listening, Hiking Training Tips, Dealing with Knee Pain | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 12
In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with one of my amazing clients from Maryland, John. He was 62 years old at the time he hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc and a one-day Rim to Rim hike within one month of each other.
Our conversation toggles back and forth between TMB and R2R. You’ll learn about John’s hiking training strategies, tips for each of the iconic hikes, fueling strategies, and more. John also discusses his issues dealing with knee pain and how he manage...
Ultralight Wisdom: Glen Van Peski on Gear, Adventure, and Life Lessons | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 11
In this episode of the Hike Strong podcast, host Marcus Shapiro sits down with a true icon in the ultralight backpacking world, Glen Van Peski. Known by his trail name "Home Made" for his self-crafted gear, Glen is also dubbed "Legend" by friends like John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market, due to his profound influence on the hiking community. But Marcus has a different name for him—"Sage"—a nod to Glen’s wisdom that extends far beyond the trails.
An engineer, father of three, founder of Gossamer Gear, and author of the insightful book take Less...
Backpacking Training Success with Zero Hiking, Building Confidence for Wilderness Backpacking, Endorsement Episode | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 10
My name is Marcus Shapiro, a hiking strength and conditioning coach and the founder of FitForTrips.com. Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of my backpacking clients, Dermot. At age 54, he successfully completed an incredible 8-day backpacking adventure in the Maroon Bells. In our conversation, we dove into the key challenges he faced during our 16 weeks of hiking training, and Dermot shared some profound insights that seemed beyond his years.
What makes this episode so relatable is Dermot’s journey—he trained in and around his home in Chicago for an intense Colorado hike...
Ultralight Backpacking Ideas for Beginners, Tips to Lighten Your Backpack, How to Transition to Lighter Backpacking | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 09
My loyal audience is accustomed to tuning in to my interviews with hiking and backpacking guides. But today, I'm taking a detour to speak with an interesting guy named Nathan (Nate) Pipenberg. I was reading an article titled "The Best Backpacking Packs for Any Adventure" on the Outside app. At the bottom of the article, it reads, "Meet our testers." Nate Pipenberg was listed as a tester, so I decided to approach meeting him literally and interview him for you today.Â
Nate writes a biweekly column for Backpacker Magazine and is the category manager for sleeping bag...
Kilimanjaro Training Tips, Building Confidence To Summit Kilimanjaro, Endorsement Episode | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 08
My name is Marcus Shapiro. I am a hiking strength and conditioning coach and founder of FitForTrips.com. Today, I had the privilege of speaking with one of my Kilimanjaro trekking clients. His name is David, and he was 65 at the time of his successful Kilimanjaro summit. Our conversation revealed the elements that led to his climbing achievement. This was an honor and a pleasure for me. I am grateful to receive David’s endorsement. Enjoy the conversation...
HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/
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Kilimanjaro Training Tips, Building Confidence To Summit Kilimanjaro, Endorsement Episode | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 08
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My name is Marcus Shapiro. I am a hiking strength and conditioning coach and founder of FitForTrips.com. Today, I had the privilege of speaking with one of my Kilimanjaro trekking clients. His name is David, and he was 65 at the time of his successful Kilimanjaro summit. Our conversation revealed the elements that led to his climbing achievement. This was an honor and a pleasure for me. I am grateful to receive David’s endorsement. Enjoy the conversation...
Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Ba...
Sunny Stroeer, Hiking at Altitude Explained, Fueling For Hikes, Trekking Pole Powers | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 07
Oh, so you don’t know who Sunny Stroeer is? Do you know what an FKT is? Have you heard a clear explanation of how to hike successfully at high altitudes? Do you think trekking poles are for wimps? Sunny provides answers to these questions and more. So what are you waiting for? Click play now!
In this really fun interview, Marcus Shapiro skillfully draws valuable insights from Sunny Stroeer’s expertise in extreme hiking as she simplifies the information into actionable steps. She is the co-owner of Dreamland Safari Tour...
Backpacking Challenges, Discover New Grand Canyon Hikes, Training Tips, Mt. Whitney | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 06
As you read this, take a moment to ask yourself: Would I benefit from testing my mental and physical capabilities? If you answer yes, I have an alternative to endurance obstacle courses like Tough Mudder or Spartan Race. Consider challenging yourself by going on a backpacking adventure through some of the most iconic areas in the contiguous United States, where you'll be guided by experienced professionals (a.k.a. Team Leaders) who prioritize your safety and help you achieve your full physical and mental potential.
Marcus Shapiro talks today with Christopher Casado...
Hiking to Mountaineering How-To, Training for Mountaineering, What are the First Mountains to Climb in U.S. | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 05
To all you hikers out there who want to give mountaineering a go, this episode is for you.  Marcus flushes out some fantastic knowledge from Karsten Delap, founder of Pisgah Climbing School. He is one of 200 people in the United States with the IFMGA licensed mountain guide certification. And he is the only one who lives in the Southeast. IFMGA stands for International Federation of Mountain Guides Association.
Karsten is a highly respected mountain guide and will help you understand how to transition from hiking to mountaineering. And Marcus’ goal today is to g...
Half Dome Hiking 150+ Times, Cable Route Technique & Advice, Avoid Falls, Permits | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 04
Let's delve into the world of Half Dome hiking, a thrilling Yosemite National Park adventure that requires both safety precautions and a strong dose of motivation. Marcus Shapiro turns to Scott Gehrman, founder of Lasting Adventures, for expertise on the subject. He has summited Half Dome 150+ times with clients brave enough to ascend and descend this majestic peak.
After speaking with Scott, Marcus concluded that his clients' summit success is a testament to the confidence he exudes to his hiking groups. This guy knows everything about Half Dome, and his clients know it...
Hiking the White Mountains vs Colorado Rockies, Training Tips, Best White Mountains Trails, Mount Washington | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 03
Marcus Shapiro is joined by Dave Fatula, White Mountains hiking expert and founder of Guineafowl Adventure Company. Dave successfully makes a strong pitch for why hiking in the White Mountains (in New Hampshire) is one of the most fun, beautiful, and rugged destinations in the Lower 48. Your challenge is to listen and then ask yourself how long you can resist before having to experience hikes in the Whites for yourself. He calls the White Mountains, Boston’s Backyard. Marcus and Dave talk fitness, trails you should hike, spectacular views above the treeline and much more… Below is a sa...
Tour du Mont Blanc Training Tips, How and When to Hike TMB, Wisdom | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 02
Marcus Shapiro is joined by Mags and Olly - Tour du Mont Blanc experts! They both share a passion for the Tour du Mont Blanc hike a.k.a. TMB. After listening to the discussion, you will feel confident about committing to this iconic hike. Below is a sampling of some discussion topics:
- Make your pitch for why someone should pick the TMB if they could only make one trip this year.
- What is the most common fitness question you get?
- Do you find a difference in fitness lev...
Rim to Rim 55x, How to Hike R2R, Training Tips | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 01
Marcus Shapiro is joined by Will Burkhart, owner of Badass Adventures. Will has Guided and hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim 55+ times and is one of the experts you should listen to before dropping into the canyon. There are excellent hiking guides, and then there are badass guides like Will.Â
His confidence and competence were forged by his years as a marine, a professional adventure race pioneer, and a hiking guide for decades, leading easy hikes to high-altitude summits. Marcus and Will discuss R2R training, whether to cross North to South or vice versa, and much...
