
Advertise on podcast: Second Nature
Rating
4.9from
This podcast has
178 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Dylan Bowman & Aaron LutzeExplicit
No
Date created
2024/03/21
Latest episode
2026/10/02
Average duration
69 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
The business of outdoor hosted by Aaron Lutze & Dylan Bowman
Unlock Second Nature podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details
Email contact information
Direct podcast contact details

Listeners
Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details
Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from Second Nature podcast
How A Brand From The Bottom Of The World Went Global
2026/10/02
Hamish and Hannah Acland, co-founders of Mons Royale, join Second Nature to tell the story of building a global merino wool brand from Wanaka, New Zealand. The brand started with an email titled "Anatomy of an Idea" that brought the two of them together. They talk through the founding insight that base layers were the one piece of ski gear nobody had bothered to make exciting, and how they set out to build a global brand from day one rather than a New Zealand one, despite a disastrous first trade show and years of razor-thin margins as distributors took their cut.
Hamish and Hannah are candid about the harder second chapter of the business: losing their creative conviction under pressure from wholesalers, the challenge of scaling a founder-led vision into a real team, and the ongoing tension between growth and funding.
They also get into how "action sports can better people and planet" became the brand's operating mission over the language of sustainability, why Mons Royale built an athlete program when visibility wasn't even possible for a base-layer brand, and what it's taught them about resilience, team-building, and staying global-minded from a town of a few thousand people at the bottom of the world.
Second Nature is proudly supported by Popfly and Halo:
Popfly for Brands: https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Popfly for Creators: https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Halo: https://www.poweredbyhalo.com
Show Notes:
Mons Royale: https://monsroyale.com/
Hamish Acland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishacland/
Hannah Acland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-acland/
ISPO: https://www.ispo.com/
Mattie Sims on Second Nature: https://youtu.be/tJl441qcZLk
Robin Goomes: https://www.youtube.com/@robin_riding_hood
Future Ground Event: https://monsroyale.com/blogs/news/future-ground-full-video
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Keen Shoes: https://www.keenfootwear.com/
Belonging (Book): https://bookshop.org/a/128566/9781529410310
Insta360 X6: https://store.insta360.com/consumer?utm_term=SUPERRIDER
Find Us:
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
Wisdom From A Decade Of Affiliate Marketing
2026/09/25
Angie Burnett has spent over a decade in affiliate marketing — starting with coupon sites at 1-800 Contacts, moving through fashion e-commerce, and now leading influencer and affiliate partnerships at Backcountry, a 30-year-old brand she's helped modernize for the creator economy. Recorded live at Outdoor Retailer, this conversation goes deep on what most people get wrong about affiliate marketing and what the best creators and brands are doing differently right now.
Angie breaks down why "owning your audience" matters more than ever and how she evaluates creators beyond follower counts (including a surprising use of Reddit and Meta's Creator tools). She also walks through what it actually takes to build an affiliate program from scratch, why newsletters are a much harder affiliate channel than people assume, and how YouTube's new shopping integration is changing the game for creators.
Second Nature Is Supported By:
Popfly (For Brands): https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Popfly (For Creators/Athletes): https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Halo: https://www.poweredbyhalo.com
Show Notes:
Angie Burnett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angieburnett/
Backcountry: https://backcountrycreator.tnu8.net/enE9bO
Popfly: https://www.popfly.com
Wasatch Adventure Dress: https://backcountrycreator.tnu8.net/ZVzG0W
Avantlink: https://www.avantlink.com
Impact: https://www.impact.com
Clique Agency: https://cliqueaffiliate.com/
MarTec Record (Slack): https://martechrecord.com/industry-surveys-reports-and-data/
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Koala Eco Veggie Wash: https://www.koalaeco.com/
DryBrew: https://drybrew.com/
Fun Stuff:
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
Building in Public: A Basecamp From the Ground Up
2026/09/18
YJ Tung is building Foresthill Basecamp — a performance lodge with ten modular cabins at mile 62 of the Western States Trail, featuring saunas, cold plunges, and everything an endurance athlete could want after a long day on the trail. The idea started after a three-hour delirious drive home from his first ultra, and it's now becoming real through a combination of validation, relationship-building, and no small amount of serendipity.
In this conversation, YJ walks through how he and his business partner validated the concept with just $15-20 a day in Meta ads before building anything, how a chance connection in the Second Nature Slack turned into real partnership support, and what it's been like to work his first-ever trade show booth at TrailCon. He also gets candid about losing his father, managing the imposter syndrome that comes with pursuing something this ambitious, and why he's convinced he's exactly the right person to bring this particular idea to life.
Second Nature is proudly supported by:
Halo: https://poweredbyhalo.com/
Popfly (for brands): https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Popfly (for creators): https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Show Notes:
YJ Tung: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youngjohntung/
Miwok 100k: https://miwok100k.com/
Isaac French: https://www.isaacjfrench.com/
Unreasonable Hospitality (Book): https://amzn.to/3UZex4c
Sally McRae - Western States Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHoXgYPvj6o
East Peak: https://www.runeastpeak.com/
SF Run Co: https://store.sfrunco.com/
TrailCon: https://trailconference.com/
Foresthill Basecamp on IndieGogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/foresthill_basecamp/fhbc
Hitchhiker's Guide To the Galaxy: https://amzn.to/4y3e27R
Second Nature Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Autocamp: https://autocamp.com/
Ramble podcast episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahFqLCAyEvY
Snowpeak: https://www.snowpeak.com/
mammoth trailfest: https://www.mammothtrailfest.com/
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Trail Work (Book): https://amzn.to/4d1VJrp
Without A Doubt - Braydon Bringhurst: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIWGC_qnBO4
Find Us:
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
The Business Behind the Best Activation at UTMB (And Beyond)
2026/09/11
Hilary Fenet just pulled off one of the most talked-about brand activations at UTMB — a full hotel takeover in Chamonix for Rabbit, complete with a clubhouse for the week, community breakfasts, and an espresso cart in the parking lot. But the company behind it, Halo, started with a much smaller and much less glamorous moment: Hilary booking a hotel on the wrong side of a mountain before a race in the Italian Dolomites.
In this conversation, Hilary walks through how a bad hotel booking turned into a genuine business insight — brands were building incredible experiences for their sponsored athletes, but ignoring the people actually buying their gear. She breaks down how Halo builds these activations from the ground up, the data that makes the case for in-person experience over pure digital marketing, and what it actually takes to scale something this bespoke to multiple events happening around the world at once.
Second Nature is proudly supported by Halo and Popfly:
Halo: https://www.poweredbyhalo.com
Popfly for Brands: https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Popfly for Creators: https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Show Notes:
Halo: https://www.poweredbyhalo.com
Hilary Fenet: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-fenet-b2b2358/
Rabbit: https://www.runinrabbit.com/
Monica DeVreese: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monid/
Dolomite Skyrace: https://www.dolomitemountains.com/en/resources/dolomites-tips/sky-race-in-the-dolomites
Aravaipa: https://www.aravaiparunning.com/
Citadel Investment Group: https://www.citadel.com/
SAFE Note: https://carta.com/learn/startups/fundraising/convertible-securities/safes/
Athletic Brewing on Second Nature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUZyMp1XsPs
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Rabbit: https://www.runinrabbit.com/
Theo of Golden (Book): https://amzn.to/4xliEF3
Climatic: https://www.climatichealth.com/
War of Art (Book): https://amzn.to/4h2vkuE
Shoe Dog (Book): https://amzn.to/4A5RSmL
Fun Stuff:
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
What Farmers Taught Him About Building A Company
2026/09/04
Taylor Hoekstra spent years selling products through an unlikely channel — farmer YouTubers — years before anyone called it the "creator economy." That experience taught him something most people in the outdoor industry hadn't figured out yet, and it planted the seed for Popfly.
Before writing a line of code, Taylor spent two years and roughly 500 conversations validating the idea, testing a simple question: would people actually pay for this? In this conversation, recorded live at Outdoor Retailer, Taylor walks through the classic cold-start problem every founder building a two-sided marketplace has to solve — get supply first, use supply to pull in demand, then reinvest in supply relentlessly. He also gets honest about the early years trying to convince outdoor brands that working with creators was worth their marketing budget, long before it was an easy sell.
Second Nature is proudly supported by Popfly and Halo:
Popfly for Brands: https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Popfly for Creators: https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Halo: https://www.poweredbyhalo.com
Show Notes:
Taylor Hoekstra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorhoekstra/
Popfly: https://www.popfly.com
Camp Chef: https://www.campchef.com/
Cold Start Problem: https://amzn.to/4qTtHEb
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Outdoor Retailer: https://outdoorretailer.com/
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: https://us.amazfit.com/
Shackelton's Voyage: https://amzn.to/4qRwmOB
57 Hours: https://57hours.com/
Fun Stuff:
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
Navigating Transitions With Rebecca Rusch
2026/09/02
Today, we're sharing something a little different. My longtime friend Rebecca Rusch invited me onto her podcast, What's The Rusch, to talk about navigating transitions: the ones we choose, and the ones that choose us.
Rebecca and I have known each other for over 20 years, since my days as her athlete manager at Red Bull, and this conversation covers a lot of ground: my own path from Red Bull into building Super Rider and Second Nature, the behind-the-scenes story of helping athletes see the light, and some honest reflections on loss, reinvention, and figuring out what comes next.
This isn't a regular Second Nature episode, but it felt too good not to share. Enjoy the conversation, and if you like what you hear, go check out the rest of What's The Rusch right here: https://www.rebeccarusch.com/whatstherusch
How To Build a Business, Not Just a Following
2026/08/28
Second Nature Listener Survey: https://surveymars.com/q/inCNkLas9
Alyssa Olenick, known online as Doc Lyss, has spent the last eight years building a seven-figure fitness and training business while simultaneously earning a PhD in exercise physiology. She started with $35-a-month one-on-one coaching over Google Sheets and a MacBook that literally overheated. Today she runs a training app, a coaching team, and a quarter-million-follower community built on a simple philosophy: talk to your customers, act fast, and never stop iterating.
In this conversation, Alyssa breaks down what it actually took to build a business that didn't feel real until nearly a decade in, why she turned down far more brand deals than she accepted, and what "world-building" really means in modern marketing: the idea that people buy into an identity, not just a product. She also gets candid about the hardest season of her business, the difference between growing a business and running a company, and why she deliberately paused an entire second brand for years because she knew she couldn't do both well at once.
This episode is supported by Popfly and Halo:
Popfly for Brands: https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Popfly for Creators: https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Halo: https://www.poweredbyhalo.com
Show Notes:
Alyssa Olenick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssaolenick/
DocLyssFitness: https://www.instagram.com/doclyssfitness/
The Lyss Method: https://quiz-thelyssmethod.com/
DocLyss Newsletter: https://substack.com/@doclyssfitness
DocLyss YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@doclyssfitness
Alex Hormozi: https://www.instagram.com/hormozi/?hl=en
Shelby Sapp: https://shelbysapp.com/
Codie Sanchez: https://codiesanchez.com/
Yeti: https://www.backcountry.com/brand/yeti
ShopMy - Alyssa's Storefront: https://shopmy.us/shop/doclyssfitness
NoBull: https://nobullproject.com/
Ozlo Sleepbuds: https://ozlosleep.com/
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
SENIQ: https://seniqbrand.com/
Halfdays: https://www.halfdays.com/
Suunto Race 2: https://www.backcountry.com/suunto-race-2-sport-watch
Courtney - Post Hardrock Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQYa_fTw01w
HoverAir X1 ProMax: https://us.hoverair.com/products/hoverair-x1-self-flying-camera-combo
Fun Stuff:
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
The Bentonville Blueprint, From the People Who Built It
2026/08/21
Second Nature Listener Survey: https://surveymars.com/q/inCNkLas9
Gary Vernon, Scott King, and Aimee Ross have been building what is now one of the most significant mountain bike destinations in the world. What started in 2006 as a five-mile trail system in Bentonville, Arkansas has grown into 600 miles of trail across the region, 1,200 miles statewide, and most recently, a lift-access bike park with its own chairlift, restaurant, and membership model.
In this conversation, they walk through the design principles that made it work: building for beginners first, focusing on progression, and the decision to build within city limits rather than isolating trails on private land. They also break down the economics of trail building compared to traditional recreational infrastructure, what it actually took to build a 38-trail bike park in under two years, and the advice they give every community that calls asking "how do we become the next Bentonville"...which is, simply, don't try.
Second Nature is proudly supported by Popfly and Halo:
Popfly: https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Halo: https://www.poweredbyhalo.com
Show Notes:
Scott King: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-scott-king-9991a4/
Aimee Ross: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeeross/
Gary Vernon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-vernon-ii-58253a7/
Tom Walton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-walton-40b9792ba/
OZ Bike Park: https://oztrailsbikepark.com/
OZ Trails: https://www.oztrails.com/
Discovery Loop: https://www.visitbentonville.com/blog/stories/post/ride-the-loop-bentonvilles-scenic-bike-route/
IMBA: https://www.imba.com/
Transform Your Community (Gary's TED Talk): https://youtu.be/yXJkWIeNP6g?si=p8frsQWhW7CzqJnB
IMBA TrailLab: https://www.imba.com/trail-labs
Gravity Logic: https://www.whistlergravitylogic.com/
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Cone valve suspension: https://dirtbikemagazine.com/cone-valve-suspension/
Sierra Nevada NA: https://sierranevada.com/brews/trail-pass-ipa
Triumph Daytona: https://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/motorcycles/sport/daytona-660
The Design Way (Book): https://amzn.to/4zjfoMS
Marin Alpine Trail EXR (Aaron's Bike): https://marinbikes.com/collections/alpine-trail-e
Fun Stuff:
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
The Athlete Who Thinks Like A Founder
2026/08/14
Annijke Wade became an adaptive mountain biker in 2021 after a downhill accident left her with a spinal cord injury. Four years later, she's racing at events like SBT Gravel and Sea Otter Classic, running a nonprofit called Dirt Bound that develops para athletes, building a content strategy sophisticated enough to land her in a Meta Creator program, and already planning for goals she can't quite reveal yet for 2027 and 2028.
In this conversation, Annijke and Aaron dig into what's changed in adaptive mountain biking over the last five years, how she thinks about building a career that doesn't depend on race results or viral moments, and what it actually takes to convince race organizers to include para athletes. They also get into her content strategy — from 822 followers to 10,000, the loop format, and working with Meta on creator growth — and what brands should look for when building long-term athlete partnerships.
Show Notes:
Annijke Wade: https://www.instagram.com/geodesicdome/
Bowhead Bikes: https://www.bowheadcorp.com/
Martyn Ashton: https://www.instagram.com/martynashton/
Rideable Now: https://www.rideablenow.com/
Rebecca's Private Idaho: https://www.rebeccasprivateidaho.com/
Annijke's Shreddit Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE8_RpvGO6c
Dirt Bound: https://www.dirtboundcycling.com/
Dialed Creator Program: https://www.skool.com/dialedcreator/about
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Lael Wilcox: https://www.instagram.com/laelwilcox/
Matador - refillable toothpaste: https://www.matadorequipment.com/products/refillable-toothpaste-tubes
Ozlo Sleepbuds: https://ozlosleep.com/
TRTL Neckwrap: https://amzn.to/4pVM8Y0
Any One Of Us (Film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kKJdHMJJJU
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
#podcast #secondnature #outdoor #businesspodcast #outdoorpodcast #industry #athlete #business
How One Brand Can Predict the Industry's Next Move
2026/08/07
Jill Nazeer is the brand marketing manager at Salsa Cycles and one of the most experienced athlete and content marketers in the bike industry. Before Salsa, she was at Diamondback during one of the most interesting periods in mountain bike content history: when Seth from Berm Peak was just a guy with a cool YouTube channel, and Eric Porter was figuring out what adventure content could look like. She helped build what became one of the most effective creator rosters in the industry, almost by accident.
In this conversation, Jill walks through what she learned about athlete marketing at Diamondback, how Salsa's relationship with parent company QBP gives them an unusual data advantage in the industry, and why she spent two years making penny farthing jokes before becoming a true believer in 32-inch wheels. She also gets into what brands get wrong about the DTC vs. bike shop debate, why the bike shop still matters more than most people think, and the Columbia Flat Earther campaign — which might be the most creative brand marketing move of the year.
Show Notes:
Jill Nazeer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-nazeer-a05b554/
Salsa Cycles: https://www.salsacycles.com/
Eric Porter: https://www.youtube.com/@PorterMTB
Berm Peak: https://www.youtube.com/@SethsBikeHacks
Mike Hopkins - Dream Ride: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1dcZTSAzk
Micayla Gatto: https://www.instagram.com/micaylagatto/
QBP: https://www.qbp.com/
Surly: https://surlybikes.com/
Salsa Fargo 32: https://www.salsacycles.com/collections/fargo-32
Unbound Gravel: https://www.unboundgravel.com/
Wanderosa: https://www.salsacycles.com/collections/wanderosa
SENIQ on Second Nature: https://youtu.be/LUkiabROzdg
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Columbia Expedition Impossible: https://www.columbia.com/expedition-impossible.html
Backcountry Slickrock Kit: https://backcountrycreator.tnu8.net/1G2WPB
Wild Rye: https://wild-rye.com/
Shredly: https://shredly.com/
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
#podcast #secondnature #outdoor #businesspodcast #outdoorpodcast #industry #athlete #business
What Victoria's Secret Taught Two Founders About the Outdoor Industry
2026/07/31
Tina and Madison started SENIQ after nearly a decade building careers at Victoria's Secret and Backcountry — and it turns out the most important lessons they carried into their brand came from a lingerie company, not an outdoor retailer. Growing up in a world where women sat on every leadership team and product innovation was the quarterback of the business shaped how they think about building SENIQ from the ground up.
In this conversation, the co-founders of SENIQ walk through the full story — writing their business plan on a template they found online, moving into their parents' basements in Columbus, Ohio to launch, and trusting their gut to launch a ski collection six months in, despite every mentor telling them not to. They also get into how low-res iPhone content consistently outperformed expensive campaign shoots, why co-founders who disagree on everything make better brands, and how to figure out which voices to ignore when you're building something nobody has built before.
Second Nature is proudly supported by:
Halo: https://poweredbyhalo.com/
Popfly (for brands): https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Popfly (for creators): https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Show Notes:
Tina Thompson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentinathompson/
Madison Hilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-hilson/
SENIQ: https://seniqbrand.com/
Backcountry: https://www.backcountry.com
Business Plan Template: https://offers.hubspot.com/business-plan-template
SENIQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seniq
Mattie Sims on Second Nature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJl441qcZLk
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Primally Pure Deodorant: https://primallypure.com/
Gorpgirls x Oboz: https://obozfootwear.com/pages/oboz-x-gorp-girls
Never Slept - Nike Knicks Ad: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZjR_dosb9x/
Dream Crazier - Nike Ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWfX5jeF6k4
Garmin 970: https://backcountrycreator.tnu8.net/L0rY60
Detours With Valentina: https://valentinathompson.substack.com/
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
He Never Wanted to Go Viral. That's Why Brands Trust Him.
2026/07/24
Tommie Runz started running in 2018, a year after choosing sobriety, and began documenting the journey simply because it felt good to share progress and get encouragement. Seven years later, he's built an audience of over 30,000 through nothing but consistency and honesty — no viral moments, no big follower jumps, just a steady climb built entirely on trust.
In this conversation, Tommie and Aaron pick up where they left off after a live panel at TrailCon, digging into what it actually looks like to build a career as an athlete-creator without compromising who you are. Tommie breaks down why he's turned down "ambassador" deals that undervalue creators, how relationships with brands often take years rather than emails to develop, and the moment he realized his content needed to sound exactly like him or it wasn't worth doing at all.
Second Nature is supported by Popfly:
Popfly for Creators: https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Popfly for Brands: https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Show Notes:
Tommie Runz: https://www.tommierunz.com/
Tommie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Tommie_Runz
Tommie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Tommie_Runz
PR Project (Podcast): https://www.youtube.com/c/PRProject/videos
Asics: https://www.asics.com/
Mack Baker (Asics): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mack-baker-b6218717/
Cosign Creatives: https://cosignmag.com/cosign-creative-agency/
Tommie Runz Show (Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tommie-runz-show/id1538233660
Broken Arrow: https://www.brokenarrowskyrace.com/
Tommie on Freetrail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7lJd4t12a8
TrailCon: https://www.trailconference.com
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Currently: https://currentlyrunning.com/
Best Running Podcasts: https://bestrunningpodcasts.com/
Precision Fuel & Hydration: https://www.precisionhydration.com/
Aaronnomics: https://www.instagram.com/aaronnomics/
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
State of the Industry: Trail Running at TrailCon
2026/07/17
Steve Holmberg and Matt Trappe are back for a debrief on one of the biggest weeks in trail running — Broken Arrow, Western States, and everything in between at TrailCon. Steve breaks down his state-of-the-industry analysis: why trail running's rebrand from "ultra running" unlocked massive new participation, why the sport is about to fragment the way mountain biking did decades ago, and why brands chasing "max" specs are about to pivot to "right" specs built specifically for trail.
Then Matt takes listeners inside a project few people got to experience firsthand — a house in Tahoe built with Skratch and other partners, designed to bring brand leaders, athletes, and creators together without competitive walls. He explains the intention behind it, what happened when 37 of 40 people in the room spoke up during an unscripted conversation, and why some of the best moments of the week happened specifically because they weren't being recorded.
Show Notes:
Popfly for Brands: https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Popfly for Creators: https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Steve Holmberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenholmberg/
Matt Trappe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-trappe/
Insight Accelerator: https://insight-accelerator.com/
Matter of Brand: https://amatterofbrand.substack.com/
TrailCon: https://www.trailconference.com
Tommie Runz: https://www.instagram.com/tommie_runz/
Salomon TV - Trail Dogs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05sUhlxFBk0
Salomon TV - Bill Dooper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF8ZdwpnTLQ
WSJ on Trail Runners: https://www.wsj.com/style/fashion/trail-running-footwear-9d39a2c6
Broken Arrow: https://www.brokenarrowskyrace.com/
ACG: https://www.nike.com/acg
Freetrail: https://www.freetrail.com
Tantrums: https://tantrums.run/
Amazfit: https://us.amazfit.com/
Skratch: https://www.skratchlabs.com/
SF Run Co: https://store.sfrunco.com/
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
Hilary Yang "Raise The Bar": https://www.thehilaryann.com/raise-the-bar
Marin Rift Zone EL XR: https://marinbikes.com/products/2025-rift-zone-el-xr-int
Golden Hour Racing Shirt: https://auteursportif.com/collections/golden-hour-racing-capsule
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
The Last Time Someone Reinvented Camping Was 1962
2026/07/10
Matt Oesterle built his first company, Callisto Media, from zero to $85 million in revenue by using data to disrupt the book publishing industry. Then he sold it to Penguin Random House and asked himself: what's the next industry that hasn't been forced to evolve? The answer was camping — an industry whose biggest brands were founded in the 1960s and haven't changed much since.
In this conversation, Matt walks through the framework he uses to pick businesses, how he designed the Ramble campground experience from scratch, and what it takes to build a hospitality brand that maintains a 4.98-star review score while scaling to 100+ locations. He also gets into the role of data versus instinct in entrepreneurship, why type two fun is a hiring requirement for his team, and why you don't have to be a sociopath to build something great.
If you've ever looked at an industry and thought "someone should fix this" — this is the episode for you.
Show Notes:
Popfly for Brands: https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Popfly for Athletes: https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Matt Oesterle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oesterle/
Ramble Campgrounds: https://ramble.camp/
Next Ventures: https://www.nextventures.com/
Mel Strong on Second Nature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlcjUzrM3Jg
Callisto Media: https://www.sourcebooks.com/callisto
HipCamp: https://www.hipcamp.com/
Net Promoter Score (Term): https://www.qualtrics.com/articles/customer-experience/net-promoter-score/
Solo Stove: https://www.solostove.com/
Zendesk: https://www.zendesk.com/
The Everything Store (Book): https://amzn.to/4vpM8kx
BPC - Brand, Product, Content:
RAB: https://rab.equipment/
The Algorithm (Book): https://amzn.to/4aOzKTJ
MFM Pod - The Algorithm Author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG4TwQEYdBY
New Yorker Profile - Sam Altman: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/04/13/sam-altman-may-control-our-future-can-he-be-trusted
***
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
Martyn Ashton on Rideable Now and the Future of Adaptive MTB
2026/07/03
Martyn Ashton spent two decades as one of the most influential trials riders in the world — making the smallest, most niche discipline of mountain biking accessible and exciting for a global audience through videos, shows, and a personality that made everyone feel like they could try it. In 2013, a crash during a stunt show left him paralyzed. Now he's doing the exact same thing all over again — this time for adaptive mountain biking.
In this conversation, Martyn walks through the founding of Rideable Now, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities and life-changing injuries access adaptive mountain bikes. He explains why modern adaptive bikes aren't a watered-down version of mountain biking — they're genuinely terrifying, capable machines that unlock every trail in the world for people who never thought they'd ride again. He also gets into the economics of £25,000 bikes, why the e-bike power race could go too far, and the moment he gave away Rideable Now's first complete bike to a father of three who had no idea it was coming.
Show Notes:
Popfly for Brands: https://popf.ly/secondnaturebrands
Popfly for Athletes: https://popf.ly/secondnaturecreators
Martyn Ashton: https://www.instagram.com/martynashton/
Rideable Now: https://www.rideablenow.com/
Bowhead Bikes: https://www.bowheadcorp.com/
Cole Bernier: https://www.instagram.com/cbreezyrides/
Annijke Wade: https://www.instagram.com/geodesicdome/
Random Tandem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onoeq45G6ec
Dirty Tricks and Cunning Stunts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd3n8-0tuHU
GMBN: https://www.gmbn.com/
Rideable Now Membership: https://www.rideablenow.com/join
Disabled Dad Of Three: https://www.instagram.com/disableddadof3/
High Fives Foundation: https://highfivesfoundation.org/
BPC - Brand, Product, Content
Topeak Digital Tire Pump: https://backcountrycreator.tnu8.net/DWBMvq
Stashed Spacerail (10% discount link): https://www.stashedproducts.com/superrider
***
Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-nature-media
Meet us on Slack: https://www.launchpass.com/second-nature
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondnature.media
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.secondnature.media
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@secondnaturemedia
Podcast reviews
Read Second Nature podcast reviews
MicahR21 2025/11/30
Great perspectives
Dylan and Aaron have great takes on the business of outdoor.
Sarstow 2025/11/24
Interesting and actionable
Thoughtful and engaging without flippant hot takes
al ertaud 2025/11/24
DBo & Lutze are Our Industry Gurus
If you are at all interested in the biz of outdoor sports, this pod is a must. Their experience, smarts, dynamite rapport, and awesome guests make thi...
Jwlevitt 2025/11/21
Such good info
I’ve learned SO much and it lit such an amazing fire under my butt to take the leap and build my own stuff!!
Andi-Berlin77 2025/03/17
Confident and curious
Former Red Bull athlete manager Aaron Lutze and ultra-runner Dylan Bowman pull off an admirable feat each week: a survey of brand building in the outd...
TdotCam 2025/02/20
My favorite podcast
Honestly the most insightful and educational podcast in my library. I learn so much from this podcast and every episode is new and different and excit...
Natehelming 2025/02/20
A must for anyone who works in the outdoor industry.
I wish I had this to listen to 10 years ago when launching my run training business. The guests are top notch. The insights are timely and relevant. A...
OzarkOutdoorsM&C 2024/11/16
Business Is Hard
Fantastic podcast if you’re interest in business and love the outdoors - the perfect balance of entertaining, educational, and inspiring.
BeerSmithy 2024/10/23
A+ always looking forward to the next episode
Business owner and Trail Runner/Outdoor enthusiast. Bringing us into the fold of the outdoor biz, feels like we have a seat at the table.
Alpenglow Sports 2024/09/03
Such a great offering.
Dylan and Aaron are crushing. Thank you for this! For industry folks it is a total home run. Grateful for your work, where is the Patreon donation but...
Podcast sponsorship advertising
Start advertising on Second Nature relevant audience podcasts
You may also like to advertise on these Podcasts

4.240683
To Be The Man
Podcast Heat | Cumulus Podcast Network

4.41511132000
The Ben Shapiro Show
The Daily Wire

4.2155648
TENNIS.com Podcast
TENNIS.com Podcast/Tennis Channel Podcast Network

4.510815766
The Joe Budden Podcast
The Joe Budden Network

4.611603506
The Bulwark Podcast
The Bulwark

4.711443386
Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast
Matt McCusker & Shane Gillis

4.82479176
Smosh Reads Reddit Stories
Smosh

4.975103743
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman

4.71263593
Bulwark Takes
The Bulwark

4.8583398
Didn't I Just Feed You
Stacie Billis and Meghan Splawn