In the second installment of their "Colorado Trail Prep" series, Jen and Dyana chat with firefighter, paramedic, and personal trainer Jordan Sessions. She sheds light on the physical training recommended for a grand adventure like a thru-hike. They also discuss handling mental challenges, adapting to the rhythm of nature, problem-solving, and dealing with altitude sickness.

Follow Jordan Sessions on Instagram:
www.instagram.com/sessionslife

0:00 - Intro

2:04 - Welcome Jordan Sessions

8:30 - What drew you to want to become a Firefighter?

16:06 - Youth and embracing adventure

18:56 - Most challenging aspect of the Colorado Trail?

22:22 - The importance of stretching

27:14 - Dealing with muscle imbalances

33:15 - Exercises to help train for a thru-hike

37:50 - Dealing with altitude sickness

43:50 - Mental aspect of thru-hiking

Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman

In Part One of our Colorado Trail Prep Series, we chat with professional ultramarathoner, record breaker, and thru-hiker Tara Dower. Inspired by her Appalachian Trail thru-hike, she has dedicated herself to spending as much time in the wilderness as possible. On August 1, 2023, Tara broke the Colorado Trail women’s supported fastest known time (FKT) with an unofficial time of 8 days, 21 hours, and 59 minutes. The previous record, set by Betsy Kalmeyer twenty years ago in 2003, was 9 days, 10 hours, and 52 minutes. In the episode, Tara gives Dyana some sage advice for taking on the Colorado Trail, as well as tips for anyone looking to get into running.

Follow Tara Dower on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tara.dower/
Follow Tara Dower on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@taratreks
Follow ChumpChangeFKT on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chumpchangefkt/

0:00 - Intro & Dyana’s Big announcement

2:11 - What is the Colorado Trail?

5:20 - Tara Dower and her competitive spirit

13:49 - Training for an Ultramarathon

18:46 - Advice for amateur runners and letting go of intimidation

27:50 - Dealing with Anxiety on the Appalachian Trail

35:29 - What makes the CT so special?

36:53 - How Tara tackled a CT FKT

50:21 - Favorite section of the CT, best moment and thunderstorms

1:05:51 - Goals for the hiking community & switching the narrative

Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman

In this episode, Jen and Dyana cover current headlining stories about Mount Everest, including new world records and the mountain's biggest mission of all. They also delve into the history that made this mountain legendary, including the first ascent back in the 1950s.

Mentioned in the episode:
Follow Kami Rita: https://www.instagram.com/kamiritasherpa/?hl=en
Purchase Kami Rita's book: "How to Climb Mount Everest"
Read more about Purnima Shrestha:
https://gripped.com/news/purnima-shrestha-is-first-woman-up-everest-thrice-in-a-season/
Follow Devon Levesque:
www.instagram.com/devonlevesque/?hl=en
Read more about Retrieving Bodies from the Mountain:
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/everest/mount-everest-dead-bodies-2024/?scope=anon

Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman