This one was a long time coming. I finally got to sit down with Joey Campanelli — aka Joey Camps — who’s been quietly putting together one of the wildest, most hardcore FKT resumes in existence. From a 2014 Appalachian Trail junk show with a ski pack and trench foot, to the 2017 self-supported AT finish that just happened to be three days behind Stringbean’s historic run… Joey’s stories are brutal, honest, and somehow hilarious.

Consider supporting my fundraising efforts for the Trevor Project: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/JeffAT

We dig into:

Why he sucks at running (his words)

Getting into FKTs by way of Ironman, Utah mountains, and ultra-running girlfriends

The infamous "Limp-a-thon" after tearing his quad on the AT

How to do 50-mile days in pain… for weeks

The mindset behind Nolan’s 14 and why he slept in an altitude tent for it

Nutrition strategies involving watch alarms and resupply math in gas stations

What it's like being second-fastest ever on the AT… in the same year someone breaks the record

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Joey’s FKT Origin Story

03:30 – The AT Junk Show & Learning the Hard Way

06:00 – The Limp-a-thon: Injury, Grit, and Nearly Beating Stringbean

10:30 – Post-FKT Fallout & Mental Recovery

13:00 – Nolan’s 14: Obsession, Altitude Tents, and 41 Hours of Glory

17:00 – Fueling, Mindset, and Why You Go All In

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Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

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What do a McDonald’s, a rusted van, and an Appalachian Trail record have in common? Warren Doyle. On this episode of the Free Outside Podcast I am joined by the legend Warren Doyle — educator, endurance icon, and Appalachian Trail philosopher — for an unfiltered, no-bobblehead conversation about FKTs, culture clashes, and the soul of long-distance hiking.

Warren recounts his 1973 AT speed record (before we even called them FKTs), discusses the evolution of trail culture, and shares stories of creeks, canteens, creek showers, and a boot gone rogue. We explore the role of endurance vs. speed, why “tempo” matters more than terrain, and what today’s hikers can learn from the past — if they’re willing to listen.

Consider supporting my fundraising efforts for the Trevor Project: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/JeffAT

Plus: reflections on Liz “Mercury” Durstine, Tara Dower, Scott Jurek, and the future of the ATC. Oh, and we discuss why “Don’t bring the world with you” might just be the best trail advice you’ll hear this year.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Legends

02:55 Warren Doyle's Journey and Motivation

05:59 Planning and Preparation for the Appalachian Trail

09:00 Challenges Faced on the Trail

12:01 The Emotional Journey and Sense of Purpose

14:56 Endurance vs. Speed: The Philosophy of Hiking

17:55 The Impact of Media and Public Perception

21:08 The Evolution of Endurance Records

23:44 The Future of the Appalachian Trail

26:36 The Role of Community and Support

29:29 Lessons from Liz Durstine Mercury's Journey

32:28 Comparing Northbound and Southbound Hikes

35:31 The Importance of Sleep and Recovery

38:22 Navigating the Trail's Terrain and Challenges

41:21 The Cultural Shift of the Appalachian Trail

44:07 Final Thoughts and Advice for Future Hikers

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

On this episode of The Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by White Mountains legend and community builder Andrew Drummond to dive deep into the Direttissima—an FKT linking all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot peaks in one unsupported push. Think Nolan’s 14 but with more rocks, more bushwhacks, and significantly more emotional damage.

We cover Andrew’s recent sub-5-day effort, the strategic "feathering" of effort in multi-day sufferfests, and why hiking in the Whites feels like the trail is actively trying to kill you. We also talk about the evolution of FKTs, the importance of local knowledge, and why the Beast Coast terrain is no joke.

Andrew reflects on building a community through Ski the Whites and Run the Whites, putting on grassroots events, and embracing failure as a necessary—and often hilarious—step in the process.

Whether you’re an FKT nerd, an East Coast trail masochist, or just want a glimpse into what makes the White Mountains so special (and spicy), this one’s for you.

Presented by:

🥾 Janji – gear for your weird trail dreams

🥤 CS Coffee – caffeine that slaps

🎒 Garage Grown Gear – the little guys with big ultralight energy

🗺️ Mount to Coast – keeping me alive on this AT FKT attempt

👉 Support the show on Patreon

👉 Donate to the Trevor Project – $10 for every mile of the AT during my record attempt. Because being different deserves support.

Consider donating to support the trevor project as I attempt this record https://give.thetrevorproject.org/JeffAT

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Direttissima

02:56 Understanding the Route and Its Challenges

05:55 The Evolution of Speed Records

09:03 Feathering the Route: Strategy and Mindset

12:12 Navigating Physical and Mental Challenges

14:53 The Importance of Community and Local Knowledge

17:56 The Unique Terrain of the White Mountains

20:50 Reflections on Experience and Growth

24:00 The Future of Trail Running in the Northeast

36:15 Embracing the Journey of Outdoor Adventures

39:34 The Allure of the Appalachian Trail

46:18 Navigating Challenges on the Trail

50:32 The Art of Event Planning in the Outdoors

01:01:37 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Failure

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside