About this episode
On this episode of The Free Outside Podcast, I sit down with long-time friend and outdoor entrepreneur Luke Pearsall, the founder of Trail Goods Co, a new freeze-dried camping meal brand. Luke shares his winding path from working on major Hollywood productions like Lost and Entourage, to becoming an adventure guide in South America, and ultimately, to launching his own freeze dried food company. Check out Trail Goods Co at trailgoods.co ! And on Instagram: instagram.com/trailgoodscompany We dive into: The persistence it takes to break into TV and film (including hilarious celeb stories) What it’s like to guide 8-week tours through South America How hunting, hiking, and conservation are deeply connected The realities of starting a food business, from product development to retail The influencer culture, sponsorship requests, and the right way to pitch a brand Mine and Luke’s chaotic pandemic-era Instagram show, Tuesdays at 2 With plenty of laughs, insights, and industry secrets, this episode is for anyone who loves adventure, business, and wild career pivots. Support our sponsors: Janji.com and GarageGrownGear.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Luke Pearsall and Trail Goods Company 02:54 The Journey of Outdoor Passion and Early Experiences 06:06 Transitioning from TV to Outdoor Guiding 09:11 Life Lessons from the Film Industry 11:50 The Impact of Relationships and Networking 15:01 Guiding Adventures in South America 18:02 The Role of Food in Outdoor Experiences 21:01 Building Trail Goods Company 24:03 Navigating Challenges in Business 27:01 The Importance of Persistence and Connection 32:49 From Layoff to Launch: A Year of Transformation 41:31 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship 52:58 The Art of Freeze-Drying: Quality vs. Cost 01:03:06 Building a Brand in a Crowded Market 01:06:16 The Art of Influencer Marketing 01:09:11 The Role of AI in Influencer Marketing 01:10:07 Creative Meal Options for Outdoor Adventures 01:12:00 Celebrity Encounters and Storytelling 01:14:07 Nostalgia and the Birth of 'Tuesdays at 2' 01:17:03 Personal Style and Identity Keywords Luke Pearsall, Trail Goods Company, outdoor adventure, hiking, food, film industry, networking, entrepreneurship, guiding, South America, entrepreneurship, freeze-dried meals, outdoor industry, business launch, networking, persistence, brand building, food industry, scaling, influencer marketing, influencer marketing, AI, outdoor meals, celebrity stories, social media, Tuesdays at 2, personal branding, hiking, food, storytelling