Big Fish Stories

I'm thrilled to have a guest who embodies the true spirit of embracing the outdoors. This man walks the walk with unwavering dedication. I've been captivated by the journey of a person who rises at 4 a.m. without fail, does cold plunges, engages in intense workouts, goes hunting, fishing, and relentlessly pursues his dreams in the outdoors. What sets him apart is not just his personal quest for adventure but his commitment to sharing these invaluable experiences with his family and especially with his daughter.  I first noticed him when he had just a couple of hundred followers on social media, and yet, he persisted in creating content that resonated deeply with his audience. Fast forward, and he's become a sensation with over 65,000 followers on Instagram practically overnight, and his influence continues to grow. Without further ado, let me introduce you to the one and only Austin Nicholas, widely known as @wilderness_father.

In today's episode, we have the privilege of welcoming back Benji Hill to our podcast! Many of you might know Benji from Season 9 of the thrilling survival series "Alone," and we are thrilled to have him here once again to share his awe-inspiring and life-altering experiences from the show. Coming from the great outdoors of Idaho, Benji not only captivated viewers with his skills, but also embodied the true spirit of the Gem State. For those who haven't had the chance to witness the gripping intensity of "Alone," I highly recommend streaming Season 9 on The History Channel or Hulu before diving into this episode to avoid any spoilers. Enjoy as Benji delves deep into his remarkable journey, recounting the harrowing challenges he faced, the strategies he used in order to survive, and what he has planned next. His insights and wisdom will undoubtedly leave you inspired and eager to apply his lessons to your own life. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!! WEBSITE: https://www.bigfish-stories.com LAST VIDEO: https://youtu.be/zhCYT49jIgg INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bigfishstoriespodcast/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/bigfishstoriespodcast/

Join us on this episode of Big Fish Stories as we sit down with Reed Schuler, a master hunter from Idaho with a lifelong passion for the great outdoors. From his early days as a young hunter to his current status as a seasoned pro, Reed has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share. With a cowboy mentality and a deep appreciation for the wilderness, Reed is the perfect guest to discuss the art and science of hunting. But Reed's love of hunting isn't just about the thrill of the chase. He's also a devoted family man who's eager to pass down his knowledge to future generations. Tune in and discover the fascinating world of hunting with Reed Schuler on Big Fish Stories!!!

In this episode, we welcome back expert fly fisherman and renowned author, John Huber to the podcast! John sheds light on societal norms, and the concept of the red and blue pill, and what path each option could lead to. Of course, it wouldn't be a BigFishStory without some fishing too, so you're in for a treat, as John has plenty more great and exciting stories to share!! Inspired by the works of Joseph Campbells, The Hero's Journey; and the famous pioneer of scuba gear, Jacques Cousteau, John shows how these individuals sparked the passion inside him to surround himself with marine life, and to follow his bliss. A quote from one of Joseph Campbell's books has stuck with him and is something that he applies to every aspect of his life, which states, "Follow your bliss, and doors will open where there were no doors before." Whether John is at home or out on the water he is always striving to pave the way, and create a life for himself that is full of bliss, and hopes to share the powerful message with the world. Now sit back, and enjoy the show!!

In this episode, we welcome Jake Christiansen to the podcast! We had his brother, Josh Christiansen on one of our last episodes, and now we return with more stories from Jake! While growing up Jake might've been the younger brother of the people he hunted with, but now he is an experienced hunter who trains young aspiring outdoorsmen of all ages firearm safety and the proper and ethical ways to hunt!! He trains everyone from beginner level, all the way up to professional/competitive level shooting!!! In this podcast you'll hear plenty of stories of successes and failures, and Jake's growth as an outdoorsman, along with some funny... or rather embarrassing stories about him and his brother!! Show your support! and learn more about firearm safety, by visiting his website at: https://skyline-defense.com   Show less

In this episode, we welcome Eric Haywood to the podcast! Eric is an experienced hunter and fisherman who grew up in Jackson, Wyoming. He started fly fishing at the age of 3 with his dad, and grew up doing that until he started hunting at the age of 13. He loves what he does, and always strives to provide a memorable experience to everyone he hunts with, and loves teaching the craft to others. He oftentimes gets more joy through others' success, rather than his own. If you're wanting to support young aspiring outdoorsmen, look no further than HUNT OF A LIFETIME!!! A nonprofit organization that provides hunting and outdoor experiences to children and young adults that have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses or disabilities. I can not express enough how amazing this organization is and what they do for these kids in order to make their dreams come true!! Thank you! Check out their website and show your support at: https://huntofalifetime.org

I do not have enough good words to say about Mr. John Huber. This guy eats, sleeps, and breathes fly fishing and bird hunting. He truly exemplifies the purest version of this lifestyle in a modern way. With the skillset he has and his ability to share it with those around him, he could literally be anywhere, yet he chooses a quiet, simple life in small-town Picabo, ID. Here he finds peace, and a life he can be proud of, fishing for browns and rainbows on the world famous Silver Creek, and hunting birds throughout the changing seasons.

Folks, we have something truly special for you. Our guest is a true Idaho badass. If you are an Idaho hunter or outdoorsman, you definitely know his name. If you don’t know him, you soon will on the upcoming season of ALONE premiering TODAY on The History Channel … The man himself…. MR. BENJI HILL!

Ben is relatively new to the hunting world, but after finding sustainability and health benefits in consuming food from the wild, he takes all the opportunity he can to provide him and his family with the cleanest meat possible. Ben is a self proclaimed "head to tail" eater and experiments with all the different methods of consuming parts of the animal that most people glaze over. In short, Ben is one step below Liver King and will hate that I put that in the description for this podcast. ;)

You rarely meet a person who walks the talk when it comes to hunting. Mr. Chris Cey absolutely walks the talk. Almost all of the meat he consumes comes from wild game and if you talk to him for 5 minutes, you will quickly understand the care he has for the animals he eats. Growing up with hunting in his family, he has mastered the craft, where hunting has become almost protocol as a necessity for gathering the meat his family needs for the year. Growing in his understanding of birds and biggame, he now passes on his knowledge to anyone willing to learn the way of the hunter. It is an honor to have him on Big Fish Stories.

I want to welcome you all to a clash of ideals in our society. In this corner, we have Tyler, a hunter, fisherman and meat eater. And in this corner, we have skier, filmmaker and plant-based eater, Leo Corrales. In all seriousness, Leo and I have known each other for several years and have learned so much from one another’s perspective.  Enjoy a great conversation about ethics, conservatorship, sustainability and of course, some hunting and fishing stories.

WARNING! This podcast is not for everyone. There is one story in particular that people may find offensive... To preface, we were dumb young kids. From a family of multiple generations of hunting, Josh has a unique perspective. Hunting has always been a way of life for him and his family. Josh is a different type of hunter - focusing on slow steady movements and trying to find what other hunters may have missed.

ANNNDDDDD FINALLY! We have ourselves a fishing master telling some of his Big Fish Stories. This man has been fishing and competing in bass tournaments since he was a youngster. From boating mishaps to giant Idaho bass, he is a force to be reckoned with on any body of water. This man taught me everything I know about Bass fishing and is one of the reasons I have become completely obssessed. His enthusiasm for these fish is contagious, and we welcome Mr. Reece Jolley to Big Fish Stories.

I can't say Levi is the best hunter, the best fisherman, or the best outdoorsman, but man is he entertaining to watch learn the crafts. Today we talk about his growth as a hunter and how it's not enough to just be lucky (although it helps). After 3 long years of missed opportunities and mistakes on both our ends, Levi finally had his glorious day equaling hundreds of pounds of meat. Also, I have a riddle for you: What is a terrible mistake to make on your shot placement, that also leads to the easiest packout you've ever had? Find out the answer in the podcast!

Let me tell you about Mr. Nic Turco. This guy takes his hunting serious and is on a completely new level of physical fitness. I brag to everyone I know about him because he is strong, smart and extremely humble about his fitness and hunting. Dude would never do this podcast without me convincing him to do it. He doesn't like the limelight, but for me, he is a "must-have" on my podcast, as he is the best hunter I know. From mule deer, to archery elk, to big horn sheep, this guy is slowly becoming an expert at hunting these big animals.

On our first episode, Mike Hendricks (my father) tells his most embarrassing hunting story, while also painting the picture of why Hunter's Safety is so important. We talk about his life before hunting, then going straight to rural Montana and discovering his love for the outdoors and the learning curve involved - now passing his life lessons on to me, and it becoming my passion and pursuit in life.