When Rick Matney walked away from a medical career to build Chrome Chasers with his wife Dori, he wasn’t chasing money, he was chasing meaning.

From guiding in the Alaskan wilderness to cooking world-class meals from what he catches and forages, Rick lives a life that blends science, survival, and soul. In this episode, Travis Bader travels to Wrangell, Alaska to discover what makes this place—and this guide—so special.

They dive into:

• Rick’s drastic right turn from med-school valedictorian to bush guide
• What it takes to thrive in the Alaskan backcountry
• Lessons from years of hunting, trapping, and foraging
• Working with MeatEater and building a business rooted in conservation
• How food becomes the bridge that connects people to nature

👉 Subscribe for more conversations that explore the outdoors, mindset, and mastery.
🎧 Listen to The Outpost—Silvercore Club’s private members-only podcast—for deeper, personal stories and tips.
🎯 Silvercore Club members get discounts on top optics through Armament Technology and more: https://silvercore.ca

Follow Rick and Dori at Chrome Chasers Lodge:

https://www.instagram.com/chromechaserslodge

https://www.chromechasers.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wildgamechef

https://www.wildgamechef.com

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Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W 

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Armament Technology sponsor
01:00 – Welcome to Alaska and Chrome Chasers
03:00 – The reality of Wrangell and life in a temperate rainforest
07:15 – From valedictorian to fishing guide: the moment everything changed
10:45 – Trading med school for a life of wild purpose
13:00 – Generations of hunters, trappers & foragers
16:30 – Cooking as a survival skill turned artform
19:55 – From field to fine dining and global recognition
21:00 – Guiding style and the pursuit of perfection
23:15 – Working with MeatEater and sharing the love of food
26:00 – Guiding is psychology: reading people in the wild
28:50 – Failure as a teacher and the importance of letting clients learn
33:40 – The perfect guest and embracing discomfort
36:00 – Bears, storms & real Alaskan wildlife
40:20 – Growing up skiing, racing, and learning risk
42:25 – Reloading, precision rifles & finding calm in focus
45:30 – Why he guides today and what he’s truly chasing
48:20 – Favorite fish to catch and client stories
55:00 – The future of Chrome Chasers and ethical harvest
1:01:00 – Final thoughts & closing