HikeStrong Podcast
The HikeStrong Podcast is where I share practical guidance on hiking, backpacking, and trekking preparation. Each episode blends fitness insight with real-world training strategies to help you build strength, endurance, and confidence for any trail.
I sit down with guests to break down how to train for demanding hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals using smart strength training, endurance training, and conditioning approaches. You’ll hear clear advice on altitude training, uphill training, and injury prevention, all woven into training conversations that support preparation for major destinations such as Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Rim to Rim, Tour du Mont Blanc, the Camino de Santiago, Patagonia, Machu Picchu, the Alps, and the Dolomites.
Because training is never one‑size‑fits‑all, I also bring listeners inside real programs. In select episodes, I interview clients in a deep‑dive format that reveals week‑by‑week training details — real data, real challenges, and real solutions — offering a clearer picture of how people actually prepare for hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals.
A cornerstone of my approach is elevation‑gain training. I believe that consistently building weekly elevation gain is one of the strongest predictors of success on any major adventure. In each episode, I share clear, actionable ways to develop that strength — even if you don’t have access to hiking terrain — so you can stay on track whether you train on hills, treadmills, stair machines, or step‑ups.
If you're preparing for a major trip, gearing up for a multi-day backpacking route, or building a long-term plan for tougher hiking or trekking challenges, you’ll find episodes that support every step of your training.
Beyond training, some episodes feature voices from across the hiking, backpacking, and trekking worlds — guides, operators, storytellers, and industry experts whose insights can shape how you think about adventure. These conversations broaden your perspective and influence your outdoor experiences, even when the focus isn’t directly on training.
Listen, train with purpose, share with your adventure partners — then take on at least one unforgettable hiking, backpacking, or trekking experience each year. Train | Hike | Repeat
I’m Marcus Shapiro, a hiking strength and conditioning coach and an early pioneer in online training for hiking, backpacking, and trekking, helping adventurers get physically ready for everything from local elevation goals to high-altitude expeditions.
HikeStrong Podcast
Sunny Stroeer, Hiking at Altitude Explained, Fueling For Hikes, Trekking Pole Powers | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 07
Oh, so you don’t know who Sunny Stroeer is? Do you know what an FKT is? Have you heard a clear explanation of how to hike successfully at high altitudes? Do you think trekking poles are for wimps? Sunny provides answers to these questions and more. So what are you waiting for? Click play now!
In this really fun interview, Marcus Shapiro skillfully draws valuable insights from Sunny Stroeer’s expertise in extreme hiking as she simplifies the information into actionable steps. She is the co-owner of Dreamland Safari Tours, founder of AWExpeditions, professional photographer, Harvard graduate, professional endurance athlete, and set speed records across the globe. Don’t worry, you won’t feel inferior. She is dedicated to motivating individuals to choose challenging hikes and backpacking trips outside of their comfort zones. Below is a sampling of discussion topics:
-Tell us about your Aconcagua FKT record attempt.
-AWExpeditions will plot out a trajectory for women to set lofty adventure goals. Tell me about that.
-Recall events that led to you and your husband Paul deciding to purchase Dreamland Safari Tours.
-What region of the US do Dreamland Safari Tour itineraries cover, and make a pitch why hikers would love to explore the area?
-What attributes do you hope to find in your clients from a physical and mental perspective?
-Share your training philosophy as it relates to preparing for the challenging Grand Canyon Deer Creek / Thunder River Loop itinerary.
-Let’s talk about these three itineraries and what makes them so special: Paria Canyon Backpack, The Wave Tour, and Grand Canyon Deer Creek / Thunder River Loop
-Let’s talk about Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp because they are non-technical higher-altitude climbs, very accessible, and have a high success rate for clients who commit to do the necessary preparation. One of the concerns for many clients is breathing at altitude. The conventional wisdom is that you can’t train for altitude.
- Can you flush this out for the listeners?
-Provide solutions for these three common concerns.
1 - The endurance to climb uphill.
2 - Knee pain going downhill.
3 - Keeping up with the group.
-Address how you fuel in these situations.
1 - Pushing yourself for time where you want to stop as infrequently as possible.
2 - Hiking at high altitudes.
-Do you have any tips on using trekking poles to get the most out of them?
-How did you handle injuries in the past when you had an exciting adventure planned that you might have to cancel?
Sunny Stroeer / https://www.sunnystroeer.com / Awesome video
Dreamland Safari Tours / https://dreamlandtours.net
AWExpeditions / https://awexpeditions.org
Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:
https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans:
https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast
Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:
https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
