Hike Strong Podcast
Confidence-building content for Hikers, Trekkers, Backpackers, and Mountaineers. The Hike Strong Podcast is where the fusion of fitness and hiking discussions will awaken the brain to unlock your true trail-crushing potential.
Marcus and his guests frequently talk about iconic hiking destinations and how to get in shape for them. Look out for training and exercise-only episodes as well. Listen often for destination-specific episodes to build your bucket list of iconic trail adventures. Invite your friends to listen. And then make plans to crush an iconic hike at least one time per year – with friends! Train | Hike | Repeat
Marcus Shapiro is a hiking strength and conditioning coach and the founder of Fit For Trips. He is a pioneer in the online hiking training industry and coaches adventurers every day, helping them to get physically prepared for their dream hiking, trekking, and backpacking trips.
Hike Strong Podcast
What Every Traveler Should Know About Guides | Chris Anderson (Part 2) | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 21
Most travelers walk away from a guided trip thinking, “That was amazing”—but they have no idea what it actually took to make it feel that way.
In Part 2 of my conversation with former REI Guide of the Year Chris Anderson, we go behind the curtain to uncover what guides really do:
- How REI tried to flip the script and treat guiding as a real career—and why that model didn’t survive
- The long hours, behind-the-scenes prep, and emotional labor that guests never see
- The broken tipping culture—and why it puts guides in a tough, awkward position
- What it really means to serve 10+ guests for 14+ hours a day with zero margin for error
- How underprepared guests affect group dynamics, safety, and morale
- The impossible math behind seasonal contracts, no PTO, and $100 day rates
- Why the best guides make you feel like the trip ran itself—and how much effort that actually takes
If you’ve ever been on a guided trip—or plan to—this episode will change how you see your guide forever.
🎧 Start listening now—and maybe rethink that tip envelope.
Check out the LinkedIn post from Chris that sparked this two-part series…
Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:
https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
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