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Hike Strong PodcastAuthor: Marcus Shapiro Hiking Strength and Conditioning Coach
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 RepeatMarcus 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. Language: en-us Genres: Health & Fitness, Sports, Wilderness Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Travel Better, Not More: Insights You’ve Never Heard | HikeStrong | Ep. 37
Thursday, 2 April, 2026
Most hikers focus on the trail—almost no one understands what shapes the experience before they arrive.What does it really take to create a great hiking experience—and who’s working behind the scenes to make it possible?In this episode, Marcus Shapiro sits down with Shannon Stowell, CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), to explore the hidden systems that shape adventure travel around the world. From developing destinations like the Jordan Trail and Patagonia to training guides and supporting local communities, Shannon shares how ATTA quietly influences the experiences hikers have every time they step onto a trail.The conversation opens with a wild story—being unexpectedly pulled from his own event to meet a governor in Mexico—and quickly expands into deeper insights on what makes adventure travel meaningful, responsible, and sustainable.Marcus also brings a powerful thought experiment to the table: two hikers summiting Kilimanjaro—one prepared, one not. Both reach the top, but the experience couldn’t be more different. What does that mean for guides, group dynamics, and the future of adventure travel?You’ll also hear: How destinations like Chile and Jordan are developed into global hiking hubs Why 30–50% of travelers still show up underprepared—and how that impacts guides What “traveling better” really means (and how it can positively impact local communities) Why adventure travel is more resilient than mass tourism The growing trend of “dim sum travel”—doing more, not just one thing This episode connects the dots between prepared hikers, supported guides, and protected places—and why all three matter more than ever.If you’ve ever wondered how your experience on the trail is shaped long before you arrive, this conversation will change how you see adventure travel.Explore trips and get inspired @ https://www.adventure.travel/Learn more about the work behind the Adventure Travel Trade Association @ https://www.adventuretravel.biz/HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/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://hikestrongpodcast.buzzsprout.com
