Rowan. I am training for a trek in Nepal in 2026. I injured my meniscus in 2023. I think with your advice is great. Your podcast and Chase Tucker’s Chase mountains program provide evidence based feedback that is helping me prepare for my challenging trek. My objective is to be more healthy. Thanks!

Rowan helped me get ready for a three-day challenging backpack that I completed without injury. Upbeat podcasts are practical and inspiring.

Very knowledgeable. Very practical. This is an excellent source of information for any outdoor enthusiast or adventure seeker.

Excellent resource for hikers/backpackers. Rowan’s knowledge base and willingness to share is amazing! Looking forward to future backpacking trips and going into them more prepared physically so that I can be more confident and enjoy the trips even more. Thanks Rowan!

After listening to several podcasts, I downloaded “Hikers Knee Prevention Guide.” It’s a very detailed schedule and plan that tells you what to do for the different types of exercises, and they all ( or most?) have links to YouTube. I’m so glad I found this resource! Thank you, Rowan!

I am a hiker who loves long alpine hikes and treks like the Camino de Santiago. But I have many sports injuries that have accumulated over my 65 year. This podcast is absolutely wonderful. Host Rowan Smith is extremely knowledgeable and also very practical about how to train for long hikes. Full of useful tips and hints, helpful cautions, and wise techniques. He also is great on dealing with injuries and aches and pains. The delivery is straightforward and gracious. And apparently there is a Facebook group where he is very responsive . (I am not on this FB group yet.) After listening to a random sample of 10 of the 160 or so podcasts, I just want to say: “...Well, thank you!!!”

Being in my mid 50s, I was looking for information that would help me gain some leg and core strength to improve my endurance during backpacking hikes. This podcast has some great info on a wide variety of topics and includes knowledgeable guests. Hoping to learn much from this...

Best advice for trekking/hiking training that I’ve found. I’m retired and getting back into hiking. The information in this podcast has helped me start training more safely for some long delayed lifetime goals. This podcast has made me consider some aspects of training that I had not even thought of. Thanks for the great information!

This podcast and his website are really the only great hiking training advice out there. There are articles of dubious quality but Summit Strength really seems to be the most qualified, specific and comprehensive. He does online training as well which I signed up for!

Absolutely spectacular podcast, my current favorite and has been for many months now. I love how each episode is different than each other, but all relate back to hiking and backpacking. Please keep up this good work and it is always a joy when a new episode is released. Thank you dearly for the information that I've found most useful over any other podcast relating to hiking. Again, thank you and God Bless!

I absolutely love this podcast as a fellow Certified Personal Trainer. Rowan gives 100% fantastic content that he will keep up with the latest research and application to the field of fitness for hikers! I highly recommend Rowan’s work and the content he provides!! Keep it up Rowan!!

I’ve been listening to this podcast for several months to help me prepare for a long distance hike. I’ve also joined Rowan’s Facebook group of the same name. I have received valuable information and even personalized advice through the Facebook group. I have recommended this podcast to several hiking friends. Good job Rowan!

Rowan’s show covers a lot of ground. He and his guests provide explanations for athletes at all levels on an impressively wide range of subjects. Having credible science-based advice is key, but is sadly all too rare in the podcast world. This show fills that niche very nicely. Highly recommended.

I’m not even training at the moment, but find every episode I’ve listened to so far has good information and I come away with something that can personally apply to my physical endeavors. Rowan is a very gentle, encouraging host and trainer. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

I needed help knowing how to train for Machu Picchu. I started hiking about ten years ago with very limited opportunities due to geography, finances, and the choice of not hiking alone. I had been hiking in Colorado and didn’t have any trouble, so I felt pretty confident. I’ve worked out since 7th grade and had never had much trouble with anything although I’m not a strong person muscularly. I spent 6 months prepping for a challenging hike in Colorado three years ago. My hiking partner was unable to do the hike, so we shifted to a different hike. I did great—bounded up and easily came down. On other hikes, I had knee pain descending and would limp for a day or two after. Two months after this hike, both knees started having pain. I’ve spent the last two years seeing orthopedic doctor to determine nothing was seriously wrong. I did PT for several months and then found this podcast. I found the information so logical and focused on what hikers/trekkers need, not runners or any other focused group. I do not like figuring this out on my own—too busy and would rather have an expert who knows than try to become my own expert without taking classes. Rowan is kind and really wants what’s best for people physically as they prepare for an adventure. My trip will probably be cancelled for Machu Picchu due to the pandemic, but we will reschedule for next year and I’ll be even more prepared because of the help and amazing knowledge he provides. He also has guests on who speak about all parts of trekking needs, such as nutrition. He doesn’t try to be an expert in what he is not. I highly recommend this podcast to help explain hiking preparation (even if and especially if setbacks happen), to learn about the differences in training for trekking, and to be excited about making your body stronger for these challenges.

I recently discovered this podcast and I've been binge listening to it. I'm learning so much that is helping me in my training for strenuous day hikes. It's also really inspiring me to consider getting back into backpacking and multi-day treks. I appreciate Rowan's positive attitude and his skepticism about some common forms of training for hikers. So glad I found this podcast!

Thank you for taking the time to help us hikers! Much love! -Scott- Stl

I just happened upon this podcast and glad I did. It covers some basic techniques that trouble every outdoor enthusiast.

I came across this host as a guest on another podcast as was interested to check out his website where I found the information for this podcast. I am an avid hiker and, while some of the information is geared more towards novices, I am getting new (to me) intel from each episode. I definitely recommend this podcast to trekkers of all levels. I also enjoy the host's delivery style and I appreciate that the episodes are short and focused.

Can you link your ebook for knee strengthening again? I don’t see it in the episode notes, and am interested. Thanks looking forward to more podcasts

Great advice, looking forward to using it to prepare for my hikes

The podcast I’ve been waiting for! Full of so many tips and tricks to keep you healthy on the trail. Implementing things I’m learning right away and excited to see how it impacts my training and next trek!

I’m really enjoying this podcast! Thanks for making it and keep up the good work.