Just Trek Podcast

On this episode, I sit down with LA based visual artist, illustrator, climate strategist, birder, wildlife photographer, and outdoor adventurer Valeree Catangay at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Los Angeles, California. Val takes me through her Long Beach roots, how Animal Planet and Tree Musketeers sparked her love for nature, and a formative Earth Watch scholarship trip to Texas studying whooping crane ecosystems. She shares how birding became a grounding practice during a tough season of life and naturally led her into wildlife photography, plus how her plein air painting community, Warrior Painters, makes her hyper-aware of light, weather, and seasonality. We also get into her Coastal Connections zine inspired by the Audubon Coastal Leadership Program, practical ways to plug into LA’s environmental community, her favorite local spots (Anza-Borrego, Sepulveda Basin, Ballona Wetlands), her Brower Youth Award and UCLA Environmentalists of Color Collective work, her sustainability role at Earth Justice, completing the Sierra Club Wilderness Travel Course, and birding and travel experiences in Peru and the Philippines.Follow Valeree on IG:https://www.instagram.com/valereeplantshttps://www.instagram.com/valoutdoorshttps://www.instagram.com/valereecatLean more about Valeree and support her work on https://www.valereecatangay.com/Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/just.trekShop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Become a Just Trek Patron member on https://www.patreon.com/justtrekListen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠justtrekofficial@gmail.com⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

Join us for an extraordinary reverse episode of the Just Trek podcast as we celebrate the monumental 100th episode milestone. Hosted by the insightful Jonathan Flores, aka "The Brown Naturalist," this special episode flips the script, putting the spotlight on the founder and voice behind the podcast, Justin 'Justroc' Rimon. Broadcasting from the breathtaking sunset at Sandstone Peak in the Santa Monica Mountains, Justin shares his heartfelt reflections on his journey, from his life-changing first hike to the creation and evolution of the Just Trek podcast and crew. The conversation covers memorable hiking experiences, top trails, and valuable outdoor tips. Delve into the emotional and motivational facets of Justin's story as he talks about connecting with the outdoor community, the challenges and triumphs of reaching a 100-episode milestone, and the transformative power of nature. It's a tribute to community, resilience, and the spirit of adventure that fuels us all.Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/JUST.TREKFollow our guest host Juan on https://www.instagram.com/__juanflowers__/ and https://www.instagram.com/_outadvplus_/#Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Support on Just Trek on http://patreon.com/justtrekListen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠justtrekofficial@gmail.com⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this gripping episode of the Trails & Tribulation series, I welcome Missy Martinez, a fellow SoCal trekker, as she recounts her terrifying solo hike + trail run on San Gorgonio mountain - the tallest mountain in Southern California. During an adventurous descent, Missy loses her footing and slides down the side of the mountain, resulting in a dramatic fall and a night spent lost in a burn zone. Despite being unprepared, she miraculously self-rescues, traversing over 60 miles and into a different county before encountering her saviors. Drawing strength from memories of her late father, Missy's story is a powerful testament to resilience and the critical importance of preparation, as she highlights the essential gear that could have made a significant difference. Tune in for a tale of survival, the kindness of strangers, and the lessons learned from the wild.____________Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story!Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on justtrekofficial@gmail.comThe 10 Essentials Resources: https://tinyurl.com/4sxdny9u -- https://americanhiking.org/10essentials/Follow Missy on https://www.instagram.com/missymar17Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠justtrekofficial@gmail.com⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, we kick off Volume 1 of the Trails & Tribulations series! This trail tale dives into Marlee's unforgettable water canyoneering expedition through one of LA’s best-kept adventure secrets — Eaton Canyon and Falls. But we’re not talking about the popular trail to the waterfall. This story takes you above the falls, into a hidden & rugged canyon that’s tough to access and only for experienced canyoneers. It was Marlee’s first long water canyoneering trip, packed with cliff jumps, endless rope rappels, icy plunge pools, and sheer drops that tested every ounce of courage she had. What started as an epic group adventure quickly turned into a battle against fear, fatigue, and the raw power of nature.______________Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story!Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on justtrekofficial@gmail.comFollow Marlee on https://www.instagram.com/littlemarrmaidFollow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠justtrekofficial@gmail.com⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

Big news, Just Trek community! On this episode, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new series called Trails & Tribulations. This series will spotlight everyday outdoor adventurers and trail enthusiasts as they share their raw, real stories of close calls, hard-earned lessons, and the resilience it takes to face the wild. I dive into the inspiration behind the new series and kick things off by reliving my harrowing experience surviving a thunder and lightning storm atop Southern California’s tallest peak. Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If so, we want to hear YOUR story! Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on justtrekofficial@gmail.comFollow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠justtrekofficial@gmail.com⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode I have LA based adventure enthusiast, SoCal trekker, outdoor accessibility advocate and founder of the non-profit Accessible Off-Road, Austin Nicassio, join me on the show.We chatted about Austin's first meaningful memories out in nature, his debilitating chronic illness diagnosis, his personal journey of managing this life altering event, what inspired him to create Accessible Off-Road, promoting outdoor equity for the disabled community, introducing electric off-road wheelchairs to public parks, his growing partnership with California State Parks and Trails LA County, his top trails in California, his background working in the space industry to now running his own non-profit, a dramatic survival story in the San Gabriel mountains, and the one outdoor experience he would relive all over again.Watch Youtube video version: https://youtu.be/lAgA7ZEzDhwDonate to Accessible Off-Road on https://www.accessibleoffroad.org/Follow Austin & Accessible Off-Road on https://www.instagram.com/accessibleoffroad/Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠justtrekofficial@gmail.com⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode I have Christian and Katie Surprise - an adventurous power couple. Both are California based outdoor enthusiasts, peak baggers, backpackers, climbers, and are adventure photographers & videographers. During our roadsurfer roadtrip to Eastern Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra, we got to meetup with them and record in the otherworldly Alabama Hills landscape. We chatted about their journey from Tennessee to Los Angeles and settling down in Lone Pine, their experience attending my birthday + podcast anniversary group hike at Sandstone Peak and how they discovered the show, the pros and cons of small town mountain living, embracing outdoor community, their top trails in the Eastern Sierra both personally and as a couple, tips for exploring the Sierra mountains, and what it’s like to meet adventurers daily from all over the country and world at their outdoor jobs. Christian and Katie Surprise exemplify the adventurous spirit that draws so many to the Eastern Sierras. Their journey from Tennessee to these majestic mountains demonstrates their profound appreciation for nature, exploration, and community.____________Rent your own camper van on ⁠https://link.roadsurfer.com/JUSTTREK and use our promo code “JUSTTREK” for 11% off your next roadtrip adventure and experience the freedom of van life, your way. Watch Youtube version on https://youtu.be/nzKp5sIYlSgFollow Christian on http://instagram.com/christiansurpriseFollow Katie on https://www.instagram.com/katsurprise/Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠justtrekofficial@gmail.com⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek