<![CDATA[Rugged Athlete Podcast]]>Rugged Athlete Podcast is a performance-driven show dedicated to the health, fitness, and human performance of wildland firefighters and other tactical professionals.

Hosted by Austin Womack MS, CSCS and Justin DeMoss MS, CSCS, the podcast breaks down strength and conditioning, work capacity, durability, recovery, and lifestyle strategies that support the rugged,physical demands of the fireline. Episodes blend practical training guidance, evidence-based principles, and real-world application—cutting through noise and trends to focus on what actually improves performance under load, fatigue, and environmental stress.

Whether you’re preparing for fire season, navigating long shifts and limited recovery, or looking to extend your career and reduce injury risk, the Rugged Athlete Podcast delivers actionable insights you can apply immediately.

]]>www.ruggedathletetraining.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:40:56 GMTSun, 21 Dec 2025 14:34:07 GMT60Austin Womack<p><b>Rugged Athlete Podcast</b> is a performance-driven show dedicated to the health, fitness, and human performance of wildland firefighters and other tactical professionals.</p><p></p><p>Hosted by Austin Womack MS, CSCS and Justin DeMoss MS, CSCS, the podcast breaks down strength and conditioning, work capacity, durability, recovery, and lifestyle strategies that support the rugged,physical demands of the fireline. Episodes blend practical training guidance, evidence-based principles, and real-world application—cutting through noise and trends to focus on what actually improves performance under load, fatigue, and environmental stress.</p><p></p><p>Whether you’re preparing for fire season, navigating long shifts and limited recovery, or looking to extend your career and reduce injury risk, the Rugged Athlete Podcast delivers actionable insights you can apply immediately.</p>episodicAustin Womackaustin@ruggedathletetraining.comyes<![CDATA[How To Improve Hiking Performance: The Complete Blueprint]]>In this episode Austin and Justin provide the complete blueprint to improving your hiking performance.

Topics of discussion include work capacity development, biomechanical efficiency during hiking, how to pace and breathe correctly, the metabolic demands of hiking, and training principles to abide by to crush your next hike.

Several hiking related resource were mentioned in the show which you can access below:

Tap Here to Download our Free Program Design for Hiking Module

Tap Here to Download our High Performance Hiking Course

Tap Here to download our free Work Capacity Development Mini-Course

]]>534de88a-882d-4b18-9322-651eaf0a0600Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:20:06 GMT<p>In this episode Austin and Justin provide the complete blueprint to improving your hiking performance.</p><p></p><p>Topics of discussion include work capacity development, biomechanical efficiency during hiking, how to pace and breathe correctly, the metabolic demands of hiking, and training principles to abide by to crush your next hike.</p><p></p><p>Several hiking related resource were mentioned in the show which you can access below:</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ruggedathletetraining.com/program-design-for-hiking" target="_blank">Tap Here to Download our Free Program Design for Hiking Module</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.trainerize.me/checkout/ruggedathlete/Austin.Womack?planGUID=f6d35736a9494bb397c9ca13e1861fd8&amp;mode=checkout" target="_blank">Tap Here to Download our High Performance Hiking Course</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.trainerize.me/checkout/ruggedathlete/Austin.Womack?planGUID=44fa935399f848e4b3fd2b361e2b1ad0&amp;mode=checkout" target="_blank">Tap Here to download our free Work Capacity Development Mini-Course</a></p>no01:40:264How To Improve Hiking Performance: The Complete Blueprintfull<![CDATA[What Exactly is Wildland Firefighter Human Performance?]]>In this episode Austin Womack and Justin DeMoss breakdown what human performance is, the difference between human performance and wellness, and share predictions on what the future of human performance in the wildland firefighter profession will look like.

]]>827a9349-1ccd-4e6d-88ad-34318743c69fMon, 30 Mar 2026 15:52:28 GMT<p>In this episode Austin Womack and Justin DeMoss breakdown what human performance is, the difference between human performance and wellness, and share predictions on what the future of human performance in the wildland firefighter profession will look like.</p>no01:22:363What Exactly is Wildland Firefighter Human Performance?full<![CDATA[Introducing Heidi Brackebusch and JJ Shelley - Rugged Athlete Nutrition Coaches]]>This episode features our two nutrition coaches, Heidi Brackebusch and JJ Shelley.

Listen to them share their stories about how they both transitioned from wildland firefighters to nutrition professionals, how they coach Rugged Athlete 1:1 clients through nutritional assessments and goals, and other topics such as food tracking.

]]>eca70689-318e-42e0-90af-d88f4ed86f81Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p>This episode features our two nutrition coaches, Heidi Brackebusch and JJ Shelley.<br /><br />Listen to them share their stories about how they both transitioned from wildland firefighters to nutrition professionals, how they coach Rugged Athlete 1:1 clients through nutritional assessments and goals, and other topics such as food tracking.</p>yes01:09:542Introducing Heidi Brackebusch and JJ Shelley - Rugged Athlete Nutrition Coachesfull<![CDATA[A New Era in Wildland Firefighter Human Performance is Here]]>Welcome to the Rugged Athlete Podcast! In this pilot episode we'll introduce ourselves, share the story behind why Rugged Athlete was created, and explain what our vision is for this podcast. This is where we'll have the longer form conversations that social media platforms aren't built for.

]]>8b340a2c-4d08-4cc2-be6e-572aab83febbSun, 15 Mar 2026 06:50:49 GMT<p>Welcome to the Rugged Athlete Podcast! In this pilot episode we'll introduce ourselves, share the story behind why Rugged Athlete was created, and explain what our vision is for this podcast. This is where we'll have the longer form conversations that social media platforms aren't built for.</p>no01:17:151A New Era in Wildland Firefighter Human Performance is Herefull