John Mackey, Whole Foods Co-Founder, On Thru-Hiking, Co-Owning Gossamer Gear, and Entrepreneurship

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Helinox we are joined by John Mackey. On trail he's known as "Strider", off trail he's known as the co-founder and former CEO of Whole Foods. In addition to being a world-class entrepreneur, Mackey is also a backpacking enthusiast, having hike the AT, PCT, Colorado Trail, and many trails abroad including hikes in the Alps, Patagonia, and more. This is a fun, informative, and wide ranging chat that covers his thru-hike on the AT while being the active Whole Foods CEO, how he saved Gossamer Gear from near extinction, his fascination with UL gear, including his own 6.5 lb base weight, how his love for fantasy novels spilled into his own creative endeavor at the AT's shelter logs, his favorite vegan trail snacks, and much more. We also dive into some non-backpacking talk, including how to build a successful and healthy company culture, his take on labor unions, how psychedelics played a pivotal role in his life, and we learn all about his new book, The Whole Story: Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism. Chaunce and I were amped for this chat and it did not disappoint.
We wrap the show with a sneak peak at a new full-time job opening at The Trek, what fact is common knowledge in our field, but unknown to most of the population, the triple crown of Whole Foods foods, and Chaunce's encounter with a ghost.
Helinox: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off at helinox.com/
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com/
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek/

[@VegasThePiedPiper]

Just finished the full episode - so glad I got to meet him last year on my hike. Great stories and very smart guy.

[@VegasThePiedPiper]

Met this guy on my 2023 Appalachian Trail thru hike in Virginia - just south of Dragons Tooth/the start of the VA triple crown. Cool guy!

[@PatrickSilvers]

Such an engaging episode, when will you get John Zahorian on the show? So many of us would love to hear that episode!

[@NathanJones-sf5js]

Some of this is still slick corporate speak.
Very interesting that Mackey never talks about raising kids. Takes him down a notch or two in my book.
Still, cool and respectable guy. Huge get for BPR.