Tim Mathis, author of "The Dirtbag's Guide to Life," shares his insights on a countercultural lifestyle that prioritizes outdoor adventure over mainstream commitments. He dives into the history of 'dirtbagging,' tracing its origins to early rock climbers in Yosemite. Tim discusses the financial realities and career paths that support this way of life, including unexpected options like nursing. He explores the impact of this lifestyle on relationships and offers compelling stories about finding fulfillment through nature and personal exploration.
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insights INSIGHT
Dirtbag Definition
"Dirtbag" started as a pejorative, but outdoor enthusiasts reclaimed it.
It represents prioritizing outdoor passions over traditional commitments.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Dirtbag History
The term originated with 1950s-60s Yosemite rock climbers, including Royal Robbins and Yvon Chouinard.
These "proto-hippies" prioritized climbing over traditional jobs, embracing the dirtbag label.
insights INSIGHT
Dirtbag Evolution
While originating with climbers, "dirtbag" now encompasses various outdoor pursuits.
Thru-hikers, mountain bikers, rafting guides, and ski bums all exemplify the dirtbag lifestyle.
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Eternal Truth for Hiker Trash, Ski Bums, and Vagabonds
Tim Mathis
The Dirtbag's Guide to Life is a practical and inspirational guide for those seeking to make adventure a lifestyle. It draws on the experiences of 'dirtbags'—individuals who prioritize outdoor activities like hiking and surfing on a low budget. The book offers advice on managing finances, aligning careers with passions, and navigating societal expectations while living an unconventional life.
The power of meaning
Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed With Happiness
Emily Esfahani Smith
In this book, Emily Esfahani Smith draws on research from positive psychology, insights from philosophers and writers like Viktor Frankl and Aristotle, and real-life stories to argue that the unending pursuit of happiness has distracted us from what really matters. She outlines four pillars essential to living a meaningful life: belonging, purpose, storytelling, and transcendence. These pillars are central to religious and spiritual systems but can also be built without them. The book explores how individuals can find meaning in their daily lives, even in menial tasks, through reframing their work as opportunities to help others and feeling understood and affirmed by others. It also discusses how creating a narrative about one’s life and experiencing awe can contribute to a sense of meaning.
Let my people go surfing
The Education of a Reluctant Businessman
Yvon Chouinard
This book tells the story of Yvon Chouinard, who brought doing good and having grand adventures into the heart of his business life. It details his journey from his youth as the son of a French Canadian handyman to his ambitious climbing expeditions that inspired his innovative designs for climbing equipment. The book also explores how Chouinard built Patagonia into one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, personal growth, and unconventional business practices.
If you call someone a dirtbag, you might be insulting them for being dishonest. Or, you might be describing their lifestyle -- their pursuit of an outdoor passion at the expense of more mainstream options and commitments.
If you've ever dreamed of being a rock climber living in a van or becoming a rafting guide, thru-hiker, world traveler, or some other kind of nature-loving, adventure-seeking wanderer, my guest has written a handbook for making it happen. His name is Tim Mathis and he's the author of The Dirtbag's Guide to Life: Eternal Truth for Hiker Trash, Ski Bums, and Vagabonds. Tim and I begin our conversation with what it means to be a dirtbag, the origin of the term amongst the early rock climbers who explored Yosemite in the 50s and 60s, and why Tim thinks the lifestyle embodies a countercultural philosophy. Tim then offers a window into why others might adopt this approach to life, by sharing his story of how he personally became committed to dirtbagging. From there we turn to the brass tacks of embracing a life centered on outdoor adventure and exploration, beginning with how much money you need to make it happen, and the kinds of jobs and careers that are conducive to it, including, perhaps surprisingly, the field of nursing. Tim also shares how he responds to criticism that being a dirtbag isn't a responsible way to live. We then discuss the effect dirtbagging can have on someone's relationships, and whether this lifestyle is viable if you have a spouse and kids. At the end of our conversation, we discuss how, even if you're living a more freewheeling lifestyle, it's important to have a sense of meaning beyond traveling around and doing cool stuff, and the three elements that go into finding that kind of meaning, which apply to dirtbags and non-dirtbags alike.
The Art of Manliness 
