John Mackey, Whole Foods Co-Founder, on His Thru-Hiking Experience, Co-Owning Gossamer Gear, and Entrepreneurship

Jul 1, 2024

John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market and avid hiker, shares his adventures on iconic trails like the AT and PCT. He discusses the rescue of Gossamer Gear and his fascination with ultralight gear, revealing his impressive 6.5 lb base weight. Mackey delves into the impact of psychedelics on his personal growth and entrepreneurial journey, and he highlights his new book touching on love, life, and capitalism. Humor also shines through as he recounts awkward first date stories and shares tips for both hiking and holistic health.

02:27:59

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Intro

00:00 • 6min

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Exciting Plans for PCT Trail Days and Listener Engagement

05:59 • 2min

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A First Date Fridge Investigation and Backpacking Adventures

07:47 • 3min

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Lessons from an Awkward First Date

11:17 • 7min

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Navigating Nature and Leadership

18:06 • 25min

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Awakening Through Psychedelics

42:48 • 13min

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Navigating Professional Challenges and the Importance of Hydration

55:25 • 4min

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Journey from Safer Way to Whole Foods

58:58 • 30min

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Exploring the Via Francigena and European Walking Tours

01:29:08 • 2min

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Navigating Culture and Union Dynamics at Whole Foods

01:31:00 • 14min

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Grocery Shopping and Holistic Health

01:45:02 • 8min

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Backpacking Tips and Ghostly Musings

01:52:41 • 14min

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Whole Foods and Nostalgic Grocery Moments

02:06:52 • 11min

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Rock Smashing and Camping Chats

02:18:16 • 7min

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Managing Memory Cards and Uploading Tips

02:24:59 • 2min

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Humor, Innovation, and Passionate Sports Talk

02:27:07 • 3min

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The Complete Walker IV

Chip Rawlins

Colin Fletcher

The Complete Walker IV is an in-depth guide to backpacking, written by Colin Fletcher and Chip Rawlins. The book begins with a 'Ground Plan' discussing general hiking preparedness, including detailed evaluations of ideal clothes, food, boots, and tents. It covers a wide range of topics from socks to freeze-dried trail curries, and includes honest critiques and endorsements of brand-name equipment. The authors also delve into philosophical and literary discussions on the reasons to walk, capped off with a collection of quotes about walking and the outdoor life. The book is known for its practical advice, real-life examples, and the authors' engaging writing style, making it a must-have for hikers and backpackers.

Hiking from Home

A Long Distance Hiking Guide for Family and Friends

Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism

John Mackey

The Whole Story is more than just a business success story; it is a tale of a retail, cultural, and dietary revolution that has forever changed the industry and the way people eat. John Mackey shares never-before-told tales of the people and passions behind Whole Foods, including the colorful cast of idealists and foodies who formed the company’s DNA, the many breakthroughs and missteps, and the narrowly avoided disasters. The book delves into Mackey’s spiritual journey, from Christianity to New Age mysticism and Eastern wisdom, as well as his political and intellectual development from a countercultural co-op dweller to a libertarian and Conscious Capitalist. It also explores his personal passions, such as long-distance backpacking, and his philosophical and ethical awakenings, particularly regarding animal welfare and industry practices.

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.

[divider]

Interview with John “Strider” Mackey

John’s Website
John's Instagram
Love Life Website

Time stamps & Questions

00:04:56 - Reminders: Apply for the Trek’s new full time role! Suggest a guest for PCT Days and support us on Patreon for bonus exclusive content!

00:08:15 - Introducing John

00:09:18 - Tell us about investigating your wife’s fridge during your first date

00:12:27 - We Love Love: Tell us about telling her how you felt

00:18:12 - Did that make you more sensitive to how you interact with people?

00:19:15 - What was the origin story of buying Gossamer Gear?

00:23:46 - Are you still involved in the operations of Gossamer Gear?

00:25:15 - How did you get to a baseweight of 6 pounds?

00:26:50 - What are your Big Three?

00:28:00 - How did Ray Jardine’s book insprie you?

00:30:30 - Tell us about getting off trail

00:33:22 - What’s it like to complete the AT and go back to being the CEO of Whole Foods?

00:36:01 - Tell us about your trail register stories

00:39:35 - What was the process for your support vehicle?

00:41:44 - Did other hikers realize you were involved with Whole Foods?

00:43:10 - What impact has psychadelics had on your career?

00:49:33 - What did your parents think when you started Safer Way?

00:54:56 - Was it hard to ask your father to leave the board of Whole Foods?

00:58:50 - What was the community’s reaction to you starting Safer Way?

01:02:18 - How did you mentally keep up with the growth of Whole Foods?

01:03:43 - Were there any books you recommend to entrepreneurs?

01:05:28 - Discussion about listening to books while long distance hiking

01:07:00 - Discussion about what John eats while backpacking

01:10:21 - What kind of cravings do you get while hiking?

01:12:20 - What do you think about alternative meat burgers?

01:13:23 - Can you explain why vegans are against eggs?

01:16:20 - Tell us about hiking with the founder of Celestial Seasonings tea

01:18:58 - What was the origin story of your step-daughter’s trail name?

01:20:09 - What sticky situations have you gotten into on trail?

01:24:00 - Tell us about hiking the PCT

01:27:39 - Tell us about the Via Francigena and Alpe Adria

01:29:50 - What has been your favorite European trail?

01:31:35 - What’s your take on REI’s recent efforts on union busting?

01:36:52 - What tips do you have for building a strong company culture?

01:42:00 - Discussion about merging with Amazon

01:43:18 - What is Jeff Bezos like?

01:43:41 - Zach’s idea for grocery store improvement

01:45:33 - Kumo Question: What is the cheesiest movie you secretly love?

01:48:26 - Tell us about Love Life

Segments

Trek Propaganda: Kristian Morgan Aims for Another Appalachian Trail FKT by Ariella Nardizzi

QOTD: What fact is common knowledge in your field, but unknown to most of the population?

Spooky Thing of the Week

Triple Crown of Whole Foods foods

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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