Today, I’m joined by an industry visionary who has transformed the way we experience outdoor fitness and media—Robin Thurston, Founder and CEO of Outside Interactive Inc.
Robin’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From his early days as a pro cyclist to becoming a trailblazing entrepreneur, he’s built game-changing platforms that have redefined the way athletes, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts track their performance, connect with their communities, and consume media.
In this episode, we dive into his evolution from athlete to innovator, starting with the creation of MapMyRide and MapMyRun, which revolutionized fitness tracking before being acquired by Under Armour. We discuss his leadership lessons, the birth of Outside, and his vision for building a media ecosystem that unites outdoor sports, adventure, and wellness. Through Outside Interactive, Robin has brought together iconic media brands like Outside Magazine, Backpacker, Velo, Pinkbike, Trail Runner, Yoga Journal, Triathlete, and Women’s Running, creating a powerhouse platform for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
Robin also shares insights into the evolving fitness landscape, the role of technology in outdoor experiences, and what’s next for Outside Interactive. Whether you're a triathlete, runner, endurance athlete, tech enthusiast, or someone passionate about the outdoors, this episode is packed with inspiration, insights, and forward-thinking ideas.
4:00 Journey from pro cyclist to founder and innovator
7:04 building a team and lessons from sports
9:55 Innovating in tech The birth of Map My Ride and Map My Run
13:14 aquistion and growth: The Under Armor Era
16:14 Transforming Outdoor Media: The birth of Outside
18:57 Creating a media ecosystem: Connecting outdoor activities
22:02 The Future of Outdoor Fitness: Trends & Insights
24:53 The Importance of Wellness I. Outdoor Activities
28:09 Navigating the media landscape: challenges and opportunities
30:57 Celebrating Wins & Learning From Failure
32:53 The Future of outside: Innovations and New direction
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