John Barklow spent over 20 years preparing elite warriors for the harshest environments on earth. From training Navy SEALs in cold-weather warfare in Alaska to pioneering technical hunting gear at SITKA, Barklow has lived at the intersection of survival, adventure, and precision. Now, he’s bringing that knowledge to the rest of us.
In this powerful episode, John shares how 9/11 shifted his military career from deep-sea diving to mountain warfare, how survival priorities translate from battlefield to backcountry to city life, and why every man should build a possibles pouch—and train with it.
We discuss:
- How to rewarm after falling into a freezing river (and why your instincts will get it wrong)
Why knowledge is your lightest survival tool
The 7 core categories of a proper possibles pouch
What keeps John up at night when it comes to urban survival
Lessons from hunting Cape buffalo, grizzlies, and blacktail deer
The biggest mistake most people make outdoors—and how to fix it
Foundational survival skills every man should know (fire, nav, and trauma care)
How to test your gear before your life depends on it
Whether you’re a hunter, hiker, dad, or city-dweller wondering how to prepare for uncertainty, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom, straight from a man who’s trained thousands to survive.
🌐 Guest Resources:
Knowledge from Storms: www.knowledgefromstorms.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jbarklow/
- SITKA Gear: www.sitkagear.com
- Montana Knive Co.: www.montanaknifecompany.com
📌 Follow The Last Easy Mile:
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/TLEM-Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/thelasteasymilepodcast/
X (Twitter): x.com/thelasteasymile
Website: thelasteasymilepodcast.com
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