Podcast Summary: The Rock Fight – “From Surfer To The Redwoods”

Podcast: The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary
Episode: From Surfer To The Redwoods
Date: August 15, 2025
Host: Colin True
Guest: Justin Hausman

Overview

In this episode, Colin True welcomes back Justin Hausman, a former co-host and seasoned outdoor journalist, to discuss Justin’s new role at Save the Redwoods League. The conversation dives deep into career pivots in the outdoor industry, the realities and motivations behind conservation work, and the fulfillment that comes from aligning personal passions with professional purpose.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Justin Hausman’s Outdoor Industry Journey

• Background: Justin is introduced as a pivotal early voice on The Rock Fight, a longtime journalist (Surfer, Adventure Journal), and recently a proponent of conservation work at Save the Redwoods League.
• Career Pivot: While he’s still writing, Justin has moved from chronicling outdoor adventures to working directly in conservation—a natural extension of his affinity for the wild places near his Bay Area home.
• Quote (Colin):
  “...the outdoor industry isn't simply the making and distribution of outdoor stuff. There are guides and tourism boards and content creators... Justin ending up at a non profit focus on conservation was eye opening...” [04:11]

2. Transition: From Journalism to Conservation

• Motivation: Justin describes feeling restless in outdoor journalism—too many stories that “felt like I wasn’t doing anything.”
• Journey: He considered multiple paths (mountain biking conservation, other groups) but was ultimately driven by his love for redwoods.
• Quote (Justin):
  “It just felt like I couldn’t... I was just... I needed something else. I wanted it to be more meaningful.” [09:26]

3. On Conservation Work and the Redwoods League

• What Save the Redwoods League Does:
  • Focus on “Protect, Connect, and Restore.”
  • Historically, they acquired land to conserve redwoods; now efforts include restoration, cultural burns with indigenous groups, scientific research, and community engagement.
• Scope:
  The League seeks to revive the health and range of redwood ecosystems, not only coast redwoods but California sequoias.
• Quote (Justin):
  “...you run into a limit with how much land you can acquire... So we've, you know, I would guess that now versus like in, you know, 40 years ago, our science program is really developed... It's much more about how do we establish the health of the entire redwood range.” [17:04]

4. Daily Work & Storytelling

• Role: Justin crafts the League’s public messaging, writes for Redwoods Magazine, and shares educational, engaging narratives about forest conservation.
• Contrast to Journalism: Less urgency for traffic/clicks—stories are told when needed and are “edutainment” with purpose.
• Quote (Justin):
  “It’s incredible. I get to write about my favorite trees and my favorite places in the world. So in some ways, it’s an extension of what I’ve always done…” [18:40]

5. Passion, Fulfillment & Career Advice

• Personal Reflection: Justin credits his ability to pursue passion-driven work to an upbringing with few outside expectations; he always followed what sparked his interest—surfing, archaeology, journalism, conservation.
• Advice to Listeners:
  • Keep options open.
  • Move toward what excites you.
  • Don’t compromise joy for a paycheck.
  • Not everyone’s path looks the same.
• Quote (Justin):
  “I just feel like you keep your options open and you move toward the things that excite you... I’ve never had the patience to spend all day doing something I don’t want to do. So it’s kind of just kind of worked.” [24:31]

6. Outdoor (and Career) Real Talk

• Repeat Themes:
  • Challenges of “newness” in outdoor journalism (“there’s only so many ways you can wrap a burrito”—the same adventure stories are recycled).
  • Recognition that conservation work feels more meaningful and directly impactful.
• Bike Banter:
  Classic Rock Fight dynamic—Colin and Justin rib each other over e-bikes, rigid frames, and the purity (or not) of outdoor pursuits.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Justin on moving into conservation:
  “I cared more about trying to save the places that I love than I did telling...just telling people how great they are.” [11:28]

• On the repetitive nature of outdoor journalism (burrito analogy):
  “There's only so many ways you can wrap a burrito...” [12:38]

• Colin’s joke about rival conservation groups:
  "Are you competitive against, like, the Save the Douglas Firs? You're like, fuck you, Douglas Firs." [08:11]

• Advice from Justin:
  “Unless your singular joy in life is clowning or something... keep your options open and you move toward the things that excite you.” [24:31]

• On job flexibility:
  “Working at Surfer magazine, as you probably expect. I mean, that was pretty sweet... If I wrote three articles on Monday, hello Santa Cruz for four days...” [24:35]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Justin Returns: Podcast Banter & Celebrity Podcast Debate
  [05:19] – [06:43]

• Defining the Outdoor Industry & Career Pivot
  [06:43] – [09:12]

• Justin’s Journey to Conservation
  [09:12] – [12:02]

• Redwoods League: Mission, History, and Justin’s Role
  [15:27] – [19:41]

• Advice for Pursuing Passion in the Outdoor Industry
  [22:02] – [24:31]

• Classic Rock Fight: Bikes & Banter
  [25:11] – [26:41]

• Closing Reflections and Gratitude
  [27:01] – [27:47]

Closing Tone

The episode is conversational and candid, mixing humor with heartfelt reflections on career, innovation, and impact in the outdoor world. Colin and Justin’s rapport offers both practical insights and plenty of laughs—a true Rock Fight blend of authenticity, skepticism, and community.