Podcast Summary: "Previewing Gear Abby & Saying Goodbye To Wednesdays"

Podcast: The Rock Fight: Outdoor Industry & Adventure Sports Commentary
Date: August 27, 2025
Hosts: Colin True, Shantae Salibare

Episode Overview

This episode of The Rock Fight signals a significant transition for the podcast. Hosts Colin True and Shantae Salibare announce the end of the show's regular Wednesday "adventure" episodes while previewing the launch of "Gear Abbey," a new spinoff podcast focused on gear, advice, and the multifaceted realities of outdoor life. The discussion is seasoned with the signature wit, candor, and skepticism toward outdoor industry norms that listeners love, promising continuity of the show's spirit in its next chapter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflecting on Guidebook Writing & Trail Narratives

• Shantae humorously downplays her speed as a guidebook writer, joking about holding a "slowest known time" (00:24–00:55).
• Colin proposes serialized, day-by-day guidebook podcasts—a playful suggestion that ties into the episode’s theme of rethinking outdoor storytelling (01:07–01:28).

2. Podcast Programming Updates

• Colin celebrates reaching the show’s 400th episode in under three years, reflecting on the journey and the decision to focus content moving forward (05:04–05:40).
• Shift in Format: The Wednesday adventure episodes are ending. Instead, "The Rock Fight" will focus more on outdoor industry coverage, while adventure and gear content move to the new "Gear Abbey" podcast (07:44–10:26).

3. Launching "Gear Abbey"

• Genesis of Gear Abbey: Inspired by a past episode of "Gear and Beer," Shantae offered to answer gear questions. Colin loved the idea, and nearly a year later, it’s become a full-fledged podcast (11:27–12:09).
• Mission: Gear Abbey aims to democratize outdoor knowledge, fielding questions from all experience levels, and cultivating an inclusive, fun space for real conversations about outdoor life (13:02–16:51).
  • Shantae: "I love the idea of democratizing knowledge and I like sharing what I learned." (13:03)
• The new show welcomes all sorts of questions—including basic, advanced, and downright weird—promising a lively, judgment-free, and often humorous approach (16:23–17:13).

4. Farewell to Wednesdays & Sentiments About Change

• Shantae expresses gratitude for being part of the Rock Fight team, mentioning how the show has been a bright spot during difficult times (08:07–08:57).
• Both reassure listeners that their celebrated banter will live on in "Gear Abbey," and that Shantae will still make appearances on The Rock Fight (09:21–10:02).

5. Celebrating Women’s Accomplishments in Outdoor Records (FKTs)

• Shantae’s parting shot highlights recent female record-holders on iconic long trails and reflects on the significance of representation and pushing boundaries (20:25–24:30).
  • She celebrates current and past female FKT (Fastest Known Time) accomplishments, noting changing perceptions and the power of visibility for future generations.
  • "Whether or not you love an FKT, this is something to celebrate." — Shantae (24:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Podcasting Milestones:
  • Colin: "Next Monday will be the 400th episode of the Rock Fight, which I'm like, that's kind of awesome…" (05:15)
• On Routine Outdoor Media:
  • Colin: "There’s a lot of same out there... what I am excited about... is this sort of new format..." (06:39)
• On Farewells and Transitions:
  • Shantae: "It’s been such a delight becoming part of the Rock Fight team… I'm gonna miss it, I'm not gonna lie." (08:59)
• On the Heart of Gear Abbey:
  • Shantae: "I would like to be that for people... you can send any question you have that's tangentially or directly related to the outdoors... and I will do my best to answer them." (13:03–13:29)
• On FKTs and Representation:
  • Shantae: "Instead of complaining that somehow runners are ruining long trails... how about we just celebrate the fact that there's these incredible accomplishments of women doing things that people never thought we could do." (24:15–24:28)
  • Colin: "You don't understand how powerful it is to see someone who looks like you do these things. And it's like, yeah, that just kind of makes sense." (25:24–25:51)
• Humor highlight:
  • On the new Jeep Cherokee:
    • Colin: "Jeep Cherokee should only be back if you brought back the old school boxy looking Cherokee square business." (19:33–19:41)
  • On podcast banter:
    • Shantae: "If you want to hear me make fun of myself, if you want to hear me make fun of Colin, but I will never, ever make fun of the people asking the questions. So I will. No judgment." (17:13)

Important Timestamps

• Intro Banter & Guidebook Jokes: 00:24–01:40
• Programming Reminders: 02:14–04:23
• Celebrating 400 Episodes & Format Change: 05:04–07:44
• Announcing the End of Wednesday Episodes: 07:44–09:21
• Previewing Gear Abbey: 11:13–16:16
• Encouragement for Listener Questions: 16:23–17:03
• Jeep Cherokee Rant: 18:31–20:25
• Shantae’s Parting Shot on Women and FKTs: 20:25–24:30
• Discussion of Representation: 24:30–26:02

The Rock Fight’s Future

• Mondays: The Rock Fight continues with industry-focused episodes and features from outdoor personalities.
• Thursdays (starting September 4): Gear Abbey launches, offering practical, funny, and inclusive answers to listener questions about the outdoor life, gear, and real-world adventure scenarios.
• The team promises ongoing collaboration and dynamic guest appearances across both shows, with a continued commitment to authenticity, skepticism, and community-building in outdoor media.

For Listeners:

• Sign up for the newsletter at rockfight.co
• Follow on Instagram for behind-the-scenes and video clips
• Send questions and comments to myrockfightmail.com

Closing Note from Hosts:

• Colin: "We want your email. Send them to myrockfightmail.com… Thank you for listening." (27:58)