From Cashier to the Face of REI, Inventing the M!GO Bottle, and the Geotagging Debate with Miranda Webster (BPR #372)

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by onX Backcountry and Topo Athletic, we are joined by Miranda Webster, the creator behind Miranda Goes Outside- a former 12-year REI employee turned full-time outdoor content creator.

In this one, Miranda breaks down her journey from an outdoorsy novice working as an REI cashier to amassing over 200,000 YouTube subscribers, the detailed process of designing her popular Migo water bottle to fix the smart water bottle's flaws, and why she firmly believes creators should never gatekeep public land locations.

We also cover her tactics for managing POTS and chronic migraines in the backcountry, her go-to fueling strategy of packing tinned fish and liquid meal replacements, some of her standout current favorite backpacking gear, and her golden rules for creating YouTube content without selling out for cheap clicks.

We wrap the show with covering our personal bests and worsts from our Pacific Northwest road trip, a breakdown of the gear Katie relies on when she's not testing new products, I update my sun hoodie rankings with a new score for The North Face Summit Series, a Triple Crown of foods you physically can't stop eating once you start- including the incident with Jabba’s burning penis, a of course a listener shares their poop story.

OnX Backcountry: Use code “TREK70” for 70% off at onxmaps.com. Get a free 3-month trial of Elite here (no credit card required).

Topo Athletic: Use code “TREK15HIKE” at topoathletic.com.

Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code “BPRADIO15” for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com

Interview with Miranda Webster

• Miranda's Youtube
• Miranda's Instagram

Reminders: Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, apply to be a Trail Correspondent, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and subscribe to The Trek's Youtube!

10:33 – Miranda's origin story: from city kid to REI cashier

26:32 – Her gear philosophy and love of colorful gear

30:51 – Managing chronic migraines and POTS on trail

37:12 – The gatekeeping/geotagging debate

42:48 – How the YouTube channel started with Rainer at REI

56:03 – Designing the Migo water bottle

70:40 – Transition from REI scripted videos to her own brand

86:30 – Lessons from Rainer on YouTube success

1:41:02 – Peak performance/fueling: tinned fish and hydration

1:53:00 – Pacific Northwest road trip bests and worsts

2:11:03 – Triple Crown of foods you can't stop eating

2:39:30 – Listener mailbag and poop story

Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.

Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.

Advertise on Backpacker Radio

Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.

A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason “I Miss Chaunce” Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns

A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.