Austin Fitzgerald
Pronouns: he/him/his
Austin Fitzgerald | “The Adventure Coach”
Austin has been a personal trainer and coach for over 8 years. It was during a pivotal 5-day backpacking trip through the Sierras six years ago, that he really found the mountains.
“My friend Sarah had brought me and few friends that I had never met. I just remember walking through all the majestic peaks and being like wow I am so drawn to these mountains I wanted to climb all of them. I kept thinking about how it would feel if I made it to the top.
After that trip I realized how powerful of an experience that was. The people I had never met before became such good friends. We still talk to this day. This trip was so impactful that it kick-started a life of dedicated trips like these. I began searching for every way I could have these mountain experiences. Barely a year later I traveled to Switzerland and climbed the Matterhorn with a guide. I was completely out of my element and was totally destroyed. Once I had recovered, I was so hooked from that feeling I had from using my body in such an epic way that I basically dedicated my life to climbing and mountains.
I found a mentor that taught me everything I needed to know to keep me safe and start pushing these limits more and more - still completely drawn to these experiences. People started noticing my photos and videos from all these amazing places I had been to and wanted to know how I was able to do that. My mind started turning. I wanted to show people how you can do these things. So I created “The Adventure Coach” - a way where I can train people mentally and physically and take them to an amazing peak and give them an incredible experience. I wanted to be with them along the way while they prepare for said adventure. Keep them accountable with nutrition, and their training plan. Get them prepared with gear and mental coaching to climb and succeed on a big peak. Hopefully creating memories along the way that last a lifetime.”
“Dedicated to making your adventure as comfortable and enjoyable as possible”
Training for mountain athletes.
Austin provides training for mountain athletes. He has spent years out in the mountains ranging from day-long adventures to multi-week expeditions. What he has found is that when it comes to injuries or even death is the level of preparedness - physically and mentally. Thus, Austin aims to provide a range of services that help people prepare for mountain endeavors in every single way so that they can get to their goal more comfortably and have a much lower chance of sustaining an injury or even death in the mountains.
Three programs offered:
Online Adventure Coaching
Personalized training for your specific adventure
Nutrition Accountability
Weekly Calls
Unlimited Messaging
Calendar to plan exercises
Full Video Exercise Library
In-Person Training
Based in Los Angeles
Nutrition Accountability
Personalized Training Plan
1-Hour Sessions
At-Home Sessions/Or Gym
Unlimited Messaging
Programs
Calendar For Workouts
Library Of Exercises
Coaching Tips
What sparked your love for adventure?
I think it goes back to growing up in Alaska. We had 5 acres of land full of woods. I would just wander all the time through the woods. I would ride my bike all over town and also go snowboarding every weekend. Once I started realizing how I can use these adventure tools to do bigger and better things it just exploded.
How do you prepare mentally and physically for your adventures?
Training myself in and out of the gym. Depending on how the climb is I will try and mimic it in some sort of way with my training. So by the time I arrive at the adventure I’m well prepared and it feels like competition day excitement.
What lessons have you gleaned from adventures have you been able to apply to your personal and professional life otherwise?
Resilience is probably the main one. I’m always thinking things like if I can be on a mountain for 3 weeks surviving I can do my taxes! Knowing how I am capable I am of doing things bigger than myself.
Can you describe a particularly humbling experience you've had in nature?
Don’t cheap out on gear. When I first started getting into this. I would buy all the cheap gear and hope that I could get away with it. But had so many problems that drove me insane that I didn’t cheap out anymore. End up spending less money in the long run.
How do you define your comfort zone, and how do you challenge it?
Comfort zone is a place of ease and comfort. This place is where there is low levels of stress and anxiety because things are familiar and there is predictability. Now this does provide a sense of stability and routine, it can also limit personal growth, creativity, and the willingness to take on new challenges. Stepping outside one’s comfort zone often involves facing new experiences and embracing discomfort in order to achieve growth and development.
Do you have a bucket list of adventures? If so, what's at the top?
Oh man, it is too large of the things I want to accomplish. Currently I am hoping to climb a peak called Alpamayo in Peru.
Can you share a story of a time when an adventure changed your perspective on life?
Denali, was a 21 day expedition. We were unsupported so we were completely on our own. Carrying 120lbs of supplies and climbing gear per person. Everything was challenging. Just the simplest tasks like getting water, making shelter, making food, going to the bathroom, and just resting all required so much energy and effort to get it done. You come back to reality and realize how much we take for granted and how convenient everything is. When you take those things away it shows how strong you really are and how much more you can do.
What role does community play in your adventurous pursuits?
It’s huge. It helps with pushing your limits. It makes it easier to say yes. Having these incredible experiences with these people creates friendships that last a lifetime.
What role does nature play in your life?
It is my escape, my passions, what I get excited about, goals, and now becoming my career.
What role does solo adventuring play in your life?
Self-exploration and learning about who I am and where I can go in this life.
How do you navigate setbacks or challenges during your adventures?
I take them on fully and think about all possible outcomes. Listen to everyone around you and their thoughts and we weigh all options out as a team.
What's the most unexpected thing you've encountered on an adventure?
Saving an old man who broke his shoulder. Had to call a helicopter for him to get him out.
Do you have any rituals or traditions before or after your adventures?
I like to take a moment and remember how you feel right before you start and then remember that feeling when you finish and you’re at that same spot.
Can you share a moment from an adventure that pushed your limits?
On the summit day of Denali. The weather was -20F and wind up to 20 mph. It was quite cold I was in all of my layers. There is one last steep section to get to the summit. I remember feeling so broken down to the point that I was crying. Thinking we were so close and I wasn’t sure I could physically make it up the last steep section. But I told myself you’ll never be here again you have to give it everything you got. So pushed through with everything I had left. Got the summit and the wind completely stopped and we had this beautiful summit moment. But then after all that I had to get back to camp. I felt so horrible but we slowly creeped back and made it around midnight. It ended up being a 16 hour day about 18,000 feet.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start embracing adventure in their life?
Accept the fear of the unknown, learn what you need to learn to accomplish it and make it happen. It will be challenging but completely rewarding.
How do you incorporate mindfulness or reflection into your adventures?
Well for one there usually is not any service so you’re on your own with no phone. Makes you very present and mindful. I reflect by photos and videos. I love creating small films of my adventures so that I can remember all of it.
Have you ever experienced a sense of awe or wonder during an adventure? If so, can you describe it?
I was recently in Norway ski mountaineering. I remember being at the top of those peaks looking out and seeing giant snowy peaks towering out of the ocean. Absolutely blew my mind.. I felt so powerful in those environments and the fact that I can get myself to those places and witness that type of beauty was just absolutely incredible.
How do you handle fear or uncertainty during your adventures?
I listen to the fear; it’s usually just there to keep me safe. So I embrace it and notice it but don’t allow it to take over. I slow things down and breathe and think logically before making moves.
What aspect of your adventure experience brings you the most pride?
I always love looking back at what I accomplished and being like I was just up there. But mainly I love the relationships that it brings. Lifelong friends are made from getting out of your comfort zone together.
Can you share a memorable encounter with wildlife during one of your adventures?
On my first backpacking trip day 3 we arrived at this meadow where there were seriously like 15 deer drinking out of this lake. The sun was setting and then out of nowhere 2 bears walked in and started drinking water as well. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had.
What motivates you to keep exploring and seeking new adventures?
Because there is just endless amounts of great adventures to be had. I’m so overwhelmed by it all that I just gotta keep going.
What's the longest journey or expedition you've ever undertaken?
24 days in the Everest region and 21 days on Denali.
How do you cultivate resilience and adaptability in your adventurous pursuits?
There is quite the list. Basically I embrace challenges, stay positive, prepare and plan, develop problem solving skills, stay physically fit, practice mindfulness and stress management, learn from experiences, build a support network, stay flexible, and stay curious.
Can you recall a time when an adventure brought you closer to someone else?
Basically every adventure that I go with people on. I’ve made some really close friends from adventures.
What's the most challenging aspect of planning an adventure for you?
Things that I can’t control like weather.
What part of adventure is the most exciting for you, and why? (Planning stage, sitting around a campfire, the challenge, packing up, looking at pictures after, etc?)
Oh man all of it. As soon as I start planning something the excitement begins. I’m so present during adventures, and then feel similar joy when reflecting.
How do you find balance between spontaneity and careful planning in your adventures?
I definitely have always beeen more spontaneous about my adventures. Unless it’s a long expedition, then I’m planning 6 months in advance. Creating “The Adventure Coach” is gonna make me be a lot more thoughtful about planning.
Can you describe an adventure that left you feeling profoundly grateful?
My recent Norway trip. I planned it, trained for it, climbed like 8 mountains and splitboarded them in one of the most beautiful environments I have ever been to. Felt incredible the entire time. Just shows you how far you’ve came and seeing the fruits of your labor.
How do you see your adventurous spirit evolving in the future?
Getting bigger and bigger every year. Wanting it more and more. Sharing that stoke for bringing others to experience it as well.
What do you think the childhood version of you would think of your current adventurous nature? What would you go back and tell that version of you?
He would be absolutely shocked on the things I have accomplished. When I was a child I never dreamed of such incredible things.
What aspect of your current adventurous nature do you think your future self will be grateful to have learned?
Resilience, patience, being comfortable in the uncomfortable.
