Published by Big Rich Klein
Hear conversations with the legacy stars of rockcrawling and off-road. Big Rich interviews the leaders in rock sports.
Listen on Apple PodcastsSend us Fan Mail Chad had a nomadic childhood with nine moves across the US by age 10. Played competitive soccer through college; choosing sports over academics. Family of machinists and farmers influenced hands-on career path. He started as a mechanic, working through transmission and fabrication shops. Became premier Hemi Jeep installer during the modification craze, but was laid off unexpectedly, then built first personal off-road buggy after failing a rock crawl in his JK. Chad still drives that original buggy. Zeus Off-Road was founded in 2016 after his wife insisted on staying in Minnesota for family support. Chad built his reputation purely through word-of-mouth and community trust, he now operates on the philosophy of customer education and consultation before major builds, emphasizing proper driver training and understanding vehicle capabilities. He advocates for gradual locker engagement and self-recovery knowledge in off-roading. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Cole shares his 35-year journey from car enthusiast to magazine editor to automotive marketing business owner. Starting with dirt bikes in the New Mexico desert, he became editorial assistant at Hot Rod Magazine in 1990 before launching 4x4 Power—where he built an entry-level off-road publication alongside Trent McGee and Tori Tellem. After twelve years at Peterson Publishing, he transitioned to Chrysler, where he worked in PR for engineering and traveled globally with executives. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Cole started CQ Marketing and now serves clients including Flexlite and Dynatrac, while launching passion projects like Pavement Pounder Events. Cole emphasizes the importance of staying curious and adaptable. Career paths have dissolved—no single company will define your future. Take opportunities, fail forward, and find work that excites you daily. He credits his success to surrounding himself with passionate people and collaborating with industry leaders who cared deeply about quality and customer experience. Don't obsess over finding the perfect path. Get your degree, stay open-minded, and pursue what energizes you. Beware of working in your hobby—passion can turn to drudgery as a 9-to-5. Find the balance between funding your lifestyle and doing work that matters to you. Cole is exploring adventure tours through Pavement Pounder Events, blending his hot-rod expertise with touring experiences. Maybe he should collaborate with Big Rich on an off-road tour concept combining both their industry backgrounds and storytelling skills? Support the show
Send us Fan Mail John grew up in Auburn, Washington with a passion for automotive work. He excelled in shop classes and purchased his first car—a 1968 Camaro—at age 14. After high school, he worked at a quick lube shop before joining an automotive repair facility. When the owner retired, John's parents bought the business, and after navigating early challenges, John eventually took over. The shop celebrates 30 years in business this year. Auburn Auto Repair and Off-Road operates as a 50/50 split between general repairs and off-road specialization. With three technicians and 7,500 square feet, they focus on drivetrain upgrades, lifts, and wheels for Jeeps, Toyotas, and trucks. John's youngest son recently joined the team; John hopes he'll eventually lead the business. John wheels extensively across the Pacific Northwest and beyond—Moab's iconic trails (Pritchett's, Cane Creek), Sand Hollow, and Trail Hero in Utah. He's raced Ultra4 for eight years, competing at King of the Hammers (KOH) from 2018–2025. His standout achievement: winning the EMC (4500 class) in 2022 with a flawless race. His children are all wheeling enthusiasts with their own rigs. John wants to semi-retire, delegate business management to his youngest son, and spend more time wheeling with family, exploring Colorado and the Sierra Nevadas, and enjoying life beyond work. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Colt Clewley is a YouTuber and off-road enthusiast from Farmington, New Mexico. He runs the channel "Colt Builds It," creating fabrication tutorials, trail guides, and adventure content focused on making off-roading knowledge accessible to everyone. Colt grew up in tiny Divide, Colorado, worked in the oil field for 18 years, and later transitioned to full-time content creation. He's known for his DIY approach, building vehicles with hand tools in driveways and sharing practical fabrication techniques through detailed YouTube videos on axle builds, roll cages, and suspension work. He's competed in WE Rock events, contributed to trail maintenance across multiple states, and recently built a recovery wrecker. Colt emphasizes the importance of competition in developing driver skills and testing vehicle capabilities on challenging terrain. A strong advocate for trail preservation, Colt collaborates with local clubs, government agencies, and other outdoor groups to keep trails open. He encourages newer off-roaders to understand that these recreation areas exist because of organized community effort and maintenance—not by accident. Colt is launching an inaugural off-road experience trip for YouTubers and companies, building a custom buggy, and planning an East Coast off-road tour to highlight underrated trails in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Matt Adair sits down with Big Rich Klein to discuss a life shaped by cars, languages, and the off-road community. Beginning as an exchange student in Germany at 16, Matt's fluency in automotive passion led him to abandon an Air Force Academy appointment for car sales. What started as a snowy day test drive of a Jeep Cherokee evolved into decades of off-roading, racing, and journalism—including pivotal roles at King of the Hammers and Crawl Magazine. Matt shares stories of serendipitous friendships forged at lakebed campfires, a memorable medical emergency at KOH, and the profound impact of community members like Camo and Jesse Combs. Today, he runs a boutique Porsche dealership while still racing a home-built Cherokee at 24-hour endurance events. Throughout the conversation, Matt emphasizes that the true reward isn't trophies or milestones—it's the remarkable people encountered along the way. As he prepares to write a book about his improbable adventures, Matt reflects on how following passions and embracing the unexpected leads to a life rich with meaningful human connection. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Adam Arsenault shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in North Carolina to becoming a key figure in off-road motorsports. His path spans 20 years in Marine Special Operations, four combat deployments, and a thriving racing career. Adam grew up in Asheville, NC; joined the Marine Corps at 18 and served 20 years, including intelligence work and combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He transitioned to Racing, discovering off-road culture in California; competing at King of the Hammers seven times and racing in the Baja 1000. He now manages the operations director role for Polaris's factory race program, overseeing four Pro-R vehicles competing in SCORE series races and select US events. Adam’s personal philosophy emphasizes persistence through failure, finding purpose over paycheck, and valuing relationships over individual achievement. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Scott Rehn joins the podcast to discuss his colorful career across multiple motorsports disciplines—from motocross and late-model dirt track racing to short-course off-road, water skiing, Monster Jam, and beyond. Learn how an unplanned career launch led to decades in broadcasting. Early Racing Years Scott tried motocross as a teenager but found his true passion in late-model stock car racing. At just 17, a car appeared in his driveway—courtesy of a customer at his dad's grocery store—launching him into racing with zero experience. After five years racing dirt tracks, the grocery store closed and Scott shifted to spectating and crew work. The Off-Road Discovery His sister Valerie's success racing short-course trucks led Scott to Crandon Speedway, where he instantly fell in love. He describes feeling the ground move during the races—a moment that "hooked" him on the sport forever. Broadcasting Breakthrough Originally a professional water skier and announcer, Scott reluctantly filled in as a short-course race announcer when the regular crew needed a break. His mother literally dragged him to the booth. That one weekend led to an ESPN2 opportunity with Marty Reed, launching a broadcasting career that took him from pit reporting to stadium racing to Monster Jam. Highlights Across Sports Scott's career spans watercross (snowmobiles racing on water), stadium off-road championships, Red Bull Frozen Rush in Sweden, King of the Hammers, and nearly 20 years with Monster Jam. He's worked alongside industry legends including Jimmie Johnson. From California to Oklahoma After the CORE series ended, Scott relocated to Oklahoma, where he now works as a brand ambassador and semi-truck driver for a Ford Racing marketing company, hauling NASCAR rigs. He's transitioned from TV to radio work but remains passionate about the off-road sport that started it all. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Rory Irish is the owner of Trail Mater and Moab Motorsports, an off-road recovery operation based in Utah. In this episode, he shares his unconventional path from surveying and pipeline welding in Colorado to becoming a YouTube sensation and industry figure. Rory bounced between Moab, Utah and western Colorado throughout his childhood. After dropping out of high school, he earned his GED (scoring highest in Colorado that year) and spent five years as a surveyor before transitioning into construction and the oil field, where he learned welding. Ten years ago, Rory moved back to Moab to build his recovery business, initially working at Moab 4x4 Outpost. When the original owner relocated, Rory and an investor purchased the shop, later buying out the investor in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed him toward full-time recovery work and YouTube content creation. Trail Mater evolved from a simple tow truck into a specialized off-road recovery vehicle equipped with winches, welders, and custom tools. His YouTube channel now has massive reach. Rory emphasizes that he's an off-road recovery company first, YouTube channel second. He works closely with BLM and National Park Service to minimize environmental impact and refuses to stage recoveries for views. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Cody Folsom grew up bouncing between Colorado towns and Texas, attending over 10 schools while working alongside his father in automotive shops. He was introduced to rock crawling through Jason Feuilly and Jimmy's 4x4, learning the philosophy that completing obstacles mattered more than keeping vehicles pristine—a shock after his dad's show-and-shine approach to cars. From Spotting to Racing Cody became a renowned spotter for rock crawling competitions, spotting for various drivers, including Feuilly and Rick Dermo. He transitioned into racing through Dirt Riot, building a Jeep Cherokee called "Raz Spaz" that launched his interest in going faster. He later moved into Ultra 4 racing with a Comanche and became co-driver and mechanic for Shane Chiddix, learning shock tuning and high-performance vehicle dynamics in the process. Building Dolores: Outfitters & Auto Shop After a family crisis brought him back to Colorado, Cody and his partner, Katie, transformed a struggling mercantile into a thriving outdoor outfitters—offering rental Jeeps, side-by-sides, kayaks, handmade food, and recovery gear. Recently, they opened Kodiak Automotive next door. Cody now aims to bring manufacturing jobs back to his community through product design, particularly bumper assemblies that can be fabricated and assembled locally. Cody credits Big Rich and the off-road community for shaping his life, emphasizing how the sport created family bonds beyond competition. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Thomas Meiser is a rock buggy fabricator and off-road enthusiast from Magna, Utah. Once a competitive baseball player coached by his father, Thomas shifted to fabrication after discovering the Suzuki Samurai at age 16—a pivotal moment that redirected his passion entirely. Early Career Path Thomas worked under influential mentors including Casey Beach (Beaches Off-Road) and Ben Hanks Racing, where he learned welding fundamentals and tubing work. After Caterpillar's internship program and structural steel fabrication, he found his true calling at Midnight 4x4 with JC, working with CNC burning tables and tube cutters. Building Fab'n 801 In 2018, Thomas launched Fab'n 801 (named from his habit of saying "I'm fab'n" in the garage, plus Salt Lake's 801 area code). He's built over 5,000 chassis for customers worldwide—in Australia, Canada, Mexico, Italy, and even Guam—and designed 15+ unique chassis platforms for Toyotas, Samurais, and Jeeps. Future Vision Thomas recently invested in 5 acres near Parowan, Utah (surrounded by BLM land and six canyons), where he plans to build a new fabrication shop. He's exploring RC rock crawling innovations to inform real-life buggy design and actively seeking a business partner to help scale operations. His YouTube channel (Fab'n 801) showcases builds and off-road adventures. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Big Rich Klein sits down with Nate Williams to explore a life immersed in off-road culture. Growing up in Logan, Utah, Nate caught the bug early—rebuilding a 1975 Bronco at just 15, complete with body work and a custom Chevy engine swap. What started as weekend trail runs evolved into competitive rock crawling, and eventually into full-scale desert racing. Nate shares the origin story of Mount Logan Off-Road, the shop he built with his brother John, and the pivotal lessons learned through business challenges and partnerships gone wrong. After ten years in industrial automation, Nate returned to his true passion, rejoining John to launch Crossfire Off-Road in Logan. The conversation highlights Nate's racing achievements, including winning King of Area BFE in 2007 and multiple victories at the Baja 1000, Mint 400, and Silver State 300—all while maintaining a competitive edge at King of the Hammers. Now partnered with Ford, Nate continues chasing championships in Ultra4 and Best in the Desert series, while his shop focuses on custom builds and long-term fabrication projects. This episode explores the lifestyle, persistence, and brotherhood that define the modern off-road industry. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Chris Mercer, a fire captain and body shop manager from Craig, Colorado, shares his journey from a Southern California native to a well-rounded off-roading enthusiast. He discusses his passion for mechanics, competitive four-wheeling, and his goals to become an off-road instructor. Chris grew up immersed in motorsports and outdoor activities including snowmobiling, motocross, and desert racing. He worked as a computer technician after earning a degree in computer science and business management. Chris gives 100% in all he does and was recently named Fire Chief of his volunteer fire department, having served for 23 years. In 2010, his first year of rockcrawling competition, Chris won the Formula Toy national championship. The class emphasized driver skill over equipment; he continues to attribute his competitive success to strategic thinking and innovating problem-solving. The Mercer family maintains 23 vehicles for different terrain needs, with a heavy emphasis on Toyotas. Chris is currently exploring becoming an off-road or recovery instructor to share decades of expertise with newer enthusiasts. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Brent Goegebuer joins Big Rich Klein to discuss a life dedicated to the off-road industry. Raised in rural Washington, Goegebuer's passion for trucks and the outdoors led him to open his first four-wheel drive shop before age 21, working his way up from a graveyard wire mill shift to corporate success. The interview follows his two-decade journey at Four Wheel Parts, where he transformed event management into profit centers and grew the company from 40 stores to 125 under leadership of Greg and George Adler. Known for its family-oriented culture, Four Wheel Parts became an industry hub that launched countless careers in off-roading. Goegebuer shares how his team weathered the 2007-2009 economic downturn by maintaining aggressive marketing while competitors pulled back—a strategy that positioned them at the top post-recession. He discusses the company's evolution, the launch of Truck Fest events that brought together vendors and enthusiasts, and the unexpected plot twist when he reunited with Greg to revive these events after recent corporate changes. Today, Goegebuer serves as Vice President for AccuAir Suspension (air suspension systems for Jeeps available through Mopar) and Arnott Cycles (similar technology for Harley-Davidson motorcycles). A father of four and devoted son caring for his 85-year-old mother, Goegebuer balances business ventures with renewed travel passions across Europe, Australia, and beyond. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Early Life & Background Kim and Nathaniel grew up in rural Kentucky, meeting in high school with lockers across the hall from each other. They worked together at a local Winn-Dixie grocery store before college, where Nathaniel pursued psychology and Kim studied occupational therapy. Both eventually moved to the Lexington area after graduating. Rise in Rock Crawling The couple stumbled into competitive rock crawling through friends in Lexington, entering their first competition—NeuRock at Paragon in Pennsylvania—in a stock class YJ. Kim finished 3rd out of 30 competitors that year. They progressed quickly, building courses at EROC events, with Nathaniel becoming a head judge and Kim earning recognition as one of the few female competitors on the East Coast. Competition Highlights Their most memorable moment came in a rock race at Alabama where Kim flipped her buggy twice, landed on all fours, and continued without hesitation. They competed from 2003 to 2011, attending King of the Hammers twice and nearly finishing in Kim's second attempt with just 13 miles remaining. A serious injury at the Badlands early in their marriage reminded them of competition's risks. Life After Competition As they prioritized family and saw unlimited-class costs skyrocket, they retired from racing to start a family. Nathaniel discovered brewing, earning his certification and launching Next Level Brewing Company in December 2019. Kim remained in occupational therapy for 22+ years. Now they coach youth football, fish, and enjoy outdoor activities with their son Mason and three rescue boxers. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Dan Whittington, founder of Venom Aire, shares his journey from mechanics work to pioneering air intake technology. Born in Santa Rosa, California and raised in Salt Lake City's Cottonwood Heights, Dan developed a lifelong passion for off-roading through family camping trips and motorcycle adventures. After high school, Dan worked at a service station, became a stonemason, and held roles in insurance and automotive retail before joining Hinkley Dodge and Larry Miller as a technician. A knee injury forced a career pivot, leading him to pursue his longtime passion: fine art at Salt Lake Community College. He later worked in video game development for Sculpture Software, contributing to the successful WWF War Zone title before the studio closed. Today, Dan is known as "Bronco Dan" for his high-end early Bronco builds and his work with Venom Aire—an innovative ducted fan system designed to improve fuel efficiency. Testing shows 10–25% fuel mileage improvements across various vehicles, plus horsepower gains up to 40 HP in mid-range. The system features affordability, simple installation, EPA-friendly emissions reduction, and no required remapping. Partnered with ProForm, Venom Aire is pursuing CARB certification for broader market access. Dan emphasizes product quality, welcomes critical testing, and encourages interested customers to contact him directly or visit www.venomaire.com for details and testimonials. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Paul's journey spans car audio, home theater systems, e-commerce, and high-end audio installations during the housing boom. He transitioned to off-road work after joining a Raptor community in 2010, turning hobby expertise into business ventures. Paul started by rebuilding Raptor shocks when demand exceeded Fox's turnaround time. Developed an exchange system, expanded to a shop in Loomis, and created shock guards, alignment kits, IWE silicone lines, and his signature cabin air filter kit. He recently opened a new company in Reno focused on cabin air filters and ongoing truck development. Paul’s authorship includes publishing Overwhelmed: Time to Reset , part of the Neural Reset series on neuroplasticity and mindset retraining. He created Doom Scroller's Handbook based on corporate culture shock and Authored comprehensive Raptor generation guides and Dirt Logs —off-road journals for documenting trail adventures. What’s next – listen in and find out! Support the show
Send us Fan Mail This week on Conversations with Big Rich, we dive into the inventive world of fabricator and racer Jonas Burnett. From humble beginnings on a Texas ranch wrenching on a Honda Fat Cat to building engines at 16, Jonas charted a path through the School of Automotive Machinists and into AJ Foyt’s IndyCar program—handling front-end setups, meticulous wiring, and pit crew duties. After seven intense years in pro racing, he returned home to launch Black Smoke Garage, where his imagination meets metal across hot rods, off-road rigs, mini boats, and more. Highlights of the show include the IndyCar years and life on the road; the one-man, high-craft Black Smoke Garage; and ground-up restorations. Where he’s headed includes compact transfer cases with front/rear clutches and innovation. Jonas’ philosophy includes safety-first, practical performance, and making pro-grade tech more accessible. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail This week, Big Rich chats with Adam Leidy, Off-Highway Vehicle and Over-Snow Program Manager on the Inyo National Forest. Adam’s NorCal roots run deep—raised by a forestry biologist, he grew up camping, chasing garter snakes, and logging time in an Isuzu Trooper before wrenching on a K5 Blazer and falling hard for Land Cruisers. After 9/11, Adam joined the Marine Corps as a motor transport mechanic; post-service he ran a landscaping business, then supported military aircraft logistics before finding his way home to the Forest Service. It’s exciting to highlight a Forest Service employee who wheels just like the rest of us. Adam shares some insight into what the job entails and how you can stay out of trouble in his jurisdiction. Be sure to listen close, good stories ensue. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail Tempe-raised fabricator and spotter Mike Dieu shares a life built on grit, ingenuity, and community. From paper routes and roofing a family home at 15 to becoming an all-state football standout, Mike’s hands-on roots led him into automotive school and early work converting fleets to natural gas. That tech savvy set the stage for a pivotal chapter: wiring fuel injection for the Campbells—starting with Shannon’s legendary “Pinky”—and ultimately spotting alongside Shannon through ARCA, WeRock, UROC, ProRock, and more. Mike shares the stories that led him to a well-earned retirement. Shout-outs to Arizona off-road stalwarts: the Campbells, Rob Bonney, Ian Liljeblad, Randy Ellis, and more. Support the show
Send us Fan Mail This week, Rich sits down with Arizona native and RPM Steering founder, Don Rycroft, for a candid, high-horsepower story of resilience, faith, and community in off-road. From BMX racing and desert motos to early marriage, entrepreneurship, and a life-reset at 50, Don shares how setbacks forged a family-run brand that’s now a national name in steering and suspension. Don’s story is a masterclass in grit: lean into faith, serve the community, build cool parts that work—and have fun on the trail. Support the show