Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Bio- Carol is the writer, hiker, trip planner, and speaker. Jim is the electronic geek, photographer, treasure hunter, and hiker. In photos, he captures the beauty and details along the trail for Carol to bring to life on paper. Together they crafted The Appalachian Trail Day Hikers’ Guide: Downhill to Fine Wine and Accommodations, Georgia, North C…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Freshly retired from a teaching career, Sarah and her husband are living their dream of living off the grid. They first moved to rural Tennessee in 2014, She is the founder of Maitri Farms, a small business in which Sarah sells an extensive line of healthy, all natural products for sale. Guest Links- Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mait…

Each week we get closer to Notre Dame Football and as we begin July, Matt & Pete dive into Pete’s annual Irish Fan survey to answer all your questions about Marcus Freeman’s team. How does the schedule look for the foreseeable future, does this team have a College Football Playoff run in them and who is going to breakthrough this Fall? Plus, how op…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Join Matt & Pete as they share the latest from Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman as the offseason continues on. Hear their thoughts on if this is a Playoff or Bust season for Freeman, how important week one at A&M is as well as what the kick times coming out this early means to fans.بقلم The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

The kickoff times are rolling in and Matt & Pete are back to discuss what to expect from Notre Dame's schedule as well as how the kick times could impact the team. Plus, thoughts on the salary details shared about Marcus Freeman and staff as well as details on Pete's story on Matt Jansen, Irish head of scouting, that you can find in The Athletic.…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Matt and Pete recap Notre Dame’s Blue-Gold spring game and look ahead to the Irish’s summer priorities. Why has QB depth been so important with Riley Leonard, Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr? Plus, why Marcus Freeman thinks this is his most talented team in South Bend.بقلم The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Matt & Pete return to discuss the Blue Gold game and what they expect to see from Marcus Freeman’s team on Saturday. How will the Transfer Portal impact the Irish and what can we learn from the offense without the expected starting quarterback in Riley Leonard playing on Saturday. Plus, learn more about upcoming new football facilities for Notre Da…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Debby became a Girl Scout leader when her daughter was young, and found herself learning all the camping and backpacking skills so that she could take her troop out. What started as a fun thing to do soon became a passion as she jumped into year after year of adventuring on the Appalachian Trail. She had no grand plans of doing the whole thing, and…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

As we head deeper into March the hoops talk continues on the Independent as Matt & Pete are joined by Irish head Women’s Basketball Coach Niele Ivey. Coach Ivey talks about the ACC tournament win as well as what to expect from Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament as the team hosts the first two rounds. Plus, Spring Practice rolls onward as Marcus Free…

Dr. Karen Lord Rutter is a retired teacher and administrator with over 30 years in education whose work with students ranged from preschool through high school. Dr. Rutter has a passion for travel, children, animals, and perpetual learning. Her first novel was inspired when her son, David, thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail with the family dog, Coppe…

The Irish were back on the field for the first time ahead of the 2024 season as Spring Practice as begun in South Bend. Tune in for thoughts from Matt & Pete on the new faces for Marcus Freeman’s team, where players were lining up while practicing out of pads and find out their first impression of the 2024 squad. Plus, thoughts on if the wide out g…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

This week, Matt & Pete get ready for Notre Dame Spring Football as the first open practice of the year is on the horizon plus they are joined by first year Notre Dame Head Basketball Coach Micah Shrewsberry. The conversation also turns to the ever changing College Football landscape and how the playoff changes impact Notre Dame and what all this wi…

Bio- Christine discovered long distance backpacking while surfing the internet at work. She decided that day to attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Her Rugged Outdoors Woman persona started as a joke, a nod to the outdoor adventurer that she wished to be. One adventure led to another and since then she has hiked the Wonderland Trail, the Co…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Bio- Kara Hardman is the Chief Fun Officer of Thicket Adventure and a curvy adventurer living in Colorado. Her favorite adventures include hiking with her adorable dog and kayaking. Kara has been in a plus size body for many years and understands the thought work it takes to love yourself exactly as you are. In March 2019, Kara climbed Kilimanjaro …

Matt & Pete return to share their takeaways from their conversations with Notre Dame players prior to winter conditioning beginning. Find out their takeaways from their first conversations with Riley Leonard as well as CJ Carr plus what new Director of Football Performance Loren Landow. Also, thoughts on the college football coaching era in NIL and…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Bio- Bonnie Nork lives in Southern Oregon with her husband, Mike, and daughter, Elaina. Her son, Ryan, is in college. Being active in the outdoors has always been a big part of Bonnie’s life. With adventurous parents, she was always out and about as a child, either hiking, backpacking, river rafting, on horseback rides, on canoe pack trips, and mor…

Bio- Aaron is a registered dietitian and backpacker with over twenty years of experience in the field of nutrition and in the backcountry. In 2017, she left her clinical dietitian career with dreams of thru-hiking the PCT and starting a business focused on backpacking nutrition. Seven years later, Backcountry Foodie is a thriving business serving t…

Matt & Pete return to look back at the season that was for the Irish as well as discuss some of the sport altering news around Nick Saban retiring and the ensuing coach and player shuffle. Kalen DeBoer taking the Alabama job created the domino effect that spared Notre Dame but will other coaching moves impact the team. Plus, tune in for thoughts on…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

Bio- Born on a dairy and tobacco farm, one of my chores was bringing in the cows for milking. I enjoyed walking over our 100 acres to get the cows, or just to be out in Nature. I had never heard of hiking trails…I followed the cow paths. After graduating from High School in 1963, I attended three different universities to achieve my BA in teaching,…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

The Irish closed out a 10-3 season with a 40-8 victory over Oregon State to take home the Sun Bowl title and earn Marcus Freeman a Frosted Flakes bath. Steve Angeli threw for three touchdowns in his Notre Dame debut and the defense remained stout in the win. Jordan Faison earn MVP honors with 115 yards receiving and a score. The 10-3 season sets up…

Matt & Pete preview the Irish bowl game against Oregon State from El Paso where Pete has the latest from Notre Dame before tomorrow’s matchup. Tune in for thoughts on how the bowl will go and how it will setup Marcus Freeman’s team for the 2024 campaign.بقلم The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

Bio- I was born and raised in Alaska, where I still call home today. I was a two-time NCAA National Champion in women's rowing and was voted CRCA/Pocock All-American my senior year. I still consider myself an athlete and love everything from CrossFit to weight training to long walks in the woods. At Western Washington University I earned a degree i…

Join Matt & Pete as they discuss the hiring of Mike Denbrock as Notre Dame's offensive coordinator to replace Gerad Parker. How does this impact the Irish for next season and what will this mean for Marcus Freeman's staff.بقلم The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

For the third consecutive year the Irish will have a new offensive coordinator under Marcus Freeman. Join Matt & Pete as they discuss the departure of Gerad Parker and what it means for the staff and Notre Dame’s prospects in 2024. Plus, updates from the transfer portal and thoughts on how the bowl game will be impacted by this turnover on the staf…

Jan Leitschuh was bitten by the AT bug in 2002. With no real backpacking experience, she threw herself into learning, training and stomping down fears and questions that swirled around her preparations. She joined the infamous Pack 31- a group of hikers that met online and named themselves after the date they started, March 1, 2003. This community,…

For the second straight year the Irish bring in a highly sought after transfer portal QB in Riley Leonard from Duke. Matt & Pete discuss Leonard joining Marcus Freeman’s team and how he will fit in with this offense as well as how he compares to Sam Hartman. Plus, more news out of the portal as well as Sun Bowl opt outs and what other offseason new…

Bio- Lindsay Wenndt is a nationally certified health coach and fitness instructor, with specialty certifications in weight management and orthopedic health (a.k.a. joint pain). She’s the founder of Break Free Fitness, a curvy women’s health and fitness company that reserves 10% of its membership and coaching packages as scholarships for low-income …

Katie Rhodes is a mountain ultra runner, hiker, Wilderness Education Instructor and NYS Licensed Guide based out of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. She's currently pursuing a Masters in Conservation Biology with a focus in alpine ecology and also works as an Industrial Hygienist in the semiconductor industry. You can usually find her me…

The Irish found out their bowl destination on Sunday night as they will be headed to El Paso, Texas to face Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Join Matt & Pete for first thoughts on the bowl selection as well as reactions to the matchup with the Beavers. Plus, news from the transfer portal who is on the move and who could the Irish pickup for the 2024 s…