Be Your Own Rescue: Survival as a Modern Rite of Passage with John Barklow
John Barklow spent over 20 years preparing elite warriors for the harshest environments on earth. From training Navy SEALs in cold-weather warfare in Alaska to pioneering technical hunting gear at SITKA, Barklow has lived at the intersection of survival, adventure, and precision. Now, he’s bringing that knowledge to the rest of us.
In this powerful episode, John shares how 9/11 shifted his military career from deep-sea diving to mountain warfare, how survival priorities translate from battlefield to backcountry to city life, and why every man should build a possibles pouch—and train with it.
We discuss:
- How to rewarm after falling into a freezing river (and why your instincts will get it wrong)
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Why knowledge is your lightest survival tool
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The 7 core categories of a proper possibles pouch
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What keeps John up at night when it comes to urban survival
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Lessons from hunting Cape buffalo, grizzlies, and blacktail deer
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The biggest mistake most people make outdoors—and how to fix it
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Foundational survival skills every man should know (fire, nav, and trauma care)
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How to test your gear before your life depends on it
Whether you’re a hunter, hiker, dad, or city-dweller wondering how to prepare for uncertainty, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom, straight from a man who’s trained thousands to survive.
🌐 Guest Resources:
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Knowledge from Storms: www.knowledgefromstorms.com
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Instagram: www.instagram.com/jbarklow/
- SITKA Gear: www.sitkagear.com
- Montana Knive Co.: www.montanaknifecompany.com
📌 Follow The Last Easy Mile:
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YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/TLEM-Youtube
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Instagram: instagram.com/thelasteasymilepodcast/
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Website: thelasteasymilepodcast.com
John Barklow
Survival Instructor | Former Navy Diver | Technical Gear Expert
John Barklow is a renowned survival instructor, former Navy diver, and technical gear expert who has spent his life preparing others for the world’s harshest environments. With over two decades in the U.S. Navy, including training Navy SEALs in cold weather warfare and mountain operations post-9/11, John brings unparalleled experience in backcountry readiness and human performance under stress.
After retiring from the military, John transitioned into the outdoor industry, where he became the Big Game Product Manager at SITKA Gear. There, he helped pioneer cutting-edge layering systems and brought military-grade testing standards to hunting apparel.
John now leads Knowledge from Storms, an educational platform dedicated to outdoor self-reliance, mindset, and survival. Through online content, seminars, and partnerships with brands like Montana Knife Company, he teaches practical skills for real-world situations—from building a possibles pouch to rewarming after full submersion in freezing conditions.
Equal parts teacher and practitioner, John is a passionate hunter, mountain athlete, and lifelong student of resilience. Whether he’s chasing Cape buffalo in Africa or testing gear in sub-zero Alaskan wilderness, his mission remains the same: help people be their own rescue.
