30+ Years Covering Mountain Towns — Jason Blevins on Big Changes in Small Towns

NFL Star Robert Gallery on Mental Health, Finding Purpose, & How Ibogaine Changed His Life

Robert Gallery is a retired NFL player turned advocate for mental health—especially psychedelic treatment because ibogaine, more specifically, has been an integral part of his journey. The physical dominance that notched Robert as a former second overall NFL Draft pick and helped him carve out an eight-year career in the NFL devolved into a severe mental health spiral after retirement. He was facing the aftereffects of brain injuries while navigating terrifying bouts of rage and suicidal thoughts, all layered on top of the realities and identity change of retirement. Robert got help, renovated his life, and has since become an awesome advocate and spokesperson of mental health. He now lives in service, using his experience to help others through his nonprofit Athletes For Care and sharing his story. Robert also happens to live in Lake Tahoe and is a snowboarder, so he and I linked up for a conversation. I’m sharing this conversation now because we just wrapped up May, which was Mental Health Awareness Month. June is now Men’s Health Month, and mental health is a key part of that conversation. This conversation will resonate whether you’re interested in football or not, psychedelics or not, or if you’re a man or not. I guarantee it has something that every single one of us can learn from. — This episode is brought to you by I Give A F*ck About Mental Health. For 20% off, use code POD20 at checkout: https://drew-petersen.com/shop [https://drew-petersen.com/shop] — Listen / watch / subscribe: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DrewPetersenPodcast] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1FSe5PihpUnTnCuqulgHmO?si=46be6b68f1d84ab6] * Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/4bKnwg6] — Check out more from Robert Gallery: therobertgallery.com [https://therobertgallery.com/] Follow Robert on Instagram: instagram.com/officialrobertgallery [https://www.instagram.com/officialrobertgallery/] Learn more & support Athletes For Care: athletesforcare.org [https://athletesforcare.org/] Read more about Robert’s story via NYT / The Athletic: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6713102/2025/10/27/robert-gallery-raiders-psychedelic-drug/ [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6713102/2025/10/27/robert-gallery-raiders-psychedelic-drug/] — Follow me/the show on Instagram: instagram.com/drewpeterski [http://instagram.com/drewpeterski/] Sign up for my Substack/the podcast newsletter: substack.com/@drewpetersen [http://substack.com/@drewpetersen] — Score discounts and connect with all of the podcast’s sponsors any time at https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEhBal9RZmQxWTE1WTZPcnhuakN5TlFnUm4wZ3xBQ3Jtc0tucTJFcHA5N3gzSkpHa3R0Q3hCS29xdkZGWTBMczlqNGFGOXp1b25kQjNIRUVqM0tlUmxxeWE1dzhYYm5ybUlXYUVwaE9zRy00NVY2dEJ1LW5xaXAtQU0wREpWTFFCa2FSVWFRZDFQNzVEd04tZEQwbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdrew-petersen.com%2Fpodcast&v=2FsJkrkycgshttps://drew-petersen.com/podcast [https://drew-petersen.com/podcast].

Ultrarunner Tim Tollefson on Mental Health, Redefining Success as a Man, & Eating Disorder Recovery

Tim Tollefson is a professional ultrarunner, community builder, and role model of mental health and eating disorder recovery. Tim has chased finish lines all over the world, notching third place at UTMB, a top-5 at Western States, and wins including Javelina Jundred, Lavaredo 120K, Canyons 50K, Ultra-Trail Australia, and more. But he crossed perhaps his greatest starting line of all time when in 2022 he opened up publicly about his journey with eating disorder recovery and mental health in a manner that was deeply genuine and very unique for a man in his position. His impact had ripple effects way beyond the sport of running. Since then, Tim has also built a community nexus through his races Mammoth Trailfest and The Mammoth 200. I linked up with Tim in spring of 2025 for a gondola gab at Mammoth Mountain. Personally, his story and his effervescence has had a tremendous impact on my life and my own mental health journey. Our conversation went far beyond eating disorder recovery. I was grateful for the opportunity to go deep on mental health, the ongoing practice of recovery, masculinity, and his appreciation of community within his personal growth. — Sidenote: You may be able to tell in the intro & outro that I originally planned to publish this episode at the first launch of the podcast. But it felt best to leave it till now to finish up Mental Health Awareness Month. I am delighted to finally share it with you. — This episode is brought to you by I Give A F*ck About Mental Health. For 20% off, use code POD20 at checkout: https://drew-petersen.com/shop [https://drew-petersen.com/shop] — Listen / watch / subscribe: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DrewPetersenPodcast] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1FSe5PihpUnTnCuqulgHmO?si=46be6b68f1d84ab6] * Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/4bKnwg6] — Follow Tim on Instagram: instagram.com/timtollefson [https://www.instagram.com/timtollefson/] Mammoth Trail Fest: mammothtrailfest.com [https://www.mammothtrailfest.com/] The Mammoth 200: themammoth200.com [https://www.themammoth200.com/] — Follow me/the show on Instagram: instagram.com/drewpeterski [http://instagram.com/drewpeterski/] Sign up for my Substack/the podcast newsletter: substack.com/@drewpetersen [http://substack.com/@drewpetersen] — Score discounts and connect with all of the podcast’s sponsors any time at https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEhBal9RZmQxWTE1WTZPcnhuakN5TlFnUm4wZ3xBQ3Jtc0tucTJFcHA5N3gzSkpHa3R0Q3hCS29xdkZGWTBMczlqNGFGOXp1b25kQjNIRUVqM0tlUmxxeWE1dzhYYm5ybUlXYUVwaE9zRy00NVY2dEJ1LW5xaXAtQU0wREpWTFFCa2FSVWFRZDFQNzVEd04tZEQwbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdrew-petersen.com%2Fpodcast&v=2FsJkrkycgshttps://drew-petersen.com/podcast [https://drew-petersen.com/podcast].

What’s Changing Mental Health & Suicide Prevention? — The Speedy Foundation’s Shannon Decker

Mental Health Awareness Month continues with Shannon Decker, the executive director & co-founder of The Speedy Foundation, whose mission is to prevent suicide and take action for mental health through education and awareness. Founded in memory of Jeret “Speedy” Peterson, an iconic American, Olympic & World Cup aerials skier who died by suicide in 2011, The Speedy Foundation is in some ways one of the original mental health non-profits related to skiing. Shannon is an absolute powerhouse of change and impact. I love working with The Speedy Foundation and Shannon has become a treasured mentor to me and one of my all-time favorite people to work with in the mental health and suicide prevention realm. We had this conversation after wrapping up a week together where we teamed up for me to speak in local schools in North Lake Tahoe. The week epitomized the gratitude I have for the work I get to do and the opportunity I savor to team up with Shannon to help our communities. So, my goal in having Shannon on the podcast was to distill some of what it’s like to learn from her. — Listen / watch / subscribe: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DrewPetersenPodcast] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1FSe5PihpUnTnCuqulgHmO?si=46be6b68f1d84ab6] * Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/4bKnwg6] — Learn more & support The Speedy Foundation: thespeedyfoundation.org [https://www.thespeedyfoundation.org/] Follow The Speedy Foundation on Instagram: instagram.com/thespeedyfoundation [https://www.instagram.com/thespeedyfoundation/] — Follow me/the show on Instagram: instagram.com/drewpeterski [http://instagram.com/drewpeterski/] Sign up for my Substack/the podcast newsletter: substack.com/@drewpetersen [http://substack.com/@drewpetersen] — This episode is brought to you by Salomon. To check out the QST line of skis, and all Salomon ski gear, visit https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXlQVkFDdnZXb2p4M3ZzaWNXTUt0b25uMHZRZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRnc2dnNaWnFYOW80eGpELUVxREJQcG52VzQzNUdkLV9GV3VWMFZQZE4ydWxXQl9sT3JWeHRjVjJnQ1NfcXJfcmJoM1BfNTFSRzBzRnpLM0ZUM2o1dUxUaG9VeDVxeWxkNUg1SmxrU3FNZ0E3VXI0UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsalomon.pxf.io%2FDPP&v=2FsJkrkycgshttps://salomon.pxf.io/DPP [https://salomon.pxf.io/DPP] — Score discounts and connect with all of the podcast’s sponsors any time at https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEhBal9RZmQxWTE1WTZPcnhuakN5TlFnUm4wZ3xBQ3Jtc0tucTJFcHA5N3gzSkpHa3R0Q3hCS29xdkZGWTBMczlqNGFGOXp1b25kQjNIRUVqM0tlUmxxeWE1dzhYYm5ybUlXYUVwaE9zRy00NVY2dEJ1LW5xaXAtQU0wREpWTFFCa2FSVWFRZDFQNzVEd04tZEQwbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdrew-petersen.com%2Fpodcast&v=2FsJkrkycgshttps://drew-petersen.com/podcast [https://drew-petersen.com/podcast].

Trail Work — A Deeper Relationship w/ Land, Recreation, & Conservation w/ Author Dillon Osleger

Dillon Osleger is a geologist, professional mountain biker, conservationist, and author of the new book Trail Work: Restoring the Paths and Stories of America’s Public Lands. The book is a love letter to trails themselves, but seen through the lens of public lands, conservation, and a vision for the future of all the above. Within the book, Dillon weaves together the perspectives he has learned through trail building, conservation, academic study, and perhaps most importantly, his lifetime spent on trails. Fittingly, Dillon and I first connected through a pursuit parallel to the book itself: lobbying for climate action in Washington D.C. with Protect Our Winters. Dillon’s ability to combine passion and storytelling into purpose was most impressive because it was obvious how smart he is. This book, his debut as an author, stands out to me in the same way as meeting him in person. I viewed this conversation and Trail Work as the perfect opportunity to break the format of interviewing my guests on chairlifts. Dillon and I had this conversation beside a trail near his home in Truckee, CA. Afterwards, as we walked out, Dillon shared with me that he would take his notebook nearby when he’d hit writer’s block on the computer inside. — This episode is brought to you by Protect Our Winters. To learn more and to join Team POW, visit protectourwinters.org [http://protectourwinters.org/]. — Listen / watch / subscribe: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DrewPetersenPodcast] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1FSe5PihpUnTnCuqulgHmO?si=46be6b68f1d84ab6] * Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/4bKnwg6] — Buy & read Trail Work: https://www.heydaybooks.com/catalog/trail-work/ [https://www.heydaybooks.com/catalog/trail-work/] Buy & read Trail Work on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Trail-Work-Restoring-Stories-Americas/dp/1597147133 [https://www.amazon.com/Trail-Work-Restoring-Stories-Americas/dp/1597147133] Follow Dillon on Instagram: instagram.com/dillon.osleger [https://www.instagram.com/dillon.osleger/] — Follow me/the show on Instagram: instagram.com/drewpeterski [http://instagram.com/drewpeterski/] Sign up for my Substack/the podcast newsletter: substack.com/@drewpetersen [http://substack.com/@drewpetersen] — Score discounts and connect with all of the podcast’s sponsors any time at https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEhBal9RZmQxWTE1WTZPcnhuakN5TlFnUm4wZ3xBQ3Jtc0tucTJFcHA5N3gzSkpHa3R0Q3hCS29xdkZGWTBMczlqNGFGOXp1b25kQjNIRUVqM0tlUmxxeWE1dzhYYm5ybUlXYUVwaE9zRy00NVY2dEJ1LW5xaXAtQU0wREpWTFFCa2FSVWFRZDFQNzVEd04tZEQwbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdrew-petersen.com%2Fpodcast&v=2FsJkrkycgshttps://drew-petersen.com/podcast [https://drew-petersen.com/podcast].

Golden Retriever Love & Chairlift Chats as a Mental Health Solution — Love Like Ky’s Annekë Efinger

I’m starting off Mental Health Awareness Month with Annekë Efinger, Co-Founder and Director of Community Engagement at Love Like Ky, a mental health non-profit based in the Wood River Valley of Idaho, where Sun Valley is located. Founded by the Efinger family in memory of Annekë’s brother Kyler, their work largely focuses on their local community, but also branches wider, especially to mountain towns across the West. I originally connected with their family when doing speaking events with my mental health films in Sun Valley. We’ve stayed in touch ever since. One of the things I love about Love Like Ky is their solutions are fun, inclusive, and cool, and that’s why I personally see how this impact can spread to so many of the communities we care about. We focused this conversation on those lighthearted initiatives. And while we specifically talk about the power of a chairlift conversation, I hope that you’re left feeling the magic of a chairlift conversation like we both were too. — Listen / watch / subscribe: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DrewPetersenPodcast] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1FSe5PihpUnTnCuqulgHmO?si=46be6b68f1d84ab6] * Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/4bKnwg6] — Learn more & support Love Like Ky: lovelikeky.org [https://www.lovelikeky.org/] Follow Love Like Ky on Instagram: instagram.com/lovelikeky_ [https://www.instagram.com/lovelikeky_/] Learn more about TogetherWe (formerly the 5B Suicide Prevention Alliance of Blaine County): togetherwe5b.org [https://www.togetherwe5b.org/] — Follow me/the show on Instagram: instagram.com/drewpeterski [http://instagram.com/drewpeterski/] Sign up for my Substack/the podcast newsletter: substack.com/@drewpetersen [http://substack.com/@drewpetersen] — This episode is brought to you by Salomon. To check out the QST line of skis, and all Salomon ski gear, visit https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXlQVkFDdnZXb2p4M3ZzaWNXTUt0b25uMHZRZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRnc2dnNaWnFYOW80eGpELUVxREJQcG52VzQzNUdkLV9GV3VWMFZQZE4ydWxXQl9sT3JWeHRjVjJnQ1NfcXJfcmJoM1BfNTFSRzBzRnpLM0ZUM2o1dUxUaG9VeDVxeWxkNUg1SmxrU3FNZ0E3VXI0UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsalomon.pxf.io%2FDPP&v=2FsJkrkycgshttps://salomon.pxf.io/DPP [https://salomon.pxf.io/DPP] — Score discounts and connect with all of the podcast’s sponsors any time at https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEhBal9RZmQxWTE1WTZPcnhuakN5TlFnUm4wZ3xBQ3Jtc0tucTJFcHA5N3gzSkpHa3R0Q3hCS29xdkZGWTBMczlqNGFGOXp1b25kQjNIRUVqM0tlUmxxeWE1dzhYYm5ybUlXYUVwaE9zRy00NVY2dEJ1LW5xaXAtQU0wREpWTFFCa2FSVWFRZDFQNzVEd04tZEQwbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdrew-petersen.com%2Fpodcast&v=2FsJkrkycgshttps://drew-petersen.com/podcast [https://drew-petersen.com/podcast].