In today’s episode we sit down with a true renaissance man—civil‑engineer‑turned‑ultralight pioneer, author, philanthropist and, proudly, part‑time dishwasher. Glenn VanPesky grew up biking 4,200 miles across the United States, turned a childhood love of sewing into the iconic Gossamer Gear backpacks, and spent three decades balancing a demanding engineering career with a side‑business that never paid him a salary—yet has empowered countless hikers to travel lighter and freer.
Glenn shares how a chance encounter with Ray Jardine’s Pacific Crest Trail Hikers Handbook sparked his obsession with shedding weight, how the simple act of sewing a custom bag for a neighbor turned into a thriving community of DIY backpackers, and why the lessons he learned on the trail—take less, do more—became the backbone of his book
Beyond the gear, Glenn explores the deeper currents of gratitude: appreciating not just what we have, but also the things we don’t have—peace, health, safety—and how ultralight backpacking flips our expectations, reminding us that happiness lives in minimalism, nature, and human connection. He reveals the surprising ways his engineered mindset taught him to focus on the journey rather than the finish line, and how that philosophy fuels his “gratitude fund,” a deliberate financial reserve that lets him respond instantly to strangers in need.
From mounting a bike‑frame bag for a friend with respiratory issues, to washing dishes at a beloved local bakery, to funding a family’s final goodbye or a bucket‑list adventure, Glenn’s stories illustrate how small, intentional actions create outsized ripple effects.
Join us as we unpack:
- The origins of Gossamer Gear and the power of DIY craftsmanship
- The psychology of gratitude—why we should celebrate the things we don’t want (war, disease, discrimination) as much as the things we do want
- How nature, especially the solitude of a lightweight trek, rewires our perspective on need, comfort, and purpose
- Practical takeaways for building margin in time, resources, and mindset
- A preview of Glenn’s upcoming book, Take Less, Do More: Surprising Life Lessons on Generosity, Gratitude, and Curiosity from an Ultralight Backpacker
Whether you’re a seasoned thru‑hiker, an aspiring minimalist, or simply seeking a fresh lens on thankfulness, this conversation will inspire you to lighten your load, amplify your generosity, and rediscover the extraordinary in everyday life. Press play, and let’s get grateful together.
Resources:
Glen's website: https://www.glenvanpeski.com/
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Timestamps:
- 02:07 – Glenn’s background: Early life, 4,200‑mile bike trek, engineering career, family
- 04:32 – Boy Scouts & first exposure to ultralight backpacking via Ray Jardine’s book
- 05:48 – Transition to ultralight gear: REI trip, discovering heavy internal‑frame packs, first prototype (≈5 lb base weight)
- 07:31 – DIY sewing roots: Making his own packs (G1, G2, …) and sharing patterns online
- 08:46 – From hobby to business: Demand for sewn packs, partnering with a cut‑and‑sew shop, founding Gossamer Gear
- 09:53 – Running the company as a side‑business without taking a salary
- 12:04 – Real‑world sewing stories: Customizing ski packs & bike frame bags; skill relevance in the AI era
- 14:30 – Glenn’s definition of gratitude: Morning prayers, relationships, marriage, resisting consumer culture
- 16:58 – Ultralight backpacking as a gratitude reset: Minimal gear, reliance on basic resources, appreciating modern comforts
- 18:22 – Host reflection: Nature’s role in amplifying gratitude; shifting perspective after wilderness
- 20:44 – Ad read – AquaTrue Shower (water filtration)
- 23:02 – Ad read – AirDoctor air purifier (air‑quality benefits)
- 24:09 – Gratitude matrix discussion (have vs. want; don’t have vs. don’t want) and creating a “don’t‑want‑we‑don’t‑have” list
- 27:26 – Seeing the “silver lining”: Appreciating that things didn’t get worse (e.g., cold vs. cancer)
- 31:06 – Higher‑perspective analogy: Mountain views, focusing beyond self, applying mindset to life goals
- 33:37 – Book preview: Take Less, Do More – 15 lessons from ultralight backpacking; why writing the book mattered
- 35:41 – Journey vs. goal: Engineering mindset, savoring the process, inevitable end of life
- 38:13 – Prioritizing nature & exercise: Making time, seasonal adjustments, outdoor activity as natural workout
- 42:28 – Urban nature alternatives & personal anecdotes (Echo Park, LA bike rides, grit exposure)
- 45:58 – Wilderness for mental clarity: No phone, mind‑wandering, walking meditation, insights for business leaders
- 49:59 – How to connect: Glenn’s website, book retailers, direct email contact
- 51:11 – Philanthropy & dishwasher story: Volunteering at Sparrow Bakery, creating a “gratitude fund” with a set‑percentage giving plan
- 54:20 – Impact of the gratitude fund: Funding emergencies & bucket‑list trips; encouraging listeners to set up similar intentional giving
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