Pro Spotlight: Lauren, Daniel, and Reid
In the Pro Spotlight series, we highlight our Outdoor Prolink pros, the amazing individuals working in the outdoor industry every day. Pros guide, educate, train, mentor, and lead a wider audience in outdoor recreation. Their experience provides credible assessment of gear quality – they are, after all, the elite audience for whom it is designed.
Meet Lauren Mahlberg, Social and Community Manager at Geartrade
How are you involved in the outdoor industry?
I work for Geartrade, an online marketplace for outdoor used gear with a bigger mission to reduce waste in landfills and help lower the barrier of entry to the outdoors. I am the Social & Community Manager there, and I help out with customer service too.
What is your favorite piece of gear?
I love climbing shoes! I am amazed at the technology that has developed over the years, and how each shoe can be specialized to a type of rock or climbing style.
What is the most unforgettable adventure you’ve been on?
A good friend of mine and I traveled all around Thailand for 3 weeks and had such a blast chasing waterfalls, getting spooked by bats in caves, hiking through the jungle, and of course, climbing on the epic limestone in Railay Beach.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
Wow, so much, honestly! Any time I feel the need to be still, I love taking some time to just breathe and be amongst the trees for a while. It reminds me of the simplicity and groundedness that is always present, I just need to remember to tap into it.
What’s the one thing you want future outdoor enthusiasts to know?
Do anything that gets you excited to be outdoors. It has been scientifically proven that spending even just 30 minutes in nature can create a positive physical, mental, and emotional impact on your being 🙂
Meet Daniel John, Adventure and Outdoor Lifestyle Photographer
How are you involved in the outdoor industry?
I am a full-time adventure and outdoor lifestyle photographer (check out his awesome work here!). I went to school for Mechanical Engineering and worked in the industry for five years before realizing that I wasn’t built for that environment. I thrive on pushing myself in the outdoors, and people who’ve made the outdoors central to their life inspire me the most.
What is your favorite piece of gear?
Currently my favorite piece of gear is my Shimoda Designs Action x50 backpack. Camera gear gets really heavy, and protection is paramount. This bag really helps distribute the weight comfortably which makes all the difference on long hikes. Also it is heavily water-resistant and carry-on sized. Can’t beat it!
What is the most unforgettable adventure you’ve been on?
In 2018, my now-wife and I quit our jobs, sold everything we had, and bought a one-way ticket to Japan. We then traveled for a year through 13 countries meeting new people and experiencing unique things in a truly unforgettable experience. It was this trip that really cultivated my love for photography and led to me pursuing it full-time.
What’s the one thing you want future outdoor enthusiasts to know?
Our experiences in the outdoors aren’t a right – they’re a privilege. It is up to every single person that enjoys the outdoors to protect them by fighting for them. Small changes add up: use less plastic, leave no trace, pick up trash, vote for change, call out BS when you see it, support companies that support the environment. Teddy Roosevelt said it best: “Our duty to the whole, including the unborn generations, bids us restrain an unprincipled present-day minority from wasting the heritage of these unborn generations. The movement for the conservation of wild life and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and method.”
Meet Reid Pitman, Crystal Mountain Chef, Arcteryx Team Member, Mountain Bike Guide, and Karakoram Splitboard Binding Manufacturer
How are you involved in the outdoor industry?
I’m Reid, I work seasonally (Summers/Winters) at Crystal Mountain ski area as the Chef for the Snorting Elk Cellar. Between that I work at Arc’teryx Seattle and either as a Mt Bike guide or manufacturing splitboard bindings for Karakoram. Aside from work, I’m the co-founder of the Cascadia Splitfest and athlete ambassador for Arc’teryx Seattle and Karakoram bindings
What is your favorite piece of gear?
My favorite piece of gear is the Arcteryx Proton LT Hoody. One of the few insulated jackets I’ll use year round for everything!
What is the most unforgettable adventure you’ve been on?
My favorite trip is partially a sufferfest and also most beautiful trip I’ve been on. Two other friends and I circumnavigated Crater Lake in two days, thinking we’d ski all the peaks along the way. Turns out ya don’t need big free ride splitboards, ice axes and piles of other gear just to skate around the Crater. Views were stunning, skins were necessary, and the drive to do it all again is strong. This time with XC skis and more food.
Tell us about your favorite gear shop
Located in downtown Bellingham, Backcountry Essentials has been a hub of information, a venue for ski films, and a valuable 2nd hand gear shop. When I was learning what gear I needed, they’d always offer to check the used gear first to save some money. Also they have some of the best ski boot fitters in the state!
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
As a person in recovery (15 years sober currently), the outdoors taught me how to turn down the volume of life. To focus on what matter and become self reliant. It’s taught me to cherish sunsets and understand the passing of time. All the while it inspires me to keep learning new skills and visit far away places while I’m here on this earth.
What’s the one thing you want future outdoor enthusiasts to know?
I’d love it for the next generation to love the earth and our wild spaces as much as I do. That we must protect it and honor those that were here before us.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know these pros as much as we did! If you’re a pro and want to be featured on our blog, shoot an email to [email protected]!
About the Gear Tester
Kelly Knauf leads the marketing team at Outdoor Prolink. She is a mountain lover, outdoor enthusiast, and professional snack packer. By day she answers emails and writes content, by night she's plotting her next camping trip or snowboarding adventure.
