Welcome to Trailblazers, our interview series that showcases the stories and experiences of inspiring outdoor enthusiasts. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Lance, a seasoned adventurer and multi-talented artist who has a deep passion for the outdoors. With his extensive experience as an actor, producer, photographer, and drone enthusiast, Lance brings a unique perspective to the world of hiking and exploration.
In this interview, we’ll dive into his background, his favorite outdoor experiences, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
“I feel most alive when out in nature summiting a peak.”
Lance Paul is an adventure hiker, photographer, producer, and actor who feels most alive when summiting a peak. He explains, “There’s nothing like that feeling of pure exhaustion, mixed with altitude dizziness and a pure elation from summiting that huge mountain peak you set your goal for.”
Lance’s love for the outdoors began during his childhood, where he spent many summer vacations in the Georgia or Carolina forests with his ex-military pilot father and dental hygienist mother. However, his true passion for adventure and the outdoors didn’t fully develop until the last decade. As Lance puts it, “Living in Los Angeles one day I had this realization, ‘There are so many amazing hikes and adventures within 7 hrs of me.’ So away I went. Couple that with my production background, I started to build a love of photographing and filming the great outdoors. Never once thinking that it could someday make me money.”
Can you describe your favorite hiking experience or outdoor adventure so far?
Well that’s an extremely tough question to answer. I have now hiked all around the world and have favorite adventures in so many amazing parts of this earth. Some that come to mind internationally are; hiking the Great Wall of China when I found a cheap ticket and just decided to fly to Beijing on a whim. Or hiking my dream hike of scaling Machu Picchu on the Salkantay trail with a buddy who had unknowingly never camped/hiked before as he’s dealing with dysentery mixed with a sprained ankle from being thrown off a Peruvian pony all after doing Ayahuasca the night before we left for our three day hike. That was a kick!
“I have now hiked all around the world and have favorite adventures in so many amazing parts of this earth.“
Here in the United States, I would have to say my favorite adventure happened during Covid. When everything locked down and no one was in the parks. I went to nature. I ended up hiking 22 national parks during the span of covid. A lot of it just living out of my 4runner. Thank-you Toyota! With most of these parks having very few to no people in them. Seeing Bryce Canyon or scaling Angels Landing and it’s just me and my hiking crew with no one else in sight was a once in a life time thing.
Can you tell us more about your fitness routine and how it helps you in your adventures?
Thankfully I live in a part of Los Angeles where I have an amazing trail right behind my house. So I am able to throw on my weighted vest from 511 and hit a nice trail with good elevation. I have recently taken up trail running to stay in shape for my summer peaks. Last year I hiked Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states, all in one day and boy did that kick my ass. Made me realize I need to train harder if I want to hit some dream peaks in the future.
“Last year I hiked Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states, all in one day and boy did that kick my ass.”
How has your experience as an actor, producer, and photographer influenced your perspective on the outdoors?
I think everything I do influences my perspective of the outdoors. If I’m not dreaming of getting back out into nature I am researching new ways to capture it or figuring out how to pay for my next adventure. Which is one nice thing about being in entertainment. I am constantly seeing what partnerships or content I can create or produce that will allow me to stay adventuring.
“If I’m not dreaming of getting back out into nature I am researching new ways to capture it or figuring out how to pay for my next adventure.”
Can you share any unexpected challenges or surprises you’ve encountered on a hike or outdoor excursion?
I mean I think most hikers that are out enough will land on the occasional Mother Nature surprise. Everything from rattle snakes to bears and mountain lions are all surprises you keep a watchful out for. My biggest unexpected challenge though, happened on a boys trip to Moab. We were hiking the whole day with beautiful weather until we were half way down a canyon and the snow storm of the century comes through blanketing the whole canyon climb back up. With heavy snow making visibility no more than 10 feet in front of you, it was a challenge for the books getting back up and out of there safely.
“With heavy snow making visibility no more than 10 feet in front of you, it was a challenge for the books getting back up and out of there safely.”
What’s the next outdoor adventure on your bucket list, and how do you plan to prepare for it?
I have a few big adventures coming up this year. In May I will hit some Utah parks starting with Zion. In July a bunch of us are going up the west coast hitting all the national parks on our way for two weeks. Starting with Redwoods to crater lake, hitting Mount Rainier and Olympic and then finishing with North Cascades. Then later in the year I am planning for my Global trip and I am either looking at hiking Patagonia or South Africa. I have flyer miles burning a hole in my digital pocket.
“I have a few big adventures coming up this year. In May I will hit some Utah parks starting with Zion.”
How do you balance your passion for the outdoors with your career in film and photography?
Honestly the balancing act has been pretty easy. Thanks to the industry switching from in person auditions to remote auditions; I just make sure to bring my equipment with me. There is nothing better than popping up a green screen on the side of your 4Runner then nailing an audition in a suit. When I book a project I just always make sure I am back in LA and not lost on a mountain with no service. When it comes to photography, most of my clients I work with hire me due to my outdoors adventure vibe. A good 90% of the partnerships I have created content for have been based around an outdoor esthetic. I thank the years of lockdown of not only fueling the want for an outdoor life in marketing but also pushing me to embrace what really feeds my soul.
Can you describe the mental and physical challenges you faced during your hike to the tallest peak in the continental US, Mount Whitney?
It was hard! Mentally and physically! The stats are interesting. 30,000 people a year attempt to summit Mount Whitney, and only 10,000 succeed. Out of that number 2/3rds attempt it in a single day. So reaching the peak is done by only a few thousand a year. There is a reason for that. It’s 22 miles there and back, with drastic elevation gain for your last three miles. All with starting at 3am in the morning and not finishing till around 5pm. The final mile and a half you’re hiking a trail with complete drop on your left by over a 100ft+ all while suffering through elevation sickness. Did I bring an oxygen tank? No. Did most people I saw that hiked it? Yes. Will I next time, 100% yes!
What lessons have you learned from your outdoor experiences that have impacted your personal growth and development?
Patience and grounding. Being in nature you gain a sense of calm that is similar to therapy to me. Nature gives you a feeling of being present in your physical body and connected to earth. My main trick, similar to meditation, is to hike or sit in nature and tune out your thoughts all while just focusing on what you see and hear. It’s a mental restart for me.
“Nature gives you a feeling of being present in your physical body and connected to earth… It’s a mental restart for me. “
How has your experience as a photographer influenced the way you perceive and capture the beauty of nature?
Thats an excellent question. I feel when you first start off shooting photography in nature you shoot as much as you can because you don’t have a feeling of what makes the perfect shot or you feel rushed to grab as much as you can before moving on. I think the more you immerse your self in nature the more you learn to have patience. The best shot sometimes takes waking up early in pitch black and waiting for the perfect light to peak over the horizon.
Looking back at your journey as an outdoor enthusiast and adventurer, what do you think is the most important lesson you’ve learned and what advice would you give to those who are looking to explore the outdoors and pursue their passions?
Like everything in life. Take it at your own pace. Only push yourself past your physical limits safely. Because believe me if you don’t hit the peak this time, it’s not going anywhere.
“Only push yourself past your physical limits safely. Because believe me if you don’t hit the peak this time, it’s not going anywhere.”
Lance’s story is an inspiring testament to the power of pursuing one’s passions and safely pushing past limitations. His multifaceted experiences as an artist and adventurer have allowed him to approach outdoor exploration in a unique and captivating way. We thank Lance for sharing his insights, stories, and photos with us, and we wish him all the best in his future explorations. May his adventurous spirit continue to inspire and motivate others to get out and explore the world around them.
If you were inspired by Lance’s journey and would like to keep up with his adventures and artistic endeavors, be sure to follow him. You won’t want to miss out on the amazing content he shares!
We hope you enjoyed hearing Lance’s inspiring story as much as we did! Be sure to keep following along in our Trailblazers series as we showcase more inspiring stories from outdoor enthusiasts around the world. If you or someone you know would make a perfect Trailblazer, please let us know! We would love to hear from you and feature your story next!
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