On this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick talks with David “Ghost” Phillips, a retired Navy veteran, mountaineer, and member at Starting Strength San Antonio. David shares his journey from the Appalachian Trail to summiting Mount Everest, his battle with frostbite, and his ambitious “Project 327”—the pursuit of the Triple Crown of hiking and the Explorers Grand Slam.
We dive into:
• Why strength training was the key to his success on Everest
• The dangers of high-altitude mountaineering, from avalanches to frostbite
• How strength provides the foundation for endurance, longevity, and survival in extreme environments
• David’s mission to support Disabled American Veterans through his expeditions
Follow David’s journey and support his project: https://www.grandexplorerscrown.com/
00:00 Intro – Welcome + guest intro
00:43 Who is David “Ghost” Phillips?
01:14 Navy career, trail name & Starting Strength San Antonio
01:45 Why barbell training for Everest
02:51 Becoming a climber & mountaineer
03:53 The Triple Crown of Hiking explained
05:27 Appalachian Trail experience after Navy retirement
07:43 Continental Divide reality & challenges
08:48 Hiking solo vs. trail family
10:20 Pack weight, food & survival tradeoffs
12:23 Mountaineering vs. climbing
15:07 Why Everest required more preparation
16:53 Building a bigger chassis + overcoming hip injury
18:31 Endurance vs. strength on big mountains
22:05 Surviving Everest & making it down
23:42 Dangers of Everest – fatalities, team responsibility
25:20 The Khumbu Icefall
28:08 Avalanches & rockfall hazards
29:48 Frostbite & altitude risks
31:20 Everest vs. South America & Alaska expeditions
32:57 Expedition logistics, videographer & documentary
34:42 Training at Starting Strength San Antonio
36:56 TRT & recovery
37:28 Barbell progression – squat & deadlift
39:37 Combining lifting & trail running
41:22 Re-baselining strength for longevity
44:12 Trail running performance after lifting
46:30 Running heavier – 185 lbs vs. 155 lbs
47:41 Training phases – barbell, Everest plan, altitude work
50:56 Confidence & health from strength
52:28 The summit experience on Everest
54:38 Team effort & Sherpa support
01:01:23 Frostbite & helicopter medevac
01:05:30 Hyperbaric recovery & losing toes
01:09:11 Project 327 – Triple Crown + Seven Summits + Poles
01:12:55 Upcoming goals – Antarctica, PCT, documentary
01:15:04 Returning to barbells post-frostbite
01:17:53 Supporting Disabled American Veterans
01:19:28 Outro & website plug – grandexplorerscrown.com
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