CEO and Founder of Hook and Barrel magazine: John Radzwilla | The Conquer Cast Ep 016

In this episode of The Conquer Cast, Trevor Farnes sits down with John Radzwilla, founder and CEO of Hook & Barrel Magazine, to talk about entrepreneurship, storytelling, outdoor adventure, and the power of taking risks.

John shares how he built Hook & Barrel from scratch, the challenges he faced as an entrepreneur, and the importance of mental resilience, faith, and always taking the high road.

If you’ve ever felt like starting something new, pushing past your comfort zone, or forging your own path, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration.

Hook & Barrel: A New Kind of Outdoor Magazine

Hook & Barrel isn’t your typical hunting and fishing magazine. It’s a lifestyle and entertainment brand that blends:

🎯 Hunting & Fishing – But with a modern, engaging approach
🎯 Gear Reviews – High-quality recommendations for outdoor enthusiasts
🎯 Adventure & Travel – Showcasing the best places to explore
🎯 Music & Culture – Featuring country artists and outdoor influencers
🎯 Fitness & Mindset – Encouraging strength in both body and mind

💡 “I wanted to create a redneck version of GQ—a magazine that aligned with my values, but also entertained and inspired.”

But building a media company from the ground up wasn’t easy.

Building a Brand Against the Odds

Before launching Hook & Barrel, John and his wife ran a small PR firm. But chasing media attention felt exhausting, so one day, he made a bold decision:

🚀 “Screw it. Let’s BECOME the media.”

💰 Investing every last dollar they had, John and his wife risked everything to print their first issue.

🔹 No experience in publishing? He figured it out.
🔹 No distribution? He knocked on doors until someone said yes.
🔹 No advertisers? He networked, pitched, and made it happen.

🔥 “You don’t wait for opportunities. You CREATE them.”

Lessons from Entrepreneurship & Taking Risks

John’s journey is filled with powerful lessons for anyone looking to start something new:

✔ You don’t need all the answers—just start.
✔ The best way to win? Outwork everyone.
✔ Surround yourself with the right people.

💡 “It takes hiring the wrong people to figure out what the RIGHT people look like.”

💰 And when things got tough financially? John and his wife bet on themselves—sinking their entire savings into the company.

💭 “We had no safety net. No backup plan. It had to work.”

Today, Hook & Barrel is one of the fastest-growing outdoor lifestyle magazines in the country—proving that taking risks and forging your own path pays off.

Vulnerability, Mental Health & The Power of Storytelling

Beyond business, John opens up about his personal struggles, childhood, and the lessons he’s learned along the way:

⚡ Losing His Father at a Young Age – How growing up without a dad shaped his resilience.
⚡ Bullying & Tough Lessons – Why early challenges prepared him for life as an entrepreneur.
⚡ Mental Health & The Outdoors – How spending time in nature became a form of healing.

💭 “The toughest thing a man can do is be vulnerable. But that’s also where true strength lies.”

Through Hook & Barrel, John aims to educate, inspire, and create a space where people feel connected to the outdoors and their own personal growth.