In this episode of Overland Weekly, we sit down with Christian Hazel — off-road editor, builder, storyteller, and one of the driving forces behind Ultimate Adventure for more than two decades. From his early days as a musician in Boston to his move into automotive journalism at Peterson’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road, Christian shares how UA was born, what makes it unlike any other trail run, and how it's evolved over the years.

We dig into the behind-the-scenes logistics of running a 25-rig trail caravan across America, why rig diversity matters, and how the group known as “the Cronies” became essential to keeping things rolling. Christian also reflects on the recent transition away from corporate media to his own platform — Unreal Adventure — where he and co-producer Trent McGee are finally free to tell the full story the way it deserves to be told.

There’s plenty of great banter, rapid-fire questions, and trail stories in here for anyone who loves wheeling, wrenching, and what it means to build a real off-road community.