Four elk seasons. Plenty of close calls. More mistakes than successes. And one goal that still burns just as hot: punching that first archery elk tag.Today I'm joined by Nate Illingsworth as we unpack his entire elk hunting journey—the failures that stung, the lessons that changed the way he hunts, and the habits that are finally starting to stack the odds in his favor. We talk about the mental side of staying motivated when success doesn't come quickly, what he's doing right, what still needs to improve, and why every season has been building toward this one.We also pull back the curtain on content creation. From the outside it can look like hunting trips and YouTube videos, but we discuss the reality of making a living in this industry, the long hours behind the camera, balancing business with hunting, and what most people never see.Whether you're still chasing your first elk or trying to build something bigger than yourself, this conversation is packed with honest lessons from both sides of the camera.💢 Discount Codes 💢INITIAL ASCENT - 5% OFF CODE: ELKSHAPEPODIUMARCHER.COM 10% OFF CODE: ELKSHAPEhttps://www.podiumarcher.com/collections/all-products-1BORN PRIMITIVE OUTDOOR - 10% Off Code: ELKSHAPE - https://get.aspr.app/SH1sotPEAX EQUIP - 10% Off Code: ELKSHAPE - https://www.peaxequipment.com/CANVAS CUTTER - 10% Off Code: ELKSHAPE - https://canvascutter.com/WILDERNESS ATHLETE | 20% Off Code: ELKSHAPE - https://wildernessathlete.com/SHEEPFEET | 10% Off Code: ELKSHAPE - https://bit.ly/SheepFeetonXhunt ELITE Membership | 20% Off Code: ELKSHAPE - https://bit.ly/ONXHUNTOLLIN | 10% Off Code: ELKSHAPE - https://ollin.co/collections/snapshotDARK ENERGY | 10% Off CODE: ELKSHAPE - https://bit.ly/3P5x3BYBLACK RIFLE COFFEE | 20% OFF CODE: ELKSHAPE20 - https://blackriflecoffeecompany.pxf.io/9LnW0EFOUNDATION OURDOORS | 20% OFF CODE: ELKSHAPE - https://www.foundation-outdoors.com/?sca_ref=10392320.yNY8hl6qQLCpqTRICER GEAR | 10% OFF CODE: ELKSHAPE=============================📱 Subscribe and Listen to the The ElkShape Podcast HERE:=============================Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elkshape/id1315352438Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EplB7OPWM5HcsT2c0HzEv=============================This Video was Filmed Using:=============================AMAZON STORE 👉 https://www.amazon.com/shop/elkshape?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_X57159T6BSR8HN6Z3T3WA CAM - SONY A1 BODY ➡️ https://amzn.to/3wLZLBWB CAM - SONY A7 IV W/KIT LENS ➡️ https://amzn.to/3InUGSTSONY LONG LENS 70-200MM ➡️ https://amzn.to/433SXLWWIRELESS DJI MIC 2 ➡️ https://amzn.to/3uYPku5STUDIO LENS 24-70MM ➡️ https://amzn.to/3PbhZD8DJI DRONE ➡️ https://amzn.to/3TqrAZoDJI ACTION 4 ➡️ https://amzn.to/49FDPXAHEADPHONES ➡️ https://amzn.to/4bwRa6c=============================We are selling hard work!Behind The Scenes:https://www.instagram.com/elkshape/https://www.instagram.com/elkshapetraininghttps://elkshape.com/#elkshapeLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices