Meet Josh Peter | Co Founder and Creative Director, It’s Good Outside

We had the good fortune of connecting with Josh Peter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Josh, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up a few miles outside a small town in northern Illinois. There was nothing to do—fantastically so. These were the days when your folks kicked you outside and told you to home for supper. I’d grab a bb gun, hop on my bike and head out into the woods and fields for hours on end with my friends.

If you look at our brand, it’s obvious how that upbringing has impacted It’s Good Outside. We want to help nurture a culture of spending time outside for its own sake. Today, we don’t get out enough. We slouch over desks all day; we consider activity and exercise a chore; we’re sun and soil deprived.

It’s Good Outside is about recreating that childhood experience of exploring and loving the outdoors, for everyone. We HAVE to do this, quite simply because it’s what we’re made for. Just don’t shoot birds with your bb gun. It’ll haunt you later.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an artist and illustrator. Everyone is creative and talented, in a way. Only a few do the work. Make something every day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’re kicking things off with some Kaladi roasted coffee, and sitting out in the porch in the sun to eat breakfast. Then we’re loading up on snacks and heading out for a hike or a trail run. It’ll be Waterton Canyon if they’re into seeing wild bighorn sheep. For a big return on views for a quick hike, we’ll head to Boulder for the Flatirons Loop. Most days, though, we’re running around Mount Falcon then heading across the road for some bouldering and scrambling.

Wherever we’re going, it ends with some chicken & waffles from Bird on South Pearl.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Zen poet, environmental activist, and wanderer Gary Snyder. He’s inspired me to approach the outdoors in a holistic way; to strive to really understand the ground under my feet. Learn about his character by reading Jack Kerouac’s The Dharma Bums, read his poetry, or—I suggest this above all—read his profile in The New Yorker.

Website: itsgoodoutside.com

Instagram: @itsgoodoutside

Facebook: /itsgoodoutside

Image Credits
© It’s Good Outside and Josh Peter