Stories from the Trail: Our Sit-Down with Rugged Destinations in Flagstaff, AZ

We recently headed to Flagstaff, Arizona, for what started as a content run and turned into something much more meaningful. It wasn’t just about the trail footage or wheel shots. It was about sitting down with people who live this lifestyle day in and day out and capturing the kind of conversation that sticks with you.

At the heart of it all was our interview with Patrick and Amanda from @ruggeddestinations, a family who left behind the 9-to-5 to live full-time on the road. What launched from pure passion and uncertainty quickly evolved into a way of life one centered on freedom, storytelling, and creating content for brands like THRET®.

In this interview, they share what that journey has looked like: the highs, the challenges, and the purpose they’ve found in the process. Take a seat with Patrick and Amanda from Rugged Destinations as they share what it really takes to leave the 9 to 5, live full time on the road, and build a life around content, purpose, and off-road adventure. Filmed in Flagstaff, AZ during a THRET® content run, this conversation goes beyond travel and gear. It’s about choosing your own path and living it with intention.

“If you have a plan B, plan A will never pan out. That’s the reality.”

Watch the full interview here.

Beyond the conversation, we got to enjoy a homemade BBQ with our friends from the industry Brian from AZtunePro, Tom from MHQ, the Rugged crew, and a few others who made the night feel more like family than work, we wrapped it all up with a trail run through Broken Arrow, one of Arizona’s most iconic off-road routes. With three Toyota Tacomas on deck each sporting a different finish of our 602 MAZE cast beadlocks we hit red rock ledges, tight lines, and wide-open views that delivered on every level.

This wasn’t just another shoot. It was a reminder of what makes this community special: the stories, the shared miles, and the people behind the builds.

Thanks for being part of it and stay tuned. We’ll be dropping more content from this Flagstaff run very soon.