Meet the Content Creators for Outdoor Retailer June 2025

Ryan Heck

Instagram – @Trekker_heck | Facebook | Linkedin

Ryan Heck is an Oregon-based professional adventure photographer, content creator, and owner of Trekker Heck Photography that specializes in outdoor brand storytelling.  He uses the Pacific Northwest as the background to his images and user-generated content that showcases gear in the environments it was designed for – rain, mud, early mornings, and everything in between. As the face behind @trekker_heck on Instagram, his work captures the connection between people and the wild places they explore, offering authentic and relatable perspectives that resonate with brands and audiences alike.  Ryan is a brand ambassador and creator for Kuhl and Popfly, and he’s partnered with outdoor companies like BioLite, Bear Grylls, Carhartt, AeroPress, Paka, and AllTrails to tell product stories through real-world use – leveraging both photography and video to tell the story. In addition to shooting brand campaigns, he mentors small businesses on visual strategy, leads photography and content creation workshops, and has developed resources for creators who want to level up their content game.  His creative approach blends technical know-how with a deep appreciation for the outdoor lifestyle, making him a go-to collaborator for brands who value both grit and beauty. At Outdoor Retailer, he’ll be capturing and sharing live updates, standout gear, and behind-the-scenes stories from the show floor – highlighting innovation, sustainability, and the people moving the industry forward.

Holly Jones Fishing

Instagram – @hollyjonesfishing

Holly Jones is an angler and storyteller with a unique style that blends the joy of spending time outdoors with the charm of vintage shopping and everyday beauty. Best known for her engaging fishing content, Holly also shares her love for fashion, art, and secondhand shopping; proving that you don’t have to be typically outdoorsy to enjoy the outdoors. Through her work, Holly bridges the gap between hardcore outdoor enthusiasts and cozy homebodies, creating content that feels adventurous yet approachable. Whether she’s reeling in a trophy catch, styling a secondhand outfit, or sharing lifestyle and parenting tips, Holly inspires her audience to embrace all sides of themselves, on and off the water.

Dooby Ricks

Instagram – @doobyricks

Ronnie Ford is a creative director, storyteller, and community connector based in Los Angeles, with
roots in Atlanta. He has built a career at the intersection of culture, content, and consumer
experience, working with leading brands like Vans, Adidas, and Reebok, as well as managing artist
tours in the music industry. Whether through social media strategy, on-the-ground activations, or
brand collaborations, Ronnie knows how to create authentic connections that resonate.
As an outdoor enthusiast and father, he’s passionate about experiences that spark movement,
purpose, and human connection. When he’s not behind the lens or brainstorming a campaign, you’ll
find him hiking California trails, boxing for fitness, or strumming his guitar while cooking something
soulful. Ronnie brings energy, cultural intuition, and a sharp creative eye to everything he
touches-and is thrilled to join the Outdoor Retailer Content Creator team to help spotlight the voices
and stories that are shaping the future of outdoor innovation.

Alex Hatleving

Instagram | Youtube – @alexhatlevig

Hey! I am Alex, an outdoors creator. I basically grew up outdoors. My parents regularly took our family camping at State Parks in my home state of Wisconsin. I spent the summers biking around campgrounds, Kayaking down the Black River, and adventuring in the woods around my tiny hometown with a population of 500 people. When it came time for me to go to college, I wanted something vastly different from my small hometown and decided to move to Milwaukee, a city over 1000 times larger than what I was used to, and attend UW-Milwaukee. During college, where I was an athlete and studying Kinesiology, I still found time to get outdoors, taking some backpacking trips and bringing homework to do while on the trail. I also discovered a love for using cameras and creating videos. While it did take some time to get there, I decided to merge my love of backpacking with my newfound interest for creating videos into what is now my YouTube channel. On my YouTube channel, my favorite videos to create are vlogs of my backpacking, camping, and road trips along with the library of reviews that I have on backpacking and camping gear. I aim to be a source that people can not only trust, but also come to be entertained. If I can make someone’s day through my videos then I have done my job.

Sherise Gumbs – Traveling With Sherise

Instagram – @travelingwithsherise | Youtube – @travelingwithsherise | Linkedin

Hi, I’m Sherise Gumbs, a solo traveler, outdoor enthusiast, and full-time RVer rolling around the country in my trusty KZ Durango fifth wheel RV (a.k.a. my tiny house on wheels). I’ve spent the last four years zigzagging across 34 states and counting, balancing life as a remote worker with hiking trails, campfire cooking, and figuring out how to keep Wi-Fi alive in the middle of nowhere. I’ve racked up over 13 years of experience working in IT/cybersecurity with roles like Tech Lead and Director of IT and Cloud Services. These days, I channel that experience into making RV life smoother from dialing in connectivity with Starlink to reviewing gear that actually works out here in the wild. I’m a proud 2025 THOR Industries Ambassador and an AllTrails Ambassador, working with brands that get what it means to live life in the wild. I’ve partnered with Bose, Leatherman, UCO Gear, Currex, Campspot, the National Forest Foundation, and more by creating content that’s equal parts practical and real-life chaotic (because let’s be honest, RV life isn’t always #VanLife perfect). Whether I’m troubleshooting tech in the desert or trying to keep my iced coffee from melting during a boondocking heatwave, I share the highs, lows, and hilarious in-betweens of solo RV living. Come for the gear tips, stay for the stories.