Mario Stanley | Podcaster & Filmmaker

Días de La Gloria 🎬 Dias de La Gloria takes you into the inner world of Karly and Mango’s lives, businesses, and perspectives as they complete the first free ascent of Guerreras (13-pitch, 12c, Grade IV/V) in the alpine desert of Mexico. They explore the unknown together and see how much power true partnership holds. This @Rab.Equipment film will be presented for the first time ever @nomanslandfilmfestival on Friday, April 24th at the Asheville, NC Flagship! Karly Rager will be there in person (Athlete climbing meetup @cultivateclimbing , athlete panel, and film presentation). If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, head to the link in Karly’s bio to get yours or visit @nomanslandfilmfestival for all the details. An incredibly huge thank you goes out to everyone that has worked so hard to bring this film to life, the sponsors for your support, and all the friends that supported us along the way. Check out Karly’s recent interview on the @dirtbagstateofmindpodcast for a deeper dive into the ascent and to get hyped up for the film premiere! Director + Producer: @mariorstan @emberlinefilms Executive Producer: @Karly_Rager Co-Producer: @Robert_Lib Director of Photography: @TravPerk_Photo High Angle DP: @Robert_Lib Cinematography: @dilly2shoes + @Robert_Lib Drone Operator: @Robert_Lib + @MarioStan Photographer: @TravPerk_Photo Rigging: @Xander.Bianchi + @Wilstone8 + @The.Gravity.Line Editor + Sound Design: @Robert_Lib Film Composer: @TomMarshMusic Cast: @Karly_Rager + @Maanguito #guerreras #firstfreeascent #permissionslip #mexico

The newest Steep South film trailer is here! In These Hills is a film that follows Aislynn Trompler and Sarah Crabtree - two women who grew up in the Red River Gorge to oil and coal families. When they both discovered climbing, it completely changed their lives for the better. Now it’s up to the locals and climbers to come together to keep sharing outdoor opportunities with kids who often face adversity in these small towns. For a region that once depended on coal and oil, can an unconventional climbing community uplift the economy and livelihood of their Eastern Kentucky home? Film Crew: Director- @elainelliott DOP/Editor- @mariorstan Photographer/Grip- @nd_pics Music- @thelocalhoneys Featuring- @aislynn._ , @positiveattractionsoaps , @audreysniezek , and Ray Crabtree #Climbsouth #climbing #climbingfilm #redrivergorge #redrivergorgeclimbing

I kI know I’ve shared this before, but I’m immensely proud of this film. It has been screened at several film festivals, and I wanted to take a moment to share that with everyone. Thank you all for your support in making this film a success. The journey isn’t over yet, so please keep sharing. We are still hosting private screenings, and if this is something you’re interested in, please reach out to me, and I’ll get you in touch with all our team so we can help you bring this to your community..

🎬🔥Asheville Flagship—not one but TWO World Premieres. Follow Karly and Mango as they attempt the first free ascent of Guerreras (13 pitches, 12c) in the alpine desert of Mexico—navigating risk, resilience, and the raw power of true partnership. And the best part? KARLY WILL BE THERE IN PERSON. 🎉 Join us on 4/24 to hear directly from Karly about her new film, the process of this iconic FFA, and what it takes to defy expectations in the traditionally male-dominated outdoor and adventure sports world. What does it really take to show up for something this bold? 🎟️Flagship is in ONE WEEK—grab your tickets now and join us for the World Premiere of “Dias de La Gloria”! 📸Photograph of @karly_rager  by @travperk_photo Director + Producer: @mariorstan Executive Producer: @karly_rager  @projectdirect_coaching Editor + Co-Producer: @robert_lib Director of Photography: @travperk_photo Film Composer: @tommarshmusic Key Cast: @karly_rager  @projectdirect_coaching + @maaguito A @rab.equipment.na film. 🌎One night. One chance to be in the room. Ticket link in bio 🔗 #nomanslandfilmfest #nmlff #undefinefeminine

BTS of our upcoming film In These Hills 🎥 This proj has been several years in the making and we can’t wait to finally send (I mean show) it on April 18!! Celebrate with us and see the debut at @miguelsclimbshop . Link in bio for tickets. 🎟️ @organicclimbing @redriver_gorgeous_cabinrentals @foxmountainguides @cruxforgedclimbing @countryboybrewing @ale8one #climbsouth #redrivergorge #redrivergorgeous #redrivergorgeclimbing #miguelspizza

Genevive Walker. I bumped into @walkergenevive in Denver pre-COVID at a Black outdoor meetup I co-hosted. She was the first Black woman climber I had met IRL. From afar she's low-key but you know she's powerful. Up close her aura envelopes you. Genevive is a professional climber and guide who lives to be outside. How did watching this make you feel? This is a teaser of her episode I directed and produced with @mariorstan as cinematographer for my docu-series We Been Out Here. It's a cinematic series to show and share the legacy and presence of Black folks in the American outdoors. It'll air in Spring through my YouTube channel. Please go subscribe to that in my bio. *Please like and share this to your community. This series is my love letter to this community and beyond. #blackjoy #blackhistorymonth #diversifyoutdoors

Black folks have always had a relationship with natural bodies of water. @soflysurfs , a Black surfer and the founder of @soflysurfschool , has committed decades of his life to surfing. He deeply understands that the ocean holds our healing and connecting us back to ourselves. I’m capturing these stories because representation shapes what we feel is possible. When we share our journeys in our own words, we expand the narrative of who belongs. Often, when we don't, they get rewritten or erased. This is the second teaser for my doc-series, We Been Out Here. A cinematic doc-series showcasing the legacy and presence of Black joy in the American outdoors. This episode was filmed by @mariorstan and @koryin2deep Please go subscribe to my YouTube where the episodes will be released this Spring. #blackjoy #blacksurfer #blackhistorymonth

I can’t remember how or where I first heard about Erick @bicycle_nomad retracing the route of the Underground Railroad, from New Orleans to Canada. It stirred something in me at a foundational level though. I later saw he also retraced the path of the Buffalo Soldiers bicycle corps from Montana to St. Louis. An accomplishment every Black person should know in some form but probably very few are familiar with. Since starting this work in 2018, I knew a big part of shifting this narrative came from making sure we KNOW the ways we’re outside currently but more importantly that we really been out here. This is the first public teaser for my docu-series We Been Out Here. I started a podcast on 2022 with this being the initial dream but not knowing how to get here. I couldn’t have done this without cinematographer and documentarian @mariorstan thank you🙏🏽 Putting this here feels SO joyful and WILDLY terrifying. This series will debut on my YouTube that along with the podcast I’m reviving. Go to my bio link for those. #blackcyclist #blackhistory

Black people are fabulous. A few weeks ago in Chattanooga, I wrapped a six-month film project with my homie Courtney from @theunpopularblack Being around two powerhouse women, Courtney and Genevieve, listening to stories of Black female excellence, it was beautiful. I can’t wait for that project to see daylight. It’s not my story to tell, but it is my story to hype. When it’s time to. What I can share is another film I’ve been directing and producing with @we_climb_chatt a Chattanooga nonprofit introducing under-resourced youth to climbing and nature letting the outdoors do what it does best: spark growth. If you’ve ever climbed, you know. You meet yourself out there. In a world where distraction is the main currency especially on this very app, stepping away and letting yourself get lost so you can find yourself is vital. Maya Angelou said it best: “You only are free when you realize you belong no place, you belong every place, no place at all.” And Baldwin, as always, got straight to the heart: “You have to go the way your blood beats. If you don’t live the only life you have, you won’t live some other life; you won’t live any life at all.” When @hasslerfree first told me about We Climb, it hit me deep. I knew I had to help tell this story. We’ve got a few more months of filming before post, and I’m excited to share more. For now, here are some behind-the-scenes shots of Kendell and the youth he serves. Real talk: climbing is silly. We pull on plastic and stone, boasting about climbing inanimate objects. And yet somehow it changes our whole lives. For me, change and save my life. It’s never just about climbing. It’s about exploring beyond what we could dream of and what we think we’re capable of. That feeling you get finishing your first 5K or hitting a summit, the joy is unquantifiable. Those moments stay with you forever all the way to the grave. Everything else fades to dust.

While the weather gets colder, I’m reminiscing about warmer times. Last Spring, my buddy @iamchrisroyer asked if I’d film a music festival @losttimesretreat since they needed someone last minute. “My guy I’m always ready” I was on the next flight. It was my first festival filming, and it was a blast. I got creative, finding new ways to film the bands. I want each set to be unique. I’ll share more clips later, but for now, enjoy these raw, unedited moments. Real talk: Since leaving coaching to pursue filmmaking, opportunities have been incredible. I’ve rarely shared my journey online, preferring in-person connections. But as I’ve gotten older, I miss those shared spaces. Friendships don’t end as we age; they transform. Now, we connect through sharing memes on social, and only respond to text message with gifs if you’re a millennial 😆. It’s vital to keep those who shape our life close. You know where you are. I just wanted to let you know that I love you, miss you, and enjoy the jams.

Had the pleasure of hosting @mariorstan for a few days in-between his film projects that take him back and forth across the country. I'm glad he could take a few days and take some time for himself to enjoy some beautiful spots in our beautiful state of @arkansas . Although we had some scary auto trouble and a near miss with a tornado, we had a great time out and about and some much needed down time. Can't wait for you to come back through man! I've got lots more adventures to be had. 😘 Safe travels brother and I hope y'all enjoy this quick little recap #climbinglife #arambassadors #climb #rechargeyoursoul #thankgod #adventure #climbing #TheNaturalState

🌵 Crew Spotlight: @robert_lib 🎥🧗‍♂️ Mexico’s alpine desert mountains are the kind of terrain that could swallow you up like a lost cowboy in a bad Western. Every production has its standout character, and for our recent shoot in El Salto, that was Robert Liberatore—our second camera operator and affectionately dubbed the crew’s El Salto “goat.” 🐐 Hailing from New York City, Robert isn’t just a climbing phenomenon (and the recent @therealtwofourhell Hell champ 🏆), he’s also an exceptionally talented cinematographer. Even though we’ve only worked together for a short time, Robert’s impact has been undeniable. He has this rare ability to remind everyone to savor the moment—something as simple as telling us to smile often led to contagious laughter, keeping the crew’s spirits high. When the trek up the mountain started to wear us down, Robert sprinted back to carry my pack. When we were chasing those final crucial drone shots, he tackled the rugged terrain to lock in the perfect angle. And despite this being his first big wall project, you’d never know it—he’s an absolute natural. Watching his footage from video village, I knew we had something special. 🎬 A great production isn’t just about cameras and scripts—it’s about the team. And I feel incredibly lucky to have Robert on board. Surround yourself with the right people, and great things happen. Looking forward to more adventures ahead. 📽️ #CrewSpotlight #Cinematography #ClimbingFilm #AdventureFilmmaking #FilmCrew #RobertLiberatore #ElSalto #BehindTheScenes 📷 @travperk_photo