Andrew Livingston, or as most people know him, “Coach,” is the owner of Marion Outdoors, a specialty outfitter, and the Merry Inn Hiker Hostel, located along the Appalachian Trail in Marion, Virginia. Built to serve both thru-hikers and local adventurers, Marion Outdoors operates as a hybrid retail experience—combining a welcoming brick-and-mortar shop with a growing ecommerce platform at marionoutdoors.com.
In addition to running Marion Outdoors, Coach is a content creator with an audience of over 250,000 followers across social platforms. Known for practical outdoor tips, honest gear reviews, and a distinct sense of humor, he has built a reputation for making backpacking more approachable while helping customers make informed decisions. This blend of education and entertainment has earned him the title “The Willy Wonka of the backpacking and hiking world.”
His work focuses on meeting customers where they are—whether that’s on the trail, in the shop, or online—and using every channel as a tool to better serve the outdoor community.