Gold Rush is one of Discovery Channel’s most watched shows, following gold miners in the rugged Yukon Territory, Canada. I’ve had the privilege to work as a sound recordist on the show for Seasons 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15.

On location my role tends to reach beyond capturing audio—it’s working closely with the team getting story and ensuring the sound supports the story were trying to tell. Whether it’s capturing dialogue between miners, key moments of tension, or the ambient sounds, I really enjoy working with a team to figure out the best approach for each scenario.

The ever changing mine locations, weather and road conditions require focus and constant communication with the team. I find this show inspires creative problem solving and technical adaptability, and it’s that which is the most exciting challenge for me. Looking at the jaw dropping scenery that surrounds you everyday is also a bonus. Noisy machinery, damage to equipment, rigging different types of machines, radio communications, working with contributors and location logistics are just some of the everyday challenges.

Working with other sound recordists on Gold Rush is also fantastic opportunity where we can all share our ideas and perfect our craft in the challenging conditions. The end goal is to capture audio that contributes to the story and matches the visuals, while also making sure the technical side of things run smoothly. Working on Gold Rush has sharpened my ability to thrive under pressure and collaborate effectively with large teams.