Adventure Sports Podcast

Cross-Country Skiing: A former competitive skier's return to the sport after a 33-year business career proves it is never too late to reclaim the outdoor passions that define you.

Tom French is a seasoned adventurer and former competitive cross-country skier who dedicated 33 years to his business career before deciding to pursue his lifelong passions in retirement. His journey back to these activities not only reignited his love for the outdoors but also provided valuable insights into the benefits of pursuing your passions at any age. After spending years focused on a career, many people find themselves craving...

Great fun! Through hiking & the Triple Crown.

Join us as Tammy Asars, one of fewer than 100 women to complete the Triple Crown of hiking, shares her inspiring journey through long-distance trails, the culture of backpacking, and practical tips for aspiring hikers. Discover the human side of hiking, trail culture, and how these adventures transform lives. Tami says of her new book, Long Lost, It’s not a triumph story; it’s a truth story.

https://tamiasars.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tamiasars/

https://x.com/tamiasars

The book: Long Lost...

Running: A survivor of armed robbery, a drunk driving accident, and three back surgeries finds redemption and healing by going from a neighborhood 5k to the New York City Marathon.

After surviving an armed robbery attack at the age of 26, Dave was told he’d never walk again. Being stubborn, he proved everyone wrong by getting back on his feet in a surprisingly short amount of time. Unfortunately, a few years later he was hit at a stop light by a drunk driver and forced to start back at square one and learn to walk yet again. Th...

Rope jumping, GIANT swings, and highlining!

Alonso Rodriquez is back to finish the stories we started several episodes ago. Can you imagine walking on an inch of webbing up in the ski for over a kilometer? What about jumping hundreds of feet off a cliff onto a rope? What about giants swings over an abyss? Or on a lighter note, what about the fun of building and hanging out on massive tree nets? Crazy stories!!!

IG: Alonso_Skyriguez

To get your stickers: info@adventuresportspodcast.com. All we need is a mailing address.

Skateboarding, Paddling: Damien Rider's journey – 500-Mile Solo Paddle for Child Abuse Awareness, 2500-Mile Route 66 Skateboard, Mattress Marathon, 3-Ton Truck Push, 7500ft Hot Air Balloon Jump, World Records, One Breath Meditation Creator. After living a life that he wasn’t proud of for long enough, Damien decided to do something radical to change his trajectory. With no previous endurance experience, he set of to paddle 500 miles solo for 17 days to raise awareness about child abuse, something he personally suffered from. 

After that first life-altering experience, he continued doing amazing feats of adventure, including a 2,500-mile skateboarding tour of Route...

This episode is really meaningful. Join us as we explore the world of endurance and adventure sports with Coach Matthew Dougherty from Paul Smith's College who takes his Nordic teams to unimaginable levels of endurance and success. Discover how outdoor sports foster growth, community, and resilience through inspiring stories and expert insights.

The film: https://youtu.be/NFxmwRPJc0w?si=jYkffG6Kc-3QcwNm

The college: https://www.paulsmiths.edu/

Paddleboard racing: Casey's unexpected overall win in the 80-mile Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis from Bahamas to Florida, taking the women's division and top spot, building on her skimboarding background where she became world champion twice, and her rapid rise in paddleboarding since starting in January 2021.

Casey had high hopes when she set off from the Bahamas to race her paddleboard to Florida during the annual Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis. She knew she had trained well, prepared her best and was a strong paddler. However, she didn’t expect that she would actually win the 80-mile adventure. 

Wh...

Backcountry skiing & The Way Out!

Today, Devin O'Neill, a writer and adventurer, shares his experiences in mountain life and the risks and rewards associated with outdoor adventures. We discuss O'Neill's book 'The Way Out,' which recounts a tragic skiing accident involving a family and the lessons learned from it. The conversation explores themes of preparation, the allure of mountain living, the importance of avalanche safety, and the balance between adventure and family life.

Website: https://www.devononeil.com/

Paragliding: A nearly 3,000-kilometer journey retracing the iconic Monarch Butterfly migration route from the mountains of Northern Mexico all the way to Canada.

Benjamin Jordan is back on the Adventure Sports Podcast with another incredible journey to share. He recently retraced the iconic path that Monarch Butterflies take every year from a remote mountainous region of Northern Mexico all the way to Canada. It’s a phenomenon that science doesn’t quite understand and one that Benjamin was inspired to try himself. 

A documentary about the nearly 3,000 km experience, "Fly Monarca", drops Thursday, May 6th at Mi...

True transformation through endurance athletics.

What do you do when you find yourself at your end? Sometimes we need to face the facts and begin to win ourselves back. Endurance athlete and author David Richman shares his transformative journey from a sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle to completing over 50 triathlons, including Ironmans, and biking 4,700 miles in six weeks. Discover how facing personal challenges, self-reflection, and endurance sports can unlock profound life changes and resilience.

Website: https://david-richman.com/

Books: https://david-richman.com/cycle-of-lives/

https://david-richman.com/winning-in-the-middle-of-the-pack/

IG: davidrichman_cycle of...

Kayaking: Join the first paddle descent of the Sonam Section of the Kuri Chu river in the remote wilderness of eastern Bhutan.

Ben is joining Adventure Sports Podcast to tell us about his first paddle descent of the Sonam Section of the Kuri Chu in eastern Bhutan. 

More about Ben from Precisionpaddlesports.com:

“Ben is a native of Orange, Virginia where he grew up playing around in and paddling on local rivers. Over the past 15 years Ben has been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to work alongside numerous paddlesport instru...

Healing for Adventure! Rolfing, back pain relief, health and alignment.

Jani Wedmore Pulaski is a certified Rolfer®, Rolf Movement Practitioner, health coach, and wellness professional based in Darby, Montana (with previous ties to Gunnison and Crested Butte, Colorado). She specializes in structural integration (Rolfing), body alignment, movement therapy, and holistic health approaches to help people with chronic pain, posture issues, and overall wellness. Her certifications and expertise include:

Rolfing® and Rolf Movement

Metabolic Balance® coaching (nutrition/lifestyle)

Kundalini Yoga

Health/lifestyle coaching

She runs the Real Change Ins...

Special announcement about the future plans for The Adventure Sports Podcast. Curt shares a bit about changes to the show and what the future holds. Short and sweet!

Mountaineering: Follow one climber's grueling 18-day journey tackling Montana's 50 highest peaks above tree line with minimal gear.

From enduring injuries, to hunger, to all sorts of mental toughness, Branden gives us a very fresh deep dive of his recent climb of Montana’s 50 highest peaks. The journey was mostly above tree line which added some interesting challenges to the 18-day journey. Branden was also traveling pretty light so his challenges and achievement are that much greater. There's so much to unpack so let's get moving!

Instagram: @the_wild_ned/

Branden in the news:

Bungee Riverboarding: A sport you have never seen!

Discover the exciting sport of bungee riverboarding with Robert Guyer, a sport that combines river currents, bungee cords, and skateboarding tricks. Learn about its origins, how it's done, safety tips, and how it could become an Olympic sport! Great fun for folks of all ages and a great new way to enjoy rivers and the outdoors.

Web: https://www.evensurf.com/

Non-profit: https://upstreamyouth.org/

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@evenriverboards

Rock climbing! Overcoming adversity to live life to the fullest!

Melissa’s journey from a tragic electric accident to climbing again is beyond inspiring. She lost fingers, faced intense medical battles, and grappled with whether she could ever climb again — but her passion and perseverance kept her moving forward. Her story reminds us that even the darkest challenges can lead to breathtaking forests of gratitude and growth.

Her secret? A relentless fire within and the courage to face her fears head-on. She’s living proof that your "new normal" can still be incredible — if you refuse t...

Adventure for wellbeing: Belinda Kirk's 25+ years leading international expeditions – walking Nicaragua, sailing the Atlantic, searching for camels in China's Desert of Death, discovering rock paintings in Lesotho, setting a Guinness World Record rowing unsupported around Britain, pioneering inclusive trips for people with disabilities, and founding Explorers Connect to connect 30,000 people to adventure while promoting the Adventure Effect on wellbeing.

Belinda Kirk is an explorer and the leading campaigner promoting the benefits of adventure on wellbeing. For the past twenty-five years, she has led dozens of international expeditions and remote filming trips. Belinda has walked through Nicaragua, sailed ac...

How to Get Started with Trail Running: 5 Essential Tips for Beginners.

Ever wonder what it takes to push beyond your limits into the wild unknown? Cody Taylor went from playing in a band to running unsupported trails for days — and he’s here to tell you, yes, you can do this too. Cody’s journey started with simple runs and grew into unsupported records across Canada, tackling trails with 50+ pounds on his back — unsupported, unsupported!

He reveals the real challenge isn’t just distance or elevation — it’s the mental game: being alone, navigating unseen trails, halluc...

Ultrarunning: Thomas Reiss on Ultrarunning Adventures – Years of Racing, Lessons from Unplanned Challenges.

Thomas has been running, racing, and ultrarunning for years, but even for the most experienced, things don’t always go as planned...

Follow Thomas’ adventures below:

Instagram: @thomas.rei55

thomasreiss.com

Climbing and how it offers a holistic experience that feeds the soul, mind, and body.

Join us as Jason Kolaczkowski, a passionate climber and author, talks about his journey through various types of climbing, the impact of his cancer diagnosis, and how the outdoors has shaped his life and family. Jason shares his experiences with different climbing modalities, the emotional and psychological growth he has gained from climbing, and how he navigated the challenges of being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion emphasizes the importance of risk management, resilience, and the healing...

Pack rafting, whitewater, backpacking, multi-sport adventure.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Thor Tingey, co-founder and CEO of Alpacka Raft (alpackaraft.com), the pioneering company that turned pack rafting from a niche Alaska hack into a global adventure sport. Thor shares his wild upbringing in Alaska, the epic expeditions that exposed the flaws in early packrafts, and how he teamed up with his mother Sheri to design the first modern, durable packraft in their basement. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or curious about lightweight wilderness travel, this episode dives deep into Thor's backstory, the origins of...

Ultra endurance adventures: Steve Cannon's inspiring multi-sport journey – nearly 100 marathons, world's longest kayak race, Tuscobia Winter 150 and Arrowhead 135 on fat bike (including unsupported finish), 1900+ mile bike-to-marathon-to-ride, multiple RAGBRAI, Gravel Worlds, Dirty Kanza 200 (earning 1000 Miles of Kanza goblet), first to run around Lake Michigan (1037 miles in 40 days), first Iowan to finish 1000-mile Iditarod Trail Invitational bike race to Nome, Iditarod Trail 350, 200-Mile Fat Pursuit, and raising nearly $700,000 for cancer causes, as shared in his book 40 Days and documentary 1000 Miles to Nome.

Steve’s story is one that’ll get you pumped to start planning your next adventure and elimin...

SCUBA diving, technical diving, ocean conservation: Learning to dive BEFORE learning to swim!

Andi Cross is a technical diver and scuba instructor who has traveled to over 50 countries in the last three years. Andi shares her unique journey from a corporate marketing career in New York to becoming a passionate scuba diver and conservationist. She discusses her experiences learning to swim at 30, the differences between open water and technical diving, and her work with Edges of Earth, a consulting business focused on marine conservation and storytelling. The conversation highlights the importance of connecting people...

Ocean kayaking two oceans: True spirit of Adventure!

Cyril Derreumaux is throwing down the challenge for us on today's episode. If we don't say yes today, when will we ever! Cyril has kayaked across two oceans! KAYAKED rather than rowed. But that is just the beginning. Cyril shares with us much adventure wisdom from a lifetime of living large. We catch up with him today in a roadside cafe where he is motorcycling around Argentina on a rented 250CC motorbike. Don't miss this one!

https://www.cyrilderreumaux.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cyrildx/<...

Camel trekking across Australia: Sophie's wild 5-year passion for camels after leaving her film and TV career to milk them, leading to catching and taming five feral camels and walking thousands of kilometers through the Outback from the Flinders Ranges to Coober Pedy and beyond with Jude, Delilah, Charlie, Clayton, and Mac.

After needing a break from her career in film and TV, Sophie took a very fortuitous turn in her life by finding the most random job she could, milking camels. If you didn’t realize camels could be milked, neither did I. 

To mak...

Jeff Swayze, an outdoor nature advocate and mental health counselor, shares the profound impact of nature on mental health and wellness. They explore various outdoor activities, including fly fishing, rock climbing, and winter sports, emphasizing the importance of adventure in connecting with nature. Jeff shares personal anecdotes and insights on overcoming fear and anxiety through outdoor experiences, highlighting the lifelong benefits of engaging with the natural world.

Text Jeff: 603-986-4977

EM: jefferyswaze1@gmail.com

ASP Discord: https://discord.gg/57bYAUNh

To Support We See Hope: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange...

Hang Gliding and Paragliding: Flying Free!

Have you ever dreamed of flying like an eagle or soaring on the wind? You can! Emi Carvalho, an experienced hang glider and paraglider pilot, shares his passion for flying and the differences between hang gliding and paragliding. Emi discusses his journey into the sport, the evolution of flying gear, and the exhilarating experiences of flying. He also addresses common fears associated with heights and the future of hang gliding, emphasizing the need for more compact and accessible equipment. The conversation concludes with information about Emi's paragliding school and the opportunities...

Thru-hiking triple crown: Nic's rebirth after quitting his 9-5 job on doctor's orders to hike the Appalachian Trail, completing the AT and Continental Divide Trail, gearing up for the Pacific Crest Trail, and embracing the kilt as a symbol of freedom, hope, and warmth.

Thru-hiking triple crown: Nic's journey from quitting his 9-5 job on doctor's orders to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail for rebirth, completing the AT and Continental Divide Trail, and gearing up for the Pacific Crest Trail, all while embracing the kilt as a symbol of freedom, hope, and warmth.

Many of us...

Kayaking from Source to Sea in Madagascar

Today we visit with travel writer and educator Oscar Scafidi about his adventures kayaking the Mangoky River in Madagascar. Oscar shares insights into his life as an international teacher, the challenges of exploring remote rivers, and the unique wildlife and culture of Madagascar. He discusses the logistics of kayaking expeditions, including food supply and health risks, and recounts memorable moments from his journey, including humorous interactions with locals and the physical demands of the trip.

https://kayakthemangoky.com/

https://beaconguidebooks.com/

For the kids...

Sylvia Gogh, is a professional scuba diver, stunt woman, and jewelry designer. Sylvia shares her incredible journey from Hungary to California, her experiences in adventure travel, and how she has embraced change and new opportunities throughout her life. She discusses the transformative power of SCUBA and travel, the importance of overcoming fear, and her work empowering inner city kids through scuba diving. Sylvia also highlights her jewelry design inspired by her travels and the meaningful messages behind her creations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of living life to the fullest and pursuing one's passions.

Website: www.szilviagogh...

Gravel bike racing: Simon's years of organizing and growing the gravel racing scene in Kenya, East Africa, sharing insights into the world of bike racing.

Simon is here today via Australia to tell us about the world of bike racing, specifically gravel, in East Africa. He’s been organizing races and developing the racing scene in Kenya for years now.

How to find Simon:

@kenyan_riders

Highlining & Rock Climbing: Walking on air.

Alonso Rodriguez is a prominent figure in the highlining scene and what a scene it is! We discuss Alonso's journey from bodybuilding to highlining, the intricacies of slacklining, and the meditative experience of walking on a highline. Alonso shares insights into the engineering behind highlining gear, safety measures, and the challenges of record-setting highlines. The conversation also touches on Alonso's rock climbing adventures and personal growth through these extreme sports.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/alonso_skyriguez/?hl=en

YT: https://youtu.be/NhBK-RcHYGQ?si=DSl22dRNJc3...

The restorative benefits of biking, hiking, and riding in nature. Natures healing powers!

Ian Mackay joins us today and shares his remarkable story of learning to overcome extreme adversity by reconnecting with nature and finding solace and strength there. But more than that, he is the founder of amazing events where others can join in on adventures of discovery, overcoming disabilities to live large and on purpose. Listen in today as we all learn about how to overcome challenges and thrive. Thanks Ian!

https://www.iansride.com/

Ian's Book: Ian's...

Offshore sailing: Vivian and Nathan's journey from delivering boats and conducting training sessions to launching their own career offering offshore trips aboard their 47-foot sailboat Ultima, blending travel, excitement, endurance, and fulfillment by helping others achieve their sailing dreams.

After starting out delivering other people's boats, and then training those same people, Vivian and Nathan began to realize there may be something there and started offering offshore sailing adventures aboard our 47' sailboat, Ultima. Ultimately, they’ve turned their passion into a career giving them a great mix of travel, excitement, endurance, and a sense of satisfaction he...

Fly Fishing in the City: How to do what you love close to home.

Marc Fryt shares the surprising, unique and exciting world of urban fly fishing. Marc shares his journey from traditional wilderness fishing to discovering the joys of fishing in urban environments. He explains the basics of fly fishing, different techniques, and the adaptability of this sport. The conversation highlights the connection to nature that fishing provides, the importance of conservation, and how urban fishing can be an accessible and affordable way to enjoy the outdoors. Marc also emphasizes that you don't need to be...

Canoeing, Sea Kayaking, and more: 15,000 miles more!

Richard Harpam is an adventurer with 15 years of experience in canoeing and outdoor sports. We discuss the profound connection with nature that canoeing offers, Richard's extensive adventures covering 15,000 miles, and the importance of guiding others in outdoor experiences. Richard shares his journey from a rugby player to a social entrepreneur, emphasizing the value of outdoor activities for youth and the impact of adventure on personal growth. The conversation also touches on the challenges of building a lifestyle around outdoor adventures and the significance of finding one's purpose in life.

Travel photography and world travel: Gary Arndt's remarkable journey from a 21-year-old who had never seen the ocean to three-time Travel Photographer of the Year, building a world-famous travel blog, sharing key lessons from years of global adventures, and pivoting during the pandemic to launch the Everything Everywhere Daily History Podcast.

You wouldn’t guess that the 21-year-old who had never seen the ocean would one day become a three-time travel photographer of the year and have a world-famous travel blog, but Gary Arndt did just that. 

He’s joining us today to teach us some...

Adventure roadblocks. Anxiety? Allergies? Mold reactions? Restoring health for adventure. Today Curt interviews Lydia Leskanic about her health journey and how it has impacted her ability to engage in adventure sports. They discuss various health challenges, including gluten intolerance, allergies, and the effects of seed oils. Lydia shares her experiences with panic attacks and anxiety, and how somatic therapy and diet has helped her manage these issues. The conversation also delves into the often-overlooked topic of mold toxicity and its effects on health. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the importance of understanding personal health and finding hope in overcoming...

Marathon Swimming: An amazing way to experience some of the world's most impressive waterways. Listen in as Rob Hutchings, a long-distance swimmer, shares his unique experiences and challenges in open-water swimming. Rob discusses his journey from conventional sports to discovering his passion for swimming. He highlights the beauty of New Zealand's landscapes, the meditative state he achieves while swimming, and the safety measures he takes during his swims. Rob also shares stories of his remarkable swims in UNESCO World Heritage sites, his recovery from cancer, and his future swimming adventures, including a humorous tale about a cow that outswam...

Trail running: Trying different sports, finding new passions.

For some of us, we let fate and passion find us by chance. For others, we go out and find them ourselves. Hilary is among the latter. 

After being in love with hockey since the age of three, Hilary was looking for another sport she could be passionate about. The idea to try every known sport, over 8,000, was her solution to discover her next obsession. About 50 sports into the challenge she ran her first trail race and she was hooked! 

Today we’ll hear Hilary’s stor...