Art of Adventuring: Inside the minds of inspiring explorers

Patrick von Känel is a Swiss professional paraglider from the Bernese Oberland. A regular competitor in the Red Bull X-Alps, he finished second in the 2021 edition. In 2024, he set a world record by flying his paraglider through a 152-meter tunnel—an idea sparked during the 2023 race. More about Patrick: Instagram Chronicles Create your Adventure CV and get $2000+ worth of expedition funding via the Chronicles App. More information on: ⁠https://chronicles.network/ Download Chronicles - Your Adventure CV on ⁠Apple AppStore⁠ ⁠Google Play Store⁠ World Explorers Collective The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Pem Dorjee Sherpa is a mountaineer who grew up as part of the Sherpa community, experiencing the challenges of life on Everest from a young age. He navigated the complex realities of mountaineering, including the financial and logistical hurdles that come with the industry. Pem Dorjee made history as the first person to marry on the summit of Everest, showcasing his unique connection to the mountain and adventurous outlook. His story offers a grounded perspective on what it’s like to work and climb on Everest as a young Sherpa. More about Pem: Book: Beyond Everest: One Sherpa’s Summit and Hope for Nepal Chronicles Create your Adventure CV and get $2000+ worth expedition funding via the Chronicles App. More information on: https://chronicles.network/ Download Chronicles - Your Adventure CV on Apple AppStore Google Play Store World Explorers Collective The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

In this episode, we chat with explorer Lucy Shepherd about her recent expedition across the Kanuku Mountains in Guyana, where she ventured into parts of the Amazon that hadn’t been explored before. Alongside local indigenous guides, Lucy navigated the challenges of the jungle, learning from their deep knowledge of the land. We also dive into her journey to becoming a modern-day explorer, what drew her to this path, and how she approaches her expeditions today. More about Lucy: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lucysheps Website www.instagram.com/ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Mark Lewis has undergone an impressive transformation over a decade. Once weighing 350 pounds and facing challenges in his life, he made the decision to turn things around. Through consistent effort and determination, Mark improved his health and fitness, eventually losing the weight and becoming as fit as ever. But it came with many sacrifices. Today, he runs a successful YouTube channel with 300.000 subscribers, sharing his journey and fitness tips. Instead of competing in large-scale events, Mark enjoys participating in local park runs, focusing on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and encouraging others to do the same. Read more about Mark his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkLewisfitness his Website: https://www.marklewis.co.uk/ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Hazel Findlay, is one of the top climbers in the world. Known for her exceptional skills and unique approach to managing fear, Hazel redefines what it means to face challenges head-on. Hazel Findlay is renowned for her accomplishments in traditional and big wall climbing, including four free climbs of El Capitan on different routes. She began climbing at age six and has since made notable ascents, such as the first female ascent of an E9 6c route, the first free ascent of Babel in the Atlas Mountains, and her first 9a sport climb in 2022. In 2022, she also completed a first ascent in Greenland with Alex Honnold. She also holds a strong interest in psychology. Alongside her career as a professional climber, she coaches specializing in fear and performance management. Her expertise in these areas has made her a sought-after mentor for climbers and athletes aiming to enhance their mental approach to challenges. In this episode, we talk about: Read more about Hazel on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazel_findlay/ or her Website: https://www.hazel-findlay.com/ Her coaching website: https://www.strongmindclimbing.com/ Her Strong Mind podcast: The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Rasmus Krath, a Danish documentary filmmaker, went to Colombia to cross the dangerous Darién Gap into Panama with migrants. He documented the tough journey, especially focusing on one family's experiences. We had Rasmus already on the show last year before he left for Colombia to cross the Darien Gap - one of the most dangerous stretches of jungle in the world. Now he is back home, and his experience still shocks him every day. The days he spent in the jungle were intense, witnessing people dying and seeing dead bodies. The jungle itself is dangerous, with extreme heat and incredibly tough terrain, but the biggest threat comes from gangs that rob migrants. Rasmus had to spend months and years gaining the trust of smugglers and guides to make his film. The film is now in the making and aims to highlight one of the world's most overlooked but important migration routes. Be aware that this episode covers emotionally difficult topics and describes events that happened to extremely vulnerable men, women, and children! find part 1 here: Migration across the Darien Gap & how to film amongst Pirates and Smugglers - Rasmus Krath⁠ Read more about Rasmus on his website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.rasmuskrath.dk/⁠ watch the trailer (warning: Extremely graphic and emotionally challenging content): https://vimeo.com/943626138 The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Jacob Adoram Hendrickson, a former fighter pilot, found his job "boring" and decided to push himself by becoming an adventurer. He achieved a remarkable feat by being the first person to row solo, non-stop, and unsupported across the Pacific. During his journey, he faced challenges like sharks and thunderstorms that almost killed him. Despite these difficulties, Hendrickson broke the world record, spending hundreds of days alone at sea. His story highlights his determination and willingness to explore new horizons. However, whatever he was chasing and searching for, in the end he did not find it out in the ocean... his website: https://www.jacobadoram.com/ his Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jacobadoram Find the weekly meal plans Jacob used for his row mentioned in the podcast here & here The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Tom de Dorlodot, a Red Bull paragliding athlete for Belgium, started his career by selling aerial photographs, which helped fuel his passion for flying. Over time, he has become one of the top paragliders in the world. Despite his success, Tom is always looking for new challenges and adventures. Recently, while training for an expedition to cross Greenland, he broke his leg, a stark reminder of the dangers involved in his pursuits. A regular participant in the challenging Red Bull X-Alps race, Tom now finds his focus shifting as he balances his adventurous career with family life. He is actively working to achieve this balance, demonstrating his commitment to both his passions and his loved ones. his website: https://thomasdedorlodot.com/ his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomdedorlodot/ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Nick Troutman, a professional kayaker, discovered his passion for the sport at the age of 16 and has since dedicated his life to kayaking. Traveling the world with his family, Nick has succeeded in involving them in his adventurous lifestyle, truly living the dream. Known for his feats, such as jumping off waterfalls, he manages fear by seeing it as "false evidence appearing real." We talk about: Fear: How he confronts and manages fear in challenging situations. Family: Involving his family in his kayaking adventures. Passion: His love for kayaking and how it drives his life. Finances: Balancing the financial aspects of a life built around travel and adventure. Kayaking: The technical and personal aspects of his sport. Danger: The risks of kayaking and how he deals with them. his website: https://www.nicktroutmankayak.com/ his Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nicktroutmankayak/ his "Art of Awesome" Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CXWar8esuSdwzBixqJs5R?si=adf62d314d634f46 The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Alastair Humphreys, known for his concept of microadventures, realized during a Greenland trip that his extreme adventures were taking a toll on family time. To strike a balance, he coined "microadventures" – short, local trips offering adventure without extensive planning or time away. Through his books and talks, he's encouraged others to find adventure nearby, proving it's accessible to everyone. Balancing adventures and family time:Questioning societal norms and pursuing dreams:living a life that doesn't revolve solely around a 9-to-5 schedule his website: https://alastairhumphreys.com/ his Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/al_humphreys/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠his books and newest book "Local": ⁠https://www.amazon.com/stores/Alastair-Humphreys/author/B002BLVABE⁠ ⁠https://alastairhumphreys.com/shop/⁠ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Darcy Gaechter, the first woman to kayak the Amazon, embarked on her historic journey after selling her kayaking business in Ecuador. Alongside her companions Don and Midge, they faced several challenges, including navigating through dam construction sites with dynamite, spending nearly a month in a notorious "Red Zone", and managing ongoing tensions within the expedition team. And many of us think of the Amazon River as the slow, peacefully meandering river through the jungle - which it is at some point. But the first stretch is some of the worlds hardest Class V whitewater Kayaking one can find. In this episode we talk about: Setting up an expedition team for success Dealing with fights and strong personalities in life & death situations Preparing with rigorous physical training, acquiring necessary equipment The navy, and local communities play important roles in providing support, security, and cultural insights along the journey. Navigating surprisingly dangerous rapids requires skillful paddling Combatting boredom during long stretches of flat water calls for mental resilience and fostering camaraderie among team members. The intense tidal waves rushing up the Amazon River present a fascinating natural phenomenon, requiring careful navigation and respect for the river's power. Read more about Darcy her website: https://darcygaechter.com/ her Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/darcygaechter/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠her book "Amazon Woman": The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

James Raffan, a Canadian explorer, ventured into the Arctic almost 50 years ago, a time before modern technology like radio, GPS, or carbon fiber. Most dangerous moment: Being stranded when a pilot forgot to pick him up, highlighting the risks of exploration without modern communication tools. Life of northern communities: Raffan's experiences shed light on the significant changes in Arctic communities over the past half-century, from traditional lifestyles to the impacts of globalization and climate change. Responsibilities of authors: Raffan emphasizes the importance of portraying indigenous communities with sensitivity and respect in his writing, challenging stereotypes and fostering cross-cultural understanding. Success as an author: Despite challenges, Raffan has successfully captured the essence of his Arctic experiences through evocative storytelling, showcasing the enduring spirit of exploration and the transformative power of the wilderness. Read more about James his website: https://jamesraffan.ca/ his Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/raffjam/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠his book "Ice Walker": https://www.amazon.com/Ice-Walker-Journey-through-Fragile/dp/1501155369/ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Brendon has achieved some remarkable feats, including breaking several world records. Most notably, he became the first person to circumnavigate Britain on a stand-up paddleboard, a journey that lasted almost six months. Once a dedicated teacher and lifeguard, after a tragic incident when he tried to save people drowning, he redirected his life towards mission-driven adventures. Motivated by the event, he embarked on challenging expeditions, advocating for water safety around the world. We are discussing: Read more about Brendon his website: ⁠https://brendonprince.com/ his Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/brendonprincesup/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Nikki Love, a remarkable long-distance runner who is defying age and breaking records in her mid-50s. She set the Fastest Known Time for a woman to run across Australia. Despite not starting serious long-distance running until her 40s, Nikki's determination and passion have led her to cross countries and inspire others with her journey. As a fitness coach, she was accustomed to pushing others but discovered the power of pushing herself later in life. Perhaps the most incredible aspect of Nikki's story is her decision to enroll in university in her mid-50s, showcasing that age is not a barrier to pursuing one's passions and ambitions. We talk about: Read more about Nikki her website: nikkilove.co.uk/ her Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/nikkiloveruns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Paula Reid has significantly impacted, if not pioneered the field of adventure psychology - and a lot of it started starting with her ski expedition to the South Pole. Her experiences in Antarctica led to the recognition of the importance of psychology in extreme environments, culminating in the establishment of a new discipline. What We Talked About: xpedition to the South Polepsychology's role in extreme environments.Establishment of adventure psychology uman behavior under duress, exploration, and risk.Why we all could become heroes or murdererfear, courage, resilience, and vulnerability. Read more about Paula her website: ⁠https://www.paulareid.com/ her Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ThePaulaReid/ her Academic Book "Adventure Psychology": ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Psychology-Routledge-Research-Environment/dp/1032003049⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Casper Steinfath, a Danish Red Bull SUP athlete and multiple World Championship Winner, made history as the first person to cross the treacherous Skagerrak strait between Denmark and Norway on a SUP. Despite his huge professional success, his journey is also marked by his fear and respect of water, which paradoxically fuels his determination to conquer it. But the first attempt failed just 12km off the finish line. And a year later he came back, with a full-blown film crew and the pressure was on! Exploring the misconceptions surrounding fear initial unsuccessful endeavor to cross the Skagerrak, roles of a father and a professional athlete responsibilities attached to being a Red Bull athlete Read more about Casper his website: https://www.caspersteinfath.com/ his Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cj_steinfath⁠ Red Bull Movie: ⁠https://www.redbull.com/dk-da/casper-steinfath-sup-skagerrak⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Hillary Gerardi, an extraordinary mountain and trail runner who has taken the world of trail running by storm. In an astonishing display of endurance and skill, Hillary shattered records by completing the daunting ascent and descent of Mont Blanc in a mind-boggling time of 7 hours and 25 minutes, firmly establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of mountain running. And while we see the high-quality picture of her success, there is so much more behind the scenes, that is unseen, but a fundamental part of breaking records that needs to be shared with people... Read more about Hillary on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://worldexplorerscollective.com/stories/hillary-gerardi-world-record-running-up-and-down-mont-blanc-in-7h20m/ and find her Instagram account at ⁠www.instagram.com/hillary_gerardi The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

His father was the inspiration for Wilco van Rooijen to go to the mountains. Hailing from the Netherlands, Wilco's insatiable thirst for adventure led him to scale towering peaks, traverse treacherous terrains, and undertake daring feats that have left an indelible mark on the world of exploration. Eventually, this lead him to be on the absolute elite list of just a dozen people to have completed the Full Explorers Grand Slam - climbing all 7 highest summits on each continent and reaching the North and South Pole from the shore. But mountaineering and exploration come at high prices; for some of Wilco's friends left their life on the mountain. And losing a friend is extremely hard, but sometimes being the one still alive sometimes is even harder ... Read more about Wilco on https://worldexplorerscollective.com/stories/full-explorers-grand-slam-wilco-van-rooijen/ visit his personal website: www.teamwilcovanrooijen.nl visit his ocean team website: www.teamocean.nl and find his inspiring book: "Surviving K2" The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Meet Steve Hill, MBE, a teacher from Oldham in the UK, turned adventurer and ultra runner. From scaling mountains to running through the Arctic, desert, and Amazon jungle, Steve's journey is fueled by a unique partnership with his children who help plan his adventures, eagerly awaiting his return to hear his tales. Inspired by his students' constant inquiry, "What's next, sir?" Steve penned a book titled "What's Next, Sir?" chronicling his adventures and the lessons learned along the way. In this episode, we talk about: inspiring impact of adventure Accountability in training Redefining personal limits Read more about Steve: his Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/stevehill_mbe/⁠⁠⁠ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.

Ray Zahab, an exceptional ultrarunner, has tackled some of the planet's most challenging terrains, including the Arctic and Sahara Desert - which has been turned into a documentary narrated by Matt Damon. His incredible journey began with a significant choice to quit smoking and embrace an better lifestyle. Despite and while battling cancer, Ray has shown remarkable resilience, maintaining a positive outlook amidst adversity. His story underscores the importance of perseverance and finding hope in difficult circumstances. In this episode, we talk about: something positive in everything Read more about Ray: visit his website: ⁠https://www.rayzahab.com/ Website of Impossible2Possible: https://www.impossible2possible.com his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RayZahab/⁠ The World Explorers Collective is a community that connects explorers and funds meaningful expeditions. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.worldexplorerscollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read about our expeditions and learn about how your adventures can get funded.