Carpe Diem: Live Your Dream

The MR340 is one of the largest, longest, and toughest paddle races in the country, coursing 340 miles down the Missouri River from west to east across the state by the same name. In this episode, hear from the race director, a 13 year-old MR340 veteran and her dad, and your host (me) along with my pal who will be attempting the race for our first time. We talk about the why, our concerns, and our predictions for the event. Then tune in for the next episode to find out how we do, and whether two people can remain friends after 60 hours together in a canoe!

Here’s a woman who has accomplished so much in life, including world-class performance in numerous sports, continuous business pivots to keep her love of outdoor adventures as her livelihood, and dedicated service to give back to others. It's an episode filled with perspectives on living life at various speeds, applying learnings from sports to other aspects of life, and so much more.

Three Scottish brothers, restless for adventure, decided almost on a whim to row across the Atlantic Ocean. They hadn't even set down their oars before agreeing to take on the Pacific next. What followed was 9,000 miles of open water and 139 unbroken days at sea -- an experience so raw and transformative they wrote a book about it in their book, "Three Brothers in a Boat." In this episode, they share what it really takes to row an ocean, and what they learned about family, endurance, and taking a daring to leap.

Life can be interesting when you embark on a series of adventures and challenges - like this Canadian. Cycling across the U.S., Mexico, and Africa, running 200+ mile ultras, doing a non-stop 70+ mile swim.... The list goes on, and each undertaking brings insight and learnings applicable to daily life.

A surfer approaching you at 30 mph while a 3-story wall of water comes down from above... how do you hold the camera steady to get that shot of a life time. Hear from Tim Bonython, the preeminent cinematographer in big wave surfing, on what it's like to be out in the surf filming at places like Nazare in Portugal, Jaws in Hawaii, and Teahupo'o in Tahiti. And be sure to check out his YouTube channel, Surfing Visions, to see the magic.

Over 75 episodes of this show with fascinating adventurers of all types, sharing their stories, inspiration, and advice... there's just so much good stuff to listen to. Well, here's a sampling of a few of my favorite snippets from across those episodes. If you haven't heard the full version, these might just intrigue you to do so. And if you've already heard them, well, enjoy the distilled refresh!

Did I complete the minimum 220 miles in The Pilgrimage ultra-marathon? Or did I DNF? Tune in to hear the results of my first 200+ mile ultra, as well as words from other participants on the trail that explain why such an endeavor is worth it. 

The outcome of this episode is still unknown as your host soon embarks on a 220 mile running (and lots of walking) race -- double his first 100 miler nearly a year ago. This episode describes the ultra marathon called The Pilgrimage and includes my pre-race thoughts and a discussion with the race director about this inaugural running of the most creative ultra format I have ever heard of. Tune into the next episode to hear my Pilgrimage results and insights from the trail with several of the other participants.

The Otillo swim/run race format is a unique one, better known in Europe than in the U.S.  Here’s a married couple who won the World Championship describing how they train and race together at the highest level of competition, all while maintaining their “normal” lives with work and four young children. It's quite the balancing act.

After 74 weeks without missing the regular Friday podcast publication date, I am skipping an episode tis week as I have current on an adventure. Listen in for that on episode 76.