Ep. 1044: Becoming Semi-Rad - Revisited - Brendan Leonard

We first caught up with Sophie early last year on episode 695 to hear about the first half of this epic adventure. Today we hear the second half.How the adventure started: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 make a long story short, Sophie fell in love with camels and never went back to her old career. Her ongoing 5 year passion for camels has taken her to places like The Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre and The Tirari Desert, Uluru, Michigan USA, Texas and Rajasthan, India. At some point in the pursuit to learn more about these amazing creatures, Sophie got the idea to cross Australia on foot while being accompanied by 5 wild (or “feral”) camels. This would not only entail catching and taming 5 out of upwards of a million wild camels that roam Australia, but also walking thousands of kilometers across the vast and void Australian Outback. Keep in mind, Australia is the geographic size of the US with 1/12th of the population.Today Sophie joins us having just completed the journey in December. Jude, Delilah, Charlie, Clayton, and Mac all made it to the finish line in Byron Bay, NSW. www.sophiematterson.comInstagram: @sophiemattersonFacebook Coast-to-Coast-to-camel-trekSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

14 Helmi 20221h 16min

Originally “aired” May 27, 2019Last summer, Benjamin Jordan realized his lifelong dream of flying his paraglider along the entire length of Canada's southern Rocky Mountains.From Roosville, Montana to Prince George, BC, the 37-year old, Nelson-based filmmaker flew his wind-powered aircraft across some of BC's and Alberta's most rugged wilderness while having to make strategic landings atop mountains to avoid electrical storms or touching down within the forbidden boundaries of Banff National Park.Despite the many challenges he encountered along the way, none compared to the psychological struggle of sitting alone in the alpine for weeks at a time, waiting for poor weather or wildfire smoke to clear so that he could fly on. Able to carry no more than 12-days of food, Jordan would occasionally land in populated areas to refuel before heading back up into the nearest summit to re-launch.Of the entire expedition, Jordan was most nervous, and excited, about soaring over the glaciers and alpine lakes of Jasper National Park, North America's only National Park to allow Paraglider travel. Though its remoteness and mystery have caused pilots to stay away, Jordan dedicated a complete year to studying Jasper's unique topography with the ambitious dream of becoming the first person to fly across her entirety.Despite extended waits between flights, his fortune continued for 50 consecutive days until the unprecedented levels of wildfire smoke of late August left Jordan with no choice but to complete his 1200 km, un-supported journey on foot. During a 4-day (214 km) walk from McBride to Prince George, Jordan had time to reflect on his unique accomplishment while stepping into the record books for the Longest Vol-Biv (Fly-Camp) Expedition in America.A film depicting the entire journey will be released in the Spring of this year at theendlesschain.combenjaminjordan.com@benjaminjordanadventuretheschoolofdreams.org (philanthropic paragliding school in Malawi)Support The Adventure Sports Podcast monthly by going to Patreon.com/AdventureSportsPodcast or make a one-time donation to the show here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

10 Helmi 20221h 12min

Alan didn’t start his long-distance career until the age of 62! Since discovering his love for adventures he has logged over 20,000 miles in the last decade with accomplishments like hiking the John Muir Trail (twice), the Colorado Trail (twice), the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and half of the Continental Divide Trail. He has also bicycled the US Pacific Coast, across the US on the Southern Tier, and Northern Tier Routes. All this has been in his 60’s and 70’s. This continued love for adventure, however, came from the most unexpected of places, a near-death experience on the Pacific Crest Trail. The life-threatening accident completely changed the way he viewed the world and led him to make the healthy choices he’s incorporated into his daily life, which he attributes to his ability to do these adventures at his age. This is a great tale full of wisdom and inspiration that I know you’ll enjoy. To learn more about Alan and his book click the links below. alantcarpenter.comlongdistanceadventures.comDo you want to take charge of your health and wellness and have better sleep, more energy, and a healthier immune system? InsideTracker can help you get there through their ultra-personalized performance system that analyzes data from your blood, DNA, and lifestyle. Get 25% off the entire InsideTracker store by going to InsideTracker.com/adventuresportsSupport The Adventure Sports Podcast monthly by going to Patreon.com/AdventureSportsPodcast or make a one-time donation to the show here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

7 Helmi 20221h 3min

Originally aired on April 29, 2019.Erik is an experienced peak-bagger, long-distance hiker, author (of seven books), and has immense amounts of knowledge about off-trail travel and wilderness adventuring, especially in the northeast of America. He has climbed over 200 remote peaks in the Adirondacks during winter, with many of them not having a trail to the summit. He’s an expert in toponym research (why things are named what they are) and sustainable trail design.All this knowledge and skill has led him to achieve what many outdoor enthusiasts can only dream of, creating his own thru-hiking route; the Trans Adirondack, a 235-mile backpacking route in the Adirondack mountains that includes off-trail navigation and bushwacking. It’s broken down like this, 182 miles of trails (76%), 50 miles of roads (21%), and 8 miles of trackless woods (3%) to get from one end of the Adirondack Park to the other.His knowledge is vast, his demeanor unassuming, and his attitude superb. I hope you’re as inspired as I am after this conversation with a truly humble legend of trail travel and development.Don’t forget to buy some of his books at the links below!transadk.combeechwoodbks.com@transadkSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

4 Helmi 202250min

Originally aired August 26, 2019From boredofborders.com: "Karlis is an ex-project manager in the field of waste management who at the age of 28 realized that visiting mountains only a couple of times a year just won’t do, so he left his job and started a life of adventures and freedom, spreading the addiction and attracting others to BoB as well. Every adventure has a different team, but all of BoB team members have one thing in common - urge to get moving and true love for adventures.In 2013, Karlis crossed Europe from North Cape to Gibraltar on Nordic skates in 60 days covering more than 6150 kilometers and setting a new Guinness Record - The longest ride on inline-skates. (The Guinness guys have not acknowledged this yet, but who cares - we know it’s true.)From the end of January till mid-February 2014, Karlis and three other cycling enthusiasts traveled from Riga to Sochi by bicycle, realizing a 2840 kilometers long wintery ride and reaching the capital of the Winter Olympic Games of 2014 in 17 days."At the time of this interview, Karlis was making his way to mainland Asia via rowboat across the Pacific Ocean in Papua New Guinea.www.bordofborders.comFacebook: Bored of BordersInstagram: @boredofbordersTouched by the Ocean https://vimeo.com/ondemand/okeanasavilnotieSupport The Adventure Sports Podcast monthly by going to Patreon.com/AdventureSportsPodcast or make a one-time donation to the show here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

31 Tammi 20221h 1min

Originally aired June 4, 2018In 2013, Darcy Gaechter became the first woman (and vegan) to kayak the Amazon River from source to sea. With blistering lips and irradiated fingernails, her team of three paddlers tackled Class V whitewater for twenty-five days in a row; just barely survived a dynamite laden canyon being prepared for a hydroelectric dam, and pled for mercy at the hands of the murderous Ashaninka people who remained somewhat convinced we had come to steal their children's organs. In a desperate act meant to give me some pretense of control, Darcy cut off all of her hair just before they entered Peru’s notoriously violent “Red Zone.” The hope was to pass for a boy and be seen as less of a target. Despite all odds, they reached the Atlantic Ocean 4,300 miles and 148 days of kayaking later. Upon reaching the Atlantic, the three, an esoteric computer programmer from London, a vegan girl from Aspen, CO and her begrudging boyfriend who would become the first man to kayak the Amazon, “because his girlfriend made him”—became the first three people to kayak the entire Amazon. Darcy became the first woman to do it. Now, the same number of people have walked on the moon as have descended the Amazon from source to sea.www.kayaktheamazon.comIntagram: darcy gaechterFacebook: darcygaechterTwitter: @gaechterdarcywww.smallworldadventures.comSupport The Adventure Sports Podcast monthly by going to Patreon.com/AdventureSportsPodcast or make a one-time donation to the show here. Save $20 off your first order of Cometeer coffee when you sign up at: cometeer.com/AdventureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

27 Tammi 202257min

Hubert Kriegel decided to sell it all and set out on a 10-year journey traveling around the world on a Ural motorcycle and sidecar. It's been over 11 years now and Hubert has no plans to call it quits. Listen in as he shares this wonderful journey and tells us of the people he's met along the way.Hubert died on 01/24/2018 of an aortic dissection in Sacramento, CA. This episode is in honor of his amazing ability to inspire those around him. www.thetimelessride.comSupport The Adventure Sports Podcast monthly by going to Patreon.com/AdventureSportsPodcast or make a one-time donation to the show here. Do you want to take charge of your health and wellness and have better sleep, more energy, and a healthier immune system? InsideTracker can help you get there through their ultra-personalized performance system that analyzes data from your blood, DNA, and lifestyle. Get 25% off the entire InsideTracker store by going to InsideTracker.com/adventuresportsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

24 Tammi 20221h 19min

Originally aired June 9, 2016Ian Packham is a trained medical researcher turned adventurer and decided to circumnavigate the African continent by means of public transportation, which would become the first time anyone had done this solo and unsupported. During his 13 month – 25,000 mile trip, Ian was mistaken for an undercover UN official during Liberia’s presidential election and was denied access to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and so much more!The adventure earned Ian a 2013 runner-up for the National Geographic Traveler writing competition and his new book “Encircle Africa: Around Africa by Public Transport” chronicles this epic tale! www.encircleafrica.orgGet the Book: Encircle Africa: Around Africa by Public TransportSupport The Adventure Sports Podcast monthly by going to Patreon.com/AdventureSportsPodcast or make a one-time donation to the show here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

20 Tammi 202245min