Adventure Diaries: Exploration, Survival & Travel Stories

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In this opening episode of season 3, we embark on a journey with Oli France, an adventurer whose expeditions span some of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Born in a quiet town in England, Oli’s curiosity about the world and the love for the outdoors has seem him to pursue a life of adventure, experiences and exploration that few can match. From the cycling the lowest point in Death Valley to the climbing the summit of Denali, he seeks out the planet’s extremes, driven by a desire to push human limits and connect with the world’s remote landscapes.

Oli’s adventures have taken him to places most of us only read about—cycling solo through bear country, navigating glaciers riddled with crevasses, and being detained in authoritarian Uzbekistan. His ambition is to complete the Ultimate 7, a global expedition traversing the lowest to highest points on every continent.

In this candid conversation, Oli shares not just the details of his treks, but the deeper truths of what it means to explore, endure, and thrive in the wilderness.

What You'll Learn in this Episode:

• How a childhood fascination with world maps laid the foundation for a life of adventure.
• The tale of Oli’s arrest in Uzbekistan & his escape from one of the world’s strictest regimes.
• The physical and mental toll of cycling over 3,000 miles from Death Valley to Denali.
• Close encounters with grizzly bears in the wilds of North America and how Oli faced those fears.
• Navigating the glaciers of Alaska, where one wrong step could mean a deadly fall into a crevasse.
• The psychological and physical challenges of summiting Denali, North America's tallest and coldest peak.
• How teamwork, leadership, and risk management are crucial for survival in extreme environments.
• The next phases of the Ultimate 7 project, including Everest and Antarctica.

Memorable Quotes:

• “There’s something about the wilderness that calls to me—it’s where I feel most alive.”
• “Being detained as a drug trafficker in Uzbekistan was the last thing I expected on my expedition.”
• “Denali doesn’t just test your physical strength, it wears you down mentally, day by day.”
• “Cycling through bear country was nerve-wracking—I knew they were out there, watching.”
• “The Ultimate 7 has been a decade in the making, and I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface.”

Call to Adventure: Take a page from Oli’s Ultimate 7 project: Challenge yourself to discover the highest and lowest points in your own region. Whether by bike, on foot, or any other means, find a way to traverse the distance and reconnect with the wild places close to home. 

Pay It Forward: Oli encourages all adventurers to think carefully about where they spend their money when traveling. Supporting local guides, small businesses, and communities in remote areas is essential for sustaining these cultures.

Connect with Oli France:

• Instagram: @Oli_France
• Website: https://www.wildedge.co/
• YouTube: Oli France Adventures

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It will bring more people, greater stories and more adventures for everyone.
Please Visit: AdventureDiaries.com/highlights

As we gear up for the launch of Season 3 of the Adventure Diaries podcast, I've got something special to share with you. 

I've created an exclusive video highlights package for Season 1!  …and season 2’s highlights are being created 

So, if you missed any episodes from our first season or just want to relive some of the most incredible stories and adventures, now is the perfect time to catch up.

Head over to AdventureDiaries.com/highlights, and it will take you to our new Patreon page—where all of these highlight episodes are completely free!

Yes free!    

Each 10-minute, bite-sized video brings stories of  

• Trekking through the wilds of Madagascar and Mongolia
• Close encounters with polar bears in the Arctic
• Surviving 74 days in the Canadian wilderness on Grizzly Mountain
• Behind-the-scenes of National Geographic's "Biggest & Baddest"
• Thrilling tales from US Navy SEAL and CIA missions
• 200 days aboard the ISS with NASA astronauts 
• An inspiring Atlantic crossing by a disabled sailor
• A journey through the majestic Pamirs in Tajikistan
• Geological discoveries on Antarctica, an 8th continent
• Adventures in Morocco and harrowing experiences in Pakistani prisons
• An epic expedition to the South Pole in -58 degrees
• Endurance journeys across the Sahara and Baffin Island
• 48-hour bite-sized adventure travels – all from Dubai
• Exploring the roads less travelled with the Amateur Traveler

 The adventure diaries podcast is all about bring you authentic stories of adventure, exploration and the natural world are curated to inspire your next adventure

So why not come want the highlights and whet your appetite for the full length experience

Visit AdventureDiaries.com/highlights to access all the free highlight episodes.

 Plus, you'll get access to our community chat channel—to connect and network with me and others

So help support the podcast and come visit us over on

 AdventureDiaries.com/highlights

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And get ALL the SEASON 3 insights before they are publicly released.
Guest List | Release Schedule | Clips | Subscriber ONLY Content

It's FREE

Best
Chris

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In this clip from Season 2 episode 15 of The Adventure Diaries, host Chris Watson is joined by wilderness survival expert and former Alone contestant, Karie Lee Knoke. Together, they dive deep into Karie's journey of founding Sacred Cedars Wilderness School, her profound experiences living off the land, and her passion for teaching both practical survival skills and the art of sacred living. Karie shares the mental fortitude needed to survive in the wild, the importance of living authentically, and how her experiences in nature can help others reconnect with their true selves.

From setting up a wilderness school in Northern Idaho to offering energy exchange programs, Karie is on a mission to help people shed the distractions of modern life and experience deep connection through nature. Whether you're a survival enthusiast or someone seeking personal transformation, Karie’s insights will inspire you to follow your dreams and live with purpose.

Key Discussion Points:

• Karie’s experience creating Sacred Cedars Wilderness School and the work-trade programs that help the school grow.
• Lessons learned from her time on Alone and how they shaped her wilderness teachings.
• The balance between teaching hard survival skills and the softer, spiritual elements of sacred living.
• The importance of mental fortitude and maintaining a positive mindset in both survival situations and life.
• Karie's vision for her upcoming book, The Art of Sacred Living, and the year-long program she plans to offer at her school.

Memorable Quotes:

• “It’s a lot of work for a single older woman to do this all by myself... But I’m creating opportunities for community, where people can learn survival skills while helping me build the school.”
• “You have to have faith... Who cares how you pray, but you have to have faith. Even in the wilderness, that’s a crucial survival skill.”
• “Do your dream. It might be crazy, and nobody will understand it, but it’s your dream. When you live from the heart, the universe will back you up.”

Call to Adventure:
Karie’s message is clear—get outside, follow your passion, and disconnect from the distractions of modern life. Whether it’s through wilderness adventures or daily micro-adventures, nature offers profound healing and personal growth.

Pay It Forward:
Karie emphasizes the importance of supporting others in their journey, whether it’s through scholarships, volunteering, or contributing to small, wilderness-based schools like Sacred Cedars Wilderness School.

Where to Find Karie Lee Knoke:
Website: KarieLeeKnoke.com
Instagram: @karieleeknoke
Wilderness School: Sacred Cedars Wilderness School (available through her website)

Next Steps:
Be sure to visit Karie’s website for more information on her wilderness school, her upcoming book, and how you can get involved. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Adventure Diaries for more inspiring stories of exploration and adventure!

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In this episode of The Adventure Diaries, host Chris Watson sits down with wilderness expert and Alone Season Nine finalist, Karie Lee Knoke. Karie takes us on a journey from her suburban childhood to living off-grid in a 30-foot yurt in Northern Idaho. She shares her incredible transformation from a corporate IT professional to a wilderness survivalist and teacher, offering insights into her time on Alone and her deep spiritual connection with nature. Discover how Karie’s passion for the wilderness led her to create the Sacred Cedars Wilderness School, where she teaches the art of sacred living and survival skills.

Key Takeaways:

• Childhood Roots: Karie’s love for the outdoors began in her suburban neighborhood, where she spent afternoons exploring green spaces and playing in tree forts.
• Career Shift: Despite a successful career in IT, Karie felt drawn to the wilderness, leading her to leave the corporate world and pursue her passion for nature and survival skills.
• Wilderness Survival: Karie’s experience on Alone was both a survival challenge and a spiritual journey, where she connected deeply with the land and tested her skills.
• Sacred Cedars Wilderness School: Karie founded this school to teach others wilderness skills and the “art of sacred living,” blending physical survival techniques with spiritual practices.
• Positive Mindset: Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial for survival, as it helps manage energy and resilience, something Karie practiced throughout her time in the wild.

Call to Adventure:

• “Do your dream. Follow your heart. You might have some crazy dream that nobody understands, but if it’s your passion, the universe will back you up.”
• “Get out of your mind, because that’s when the universe is going to back you up.”
• “If you’re living from the heart and living your dream, your passion, which is all about the heart, everything around you will support you.”

Pay It Forward:

• Support Scholarship Funds: Help others pursue their dreams by contributing to scholarship funds.
• Support Nonprofit Schools: Many nonprofit wilderness schools operate on minimal funds; supporting them helps children and others find their passion.

Featured Guest:

Karie Lee Knoke is a wilderness survival expert, energy medicine practitioner, and founder of Sacred Cedars Wilderness School. She gained national recognition as a finalist on Alone Season Nine, where she survived 75 days in the harsh wilderness of Labrador, Canada. Karie’s deep connection with nature and her passion for teaching others to live in harmony with the land is at the core of her work.

Connect with Karie Lee Knoke:

• Website: karieleeknoke.com
• Instagram: @karieleeknoke
• Facebook: Karie Lee Knoke

Episode Resources:

• Sacred Cedars Wilderness School: Learn more about Karie’s school and the courses offered.
• The Art of Sacred Living (Upcoming Book): Stay tuned for Karie’s upcoming book, which delves into her experiences and teachings on living a sacred life in connection with nature.

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In this enlightening recap episode of The Adventure Diaries, Chris Watson sits revisits the Call to Adventure & Pay It Forward segments with Hazen Audel, the charismatic explorer and host of Primal Survivor. Hazen shares his passion for rewilding, the importance of ecotourism, and his experiences in some of the world's most unique natural environments. From his backyard to the vast landscapes of Ecuador and the Great Rift Valley, Hazen offers listeners a fresh perspective on how we can all contribute to conservation and reconnect with nature.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Rewilding: Hazen introduces the concept of rewilding, emphasizing the importance of restoring natural habitats even in our own backyards. He shares personal anecdotes about creating safe spaces for wildlife and how this practice has shaped his children's understanding of nature.
• Ecotourism: Hazen encourages travelers to explore beyond the popular destinations like Costa Rica, advocating for visits to lesser-known regions in South and Central America. He highlights the positive impact ecotourism can have on local communities and wildlife conservation.
• Safe Wildlife Corridors: Reflecting on his time in Africa, Hazen discusses the critical need for safe migration routes for animals, particularly elephants, and the efforts of organizations like Space for Giants to protect these corridors.
• Supporting Conservation: Hazen expresses his support for the Jane Goodall Foundation and other organizations focused on education and conservation, particularly in regions rich in biodiversity.

Memorable Quotes:

• "We have the same power to make the world better than how we found it... It’s about creating spaces where wildlife can thrive, even in our own backyards."
• "Go to Ecuador, go to these other places in South and Central America outside of Costa Rica... Show the local people that we care about their natural resources."
• "These animals don't have a place to migrate to because their places are being turned into highways and things like this."

Where to Find Hazen Audel:

• Instagram: @HazenAudel
• Website: HazenAudel.com
• Shows: Available on the Discovery Channel and Disney+ (Primal Survivor featured on National Geographic).

Call to Action:

Go listen to the FULL episode of The Adventure Diaries S2 Episode 14for an inspiring conversation with Hazen Audel. Learn how you can contribute to rewilding efforts, support ecotourism, and make a difference in the conservation of our planet’s wildlife. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow adventurers!

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In another thrilling episode of The Adventure Diaries, host Chris Watson is joined by Hazen Audel, a biologist, survival expert, and star of National Geographic's Primal Survivor. Hazen takes us deep into the Amazon jungle, sharing incredible stories of his time living with indigenous tribes, his passion for rewilding nature, and how he transformed his wild dream into a successful television career. From catching a seven-foot rainbow boa to encountering giant armadillos, Hazen's journey is filled with jaw-dropping moments that will leave you inspired and in awe of the natural world.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Hazen's lifelong passion for nature and wildlife
• The adventure that changed his life: an eight-month immersion in the Amazon
• Living with indigenous tribes and learning their languages and customs
• The journey from the Amazon to becoming the star of Primal Survivor
• The importance of rewilding and connecting with nature
• Lessons learned from the wild and indigenous cultures
• Hazen's thoughts on community, solitude, and the modern world
• The unforgettable moments and challenges faced during the filming of Primal Survivor

Key Takeaways:

• Hazen's childhood love for nature led him to explore the Amazon at just 19 years old.
• His time with indigenous tribes taught him invaluable lessons about nature and community.
• Sharing his experiences online eventually led to his breakthrough in television.
• Hazen emphasizes the importance of rewilding and preserving natural habitats.
• He believes that true adventure lies in reconnecting with the natural world.

Call to Adventure:

• "Rewild your surroundings."
• "Put up bird houses."
• "Plant plants that are going to bring in the kind of bugs that I don't, yeah, bees are awesome, but I like bugs, like I like biodiversity cause I know how important they are."
• "Invite more wildlife and wildflowers into your life."
• "Learn and interact and be a part of nature."

Pay It Forward:

• Ecotourism: "If you're going to do some eco excursions, go to Ecuador, go to these other places in South and Central America outside of Costa Rica."
• Space for Giants: "It's an organization that's trying to give a lot of education to the locals so elephants can have a place that they can continue their migrations without being shot or beat to death by farmers."
• Jane Goodall Foundation: "Because they're so set, they're so organized, the funds go directly towards education, educating, getting into the schools, getting these kids to acknowledge that where they live, if they live in Madagascar that they have, they live with lemurs, they live with all this wildlife and they can have an amazing life and protect the wildlife that they live with and have pride in that."

Website:  https://www.hazenaudel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazenaudel/

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Adventure Diaries S2 Episode 134 Recap; Host Chris Watson sits down with Timothy Santel , a retired investigator turned passionate conservationist. Tim shares captivating stories from his 32-year career, where he transitioned from law enforcement to wildlife protection. The episode delves into Tim’s dedication to mentoring the next generation of conservationists, his remarkable experiences in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park, and his ongoing work with Focus Conservation—a nonprofit organization fighting wildlife trafficking in Africa.

Key Takeaways:

• Mentorship Matters: Tim emphasizes the importance of paying it forward. He shares how his mentors shaped his career and why he continues to guide and support emerging conservationists through his work with Focus Conservation.
• Adventure in Nepal: Tim recounts his incredible journey to Chitwan National Park, where he encountered rare species like the one-horned rhino and sloth bears. His story highlights the beauty and biodiversity of Nepal, making it a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
• Wildlife Protection: Tim discusses his role at Focus Conservation, a unique nonprofit composed of former law enforcement professionals. The organization works with African countries to combat wildlife trafficking and rehabilitate animals like baby gorillas and chimpanzees.
• Conservation Challenges: Tim sheds light on the harsh realities of wildlife trafficking, sharing a poignant story about a baby gorilla rescued from poachers. He explains the crucial role that organizations like Focus Conservation play in protecting endangered species and preserving their habitats.

Quotes from the Episode:

• “If you’ve got a skill and you’ve got experience, help somebody that might need a hand.”
• “Nepal would be a place that I would recommend... It’s home to some of the coolest and most diverse species in the world.”
• “We’re all cops... Our group works with countries in Africa to help them build crime units and mentor those crime units.”
• “What a cool story it would be to reintroduce [a rescued baby gorilla] back to his family.”

Call to Action:

• Visit Focus Conservation: Learn more about the vital work being done by Tim and his colleagues by visiting Focus Conservation. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
• Support Wildlife Protection: Consider supporting organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation and mentoring future conservationists.
• Explore Nepal: If you’re seeking adventure, look into visiting Chitwan National Park in Nepal to witness the incredible wildlife and immerse yourself in local culture.

Links Mentioned:

• Focus Conservation Website

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In this thrilling episode of Adventure Diaries, host Chris Watson sits down with Timothy Santel.  From Tim's humble beginnings in the Midwest to leading some of the most impactful wildlife conservation operations in history, Tim shares his incredible journey over 32 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Discover the secrets behind Operation Crash—a groundbreaking investigation that dismantled global rhino horn trafficking networks—and Operation Snowplow, which exposed the dark underworld of big cat poaching in the United States. Tim's stories are not just about catching the bad guys but also about the deep passion and commitment it takes to protect the world's most vulnerable species.

Tim also shares insights into his post-retirement work with Focus Conservation, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and supporting wildlife crime units across Africa. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about wildlife, conservation, and the relentless fight against poaching.

Key Takeaways:

• Timothy Santel dedicated over 32 years to wildlife conservation and law enforcement.
• He led major operations like Operation Snowplow and Operation Crash, targeting illegal wildlife trade.
• Operation Crash was a landmark case that led to numerous arrests and global legislative changes.
• Tim continues his work through Focus Conservation, mentoring wildlife rangers on the front lines.

Call to Adventure:

• Visit Chitwan National Park in Nepal:
  • Witness one-horned rhinos, tigers, and diverse wildlife.
  • Immerse yourself in local culture by staying in a nearby village.
  • Experience Nepal's first national park and its rich biodiversity.

Pay It Forward:

• Volunteer and gain experience in wildlife conservation.
• Be passionate and committed, even in unpaid roles.
• Mentorship is crucial—help guide the next generation of conservationists.
• Get involved with nonprofits like Focus Conservation to support wildlife crime units and rangers.

Links & Resources:
https://focusedconservation.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-santel-798206242/

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Protecting Antarctica and Embracing Adventure with Ash Routen

In this episode, the show follows its closing traditions of a 'pay it forward' suggestion and a 'call to adventure.' 

Ash Routen, highlights the need to raise awareness about the Antarctic Treaty, which is set to expire in 2041. 
He emphasizes the importance of renewing this treaty to protect Antarctica from exploitation. 

For the call to adventure, Ash encourages listeners to adopt a 'just do it' mindset, seek mentorship, 
and pursue their adventurous dreams regardless of financial or physical limitations. 
He also shares where to find more about him and his work online.

00:00 Closing Traditions and Pay It Forward
00:22 The Antarctic Treaty Awareness
01:42 Call to Adventure: Just Do It!
02:50 Connect with Ash Routen
03:31 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Follow Ash 
Instagram;  https://www.instagram.com/ashrouten/
Website:  https://www.ashrouten.com/

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