Bold Journeys Podcast

Try to imagine sitting across from your doctor with stomach pains and hearing the words, "You've got stage 4 cancer and less than a year to live."

Episode 26 features Gary Young, a cancer survivor whose story is difficult, honest, and anchored in faith. Gary grew up on a Michigan farm where hard work and resilience were part of everyday life. Those early lessons became essential when he was diagnosed with stage‑four abdominal cancer. His journey shows what it looks like to face a life‑changing diagnosis with community support, clear purpose, and trust in God.

What We Cover in This Episode

• How Gary leaned on friends, church members, and mentors during the hardest season of his life
• The door God opened through HIPEC and how that operation changed Gary's hope for survival
• The role faith played in helping him stay steady through diagnosis, surgery, and recovery
• The impact Gary's faith had on the people around him, including his surgeon
• How cancer clarified Gary's purpose and led him to become a Beacon of Hope for others

Key Takeaway

Gary's story is a reminder that faith, community, and purpose matter most when life becomes difficult. His journey encourages us to invest in the people around us, stay rooted in our faith, and pay attention to the ways God may be shaping our next chapter.

Join the Journey

If you know someone who's facing a difficult season, please share this episode with them. It might be exactly what they need to hear.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boldjourneysco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldjourneysco/

Through The Fire Newsletter: https://boldjourneys.co/subscribe/

Chapters

00:00 — Finding Peace Before Surgery

02:52 — The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

06:29 — Searching for a Treatment That Could Help

10:33 — When a Doctor Becomes a Friend

12:26 — Where Faith Took Root

20:01 — How Community Carried the Weight

29:04 — Hope That Doesn't Stay Still

38:05 — Learning to Trust God Daily

40:08 — Staying Steady in Work and Life

41:34 — How Calling Comes Into Focus

43:34 — Faith That Shows Up at Work

49:19 — Building Made for More

55:01 — Facing New Trials After Cancer

01:01:41 — Practices That Strengthen Hope

01:08:56 — Final Encouragement for the Journey

In this episode of Bold Journeys, we continue our conversation with Appalachian Trail thru‑hiker Jason Turner, whose 2,000‑mile trek reshaped his faith, his resilience, and his understanding of what truly matters. Known on the trail as Fancy Feet after a stumble that turned into a quick recovery, Jason's story is equal parts grit, humility, and spiritual awakening.

This second part dives deeper into the moments that tested him — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — and the lessons he carried home.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Near‑Hypothermia & Hard Lessons Jason shares the night that pushed him to the edge and forced him to confront his limits. It's a raw look at how adversity clarifies what's essential.

• Emotional Resilience Over Physical Pain The loneliness of the trail became the real battleground. Jason opens up about the emotional lows and how perseverance shaped his character.

• Nature's Quiet Healing From sunrise stillness to shared campfires, Jason found God's presence in the quiet places. The trail became a space for spiritual and emotional restoration.

• Minimalism & Simplicity Living with less taught Jason to appreciate the basics. He returned home with a renewed desire for a life not defined by material excess.

• Human Connection & Community The trail brought strangers who became teachers, friends, and spiritual companions. Jason reflects on the power of authentic connection.

• Stepping Beyond Comfort Zones Jason's journey is a reminder that growth happens when we choose courage over comfort and trust God with the unknown.

Key Takeaway

Jason's story is more than a hiking recap — it's a call to action. A reminder that the dreams we label "too big" or "too risky" might just require one bold step of faith.

Join the Journey

If this story energized you, share it with your adventurous friends and join our journey:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boldjourneysco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldjourneysco/

Through The Fire Newsletter: https://boldjourneys.co/subscribe/

Chapters

00:00 The Night Everything Went Wrong

00:25 Picking Up Where We Left Off

03:06 Storms, Survival, and a Close Call

08:25 Trail Hazards You Don't See Coming

11:50 Views That Make the Pain Worth It

15:55 Faith Moments That Changed Him

27:45 Returning to Real‑World Comforts

28:46 Are Post‑Trail Blues Real?

30:38 Facing the Big Question: What Now?

33:11 Living Intentionally After the AT

36:39 Rapid‑Fire: Dangers You Should Know

43:16 Trail Names, Faith Talks, and Final Wisdom

In Part 1 of this two‑episode conversation, adventure seeker Jason Turner opens up about the raw, unfiltered reality of hiking the Appalachian Trail — 2,197.9 miles from Georgia to Maine. This isn't a highlight reel. It's the honest story of doubt, loneliness, faith, and the grit required to keep moving through the pain.

Jason shares the emotional lows that hit early, including the moment he called his wife and admitted he wasn't sure he could continue. From there, the trail became a classroom — teaching him about connection, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to step into the unknown.

What We Cover in Part 1

• The emotional crash that nearly ended Jason's journey
• How loneliness became one of the toughest challenges on the trail
• The role faith played in helping him push forward
• The early physical battles — bruised feet, worn‑down shoes, and the grind of millions of steps
• Why slowing down became a crucial part of his endurance

Why This Episode Matters

Jason's story is a reminder that every bold journey includes struggle. The breakthrough often comes after the moment you think you can't go any further. Jason's honesty sets the stage for a powerful Part 2, where we explore the climb to Katahdin and the triumph that made every step worth it.

If you've ever faced a challenge that pushed you to your limits, this episode will speak directly to you.

Join the Journey

If this story energized you, share it with your adventurous friends and join our journey:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boldjourneysco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldjourneysco/

Through The Fire Newsletter: https://boldjourneys.co/subscribe/

Chapters

00:00 The Moment Doubt Hit

00:23 A Glimpse of What's Coming

02:04 Who Is Jason Turner?

02:21 Tracking the Impossible

03:39 Standing at the Finish

04:56 What Pain Teaches You

07:16 Life After the Trail

08:43 Why Rest Days Matter

09:51 The Weight of Being Alone

10:43 Night Fear Is Real

11:41 The Dream That Started It All

15:42 A Calling You Can't Ignore

20:22 Healing You Don't Expect

21:30 Who Actually Makes It?

22:58 Inside the Hiker Bubble

25:37 Miles, Age, and Reality

27:44 The First Step at Springer

29:12 Loneliness Changes Everything

Chances are you know someone in your family or circle of friends and colleagues who has battled an addiction. This week on the Bold Journeys Podast, Cesar Wurm — author of The Powers of Addiction — opens up about his battle with alcoholism, the generational patterns that shaped him, and the moment he finally chose sobriety.

From growing up with an alcoholic father in Brazil to living a double life as a "fun guy" in the hospitality industry, Cesar walks us through the hidden cost of addiction and the breakthrough that saved his life.

Cesar grew up watching addiction shape his family, and for years he carried that same pattern into adulthood — quietly, successfully, and completely hidden from the world. In this conversation, he pulls back the curtain on the double life he built, the physical and emotional breaking points he could no longer outrun, and the moment he finally faced the truth about who he was becoming.

He talks openly about the role his wife played and how AA helped him rebuild his identity from the inside out. If you've ever battled something in silence or felt trapped by expectations, Cesar's journey will hit you hard — and leave you wanting to hear the rest of the story.

Key Takeaways

• Addiction is subtle until it's not. It creeps in quietly and becomes a lifestyle before you realize it.
• Compassion and accountability work together. Real change requires both.
• Faith and community matter. Cesar found strength through AA, his sponsor, and a higher power.
• Self‑acceptance is freedom. When you stop performing and stop hiding, you start healing.

About Cesar Wurm

Cesar Wurm is the author of The Powers of Addiction and a hospitality industry professional who rebuilt his life through sobriety, faith, and the support of his family. His mission is to help others recognize the signs of addiction and find the courage to pursue recovery.

Join the Journey

If this episode hit home for you, share it with someone who needs hope today.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boldjourneysco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldjourneysco/

Through The Fire Newsletter: https://boldjourneys.co/subscribe/

Chapters

00:00 The Hidden Routine That Fueled His Addiction

03:06 Addiction in Plain Sight

06:47 Is It Genetics or Choice?

09:52 How Early Drinking Set a Trap He Didn't See Coming

12:33 The Grief He Buried — And How It Started to Surface

16:04 Blackouts, Success, and the Illusion of Control

21:21 A Fresh Start in America

27:04 The Denial That Kept Him Drinking

29:27 How Every Day Became a Strategy to Stay Drunk

38:10 The Breaking Point: What Finally Forced Change

41:36 Is Addiction a Disease or a Decision?

42:24 Relapse, Shame, and the Power of Compassion

43:28 The Wake‑Up Call That Changed Everything

45:23 Why Sponsors Matter More Than You Think

46:37 Finding a Higher Power When You Don't Want One

01:09:40 A Challenge to Anyone Fighting Their Own Battle

In Part 2 of my conversation with endurance athlete and performance coach JD Tremblay, we go deeper into what it really takes to break through the barriers holding you back — physically, mentally, and spiritually.

JD opens up about the systems he built through ultra‑endurance racing, the faith that kept him moving when everything in him wanted to quit, and the moment he realized his "normal" wasn't normal at all. That realization pushed him into a new mission: helping others find clarity, align their actions with their values, and pursue goals that actually change their lives.

We talk about:

• Why faith becomes fuel when you're facing failure
• How the right community can accelerate your growth
• Breaking mental barriers that keep you stuck
• Aligning your daily actions with the future you're building
• What it means to set goals that scare you — and why you should

If you're ready to push past your own limits and step into the next chapter of your journey, this episode will give you the clarity and challenge you need.

Join the Journey

If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more stories of grit, adventure, and faith — and share it with someone who needs strength today.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boldjourneysco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldjourneysco/

Through The Fire Newsletter: https://boldjourneys.co/subscribe/

Chapters

00:00 Choosing Faith Over Failure

04:13 The Secret to Training Less & Gaining More

06:47 From an EpicDeca to New Mission

14:51 The "Hungry Warrior" Origin Story

23:08 How to Build an Unstoppable Mindset

26:19 Why Even High-Achievers Burn Out

27:07 The "EPIC" Identity Shift

27:38 How Community Actually Saves Lives

29:28 The 4 Pillars of the DECA Framework

29:55 Using Structure to Build Discipline

31:59 How to Fuel Your Journey Correctly

34:06 Finding Your Career Capacity

39:13 Your Action Challenge

49:03 Set a Goal That Scares You

Part 2 of my conversation with John Graham picks up where the chaos left off. After years of chasing danger, John finally has to face the fallout. He's led on a spiritual journey and a moment at sea that forces him to choose what kind of man he is going to be. This episode gets into the turning point: how he confronted his past, how he rebuilt himself, and how he committed to a life of service instead of adrenaline.

In This Episode

• Vietnam, PTSD, and the emotional work he could no longer avoid
• How encounter groups pushed him to confront himself
• The unexpected spiritual path that cracked him open
• The typhoon off Alaska that nearly killed him
• The decision that changed his direction
• How the Giraffe Heroes Project gave him a mission and a place to serve

If you missed Part 1, go back and listen — it sets the stage for everything John reveals here.

Stay Connected

If these conversations help you think deeper and live with more clarity, make sure you're plugged in:

• Subscribe to the Bold Journeys Newsletter for weekly insights and episode updates
• Subscribe on YouTube for full episodes and clips
• Follow on Instagram for behind‑the‑scenes content and daily encouragement

Your support helps this show reach more people who need these conversations.

Chapters

00:00 Part Two Setup

02:34 Vietnam Homecoming PTSD

03:27 Encounter Group Breakthrough

10:34 Out of Body Experiences

15:58 The Sign and Healing

21:43 Cruise Ship Fire

28:41 Panic in the Lifeboat

30:03 Dawn Rescue Attempts

34:04 A Choice with God

36:32 Founding Giraffe Heroes

41:35 Badass Granddad Goes Viral

47:14 Finding Meaning and Grace

In Part 1 of my conversation with adventurer John Graham, we dig into his early years where adrenaline drove his decisions and danger became his drug of choice. John's early life was shaped by a need to prove himself. That led him to mountain climbing, revolutions, and war zones. The more extreme the situation, the more alive he felt—and the further his moral compass drifted.

This episode sets the stage for Part 2, where we get into the moments that forced him to confront who he'd become and the amazing story of how he finally found purpose.

In This Episode

• How a summer job at 17 blew up the "safe path" he was expected to follow
• The early experiences that fueled his need to prove his toughness
• Why dangerous situations became an addictive escape
• The point where adrenaline started steering his life
• The point he know he lost his moral compass

Listen to Part 2 coming next

Part 2 dives into John's career in the State Department, the moral reckoning, and his shift toward purpose.

Stay Connected

If you're enjoying these stories of grit, adventure and faith, be sure to follow along on our other channels:

• Subscribe to the Bold Journeys Newsletter for weekly insights and episode updates
• Subscribe on YouTube for full episodes and clips
• Follow on Instagram for behind‑the‑scenes content and daily encouragement

Your support helps this show reach more people who can benefit from these inspirational stories.

Chapters

00:00 First Lesson in Manhood

10:13 Catholic Mom's Dilemma

13:00 Hitchhiking into War

15:13 Foreign Legion Lessons

16:38 Denali North Wall Ascent

21:12 Brushes with Death

29:04 Avalanche Aftermath

29:29 Ricochet Wall Legacy

31:28 Adrenaline Addiction

32:48 Hitchhiking Into Wars

34:13 Laos CIA Nightlife

36:59 Love Versus Toughness

42:47 James Bond Diplomacy

51:14 Hue Moral Reckoning

In this episode of Bold Journeys, we dig into one of the most important questions anyone wrestling with faith eventually faces: Is there real historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus?

New Testament scholar and author Dr. Mike Licona shares his personal battle with doubt, the research that reshaped his faith, and the historical case that convinced him the resurrection wasn't just a belief — it was an event grounded in eyewitness testimony and early Christian records.

We talk through Paul's transformation, external historical sources, debates with skeptics, and why alternative explanations fall apart when you actually pressure‑test them. This conversation is honest, direct, and built for anyone navigating questions about faith, truth, and the foundation of Christianity.

In This Episode

• Licona's journey through doubt
• The historical case for the resurrection
• Paul's testimony and early Christian creeds
• External sources: Josephus, Tacitus, and more
• How personal experience and evidence work together

Stay Connected

If these conversations help you think deeper and live with more clarity, make sure you're plugged in:

• Subscribe to the Bold Journeys Newsletter for weekly insights and episode updates
• Subscribe on YouTube for full episodes and clips
• Follow on Instagram for behind‑the‑scenes content and daily encouragement

Your support helps this show reach more people who want more conversations on grit, faith and adventure.

Chapters

00:00 Doubting the Resurrection

01:38 Meet Mike Licona

04:35 Campus Questions Today

09:22 Childhood and Conversion

15:38 From Music to Ministry

28:19 Researching the Evidence

35:50 Debate Prep Mindset

36:56 Did Jesus Exist

40:20 Resurrection Case Starts With Paul

47:01 Martyrdom And Eyewitness Claims

51:26 James Skeptic To Believer

In this Part 1 episode of Bold Journeys, we get real about what it means to push yourself — not for bragging rights, not for a medal, but because sometimes your life depends on it. For some people, a daily workout is enough to stay grounded. For others, like JD Tremblay, the dial has to be turned all the way up. That's how he ended up taking on 10 Ironman triathlons in 10 days — an extreme challenge that matched the intensity of what he was fighting on the inside.

This isn't a story about being superhuman. It's a story about finding yourself, learning what kind of challenge wakes you up, pulls you out of the dark, and forces you to rebuild. Physical struggle has a way of stripping everything down and pull you out of the darkness.

You don't need to be an Ironman Triathlete to get something out of this episode. What matters is finding the level of challenge that pushes you — the version that makes you sharper, clearer, and more alive. JD's journey proves that when you push your limits, you don't just get stronger, you may just get your life back.

Join the Journey

If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more stories of grit, adventure, and faith — and share it with someone who needs strength today.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boldjourneysco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldjourneysco/

Through The Fire Newsletter: https://boldjourneys.co/subscribe/

Chapters

00:00 Intro: JD's Calling

00:26 Ironman as Escape

03:06 Roots and Childhood

03:55 Divorce and Enlistment

06:49 Child Star Spotlight

09:23 Military Culture Shock

12:33 Leaving Service for School

15:33 Identity Crisis and Depression

19:45 Untrained Ironman Breakthrough

21:46 Coaching and Ultraman Rise

27:52 Epic Deca Decision

36:28 Epic Deca Lessons and Mission

Do you question your calling in life? What if your calling isn't what you planned? In this episode, I sit down with Norrie Steyn to talk through the twists and turns that have shaped his life. He grew up in a small South African town, moved across the world to play college golf, and eventually stepped away from a stable career path to pursue ministry.

We talk about the moments that pushed him out of what was familiar, the tension between financial security and purpose, and the way he's learned to invest in people through steady, relational work. Norrie shares what it's like to carry his faith into the professional golf world where it isn't always welcomed.

Here are a few takeaways from our conversation:

• Stepping out of comfort zones — Growth often begins when we're willing to leave what's familiar.
• Purpose over security — Choosing calling over comfort leads to a more honest, meaningful life.
• Relational ministry matters — Real transformation tends to happen through personal connection.
• Authenticity in skeptical environments — Staying grounded in your mission matters most when it's tested.
• Meaning beyond material gains — Fulfillment is found in faith, service, and relationships.

If you're navigating your own crossroads or trying to make sense of the next step in front of you, Norrie's story offers a steady reminder that courage usually shows up in the small, consistent decisions we make along the way.

Join the Journey

If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more stories of grit, adventure, and faith — and share it with someone who needs strength today.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boldjourneysco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldjourneysco/

Through The Fire Newsletter: https://boldjourneys.co/subscribe/

Chapters

00:00 CGF Origins and Mission

04:37 Who CGF Serves

05:48 Global Reach Through Golf

06:56 South Africa Roots and Boarding School

13:07 College Golf Path to Ministry

41:07 Ministry Insecurity

43:01 Lonely Calling

43:48 PGA Outreach

46:07 Tours and Bible Studies

49:19 College vs Pros

50:31 Rapid Fire and Wrap