This episode is a little different than my norm. An outdoor adventure to be sure, training and serving with the Navy Seals. This story exemplifies the bright, hardworking men and women pursuing their dream (in this man’s case, 2 dreams) in the service of our nation, and provides a simple formula for anyone’s success in life.

The Yukon River is out there – like really out there. Which, of course, attracts serious adventurers. My guest on this episode describes his 7-day journey traveling 1,000 miles of raw wilderness through Canada and Alaska, and explains why he chose to be the first to race it by standup paddle board.

The Leadville 100 isn’t the only ultra-distance trail race out there, but it’s a classic and one of the most epic. Covering 100 miles and 15,000+ vertical feet of elevation before the 30-hour cutoff is a great challenge for any runner.

Arguably the greatest waterway in North America, steeped in history and teeming with adventure. This episode touches on one man’s solo journey by canoe down the length of the Mississippi River, what he discovered about humanity, and the book he wrote about it.

The Iditarod dog sled race is considered one of the most challenging feats in human endurance. 1,000 miles across the wildest parts of deep-winter Alaska with no one to help you. Listen to how this determined woman accomplished her dream of mushing in the Iditarod.

What happens when a former Naval fighter pilot joins a sailing rally of 70 boats to cross the Atlantic Ocean? You can guess he crosses the finish line first, but listen in for more of this go-go retiree’s story about his race across the Atlantic. 

The four greatest deserts on Earth, each with a 200 km ultra-distance adventure race. This white-collar professional desk jockey completed them all, and took in some of the most epic scenery in the process.

It’s an incredible triathlon format: a 2.4 mile swim and 116 mile bike, followed by a full 26.2 mile marathon. Hear from a top world Ironman competitor and coach what it’s like and what it takes to finish one. He assures us most people can do it – with some hard work.

The 28 mile swim around Manhattan Island was the warm up. Then came the 20-mile Catalina Channel swim in the open Pacific. So why not complete the Triple Crown with the English Channel – so said this middle age working man with two kids.

A 60-year-old wanted life to expand with age rather than grow more limited. So she picked up adventure racing in canoes and kayaks. It’s a great story about how 60 can be the new 40 if you so choose - not to mention helpful insight to what expedition paddling in the wilderness is like.