Evolve Pod

Jason Lewis, explorer, adventurer and author, was the first person to ever complete a Global circumnavigation by human power - A 13-year, 46,505-mile journey across five continents, two oceans, and one sea using human power: walking, cycling, and rollerblading the landmasses, and kayaking, rowing, swimming and pedalling a boat across the oceans. In amongst this are stories of survival, resilience and fulfilment.

Jason and I get into what it means to have an adventure, what resilience really means and what he has learnt from far flung and remote cultures that shape his view on global change and sustainability.

More recently, Jason and his wife Tammie succeeded in their unique Cymru 360 - A 650-mile zero carbon circumnavigation of Wales exploring inspiring examples of sustainable living solutions. These individuals exemplify our belief that transition to a sustainable future starts with ordinary people taking local action and driving change from the bottom up.

I hope we can all make changes on an individual level to start making big changes in the inevitable fight against climate change and making sure this planet has a bright and blossoming future for us all.

Listen, learn and grow

Episode 31 with Dan Keeley.

This is an incredibly powerful episode to kick off 2022. In 2012 Dan suffered a complete fully blown manic episode, stopping traffic on an Italian motorway professing he was the chosen one.

We look into Dan's life before this episode and how abuse as a child had triggered his behaviour to slowly spiral out of control. We also look at his recovery and the journey that ultimately led him to run from Rome to Home (London)whilst entirely lifting the burden of weight off his back and using his experience to help and inspire other people.

Thanks for sharing Dan, what an amazing story!

Listen, learn and grow.

Episode 29 Atlantic flyers, the worlds toughest row.

This episode brings Wing Commander Phil Holdicroft, Wing Commander Sonny Roe, Flight Lieutenant Si Berry & Flight Lieutenant Chris Carrington-Smith who, on 12th December 2021 are setting of to row 3000 miles, racing 35 other teams across the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. The guys will face mother natures power in 40 foot waves, 35 knot winds, 40 degree heat. They will face their own demons in sleep deprivation, mental and physical fatigue as well as salt sores.

However this is more than just an ocean row. Phil's daughter Isla was diagnosed with Leukaemia at just 22 months old. Isla and her family were facing the toughest challenge of their lives. With the support of the NHS and Starlight UK, Isla is now healthy, in the clear and getting on with a life that every child should enjoy!

The guys are rowing this Ocean challenge for Starlight and to help raise money so every child and their family going through horrendous illness can be supported and offered life changing experiences to give hope and light in times of real darkness,

I'm really keen on finding out people's why, and in this episode, it's clear to see they guys are tapping into this constantly.

These guys are accomplished servicemen & endurance athletes who are putting their experience, resilience and mindset to the test.

What an episode!

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Episode 29 with Carmen Somerset is a story I am very proud of. Carmen's life has been immersed in the open water swimming world for the last few years, culminating in a channel relay swim in 2021.

From starting out as a non swimmer, looking to learn to swim for running maintenance, Carmen explains how open water swimming has allowed her to challenge herself in ways she never thought possible, move out of the way of herself and set some seriously tough targets.

Carmen has made some life decisions that have helped her transform into who she is today, including giving up booze for the last 2 years. Just a small sacrifice to become the awesome swimmer and person she is today.

Really happy to bring you all this episode and thanks Carmen, you're a legend!

Listen, learn and grow.

Episode 28 - Mark Valentine. As a kid, Mark was always knocking about outside in the 80's, exploring and enjoying the pure simplicity of the outdoors.

Fast forward to the year 2000 and a harrowing event in Istanbul flipped Marks life on it's head. How does a 30 year old bloke deal with the aftermath of witnessing death and violence on an extreme level?

Mark shares his experience of navigating life with PTSD and how the outdoors, and particularly the mountains, has restored his reasons to enjoy life, to continue to learn and by bettering himself, he enables people to become the best versions of themselves in turn.

Thanks for sharing your story Mark, appreciate it.

Listen, learn, grow

Episode 27 - James and I get into the nitty gritty of nutrition and endurance sports. James is very well versed in the nutrition coaching world and recently learned a hell of a lot attempting to complete the Robin Hood 100 mile ultra, followed 2 weeks later by the London Marathon.

How big a role does nutrition play in our endurance performance and how can we optimise preparation, performance and recovery through what we put into our bodies? Rigid or flexible planning?

Have a listen, learn and grow.

If you're looking to up your nutrition game, check out www.nutritionforenergy.co.uk and DM James on @nutrition.for.energy on insta

Happy days!

Episode 26 - Sleep, with Nick Littlehales. Having worked in the corporate world of sleep products, Nick carved a niche opportunity to work with some of the leading British Elite sporting teams, such as Sir Alex Fergusons Manchester United and Sir Dave Brailsford's Team Sky and Team GB.

But Nick's optimisation of recovery and sleep is not just for elite sports people. It's for everyone. We discuss how we can all make better use of recovery habits and circadian rhythms - whether yo work a standard day, shift pattern or even race a boat around the world solo! What Chronotype are you Lark or Owl?

I really hope you improve your zzz's and recovery from this episode whether you are an elite athlete or not.

Listen, learn, grow

Episode 25 bring you Nick Butter - the only man to have run a marathon in every country in the world and who, among many other feats has run around the UK running over 50 miles a day!

Nick talks to me about his passion for running and making the most of every opportunity that we are given. His journey is one of immense success interspersed with danger, failure and growth. We can all learn from Nick on a personal level, but equally on a community level, both locally and globally as his approach to life is reflected in the 196 Foundation, a brilliant charity whose mission is to provide aid to every corner of the world in small bite size chunks.

Have a listen, learn and grow.

Episode 24 brings a voice you may very well recognise, Episode 1 and 3 featured Dan Walmsley. Dan rejoins me in this episode to talk about his epic 24 in 24 Wrekin challenge, a run which saw him scale the Wrekin Hill 24 times in well under 24 hours. Over 6000m of ascent and over 63 miles of running up and down the same hill!

Why did he do this? Having battled his own demons, Dan opens up about his reasons why, the literal and metaphorical ups and downs of this immense challenge and how his daily routine allows him to keep focused, happy and positive. Raising vital funds for Telford MIND, you can still contribute to Dan's fundraiser here - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dan-walmsley2

Enjoy! Listen, learn, grow

Episode 23 brings an immensely powerful conversation with Alex Flynn. Alex has achieved extreme physical challenges outside the realm of most of our comprehension, and even more incredibly, he has achieved these SINCE being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2008.

Alex goes into why he continues to challenge himself, using his hatred and anger towards PD to raise awareness and funds to help people suffering with PD and also back scientific research to find a cure for the debilitating neurodegenerative disorder. His next challenge sees him undertake and expedition culminating in him being the very first person with PD to stand on top of the world, Mount Everest. Just wow!

Alex needs all our support, please visit his website alexflynn.co.uk and get donating, it's all for an amazing cause.

Listen, Learn and grow