When you think of a mountain biking destination in Canada, where comes to mind?

Vancouver? Golden? Canmore?

How about Neepawa, Dauphin and Minnedosa—all in Manitoba? Yes, it's true. Manitoba has a burgeoning mountain bike scene, with parks and trails popping up all over the province.

Today, my guests are Alex Man and Melissa Stefaniw. Based near Dauphin, they raise funds, build trails, organize events and get the word out about Manitoba's mountain bike scene.

But what exactly is Manitoba's mountain bike scene? How does it differ?

And can it compete? 

Let's find out!

Welcome to episode 30 of Explore Magazine's "Live the Adventure" Podcast.

Let's talk about bears. Those majestic, beautiful creatures that roam the wild lands of just about every region in Canada...

Those apex predators who can be misunderstood and feared by humans...

And who, due to habituation and encroachment, are every so often the subject of a dicey (or worse) human-wildlife encounter.

Today, my guest is Curtis Matwishyn. Curtis is a wildland firefighter and wildlife photographer living in Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan.

As you can imagine, he's see a few bears. But one in particular resulted in a viral video and an impactful learning experience about how we as humans can better interact with bears...

...And what we NEED to carry with us when we travel in bear country.

Do you like bears? Let's get into it.

Ticks. Lyme disease. Pathogens.

Are you scared yet?

Well, you don't need to be. Even active outdoor enthusiasts like us only need to be educated and aware—then we can stay tick safe!

Today's conversation is with Sarah Cormode, from the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation. Sarah is a podcaster and has had the opportunity to speak with dozens of experts in the field of medicine and outdoor safety and education.

So let's talk ticks with Sarah Cormode!

Today, my guest is Caroline Cote. And as I hit publish, she is (ideally) in the final week or so of a self-supported ski expedition across Antarctica to the South Pole.

This is quite a leap from a self-described "shy little girl" who only got introduced to outdoor recreation in her 20s. But Caroline is nothing if not bold—this Quebec-based adventurer has already been to the Cold Continent twice before, as well as a plethora of other impressive expeditions.

Today, we're finding out what it takes to tackle such a trip. And why. And what it feels like to be faced with a month of solitude in the loneliest place on Earth.

Yup—it's a good one.

Enjoy!

Let's talk about expeditions. Journeys. Adventures.

Why do we do them? What is the purpose? And what do we hope to accomplish?

Mariele Guerrero has some thoughts on all of this—and they may surprise you. Because the true nature of an expedition may come from within.

Enjoy episode 27 with my guest, Mariele Guerrero!

But how can we be the perfect partners right back? How can we ensure our pups live long and healthy lives?

Today, my guest is Olivia Saray—she's a dog and cat nutrition specialist at Rolf C. Hagen. 

We're going to talk do's and don'ts, pet health, pet food and so much more.

It's a dog day afternoon—tune in!

Travel is back. After an unprecedented hiatus, we are once again becoming a nation of tourists.

But what has changed?

Have we grown to better appreciate the act of tourism, the act of connection with a new land or a new culture and the act of escaping one’s everyday life?

Are we looking for travel that offers a rich experience and facilitates a deep connection between guest and host?

Today, I’m stoked to welcome Mike Willie, owner of Sea Wolf Adventures on Vancouver Island, and Brenda Baptiste, chair of Indigenous Tourism BC, to the podcast.

Let's hear what they have to say on the matter.

Think about the clothes you're wearing. Where were they made? Who made them? For how long do you intend on owning them?

Big questions that aren't always asked by many.

Rene Gauthier is asking these questions. He is the CEO of a clothing company called "ecologyst."

Based in Victoria, BC, ecologyst makes clothes onsite using only natural fibres with the intent to disrupt the concepts of fast-fashion, disposable, petroleum-product clothing.

How is he doing it? Why is he doing it? What should the future of the clothing industry look like? Find out with today's episode!

Let’s travel—far.

Farther than any journey you could physically take.

Let’s travel into the stars.

I love the night sky. Stargazing is such an important part of the outdoor experience.

Some of my best memories from camping trips past have been of a night sky lit up with stars and streaked with the milk way. Or northern lights. Comets. A planet seen through a telescope.

Today my guest is Alan Dyer. Alan is, among many other things, the co-author of the new edition of "The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide," written with astronomer and author Terrance Dickinson.

We’re going to chat about how you can become familiar with the stars above, what threats the night sky faces and what went into creating this incredible astronomer’s resource.

So—the winter Olympics are coming up in February.

Yeah, I know we just had one this summer.

But this is the Winter games. Canada’s games!

Ever wonder what it’s like to progress as an athlete toward the Olympics?

To repeat and gain success with every games?

Then to retire, and attempt to use those skills to forge a new path?

Today, my guest is Kelsey Serwa. Kelsey is a ski-cross athlete who has represented Canada at three Olympic games, winning both silver and gold medals.

Today, she’s on a new path. But her journey to the games has a lot of lessons to offer—from what it takes to succeed at youth sport, to what matters most in pro-competition and more.

So chill out and dream of gold as we chat with Kelsey Serwa.