This week, we're honored to welcome Sharyn Means, a New Zealand native and CEO of Dove's Rest Cabins, a stunning resort perched on the rim of the Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the United States. Growing up in one of the most southern Pacific islands in the world, Sharyn developed a deep connection to the land and the Polynesian concepts of Kiara and Manaakitanga—principles that would eventually transform how she approaches hospitality and land stewardship.

Sharyn takes us on a journey through her transformation from corporate project manager to passionate advocate for meaningful hospitality rooted in something deeper than service. She describes that pivotal moment standing at the canyon's rim for the first time, feeling an immediate spiritual connection to the raw landscape and its rich history that would shape her future. That initial experience sparked what would become a mission to help guests disconnect from the outside world to reconnect with themselves, nature, and the profound peace that only deep rest can provide.

In this episode, we explore the profound meaning of Kiara beyond simple welcome, the sacred concept of Manaakitanga in caring for land and people, and how Sharyn's blend of New Zealand spirit and Texas hospitality has created a bridge between luxury and authentic connection to place. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding purpose through passion, honoring the land while serving others, and what it truly means to provide a space for deep rest and renewal.

This week, we're honored to welcome Mal Roe, founder and original elopement photographer of Vows with Views. Growing up in rural Ohio, Mal’s early fascination with adventure and the outdoors eventually evolved into a calling—to help couples celebrate their love in the wildest, most breathtaking places imaginable.

Mal takes us on a journey through her transformation from a small-town dreamer to a passionate creator of “Honey Lo” adventures—immersive, adventure-based elopement and honeymoon experiences. She describes that pivotal moment stepping into the Grand Canyon for the first time, feeling her world expand, and realizing she didn’t have to live a conventional life. That spark led to a life of saying “yes” to adventure, from hiking the John Muir Trail for 40 days and nights, to traveling the world, and ultimately building a business that blends her love for photography, the outdoors, and helping couples forge unbreakable bonds.

In this episode, we explore the deeper meaning of shared adventure, the transformative power of stepping outside your comfort zone, and how Mal’s unique approach to elopements creates lasting memories and connections. Join us for an inspiring conversation about finding purpose through passion, embracing risk, and what it truly means to start a marriage with an epic adventure.

This week, we're honored to welcome Jessica DeAngelo, Chief Hiking Officer and founder of Hike to Become, with a background in global sales and strategy. Having worked with Fortune 500 companies like Amazon, Nike, and Uber, Jessica made a dramatic pivot from the corporate boardroom to the hiking trail, where she discovered something profound—that nature holds the key to unlocking our greatest business potential.

Jessica takes us on a journey through her transformation from high-achieving corporate executive to passionate advocate for nature-based business innovation. She describes that pivotal moment on a mountaintop in December 2023, when a simple question from her three-year-old daughter—'Mom, get off your phone'—sparked a revelation that would reshape her understanding of presence, purpose, and professional fulfillment. That moment of clarity led to her signature methodology and the creation of the Hike 31 Challenge.

In this episode, we explore Jessica's accidental discovery of the transformative power of unplugged time in nature, her unique 'HIKE' methodology that combines movement, nature, technology-free time, and daily practice, and how she now guides business leaders and executives to their boldest, most innovative ideas on the trail. Join us for an inspiring conversation about finding clarity through discomfort, the science behind nature's impact on our cognitive function, and what it truly means to hike to become who you're meant to be.

This week, in the final part of our Everest Base Camp series, we're honored to welcome Karen Darke, Paralympic gold medalist, and adventurer whose extraordinary journey to Everest Base Camp redefines what it means to answer the call to adventure. From her early days as a passionate explorer to overcoming a life-changing accident that left her paralyzed, Karen’s story is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and the power of saying “yes” to life’s boldest invitations.

Karen takes us on a journey through her transformation from dreaming about adventure to living it—sharing the pivotal moment when a casual conversation sparked the audacious idea to trek to Everest Base Camp. What began as a vision quickly became a test of trust, surrender, and teamwork, as Karen navigated the unpredictable terrain of the Himalayas alongside a dedicated team, overcoming logistical hurdles, mechanical failures, and the ever-present doubts that accompany any great quest.

In this episode, we explore the deeper meaning of adventure beyond the summit photos: the surrender to the unknown, the profound connections forged with guides, porters, and fellow travelers, and the inner gold uncovered through both struggle and celebration. Karen’s story is a powerful reminder of the magic that unfolds when we trust the journey, lean on community, and allow ourselves to be transformed by the mountains—inside and out.

Join us for a moving conversation about finding purpose through challenge, the art of surrender, and what it truly means to answer the call to adventure.

This week, in part 2 of our Everest Base Camp series, we're honored to welcome three extraordinary adventurers from our recent Everest Base Camp trek: Keith Davis, a real estate investor from Eugene, Oregon; Clare Brown, an upland ecologist from Scotland; and Sam Van Keulen, a real estate investor based in Burgundy, France. United by their spirit of adventure, these three individuals joined host Scott Wurtzbacher on an unforgettable journey through the Himalayas.

Our guests take us through their transformative experiences trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp, where they joined Paralympic gold medalist Karen Darke in her remarkable journey. They describe those pivotal moments facing the challenges of high altitude, mechanical issues with Karen's specialized bike, and the breathtaking majesty of the world's highest mountain range. What began as a physical challenge quickly evolved into something deeper—a profound experience of human connection, present-moment awareness, and spiritual growth.

In this episode, we explore the meaning of perseverance beyond its physical demands, the unique spirit of the Nepalese people, and how this journey became a catalyst for personal transformation for each guest. Keith shares the emotional journey of honoring his sister's memory, Clare discovers her ability to be truly present, and Sam reflects on finding life's true value beyond material possessions. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding purpose through challenge, embracing adventure one step at a time, and what it truly means to travel with an open heart.

This week, we're honored to welcome Olga Bak, friend and advisor to Travel Nepal Himalaya's Treks, the local guide company that helped our group navigate the challenging journey to Mount Everest base camp. Developing an early connection with Nepal during her first trek in 2013, Olga's spontaneous "yes" to adventure evolved into something deeper—a calling to build bridges between travelers and this extraordinary Himalayan nation.

Olga takes us on a journey through her transformation from first-time trekker to passionate advocate for Nepal. She describes that pivotal moment when she climbed a 4,000-meter peak at 3 AM to witness the sunrise, feeling surrounded by stars so close "it really did feel like we could just reach and grab them like apples from trees." That initial experience sparked what would become a lifelong mission to help others understand Nepal not just as a destination for mountain views, but as a place of profound spiritual and personal transformation.

In this episode, we explore the meaning behind "Nepal: Never Ending Peace And Love," the unique character of the Himalayan landscape, and how Olga's relationship with guide Badri has created opportunities to support local communities. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding purpose through saying yes to adventure, embracing discomfort as a path to growth, and what it truly means to experience the transformative power of the mountains.

This week, we're honored to welcome Rue McKenrick, professional backpacker, conservationist, and the visionary behind the American Perimeter Trail—a 14,000-mile route that circumnavigates the continental United States. Growing up with a passion for both backpacking and conservation, Rue’s journey began with a simple idea: to be part of something bigger than himself and to create a lasting impact on the land he loves.

Rue takes us on an epic journey from the spark of inspiration—born on a ski lift in Oregon—to the reality of walking the perimeter of the country, scouting a route that would become one of the most ambitious hiking projects in America. He shares the challenges of forging a new trail, the years of hesitation and self-doubt, and the pivotal moment when he finally committed to the adventure, despite limited resources and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

In this episode, we explore the deeper purpose behind the American Perimeter Trail: not just as a test of endurance, but as a mission to establish a protected corridor for land and natural resources, connect communities, and make outdoor recreation accessible across the nation. Rue discusses the profound connection between recreation and conservation, the importance of creating new opportunities for people to experience nature—especially in regions lacking public trails—and the economic and intrinsic value that protected wild spaces bring to communities.

Join us for a moving conversation about overcoming fear, embracing solitude, and the transformative power of following a calling that refuses to be ignored. Rue’s story is one of resilience, vision, and the belief that ordinary people can create extraordinary change—one step, and one mile, at a time. Discover what it truly means to dream big, protect what matters, and find your purpose on the trail.

This week, we're honored to welcome Zack Luttrell, an entrepreneur, adventurer, and community builder from Charlotte, North Carolina. Growing up with an event planner mother, Zack developed an early talent for bringing people together that eventually evolved into something deeper—a calling to create authentic experiences that connect people through shared passion.

Zack takes us on a journey through his transformation from corporate employee to visionary business owner. He describes that pivotal moment when, after losing his job during the recession, he turned his casual hobby of organizing Panthers fan events into a thriving community called Roaring Riot. What began as coordinating travel packages for friends to away games soon blossomed into a movement with thousands of members, dedicated tailgates, and international travel experiences that players themselves recognize from the field.

In this episode, we explore his latest breathtaking venture—purchasing and restoring the historic SV Mandalay, a 102-year-old sailing cruise ship with a remarkable pedigree that once belonged to E.F. Hutton and his wife Marjorie Merriweather Post. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about betting on yourself, the importance of authentic human connection, and what it truly means to build community around the things you love—whether it's football fandom or sailing the Caribbean seas in board shorts instead of suits.

This week, we're honored to welcome Louis Alexander, a Guinness World Record-holding adventurer and endurance athlete from London. At just 25 years old, Louis has already achieved feats that most of us can only dream of—running marathons on all seven continents and swimming marathons in all seven seas. His journey has taken him from the frozen landscapes of Antarctica to the sweltering waters of the Arabian Sea, testing the limits of human endurance while raising tens of thousands of dollars for charity.

Louis takes us on a journey through his transformation from an ordinary young man to a full-time professional adventurer. He shares the pivotal moment that sparked his passion for adventure—climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in honor of his late grandfather, Captain Rick Taylor, who inspired his mission to raise awareness for dementia. That first adventure ignited a fire within him, leading to a relentless pursuit of challenges that push the boundaries of physical and mental endurance.

In this episode, we explore the mindset and grit required to take on such extraordinary challenges, the lessons Louis has learned from the world's most extreme environments, and the profound sense of purpose that drives him. From the Amazon Rainforest to the Arctic Circle, Louis shares stories of triumph, struggle, and the power of finding meaning through adventure.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about embracing risk, building resilience, and using adventure as a force for good.

This week, we’re honored to welcome Stephan Kesting, adventurer, firefighter, jiujitsu practitioner, and author of the new book Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic.

Stephan shares the gripping story of his thousand-mile solo canoe expedition through the Canadian Subarctic—a journey he undertook after recovering from a life-threatening illness and a kidney transplant.

Stephan recounts how a near-death experience reshaped his perspective on life, inspiring him to finally pursue a decades-long dream of exploring one of the most remote and unforgiving regions of the world. From battling treacherous rapids and harsh weather to a chilling encounter with a bear, Stephan’s story is one of courage, resilience, and calculated risk-taking. He reflects on the lessons he learned about perseverance, risk management, and the fleeting nature of time.

Join us for an inspiring and raw conversation about chasing your dreams, overcoming adversity, and finding meaning in the wilderness.