Kokoda Track

Life in the Jungle: What the Soldiers Faced Daily

The Kokoda Campaign wasn’t just fought against an enemy force — it was fought against the jungle itself. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores what daily life was really like for Australian soldiers living and fighting in the Papua New Guinea jungle during World War II. Moving beyond famous battles and heroic moments, this episode examines the constant moisture, disease, hunger, sleep deprivation, and psychological strain that defined everyday existence on Kokoda — and why understanding this reality changes how we walk the Track today. This episode offers vital context for anyone seeking to understand the true cost of the campaign and the resilience required to endure it.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why the jungle was one of the greatest enemies on Kokoda
• How disease and illness affected the campaign
• The impact of hunger, fatigue, and lack of sleep
• Why morale and leadership mattered so much
• How understanding daily hardship deepens respect for the Track

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for future episodes covering Kokoda history, Papua New Guinea culture, and the realities of trekking the Track with meaning and respect.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feet, Fatigue & Friction: The Real Enemy on Kokoda

Most Kokoda treks don’t unravel because of fitness or motivation — they unravel because of feet.

In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar breaks down why foot issues are the most common trek-ending problem on Kokoda, and why fatigue and friction quietly amplify small problems into major ones. Drawing on more than 90 crossings of the Track, this episode explains how moisture, steep descents, load, and fatigue impact foot health, why boot and sock choice matters more than brand names, and why early action is critical. This is essential listening for anyone preparing for Kokoda who wants to reduce unnecessary suffering and protect their ability to keep moving day after day.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why feet are the most vulnerable part of the Kokoda trek
• How fatigue changes movement and increases injury risk
• The real causes of blisters and skin breakdown
• Why boot fit and sock choice matter more than toughness
• How early foot care decisions affect the entire trek

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for upcoming episodes covering Kokoda’s military history, Papua New Guinea culture, and practical trekking insights most people don’t talk about.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Terrain That Decided the War

On the Kokoda Track, the terrain wasn’t just the setting — it was an enemy in its own right. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores how the Owen Stanley Range and the dense Papua New Guinea jungle shaped every aspect of the Kokoda Campaign. Drawing on military history and modern on-Track experience, Glenn explains why movement itself became the battle, how the terrain crippled supply lines and decision-making, and why endurance mattered more than technology in this environment. This episode offers powerful context for anyone walking Kokoda today, helping listeners understand just how much the land itself demanded of those who fought there — and why that same terrain still commands respect from modern trekkers.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why the Owen Stanley Range shaped the entire Kokoda Campaign
• How jungle terrain neutralised traditional military advantages
• Why movement and resupply were decisive challenges
• What modern trekkers can learn by walking the same ground
• How terrain still influences outcomes on Kokoda today

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for future episodes covering Kokoda’s military history, Papua New Guinea culture, and the realities of trekking the Track with respect and preparation.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Hard Is Kokoda… Really? (An Honest Answer)

“How hard is Kokoda?” is one of the most common questions asked by people considering the Track — and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar gives an honest, experience-based answer drawn from more than 90 crossings of the Kokoda Track. Rather than focusing only on steep climbs and physical exertion, this episode explores the cumulative fatigue, mental strain, and decision-making challenges that truly define Kokoda’s difficulty. Glenn explains why comparison is one of the biggest traps trekkers fall into, why fitness alone isn’t enough, and what actually helps people finish strong. If you’re preparing for Kokoda — or wondering whether it’s something you can do — this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a grounded perspective on what the Track really demands.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why Kokoda is hard in layers, not moments
• The difference between fitness and preparedness
• How comparison makes Kokoda harder than it needs to be
• Why mental fatigue plays such a big role
• What really determines who thrives on the Track

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for upcoming episodes covering Kokoda history, Papua New Guinea culture, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons found along the Track.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most common questions Glenn is asked is simple:

“Are you leading my trek?”

In this episode, Glenn explains why he doesn’t lead every Kokoda trek anymore — and why that should give you confidence, not concern.

Adventure Professionals is no longer built around one person. It’s built around exceptional leaders, high standards, and a deep respect for the land, culture, people, and history of Papua New Guinea.

This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at:

• How Adventure Professionals selects and trains its trek leaders

• Why leadership, humility, and decision-making matter more than ego

• The two-year Adventure Leaders Mentorship and the standards expected

• How safety, culture, military history, and trekker experience are prioritised

• Why Kokoda doesn’t forgive ego — and neither do we

Glenn also introduces the incredible leaders who carry the Adventure Professionals name on the track — people he trusts completely with his reputation, his team, and your experience.

Meet the Leaders

• Mick Lay – Former soldier of 30+ years, leadership expert, and current instructor at the Royal Military College Duntroon

• Heidi Rumsby – A mum of three with a deep love for adventure, PNG, military history, and personal growth

• Bryan Waller – A dad of two passionate about physical and mental health and adventure as a mindset-building tool

• Caine – A dad of four focused on youth development, personal growth, and positive mental health through adventure

• Sami Dunk – The OG. A respected, passionate leader who brings joy, resilience, and perspective to every trek

• Mili Saul – PNG-born, raised in Milne Bay, and a vital cultural bridge ensuring respect for the land, people, and PNG team

Why This Matters

Whether you’re already booked or considering your first Kokoda trek, this episode is designed to reassure you that:

• You are led by people who care deeply

• Your safety and experience come first

• The culture, communities, and history of PNG are respected

• You are supported by a team — not just a name

Key Takeaway

You’re not booking a single leader.

You’re stepping into a team, built on trust, training, accountability, and shared values.

And that’s exactly how it should be.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There comes a point where you stop trying to explain yourself in fragments —
and you decide to say it once, clearly.

This episode is that moment.

Whether you’re listening via The Kokoda Track Podcast or The Building Better Humans Project Podcast, this episode lays the foundation for everything that follows.

Not a hype reel.
Not motivation for motivation’s sake.
But a clear line in the sand.

In this episode, Glenn Azar shares the personal standards, beliefs, and lived experiences that underpin his work in adventure, leadership, youth development, and mentoring. From the lessons learned under load on the Kokoda Track to the realities of ownership, pressure, identity, and respect — this is a grounding episode designed to help listeners slow down, reflect, and recalibrate.

You’ll hear why:

• Ownership beats excuses every time

• Pressure reveals character, not comfort

• Leadership always starts with self

• Adventure is a tool for growth, not a bucket-list item

• Strong humans build strong families, communities, and futures

This episode is an invitation — not to follow blindly, but to take responsibility for your own growth and walk forward with intention.

If this resonates, you’re in the right place.
And if it challenges you — even better.

That’s where the real work begins.

Key Themes

• Personal standards over motivation

• Accountability and ownership

• Leadership through lived experience

• Respect for land, culture, and people

• Building strong individuals and communities

Listen If You Are

• Feeling stuck or disconnected from your direction

• Craving clarity instead of noise

• Interested in leadership, personal growth, or adventure with purpose

• Ready to slow down and solve the problem in front of you

Final Thought

This isn’t a brand message.
It’s a way of life.

Welcome to the journey.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wantok: What It Really Means and Why It Matters on Kokoda

Wantok is more than a word — it’s a way of life. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar explores the cultural heart of Papua New Guinea and explains why understanding Wantok is essential for anyone walking the Kokoda Track. Drawing on decades of experience and more than 90 crossings, Glenn shares stories from village life along the Track, reflects on how Wantok shaped the Kokoda Campaign during World War II, and explains why respect, humility, and community matter just as much as fitness on this journey. This episode challenges common assumptions about independence and success, and offers a powerful reminder that Kokoda is not just a trek — it is someone else’s home.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What Wantok really means in Papua New Guinea culture
• How village life along the Kokoda Track actually works
• The role Wantok played during the Kokoda Campaign
• Why respect and ethical trekking matter
• What modern trekkers can learn from PNG community values

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for future episodes covering Kokoda history, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons found along the Track.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Isurava: Courage, Fear, and the Moment That Changed Everything

Isurava is more than a campsite on the Kokoda Track — it is a place where the spirit of the campaign was forged. In this episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar takes listeners deep into the story of Isurava, where outnumbered and exhausted Australian soldiers were ordered to hold back the Japanese advance through the Owen Stanley Range in 1942.Blending military history with on-Track insight and personal reflection, this episode explores why Isurava still stops trekkers in their tracks, how courage and fear coexisted on this battlefield, and what this place continues to teach us about leadership, responsibility, and sacrifice. Whether you’re preparing to walk the Track or simply want to understand why Kokoda carries such emotional weight, this episode offers a powerful insight into one of its most important locations.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why the Battle of Isurava was a turning point in the Kokoda Campaign
• What courage looked like for young Australian soldiers under fire
• How the terrain and conditions shaped the battle
• Why Isurava still has a profound impact on modern trekkers
• The leadership lessons this place continues to teach

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for upcoming episodes covering Papua New Guinea culture, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons found along the Kokoda Track.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What People Don’t Realise About Kokoda Until It’s Too Late

Most people think they know what makes the Kokoda Track hard. They expect steep climbs, jungle heat, and physical exhaustion.

But those who have actually walked Kokoda know the real challenge runs far deeper. In this opening episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar — founder and lead guide of Adventure Professionals with over 90 crossings of the Track — shares the realities of Kokoda that don’t show up in brochures or social media posts. Drawing on decades of experience leading people through the Owen Stanley Range, Glenn explores why Kokoda isn’t hard in the way people expect, how mental fatigue and cumulative stress quietly undo even the fittest trekkers, and why purpose and humility matter far more than ego on this Track. This episode is part storytelling, part education, and part personal reflection — offering listeners an honest insight into what Kokoda truly asks of those who choose to walk it. Whether you’re considering trekking Kokoda, already booked, or simply seeking to understand why this place changes people, this episode sets the foundation for everything that follows.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why Kokoda’s difficulty is more about relentlessness than fitness
• The mental traps that catch people off guard on the Track
• How ego, expectation, and fatigue shape the Kokoda experience
• What over 90 crossings have revealed about who thrives on Kokoda — and why

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for future episodes covering Kokoda’s military history, Papua New Guinea’s culture, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons this Track has to offer.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we head into 2026, The Kokoda Track Podcast is evolving.

Until now, this podcast has largely focused on interviews with people who have trekked the Kokoda Track and shared their personal experiences. Those stories still matter — and they’re not going anywhere — but it’s time to broaden the conversation.

In this episode, Glenn Azar outlines a new direction for the podcast, one that brings deeper education, stronger context, and more responsibility to how Kokoda is talked about and understood.

Drawing on his military background, more than 90 crossings of the Kokoda Track, and a deep personal connection to Papua New Guinea through his partner Mili, Glenn explains why there is a growing gap between what people are told about Kokoda and what they actually experience on the ground.

From 2026 onwards, the podcast will focus on three core pillars:

• Trekking reality and preparation — honest conversations about fitness, boots, foot care, trekking poles, pacing, fatigue, and the small details that can make or break a trek

• Military history and meaning — not just dates and battles, but the human stories, terrain, leadership, and sacrifice that shaped the Kokoda Campaign

• Culture, custom, and respect — essential knowledge about Papua New Guinea, Wantok, village life, porters, ethics, and how to walk the Track as a guest, not a tourist

This episode also outlines what listeners can expect going forward, including:

• A weekly episode as a minimum

• More solo, educational episodes

• Occasional interviews when they add depth and insight

• A stronger focus on caring for Kokoda well beyond the trekking experience

This is not about selling Kokoda.

It’s about honouring it — through preparation, understanding, and respect for the land, the history, and the people who call it home.

If you’re considering Kokoda, preparing for a trek, or simply want to understand why this place matters so deeply, this episode sets the foundation for everything that follows.

In This Episode, Glenn Covers:

• Why the podcast is evolving in 2026

• The information most trekkers aren’t given — and why that matters

• The three pillars guiding the future of the show

• The importance of cultural respect and responsibility on Kokoda

• What listeners can expect from future episodes

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast as we move into a new chapter — one focused on depth, respect, and understanding Kokoda beyond the Track itself.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.