In this special episode, Jen and Dyana take a deep dive into the life of Retired U.S. Navy Captain Paul Pampuro who served as a submarine commanding officer of the USS Asheville (SSN 758). After 38 years of service, Paul transitioned to thru-hiking, completing iconic trails such as the Appalachian Trail, the Colorado Trail, Machu Picchu, and Kilimanjaro. The episode explores his remarkable underwater career and highlights the grit, determination, mental toughness, patience, tolerance, and positivity that have shaped his journey.

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

5:32 How Jen (oddly) knows Paul

9:05 38 years in the military to...freedom

11:02 What drew Paul to the military and to serve on nuclear submarines

18:18 What it's like going underwater in a submarine for the first time

21:30 Paul's first time at sea as a commanding officer

31:17 Biggest challenges of being underwater for months at a time and how it can shape a personality

34:40 The mental challenges of being out to sea

41:04 The shift from military to thru-hiking

46:24 The 3 things everyone should do daily

48:31 Why Paul chose to hike the Appalachian Trail

54:54 Comparing the military community vs trail community

1:01:31 Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro

1:06:00 Advice for veterans (and others) who suffer from PTSD using the wilderness to help heal

1:12:45 Paul's mantra

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