She's Bold with Beth Whitman

Megan Biging is an ocean rower. Megan, along with her rowing partner, traversed the Pacific Ocean from Monterrey, CA to Honolulu, HI It took them 57 days to complete and in doing so, they set a world record.

Megan talks about what it took--both mentally and physically--to complete this epic journey, how she prepared for it, what her days (and nights) were like on the open water and what it was like to return home, only to find that no one seemed very impressed with her very huge accomplishment.

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Megan Biging is an ocean rower.

This was (and kinda still is) so far out of my realm of knowledge that I couldn’t even conceive of what ocean rowing is.

Megan, along with her rowing partner, Vicki Otmani, rowed (I mean r-o-w-e-d) across the Pacific Ocean, from Monterey, California to Honolulu, Hawaii. They spent 57 days on the water before crossing the finish line. And in doing so, they set a World Record and that was for a female pair in a Classic rowing boat having navigated that passage.

Yeah.

Pretty crazy.

Though there are some people who have rowed the oceans on their own, meaning they are not part of an event or race, Megan and Vicki rowed as part of the Great Pacific Race. They raced in 2016 against 7 other teams, so there were either teams that included two and four members, and only six teams ultimately finished that year, Megan and Vicki being two of them.

Can you imagine? I could not.

Be sure to check out the show notes on the Be Bold Podcast website to see a photo of the boat. If you don’t know what an ocean rowboat looks like, it’ll blow your mind.

Then, when you hear her story, it’ll blow your mind further to think that they rowed their way for 2,400+ miles over two months through hurricanes in that boat. I still can’t fathom it.

Megan and I had quite a lengthy conversation, mostly because I had so many questions about logistics and trying to understand the how and why and what that led her to making the decision to spend 11 months preparing for it and then two months on the water. And then what it was like to come home after what was truly a grand adventure.

Even if you’re like me and have no idea what ocean rowing is about, I know you’ll really enjoy this conversation. Because ultimately, it’s about a person who had an idea that she could do something—and even she admits this was not her “dream.” But she warmed up to the idea after seeing how excited her friend was about it. And even though on paper it looked like a ridiculous idea, she couldn’t help but follow her gut that this was an opportunity that she could not miss.

She does not have any regrets but as you’ll hear, returning home was a bit of a let down. Of course, you can’t do something epic like that and then not feel a bit disappointed or depressed when you return home. It happens to me after every great trip I take!

Enjoy this conversation with Megan Biging!

Connect with Megan: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Links/books/people mentioned: A Plastic Ocean (Amazon) Vicki Otmani Great Pacific Race Chris Martin Roz Savage

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Today’s conversation is with Pauline Frommer.

You likely know that name because, at the very least you are aware of the Frommer Guides, an institution in the world of travel and a media empire started by Pauline’s dad, Arthur.

Arthur began publishing guides in 1957 when he wrote a book called Europe on $5 a Day while he was serving in the army in Europe. He returned home to the U.S. but continued writing guidebooks (which was clearly a wise choice!). They just celebrated their 60th year in business and continue to publish high quality print books (and e-books) that utilize top notch journalists—something Pauline is quite proud of. And with good reason.

Pauline has her hands full as the Co-President Frommer’s where she oversees the publication of the guidebooks, the Frommers.com website and her two weekly radio shows that she hosts.

Her husband calls her the energizer bunny and that she is. She’s a smart woman who, like me, worries about the future of travel and how the information we’re receiving is manipulated by a handful of companies and how that affects our decision making process (or really, lack thereof). It reminded me a little bit of my conversation with Samantha Brown where she talks about her new series on PBS focusing on little known sights and activities in destinations you might not have previously considered visiting.

Both of these ladies are really all about trying to provide a unique perspective on destinations.

I had the chance to sit down with Pauline at the Travel and Adventure Show in the Bay Area where we were both speaking at the event. It was delightful for me to hear about her background and what led her into the family business (which was not a “given” early on) and also what she sees as the future in travel.

Connect with Pauline: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Links/books/people mentioned:Keste Pizza King Features Syndicated Column (Arthur and Pauline) The Travel Show Lonely Planet Trip Advisor Gretchen Rubin

Connect with me: Facebook Instagram WanderTours Be Bold Podcast (Facebook) Be Bold Facebook Group (women-only) Twitter

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Today’s episode is a bit different than my usual conversations with Bold women. Today I’m chatting with my dear friend, Linda Fane, about compassion.

You might recall Linda from episode five of the Be Bold Podcast where we chatted about, among other things, Buddhism.

Linda is a long-time Buddhist practitioner as well as a Buddhist teacher. She’s also a personal friend of mine. And each time we get together, I can be pretty certain I’ll learn some insightful lesson from her.

Recently, as you’ll hear in this conversation, I had mentioned to her an encounter I had with a friend and Linda had given me some wonderful feedback that directly related to the topic of compassion.

It was so helpful for me that I thought listeners might like to hear an episode dedicated to it.

If you enjoy this format, this shorter conversation on a topic, please drop me a line and let me know. I’d really appreciate the feedback!

With that, please enjoy this conversation with Linda Fane.

Connect with me: Facebook Instagram WanderTours Be Bold Facebook Group (women-only)

 

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Today’s conversation is with Angel Murdock.

I met Angel at a dinner party while I was in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival. I learned a little about her while we were all just having light conversation around the dinner table. Angel’s a Nurse-Midwife, Women’s Health Adventurer and the Co-director of the Nomads Women’s Clinic. She’s also a rock climber, a wife and a mother of four.

I was really intrigued by Angel and most specifically the trip she recently took to Nepal. It didn’t take me long to realize she was someone I really wanted to chat with.

She was such a great sport within a couple of days we were sitting down together to record this.

Angel was part of a team of people who trekked through the Dolpo region of Nepal late last year to provide medical care to people in very remote villages. She was able to bring her skills as a midwife to the program called Nomads Clinic and basically provide services to women who had never had access to it before. Specifically, this organization provided menstruation kits to women who previously had to deal with their monthly cycle in unimaginable ways. At least unimaginable to me.

In addition to that, they also provided very basic services and medications to pregnant women. Life saving services to really remote areas in the Himalayas.

Not only is Angel, who totally lives up to her name by the way, not only is she part of this amazing program but she’s married with four kids. So here she is spending a month away from home trekking with basic services herself, at altitude, putting her medical skills to work. And it’s not like she set out to make this a way of life. She kinda stumbled into it but it resonated with her to such a degree that she had to follow her call to do this.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy this conversation with Angel (with a guest appearance by Lexi the Dog).

Connect with Angel:Facebook | Instagram

Links/books/people mentioned:Upaya Zen Center Roshi Joan Halifax Nomads Clinic Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Days for Girls Pronto International Sharon Salzberg

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You might need a little context about today’s episode.

This conversation is with Jennifer Jordan, an award-winning author, writer, speaker and, most importantly to this conversation, a filmmaker.

Jennifer’s the woman behind the documentary, 3,000 cups of Tea: the Rise and Ruin of Greg Mortenson. Greg’s name should ring a bell for you. He’s the author of Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time.

The book basically chronicles Greg’s transition from working as a nurse in Montana who has a passion for the mountains to his work in Pakistan and Afghanistan building schools for girls.

I won’t go into all the details of the book because there’s a good chance you’ve already read it and, if not, you should!

The paperback version of Three Cups of Tea came out in 2007 and was a number one NY Times Bestseller for three years. It’s now been published in nearly 40 languages. Because of his humanitarian work, Greg co-founded the Central Asia Institute to help further his causes. To date, they have funded 400 projects in the region including the building of 300 schools.

I read the book shortly after it was published and loved it. I even had the chance to see Greg speak in Seattle many years ago.

But it hasn’t been all roses for Greg.

In April of 2011, 60 Minutes aired a report that was basically a take down of Greg. Their primary source for the story was Jon Krakauer, whom you likely know from several books he’s written including Into Thin Air.

In that program, there were numerous allegations waged against Greg including that he fabricated the building of some of the schools, he misallocated funds and that he outright lied about events that were documented in his book.

I clearly remember when this happened. As someone who has been on the board of several non-profits over the past 25 years or so, I watched this unfold with interest. I saw that 60 Minutes episode and, I’m embarrassed to say, that I didn’t question their findings. I just thought, “I better make sure that MY act is together when it comes to the work I do on these non-profit boards.”

I will say that in the back of my mind, I thought about all the schools he built. Though I haven’t been to Pakistan or Afghanistan, I’ve been to enough developing countries to know that education, particularly for girls, is often not high on a government's priority list. So the fact that he was building schools to educate young girls, I knew that was a good thing.

I also knew that Krakauer had written his own sort of expose about Greg. And it seems like Krakauer felt taken by Greg after having donated quite a bit of money to the Central Asia Institute.

In any case, it appears that Krakauer was really behind the take down of Greg in terms of that 60 Minutes piece. And, according to Jennifer, he continues to be a threat in terms of allowing Greg’s side of the story be heard.

So that’s the back story.

Having read Three Cups of Tea and having some knowledge about Greg and the Central Asia Institute, I was really interested in hearing this other side of the story. Jennifer was kind enough to give me access to the film prior to our chat.

While we begin this conversation with Jennifer’s background, we do spend quite a bit of time talking about this new documentary, why she made it, how she made it and her goal in having created it. As she says, she knows that Greg was not perfect. But the documentary certainly leaves one wondering why the take down of a man who was (and still is) doing so much good in the world.

And if this could happen to Greg, it could happen to any of us.

As you’ll hear, Jennifer’s had a difficult time getting this into film festivals and theaters.

With that, I hope you enjoy this conversation with a very courageous woman, Jennifer Jordan.

Connect with Jennifer:Website (Jennifer's) | Website (3,000 Cups of Tea) | Facebook | Twitter (3,000 Cups of Tea)

Links/books/people mentioned:Greg Mortenson (Wiki) Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson (Amazon) 3,000 Cups of Tea (buy the DVD or stream) Central Asia Institute Sterling College Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer (Amazon) Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (Amazon) Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer (Amazon) Savage Summit by Jennifer Jordan (Amazon) In the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods by Galen Rowell (Amazon) I, Tonya (movie)Sharon Salzberg

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Today's guest is Samantha Brown.

Samantha is a TV host and travel expert who spent more than 10 years with the Travel Channel hosting shows such as Greatest Hotels, Girl Meets Hawaii, Passport to Europe, Passport to Latin America, Green Getaways, Passport to China, Great Weekends and Samantha Brown’s Asia.

She’s visited over 250 cities in 62 countries and 40 in the United States.

What you’ll learn about Samantha is that she has an endlessly curious mind and a genuine interest in the locals wherever she finds herself. As you’ll hear in our conversation, she loved the work that she did with the Travel Channel and the encounters she had during filming but often the most meaningful experiences (for her) got left out of the final version of those shows.

When she left the Travel Channel, she decided (quite boldly, I might add) she would follow her passion and put her talents and interests to work by creating a series that features those encounters that she enjoyed most. The ones that got left out of the shows airing on the Travel Channel.

That’s where Samantha Brown’s Places to Love comes in, her new series on PBS.

Samantha and I met up at the San Diego Travel and Adventure Show where we both spoke at the event.

During our conversation, we talked about her new series and how and why it came about but we also veered into other topics including the practicalities of her travels now that she’s married with children. We also talked about how, as someone who really loves her alone time, she has a secret weapon to recharge. And that’s particularly important for someone who has so many demands on her during filming.

Throughout our conversation you’ll hear her wonderfully poignant stories that helped shape who she is as a person and traveler.

You’ll also hear answers to questions from Be Bold Podcast listeners.

And I can say, yes, she is as chipper in person and during our conversation as she appears to be on television and during her speaking gigs.

With that, enjoy this conversation with Samantha Brown.

 

Connect with Samantha:Website | Facebook | Twitter

Links/books/people mentioned:Places to Love (Episodes) Calm (meditation app) Headspace (meditation app)

Connect with me: Facebook Instagram WanderTours Be Bold Facebook Group (women-only) Twitter

 

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My conversation today is with Debi Goldman

The first thing you’re going to figure out about Debi is that she seems to be perpetually smiling. You can hear it in every word she speaks.

Debi has led (and continues to lead) an amazing life. She helped co-found the Tibetan Nun’s Project (and you can hear from the co-director, Betsy Napper, on episode #17). Debi has spent years living and traveling in India, she speaks Hindi, has met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on numerous occasions AND she’s leading our North India tour later this year.

As you’ll hear in this episode, Debi and I have a lot of common interests but somehow we only met very recently, like in the last year or so. We have a mutual acquaintance who put it well when he said we were two peas in a pod.

In our conversation, we talk about how her interest in India did not start off as love at first sight (as happens with many people including myself) but she has really come to embrace it and has spent a lot of time there including about six years in Varanasi.

If you are at all interested in India, you’ll appreciate our conversation about the country and how different it is for everyone and that the key to visiting is not having expectations because everyone responds differently to its chaos and beauty.

We talk about how she came to help found the Tibetan Nuns Project and how that has led her to several meetings with the Dalai Lama including one in which she completely embarrasses herself. But also about her most recent meeting with him and how it left her wondering about her responsibilities to the world as an adult.

Unfortunately, a minor injury prevented her from being honored at an event attended by His Holiness and we talk about how she realized she had a lot of ego bound up in that. Hearing her deconstruct that incident is really interesting.

This is a fascinating conversation with someone whom you’ll likely be jealous of because of the lifestyle she’s carved out for herself. She’s just super cool. And I think if you’re considering our North India tour, you’re going to want to definitely jump on board after you hear this.

With that, enjoy this conversation with Debi Goldman.

Connect with Debi:Facebook | LinkedIn

Links/books/people mentioned:Dilmah Tea (Amazon) SIT Study Abroad Paul Farmer (Wiki) Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder (Amazon) Partners in Health Betsy Napper (Be Bold podcast episode) Tibetan Nuns Project Open Hand Shop (India) Where There Be Dragons Long Island University In Spite of the Gods by Edward Luce (Amazon) Greater Good Far Fetched Far Fetched (Amazon) Ten Thousand Villages Mandalas Adult Coloring Book (Amazon) Crayola Colored Pencils (Amazon)

Connect with me: Facebook Instagram WanderTours Be Bold Facebook Group (women-only) Twitter

 

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My conversation today is with Nicole Davis.

Nicole is a two-time Olympian, having won silver medals in Volleyball at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics as the Libero position for Team USA. Two silver medals. That’s a big deal.

She was also part of the 2014 US team that won the World Championships. Also a huge deal.

She retired from volleyball in 2015 and shortly thereafter began working with Coach Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks (go Seahawks!) and Dr. Michael Gervais (whom you’ll hear her refer to as Dr. Mike in this conversation). Many of you might know Michael Gervais from the Finding Mastery podcast. Coach Carroll and Dr. Mike are behind the company Compete to Create.

Today, Nicole’s position is that of a Mindset Coach at Compete to Create. Their goal is to provide high performance mindset training and coaching so that people are performing at their very best. If you can’t quite grok what that means, it’ll become really apparent once you listen to what Nicole has to say.

The conversation really centers around mindfulness and thoughts and the importance of both in helping us all be better versions of ourselves (whether we have big goals or more humble aspirations). As she points out, our thoughts influence our language and our language reflects culture.

In the case of her work, in this conversation she was likely talking specifically about team sports and high performing work environments but in reflecting on this, I think it’s a really great way to think about our own personal environments. Whatever microcosm we live in whether it’s our home, our work, our neighborhood, our city and beyond.

There are so many gems in this conversation that I know you’ll want to be prepared to take notes, particularly toward the end when she talks about being bold. Just wow. So, get ready with your finger on the pause button and grab something to write with.

Connect with Nicole:Facebook | LinkedIn

Links/books/people mentioned:Precision Food Works (performance blood draw) Compete to Create Coach Pete Carroll (Wiki) Michael Gervais (Wiki) Finding Mastery (podcast) Bobby Knight (Wiki) Roger Federer Coach K Phil Jackson (Wiki) Karch Karaly (Wiki) April Ross (Wiki) Kerri Walsh Jennings (Wiki) Mick Haley (Wiki) Fenerbahce Women's Volleyball (Wiki) Ted Talk on Quitting Smoking (Judson Brewer) Judson Brewer Jon Kabat Zinn Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (Wiki)

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In this episode I deconstruct how I ran four marathons in four days during the Seattle Quadzilla over Thanksgiving weekend. I answer many of the questions I've been asked about the why and how of running this series of races.

I address the physical preparation of training runs in the weeks and months leading up to the event, my nutrition before and during the runs, what I wore, how I recovered each day and how I felt afterward (pretty darn good!).

Links/books/people mentioned:Seattle Quadzilla (Facebook) Gu Gels (Amazon) Clif Shot Bloks (Amazon) Qualifying for the Boston Marathon (Be Bold Podcast) Ashley Fullenwider (on the Be Bold Podcast) Nuu Muu Pearl Izumi Marc Pro Plus (Amazon) Travel and Adventure Show - San Diego Travel and Adventure Show - Bay Area Travel and Adventure Show - Dallas

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Be Bold, Beth