Episode 146 of The Adventure Podcast features endurance cyclist and adventurer, Leigh Timmis. Leigh holds the world record for the fastest cycle across Europe, breaking the previous record by an incredible eight days. He also recently set a new world record for the greatest distance cycled in seven days. As well as covering his background and early career, they discuss what motivated Leigh to set off on his bike in 2010 and travel 44,000 miles across 51 countries. He speaks openly and thoughtfully about his past struggles with mental health - what he was running away from, and if really, he was just carrying his problems around the world with him.

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Episode 145 of The Adventure Podcast features polar traveller, historian and environmental scientist, Tim Jarvis. Tim is clearly a polymath. From his work dealing directly with governments and policy makers as a climate change specialist, through to his expeditions tracing the journeys of Shackleton and Mawson using the same kit and clothing as them, this episode travels through a lot. Tim describes himself as a pragmatic optimist, and drops some note-worthy pithy one-line pearls of wisdom throughout.

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Episode 144 of The Adventure Podcast features polar explorer and adventurer, Eric Larsen. Eric is one of the most accomplished polar travellers and guides in the world. In this episode, Matt and Eric discuss the world of ice and snow, or as Eric refers to it, '1000km of white nothingness'. He speaks about his time as a dog sled musher, as well as getting value from different kinds of adventures. Eric also opens up about his cancer diagnosis, the effect that had on his life, and how it has changed his perspective and mentality.

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Episode 143 of The Adventure Podcast features climber, mountaineer, cyclist and endurance athlete, Jerry Gore. Jerry is also a Type 1 diabetic. He has been on an incredible list of expeditions alongside some titans of the game, was a Royal Marine, has broken his neck twice, was caught in an avalanche and even struck by lightning... then in 2001 he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Jerry refuses to let diabetes be an excuse, and instead uses it as a motivator. This episode is a long one as there's so much to cover. As well as Jerry's early life and diagnosis, they touch on life and loss in the mountains, and disagree agreeably on a few more philosophical points.

Jerry's charity, Action4Diabetes, provides free access to life-saving medical supplies and healthcare services to young people suffering from Type 1 Diabetes in South-East Asia. To support or find out more, head to: action4diabetes.org

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Episode 142 of The Adventure Podcast features adventure coach and author, Anna Levesque. Anna has been named 'one of the most inspirational paddlers alive' by Canoe & Kayak magazine. She is a leading kayak instructor, and a champion for women accessing paddle sports. Anna is also a specialist yoga instructor for paddling. Matt talks to Anna about her journey to becoming a river guide, as well as touching on themes of mental resilience, grit and emotion. They discuss competition kayaking vs. kayaking white water in wilder places, and how to manage, control and overcome fear.

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Episode 141 of The Adventure Podcast features Zoologist and wildlife TV presenter, Megan McCubbin. Megan travelled the world from a young age and quickly became familiar with living in remote areas whilst searching for incredible wildlife. She found her passion and her cause early on, and went on to study Zoology. Despite the heavy themes this is an immensely hopeful conversation, and in many ways is a call to arms. Matt and Megan talk about the state of nature in the UK, our right to protest (including reclaiming the word 'activist'), and how IVF in animals might be able to bring lost and extinct species back to life...and the blurry ethical debate surrounding this.

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Episode 140 of The Adventure Podcast features cyclist, writer, environmentalist and academic, Kate Rawles. Kate has a pretty expansive background. She spent a decade working as a lecturer in Outdoor Studies, teaching big picture environmental issues, as well as being a freelance outdoor philosopher, writer, and environmental campaigner. In 2006 she set out to complete the first of her 'Adventure Plus' journeys, The Carbon Cycle, where she cycled from Texas to Alaska, following the spine of the Rockies and exploring North American attitudes to climate change. Matt and Kate also talk about her more recent 'Adventure Plus' journey, where she cycled from Colombia to Cape Horn on a self-built bamboo bike. Kate's determination, passion, and positive outlook on sustainability and finding suitably radical solutions comes across clearly. It's a thought-provoking, and at times, challenging conversation.

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Episode 139 of The Adventure Podcast features the return of award-winning writer, broadcaster and explorer, Leon McCarron. Leon is likely best known for his long distance expeditions; over the past decade he’s travelled over 50,000km on foot. Matt has spoken with Leon in a previous episode, however he's come back to talk about his new book which details his latest major expedition - in 2021, Leon journeyed the full length of the Tigris River, taking him through Turkey, Syria and Iraq. The river was the lifeblood of ancient Mesopotamia, and is now under serious threat. This episode is longer than normal, as there's so much to cover - from Leon’s personal views on modern day Iraq and why he chooses to live there, through to the intricate details of the journey and what he experienced and discovered on that river.

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Episode 138 of The Adventure Podcast features alpinist, cinematographer and photographer, Mikey Schaefer. Mikey is a big name in the climbing world, and is renowned for his world class ascents and commitment to the vertical life. You might also know him as part of the crew behind the Oscar-winning Free Solo. Matt met Mikey on a Nat Geo expedition last summer and they spent 6 weeks together navigating some of Greenland’s unclimbed walls. In this episode, they chat about Mikey's background and early days in Yosemite Valley, as well as discussing views on the world of alpinism, reflecting on where he's at with his climbing today, and what it means to find and place value.

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Episode 137 of The Adventure Podcast features photographer, Chris Burkard. Chris is an icon in the adventure world. His images showcasing untamed, powerful landscapes, have gone on to define a corner of the adventure photography genre. In this episode Matt talks to Chris about his humble background and his journey into surfing, adventure and photography. They drift into armchair philosophy mode, and go heavy on ethics and personal values.

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