This episode is for anyone who feels "stuck" working at sea and unsure what to do on shore.

Like many people who work at sea, Steve loved the first few years but once the novelty of all the travel had worn off he was ready to return home. But what do you do? what transferrable skills are there?

We talk about all that stuff and also how Steve is getting married next week!!

In this week's episode I speak with Carolyn Vincent.

A truly amazing woman who has followed her dreams and is now Captain on an 88 foot Classic style Schooner teaching teens and young people sailing, life onboard and adventure all over the Caribbean.

For any females wishing to make their way in yachting or life on sail training vessels this is a must listen episode.

Paul Crierie is without doubt one of superyachting's success stories.

Aged just 21 he rode his motorbike from Seattle to Florida to do some of the dirtiest daywork you can imagine! Now some 15 years and many many nautical miles later he's Captain of one of the world's largest exploration motor yachts. He leads a team of upwards of 25 professional crew.

This is some story! Paul talks about his three, yes three, trips to Antarctica, hiking South Georgia and rounding Cape Horn.

He tells stories of hiking some of the route covered by Shackleton and entering the hut used by Scott only to find it largely unchanged in over 100 years. 

He also relates the tale of how the vessel he was on set the record for the most south any vessel had ever gone in recorded history.

Paul's father has also been involved in yachting and to say he is proud of what Paul has achieved I would say is a huge understatement! 

Paul met his wife Gemma while working onboard Lone Ranger and they live in Perth, WA and have two gorgeous children. Gemma is the best hairdresser I've ever met.

Another person that needs to be mentioned is Paul's twin sister Clare who also works in yachting on another large yacht. They have such a close relationship and I have no doubt Clare is also massively proud of her brother as he is of her.

Part 2 of 2

In this two part episode we have Commonwealth gold medalist turned superyacht crew, Jason Cram. In part two we talk about Jason's pursuit to be included in the Olympic team for Athens 2004 and what happened during the trials.

After swimming came to an end Jason then transitioned into a varied career including working on Disney Cruise ships and on some of the world largest superyachts as diving instructor travelling all over the planet.

You will also hear Jason talk about working for some of the most famous people on the planet.

We also talk about mental health and the challenges Jason has faced even during what many would assume was a dream life. I know many will find Jason's message inspirational and how he describes the sea as his therapy.

All in all Jason's story is fascinating and far from run of the mill.

You can check out his wikipedia here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Cram

Part 1 of 2

In this two part episode we have Commonwealth gold medalist turned superyacht crew, Jason Cram. In part one we talk about his swimming story right up to and beyond winning gold at the Manchester 2002 games alongside Ian Thorpe in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay.

Jason then transitioned into a varied career including working on Disney Cruise ships and on some of the world largest superyachts as diving instructor travelling all over the planet.

You will also hear Jason talk about working for some of the most famous people on the planet.

All in all Jason's story is fascinating and far from run of the mill. You can check out his wikipedia here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Cram

Alysia is 19 and lives in Belfast. She suffers from a disorder called diamond blackfan anemia.

Diagnosed at 11 her teenage years were tough to say the least with missing school and never really meeting anyone her age who was going through similar challenges.

That was until June 2018 when she went on a sailing trip in Scotland with The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. She has had some great benefits of going on the trip and that is what this episode is all about. She got so much out of it she is returning for a second trip in June 2019.

Alysia is just an inspiration. She also has some very impressive art and balloon sculptures online at her two instagram accounts. Check them out here: 

https://www.instagram.com/alysiapancake_art/

https://www.instagram.com/area_balloons_facepainting/

Have a look at The Ellen MacArthur Trust here: https://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/

And Clic Sargent here: https://www.clicsargent.org.uk/

Matt Wright founded Causeway Coasteering on the North Coast of Northern Ireland. In this episode we talk about his passion for surfing and the sea. 

But what is coasteering? Matt explains all here in a very eloquent way, he speaks so well.

I also learnt a lot about the coastline here and it was a joy to hear Matt's stories of being in and around the ocean from a very young age.

This again is an inspiring story of someone who created a business out of their passion and now is able to share that with people from all over the world.

You can find out more about Causeway Coasteering in the following places:

Website: http://www.causewaycoasteering.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CausewayCoasteering/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/causewaycoasteering/

As we know our environmental situation really is at crisis point. But how many people are actually doing anything about it?

Well, Mel on this episode certainly is doing her bit and way beyond!

Here she tells the tragic story of how a sea turtle she found died as a direct result of ingesting a fishing hook. The sea turtle was killed directly by human's actions. Such a sad story and real hard evidence that we are destroying our environment.

She also talks about the beach cleans she does in the Bahamas and Florida lifting huge amounts of plastic. 

This really is an inspirational episode and will get you thinking about the impact you're having and what can be done.

Mel is also an avid photographer and her amazing pictures can be found on instagram: @mells_sea

She also shares some great resources to check out:

Reef rescue network: @reefrescuenetwork

Perry Institute for Marine Science: @perryinstituteformarinescience

Behind the mask: @_behindthemask_

Shark diver Ryan Walton: @ryanwaltonofficical

Gone Coastal Crew Beach Cleanups: @gonecoastalcrew

BREEF: @breef242

Shark Explorers: @shark_explorers

Jennifer lives in Northern Ireland between Portrush and Belfast.

She is a true action woman and has travelled all over the planet.

In this episode we talk about a 70 mile stand up paddle board expedition she took along the inhospitable Northern Ireland Coast.

She's even planning to continue the trip in stages around other parts of Ireland.

You can find her at: http://jennifergreenlees.com

On Facebook: Jennifer Greenlees Holisitics

In this episode Jessica Yates brings her wealth of experience from at sea and on the ski slopes.

We talk about diverse topics from Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta to leadership onboard boats.

Also how can a career at sea transfer back to shore? That's a big question for many sailors.

Jess and her husband Steve now have moved home to Vermont and run an apple orchard business, check it out here: https://yatesfamilyorchard.com/