The 21st Century Creative

What Creators Can Learn from Adventurers with Alastair Humphreys

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What can a life of cycling round the world, rowing the Atlantic and busking penniless across Spain teach you about your own creative journey? British adventurer Alastair Humphreys has plenty of answers – and they’re as practical as they are inspiring.

In this episode Alastair joins Mark McGuinness to explore the surprising overlap between epic expeditions and artistic ambition, from conquering impostor syndrome to squeezing big dreams into the margins of a busy family life.



‘Replace ‘can’t’ with ‘choose not to’ and see where that takes your thought process’ – join the episode to discover how.






Episode summary
Alastair Humphreys

Named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Alastair has cycled 46,000 miles through 60 countries, rowed an ocean, trekked deserts and pioneered the global ‘microadventure’ movement. His latest book My Midsummer Morning chronicles a month-long journey across Spain with no money, relying on a beginner’s violin to earn each meal – a feat that reframes adventure as a state of mind rather than a postcode on a map.

Big ideas in this conversation
  • Microadventures – short, local escapades that deliver the thrill of exploration without the airfare.
  • Rewriting excuses – swap ‘I can’t’ for ‘I choose not to’ to expose self-imposed limits.
  • The inner journey – why the mental game of adventure mirrors the creative process, from fear to flow.
  • Five-to-nine thinking – carving out 16 off-duty hours for bold experiments when the nine-to-five feels immovable.
    • Advice worth hearing in full
    • Begin before you’re ready – the first pedal-stroke or sentence is harder than the next ten miles or pages.
    • Make constraints your ally – time and money limits can spark ingenuity rather than kill ambition.
    • Go public for accountability – sharing work (or a wobbly violin recital) raises the stakes and the learning curve.

      • Where next?

      Pick up Alastair’s latest book, explore his website for microadventure ideas, or follow his day-to-day escapades on Instagram and YouTube.

      About The 21st Century Creative podcast

      Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

      Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

      Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

      Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

      The post What Creators Can Learn from Adventurers with Alastair Humphreys appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

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