What happens when your first major expedition is one of the world’s Seven Summits?

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, emergency medicine doctor Ffyon Smith is joined by Kacylia Roy Proulx, a medical student at McGill University and President of her university’s Wilderness Medicine Society.

Together, they explore Kacylia’s experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, from early trail excitement to summit-day exhaustion, team dynamics, and the real-time challenge of acute mountain sickness.

This is an honest, insightful conversation about why we climb, how we build mental resilience, and what expedition medicine means to someone just starting out.

You’ll hear about:

• The reality of altitude acclimatisation and AMS symptoms

• Navigating ethical dilemmas on the trail

• How expedition teamwork makes or breaks the journey

• Finding identity, purpose, and introspection at high altitude

• Advice for medical students looking to break into expedition medicine

📝 Please note: Due to internet connection issues during recording, there’s a slight delay or glitch in Kacylia’s audio and video at times. Thanks for bearing with us, the conversation is well worth it.

Please note that this session was recorded in January 2025.

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker is joined by expedition doctor, GP, and WEM faculty member Daniel Grace to explore the essential medications needed for remote and high-risk environments.

From his recent work in Zambia, Daniel unpacks real-world pharmacology strategies: what drugs matter most, how to balance ideal vs. realistic care, and how to make limited supplies go further in the field.

Together, they discuss:

• The non-negotiables in your expedition med kit

• Adapting to extreme heat, altitude, and remote terrain

• Pain management without controlled substances

• Antibiotics, wound care, and infection control

• Storage challenges in hot, cold, and humid conditions

• Risk assessment, planning, and reach-back strategies

🎧 Listen now and gear up with practical insights from the front lines of expedition medicine.

📚 Find out more about WEM’s training

What does it take to finish one of the most extreme endurance races on the planet?

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, host Eoin Walker is joined by ultra-endurance athlete Sébastien Marlier, who recently completed the Bretzel Ultra Triathlon — a continuous event five times longer than a standard Ironman.

With 19km of swimming, 900km of cycling, and 211km of running, this race demands everything from the human body — and mind. Sébastien unpacks his physical and psychological preparation, from training his digestion system to handle real food, to using mental conditioning tools like the “thermometer” and “VACOG” techniques to stay grounded under pressure.

We explore:

• How he adapted his nutrition and hydration to avoid fatigue and GI distress

• Why mental resilience tools were key to finishing strong

• The role of ego, emotion, and community in ultra-endurance performance

• What he’d do differently next time (hint: sunscreen and compression socks!)

• Lessons from pain, recovery, and the post-race crash

  
  

Sébastien also shares a heartfelt thank-you to the two fellow athletes who helped him during the race:

• Shanda Hill (Canada), who offered advice and anaesthetic cream during a critical moment
• Goulwen Tristan (France), who shared essential hygiene tips on the bike course

Both went on to win this year’s Bretzel Ultra Triathlon, and their kindness helped Sébastien reach the finish line.

Since the recording, Sébastien has also completed the Double Ultratriathlon World Championships in Emsdetten, Germany, placing 7th overall with a time of 25h28min, and he’s just getting started.

His future plans include taking on the Deca Ironman in 2026 (10x the Ironman distance) and applying for the legendary Enduroman Arch to Arc challenge. Both will raise money to support children and teenagers who can’t afford access to sport.

Whether you’re an endurance athlete, medic, or just curious about the limits of human performance — this conversation is packed with practical insights and powerful reflection.

📌 Find out more about the Bretzel Ultra Triathlon here

In the final part of our 3-part series marking the anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings, we hear from paramedic Sam Sinclair, who was deployed to Tavistock Square, the site of the fourth and final explosion.

Sam shares his experience of arriving on scene, witnessing the scale of the devastation, and making impossible decisions under pressure.

In this conversation with WEM’s Eoin Walker, he reflects on the lessons 7/7 taught him about teamwork, instinct, and how to carry the emotional weight of a major incident across a long career in emergency medicine.

Listen to part 1: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Lax8tb35UUb

Listen to part 2: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/5WXsGa35UUb

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of traumatic events, injuries, and first-hand reflections from a major incident response. Listener discretion is advised.

In Part 2 of our 20 year anniversary series on the 7/7 London bombings, paramedic Adam Desmond shares his deeply personal and unflinchingly honest account of responding to the attacks at King's Cross.

Speaking with WEM’s Eoin Walker, Adam reflects on the chaos, the human cost, and the enduring psychological impact of working at the heart of one of the UK’s worst terrorist attacks. From navigating trauma in the underground tunnels to confronting system breakdowns and personal grief, this conversation is a vital listen for anyone working in emergency response, healthcare, or disaster medicine.

Listen to part 3: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/5WXsGa35UUb

Listen to part 1: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Lax8tb35UUb

⚠️ This episode contains detailed and graphic descriptions of traumatic events and injuries, including references to death, psychological trauma, and mass casualty response. Listener discretion is advised.

In this special 3-part podcast series marking 20 years since the 7/7 London bombings, we begin with a personal testimony from paramedic & WEM podcast host Eoin Walker, who was just one year out of training when he found himself responding to the worst terrorist attack in UK history.

In Part 1 hosted by Will Duffin, Eoin shares what it was like to arrive at the scene, navigate confusion and risk, and deliver care in an environment few are ever truly prepared for. From descending into the darkness of the Underground to confronting the human cost of mass casualty trauma, this episode is a raw, honest account of a day that shaped his life and career.

Listen to part 2: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/5WXsGa35UUb

Listen to Part 3: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/5WXsGa35UUb

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains detailed and graphic descriptions of traumatic injuries, death, and first-person reflections on the 7/7 bombings. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine podcast, Eoin Walker speaks with humanitarian health leader Hareen De Silva about his recent deployments in Gaza, Syria, and beyond.

From mass casualty incidents and waterborne disease outbreaks to the psychological toll on healthcare workers, Hareen shares vital insights into what it takes to deliver medical care in conflict zones.

We explore:

• The worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza

• Lessons from Syria and Ukraine

• Mental health challenges for aid workers

• The complexities of coordinating care under fire

• What needs to change in humanitarian operations

This conversation offers a powerful look at the realities on the ground.

🧭 Learn more about Hareen's work by clicking here.

Please note that this session was recorded in October 2024.

What do helicopters, humanitarian crises, and high-pressure hospital wards have in common?

In this episode, we sit down with Jan Becker, CEO, helicopter pilot, midwife, and international educator, to explore the vital role of non-technical skills in high-stakes environments.

From aviation to midwifery to emergency medicine, Jan unpacks Crew Resource Management (CRM), situational awareness, closed-loop communication, and how to lead without overpowering.

We dive into decision-making under pressure, how to manage amygdala hijack, and why simulation training (and humility) might just save lives.

Highlights include:

• The link between cockpit discipline and clinical calm

• Why humanitarian medicine demands quiet confidence

• How to build collective efficacy and empower teams

• Teaching others to lead without ego

Learn more from Jan by joining us at our annual conference.

⚠️ Please note: This episode contains occasional strong language.

In this episode of the World Extreme Medicine Podcast, WEM's Sarah Spelsberg is joined by emergency physician and seasoned kayaker Robert Knopp to explore what happens when outdoor adventure meets unexpected injury.

Together, they dive into shoulder dislocations in the wilderness; from real-life field reductions to improvised rescue gear, and what every paddler or outdoor leader should know before they head out.

Whether you're a medical professional, adventure athlete, or just someone who likes to play in wild places, this episode brings practical insight and powerful storytelling that could one day make all the difference.

Topics include:

• Self-reduction techniques like the Davos method
• Kit hacks using rock climbing gear and Flex Seal

• Risk assessment and when not to relocate

• Kayaker culture, shoulder-saving technique, and field stories from the river

Listen, learn, and maybe rethink what’s in your first aid kit.

👉 For more resources or to explore wilderness medical training, visit our website.

Cara Sheppard is the Senior Medical Officer at Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS), an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Western Australia's East Pilbara. In this episode, Marcus chats with Cara about what it really means to deliver healthcare in remote desert communities, where cultural safety, chronic disease, and deep-rooted systemic challenges intersect.

From the realities of diabetes in young people to the complexities of rheumatic heart disease, spiritual beliefs, and payback culture, Cara offers a brutally honest look at the highs, lows, and hard truths of her role.

Working with limited resources, vast distances, and the constant presence of cultural nuance, Cara shares:

• The myths and facts about remote medicine

• What makes PAMS unique