Wild Ideas Worth Living | Interviews On Adventure, Outdoors, Travel, Health, Fitness, Running, Business, Surfing, Exploring

In September of 2022, at 39 years old, Chad Vanags was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal lung cancer. Chad is a surfer, runner, and all-around athlete. In the year and a half since his diagnosis, Chad has been living his wildest most authentic life as he faces his own mortality. Cancer isn't the message, but it's been the vehicle that's pushed him to become what he calls physically and mentally elite. Connect with Chad: WebsiteInstagram Teaquilafarm InstagramContribute to Chad's GoFundMeCheck out: Book your next REI Co-op AdventureREI Re/Supply Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Professional climber Nina Williams is known for her highball bouldering career. Highballing is somewhere between bouldering and free soloing. Climbers scale rocks 20 to 50 feet tall, sometimes even taller, without a rope. Nina was the first woman to climb a number of extremely challenging routes around the world, from Bishop, California to Rocklands, South Africa. In her sport, Nina deals with fear and failure regularly. She's had to learn to manage both in a way that allows her to be safe, but still push herself to her limits.Connect with Nina: InstagramCheck out: Book your next REI Co-op AdventureREI Re/Supply Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

That's a wrap on lucky season seven! Join host Shelby Stanger to celebrate the 50 phenomenal guests who shared their adventures with us this year as well as listeners who let us in on the wild ideas they have planned for 2024! Projects & episodes mentioned in this episode: Watch Melissa Kegler's documentary, Ice Mermaid: Cold Resolve The Wisdom of Expeditions with Conrad AnchorThe Will to Wild with Shelby Stanger Climbing K2 with Lisa ThompsonSubmerging Into the Deep Ocean with Susan CaseyStudying the Cosmos with Sarafina El-Badry Nance150 Marathons in 150 Days with Erchana Murray-Bartlett Running Across the U.S for Trans Rights with Cal DobbsRunning Across America with Greg NanceWinning the Triple Crown of Ultra Running with Courtney Dauwalter Mastering the Mindset of a Wild Idea with Michael GerviasThru-Paddling the Mississippi River with Cory Maria DackLife on a Highline with Faith DickeyUncovering Climate Mysteries with Lonnie Thompson Greening Our Cities with Cecil KonijnendijkExploring Tree Canopies

Ultra runner, Courtney Dauwalter is known as one of the greatest athletes of our time She's also know for running in long basketball shorts, scarfing down pizza and nachos between races, and her mindset when it comes to mastering the "pain cave." This summer, Courtney ran three of the most prestigious ultramarathons in the world and ended up winning every single one. The most impressive part is that she ran them all within 10 weeks. Connect with Courtney: Instagram WebsiteEpisode sponsor: Shop Salomon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eavan O'Neill started running at 21 years old when she was diagnosed with Stargardt Disease, a rare degenerative disorder that leads to visual impairment and blindness. Although there is currently no cure and she can't slow the progression of her symptoms, Eavan leans into running as an incredible source of joy, and a powerful way to connect with the running community. Connect with Eavan: Instagram Episode sponsor:Shop Teva Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Erick Cedeño is known for bikepacking around the U.S. He rides through some of the most beautiful parts of the country, but his trips aren’t just about taking in the scenery. Erick has a passion for history and has biked along historical routes including the Underground Railroad and most recently, he traced the footsteps and tire treads of a group of U.S. soldiers known as the Iron Riders.Connect with Erick: Website Instagram Episode sponsor:Shop TevaIf you enjoyed this episode: Check out REI’s Fall/Winter 2023 Editor’s Choice Awards Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Alvarez Silberstein was 18 years old, he was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Before his accident, Alvaro had a dream to go Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia. Once he started using a wheelchair, he assumed it would be impossible for him to fulfill this dream. But in 2017, Alvaro and his incredible friends organized a trip to make his wild idea a reality.Connect with Alvaro: Instagram Wheel the World website & Instagram Episode sponsor:Shop TevaIf you enjoyed this episode: Check out REI’s Fall/Winter 2023 Editor’s Choice Awards Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 2019, outdoor guide Kielyn Marrone was put to the test when she competed on the TV show Alone. On the show, contestants are dropped into remote places with only 10 pieces of equipment and challenged to survive in the wild. Kielyn finished third in her season, lasting a total of 80 days in a hand built shelter, cooking over a fire, and hunting and forging for food.Connect with Kielyn:Instagram Lure of the North websiteEpisode sponsor:Shop TevaIf you enjoyed this episode: Check out REI’s Fall/Winter 2023 Editor’s Choice Awards Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Michael Gervais is one of the world's top high-performance psychologists. He's the co-creator of the Performance Institute at USC, and he's the host and creator of the podcast Finding Mastery. In this episode, Michael shares how we can use psychology to help pursue our wildest ideas.Connect with Michael: WebsiteInstagramFinding Mastery podcastFinding Mastery YouTubeOrder Michael's new book, The First Rule of Mastery , Stop Worry What People Think of YouEpisode sponsor: Shop TevaIf you enjoyed this episode: Check out REI's Fall/Winter 2023 Editor's Choice Awards Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jedidiah Jenkins is a bestselling author who embraces outdoor adventurer as inspiration for his beautiful and deeply personal work. When he turned 30, Jedidiah quit his job, and set out on a bike ride that took him from the Oregon coast all the way down to Patagonia. When he returned, he wrote his a memoir about his journey called, To Shake the Sleeping Self. In 2021, Jedidiah's wild idea involved a cross-country road trip with his mother, where they examined their mother-son dynamic, their religious and political differences, and their lasting affection for each other despite some of their opposing views. The result, his brand new book, Mother, Nature. Connect with Jedidiah: Website Instagram Order Jedidiah's new book: Mother, Nature Episode sponsors: Shop AllbirdsCheck out REI’s Re/Supply program – members get 10% more on their trade-ins thru 10/31If you enjoyed this episode: Listen to the Camp Monsters podcastShare YOUR wild idea in a 1-minute vote note – submissions due 10/31    Hosted by Simplecast, an A

Rachel Heaton, member of the Muckleshoot Indian tribe, with Duwamish Ancestors, led an All Native Tahoma (Mount Rainier) Climb this September with the goal to see her people represented on the mountain while inspiring the other Native climbers to enjoy the connection to their land. Due to weather constraints, the group was not able to summit, but in the end, they realized the climb was about so much more.Read more about Rachel and the climb: We've Always Been HereEpisode sponsors: Book your next camp adventure with HipcampCheck out REI’s Re/Supply program – members get 10% more on their trade-ins thru 10/31If you enjoyed this episode: Listen to the Camp Monsters podcastShare YOUR wild idea in a 1-minute vote note – submissions due 10/31 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sarafina El Badry-Nance is a scientist, an author and a speaker, she's dedicated the last several years to studying the stars and is currently working on her PhD in Astronomy at UC, Berkeley. Sarafina's research focuses on supernovae or exploding stars.Connect with Sarafina: WebsiteInstagram Purchase Sarafina's new book, StarstruckEpisode sponsors: Shop AllbirdsBook your next camp adventure with HipcampCheck out REI’s Re/Supply program – members get 10% more on their trade-ins thru 10/31Listen to the Camp Monsters podcastShare YOUR wild idea in a 1-minute vote note - submissions due 10/31 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hawaiian filmmaker, Justyn Ah Chong, focuses his work on telling the stories of his people. A few months ago, Justyn won a regional Emmy for a short film, Pili Ka Moʻo.  The movie follows a native Hawaiian family as they fight to protect the land where their ancestors are buried. Pili Ka Moʻo is a part of Reciprocity Project, a series of original short films made by Indigenous directors on their homelands. Connect with Justyn: InstagramCheck out Reciprocity ProjectWatch Pili Ka Mo'oEpisode sponsors: Shop AllbirdsCheck out REI's Re/Supply program - members get 10% more on their trade-ins thru 10/31Listen to the Camp Monsters podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ashley Rodriguez is a certified nature and forest therapy guide who is passionate about sharing her love of foraging and cooking over an open fire as a way to help people connect with nature and find themselves outside. She has worked in world-renowned restaurants, written an award-winning food blog, published two cookbooks, and wrote and hosted the James Beard award-winning web series Kitchen Unnecessary, which is all about cooking outdoors with things you can forage on your own.Connect with Ashley: Website Instagram Watch Kitchen Unnecessary Episode sponsor:Book your next camp adventure with Hipcamp Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gabaccia Moreno is an outdoor enthusiast and advocate, whose career centers on encouraging people to rethink how they engage with nature. Over the years, Gabaccia has worked on a variety of projects— from being a member of the conservation corps in Montana to writing for outdoor publications, and creating the online community, The Outdoorist Oath. Connect with Gabaccia:WebsiteInstagramThe Outdoorist Oath website The Outdoorist Oath Instagram Episode sponsors: Shop AllbirdsBook your next camp adventure with HipcampGet your tickets to Canary  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Renowned paleoclimatologist Dr. Lonnie Thompson has been on over 60 expeditions to collect ice core samples from glaciers around the world. These samples hold precious clues to understand human-caused climate change. Connect with Lonnie: Get tickets to Canary, the documentary feature film starring Lonnie, playing in select theaters nationwide September 20thEpisode sponsors: Shop Allbirds Book your next camp adventure with Hipcamp    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ashley Davies is a lifelong runner who's building community her own way.  In 2017, she co-founded Club Seattle Run Division with the intention to make the club as inclusive as possible, focusing on community rather than performance. CSRD's motto is All Faces, All Paces. The club encourages people of any background and fitness level to come run with them and make some friends along the way.Connect with Ashley: Instagram Club Seattle Runners Division Instagram Episode sponsors: Shop Allbirds Book your next camp adventure with Hipcamp Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shane Dorian is a legendary surfer, winning his first surf contest when he was just 11 years old. At 21, he joined the World Surf League and traveled the globe to compete with other athletes. Shane has won countless competitions over the years including 11 WSL Big Wave Awards. He was part of a generation of surfers who became influential in the sport, and was able to make a career out of surfing full time. Now, after more than 30 years as a professional athlete, Shane has some wisdom to share.Connect with Shane: Instagram Episode sponsors: Shop Allbirds Book your next camp adventure with HipcampRevelshine WineSoul Community Planet Hotels If you enjoyed this episode:Listen to the Hello, Nature podcast    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Susan Casey is an accomplished journalist who's spent years writing about the ocean, and most recently, the deep sea. The deep sea generally starts around 600 feet below the surface where you could no longer see the light from above, but it goes way beyond that. In some places, the ocean is almost seven miles deep. Susan is one of the few people who's gone deeper than 5,000 meters in a submersible, which is over three miles down to the ocean floor.Connect with Susan: WebsiteInstagramPurchase her new book, The Underworld, Journeys to the Depths of the OceanEpisode sponsors: Shop Allbirds Book your next camp adventure with HipcampIf you enjoyed this episode:Listen to the Hello, Nature podcast  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Professional climber Emily Harrington met her husband, pro mountaineer Adrian Ballinger, on an expedition 11 years ago. While their paths to become pro athletes were different, the couple has figured out how to balance their partnership and build a family while continuing to pursue what they love— adventuring in the mountains. Connect with Emily & Adrian: Emily's Instagram & websiteAdrain's Instagram & websiteAlpenglow Expeditions Episode sponsors: Shop Allbirds Book your next camp adventure with HipcampRevelshine WineSoul Community Planet Hotels REI is on a mission to get 100 million folks Outside in 5 minutes or lessIf you enjoyed this episode:Listen to the Hello, Nature podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.