Episode 11: Picking it off when you can with Daniel Alexander
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
Release Date: 06/09/2023
Episode 39: 2024 Year in Review
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
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Episode 38: From the Wilderness to the Operating Room with Dr. Tommy Gavigan
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this episode of the On Adventure Podcast, I catch up with an old friend and fraternity brother, Dr. Tommy Gavigan. From our days at the University of North Carolina to his current life as a practicing surgeon in Charlotte, Tommy’s journey has been anything but conventional. After college, Tommy spent nearly a decade guiding teenagers into remote wilderness areas with Moondance Adventures—experiences that shaped not only his leadership but also his path into medicine. We explore the connection between pushing past your comfort zone in the backcountry and managing high-stakes...
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Episode 37: Paying off $225,000 of student loan debt to fuel big adventures with Matt Miner
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this episode of the On Adventure Podcast, I sit down with my friend and former colleague, Matt Miner, to talk about his unique take on adventure. From growing up in Seattle and Tucson to now running his own wealth management firm, Matt shares the pivotal moments that shaped his life and career. We explore what it means to embrace life’s challenges, how intentional planning creates opportunities, and why staying true to your values makes all the difference. Whether it’s his love for the outdoors, paying off substantial debt, or helping his kids prepare for adulthood, Matt’s story is...
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Episode 36: Beyond the Pain Cave - Lessons from Ultra Adventures with Scott Hanson
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In the latest episode of the On Adventure Podcast, I sit down with Scott Hanson, a true veteran of endurance challenges and an influential figure in the financial industry. Scott's story is one of resilience, determination, and finding purpose through pushing physical and mental boundaries. Our conversation explores Scott’s journey from casual running to completing the grueling Western States 100—a 100-mile ultramarathon with 19,000 feet of elevation gain—and how that experience, among others, shaped his approach to life and business. We also dive into his memorable adventure up...
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Episode 35: Building Perserverance Through Hardship, Competition and Adventure with Owen Hayden
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
Join me for a cool conversation with Owen Hayden, a high-energy adventurer, corporate achiever, and former athlete who’s mastered the art of resilience. Owen shares his journey from a high-level sports career to navigating the challenges of the corporate world, all while staying connected to his passion for adventure. We discuss what it takes to push through adversity, the lessons he learned from sports, and his pursuit of grit as a defining trait both on and off the field. Plus, you’ll hear about Owen’s commitment to exploring the world—from Glacier National Park with his young family...
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Episode 34: The 5 Elements of Adventure with Matt Walker
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this special episode, I'm excited to bring you an insightful webinar with adventure coach and psychologist Matt Walker. Known for his unique blend of mountain climbing experience and psychological expertise, Matt shares how the concept of adventure can shape not only extreme expeditions but also our everyday lives. In this session, he takes us through his recent solo climb of Manaslu, one of the highest peaks in the world, and how it taught him the importance of living adventurously. Learn about the five essential elements of adventure and how you can apply them to your own life, whether...
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Episode 33: Lessons in Grit and Growth on the AT with Steve Bradshaw
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this episode, I sit down with Steve Bradshaw, a lifelong adventurer and outdoor enthusiast from Western North Carolina. Steve’s story is one of pushing boundaries, from growing up in West Virginia to becoming a collegiate championship swimmer, and ultimately to hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. Steve shares how he stepped out of his comfort zone to take on the grueling 2,200-mile trail, and we explore the mental and physical resilience it takes to complete such an endeavor. Whether you’re into hiking, or simply looking for inspiration on how to challenge yourself in new ways,...
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Episode 32: Epic Adventures and Life Lessons with Skip Schweiss
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this episode of the On Adventure podcast, I sit down with Skip Schweiss, a seasoned executive in the financial services industry and a passionate adventurer. Known for his years of leadership at TD Ameritrade, Skip has seamlessly woven his professional life with a personal quest to push physical and mental boundaries in the great outdoors. We dive into Skip's career journey, from his work in advisor advocacy to how he's now dedicating more time to his love of the wilderness. But Skip isn’t just about hiking the occasional trail—he organizes an annual group hike called "Excellent...
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Episode 31: Turning Tragedy Into Purpose - An Adventurous Journey with Clay Sanders
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, I sit down with Clay Sanders, a man whose life is marked by profound adventures, resilience, and purpose. Clay shares stories of his adventurous spirit, from crossing the country on an Elliptigo to running the Leadville 100 ultra marathon, all while balancing a successful career as a dentist. But beyond the adventures, Clay opens up about the tragic loss of his son, Joel, to opioid addiction, and how that event spurred him into action, continuing his son's legacy by raising awareness about addiction stigma. We dive into Clay's perspective on how...
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Episode 30: From Boardroom to Backwoods with Jeff Ames
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this episode of the On Adventure Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jeff Ames, aka Rambler, a true "everyday explorer" who took on the challenge of a lifetime by through-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Jeff's journey is a story of preparation, endurance, and self-discovery as he trekked 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine over several months. We dive into what inspired him to embark on such an ambitious adventure after retiring in his mid-50s, the highs and lows of his journey, and the unforgettable characters he met along the way. Whether you're an aspiring long-distance...
info_outlineThe Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
by Wendell Berry
It is appropriate to start this episode description with a poem from Wendell Berry. I love this poem. I can hear the quiet sounds of the outside just reading it. And I was introduced to this poem and to Wendell Berry by Daniel Alexander. Daniel is my guest this week, and you will find out that he is a bit of a poet himself.
I really enjoyed this conversation because I got to catch up with an old friend, but also hear about what it is about an outdoor space that opens his soul. This is a different kind of adventure conversation, I know you'll be inspired. We explore many different angles of the human experience and what we are all made for. One great take away I got from Daniel is that Comfort + Comparison = a Crushing of our souls. And the flip side of that same coin is that if we embrace the suffering in our lives, it can lead us to a place where our souls truly come alive. It's an inverse universe.
Be sure to listen to the end for his book recommendations. Daniel has always been spot on when it comes to a good read, and these are now on my reading list. And if you want to join Daniel for any part of his Mountain to Sea Trail adventure, you can reach him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @dalexander_1.