Episode 29: Reconnecting the World, One Letter at a Time with Jonny Beardmore, the Galapagos Postman
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
Release Date: 08/09/2024
Episode 46: The Great Nearby - Chasing Wild in North Carolina with John Norwood
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this fun episode, Josh sits down with John Norwood, a commercial banker from Raleigh, North Carolina, whose second identity is that of a passionate adventurer. While John’s day job revolves around numbers and negotiations, his soul is stirred by trails, waterfalls, and sunfish sails. Rather than jetting off to exotic lands, John finds endless wonder in his own backyard—the mountains, lakes, and coastlines of North Carolina. Together, they explore John’s lifelong connection with the outdoors, how he blends adventure with a full-time career, and how he’s cultivated a community of...
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Episode 45: What's worthy of your finitude with Patrick Moody
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
I love these conversations, but this one was fun. We hit on the depths of the human condition to drive each of us on to our own adventures. So what happens when a dedicated trial attorney makes adventure a non-negotiable part of his life? In this episode, I sit down with Patrick Moody, a prosecutor for the state of Montana who refuses to let a demanding career keep him from chasing adventure. From trail running right out his back door to tackling high-altitude mountaineering, Patrick has found a way to integrate the wilderness into his daily routine. We dive into his experiences...
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Episode 44: From high heels and fashion to hiking boots and fly fishing with Kimberly Brookshire
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
What would you do if failure was a real possibility? If suffering was inevitable, but you had the option to walk away? Would you still go for it? My guest today, Kimberly Brookshire, knows this challenge well. She’s a long-distance hiker, a women’s adventure guide, and a passionate fly fisher—always choosing the hard path, the uncertain path, because that’s where she finds the most growth. In this episode, Kimberly shares her journey from fashion and city life to hiking thousands of miles on some of the toughest trails in the U.S. and beyond. She opens up about why she keeps pushing...
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Episode 43: Beyond the Pavement with Frank Trotter
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
What do banking and backcountry exploration have in common? More than you’d think! In this episode of the On Adventure, I sit down with Frank Trotter—banking pioneer, entrepreneur, and avid adventurer. From his early days racing cars in Europe to co-founding EverBank and now launching Battle Bank, Frank shares how his career has been driven by innovation and a passion for pushing boundaries. But it's not all business—Frank also dives into his love for outdoor exploration, from summiting 14ers in Colorado to backcountry treks in Argentina. We talk about the lessons learned from extreme...
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Episode 42: Endurance, Exploration, and the Art of Adventure with Roy Malone
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
What does it take to push your body and mind to the limit for days on end—while relying entirely on a team? The answer is epic! In this episode, I sit down with seasoned adventure racer Roy Malone, who has spent the past 24 years competing in some of the toughest endurance races in the world. From trekking through the jungles of Fiji to navigating the badlands of North Dakota, Roy shares the highs, the lows, and the life lessons that come from competing in these multi-day, non-stop races. We dive deep into the mental and physical grit required to finish these extreme challenges, the...
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Episode 41: A Journey of Resilience and Rediscovery with Jenna Carroll
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this episode of The On Adventure Podcast, I sit down with Jenna Carroll, a hiking guide and endurance athlete who transformed her life by stepping off the corporate treadmill and onto the Appalachian Trail. Jenna shares her incredible journey, from her early days as a basketball star and management consultant to finding her passion for long-distance hiking and trail running. We delve into her 2021 northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, her life-changing decision to make the outdoors her career, and her remarkable return to the trail in 2023 to attempt a self-supported fastest known...
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Episode 40: Courage, Connection, and Living Fully on Adventure with Wells Jones
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
What does it mean to live a life of adventure, and how do the challenges we face shape our purpose? In this episode, we sit down with Wells Jones, author of the gripping novel A Line in the Sand and a man whose life has been anything but ordinary. Wells shares his journey from his days as a Navy Air Rescue team member to his experiences as a producer, actor, and adventurer. Our conversation touches on his transformative treks through the Middle East, retracing the steps of T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), and how those experiences inspired his new novel. Wells also opens up about the...
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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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Welcome back to the On Adventure Podcast! In this episode, I chat with Jonny Beardmore, now famously known as the Galapagos Postman. Jonny's unique quest involves delivering handwritten letters left in an ancient Galapagos Islands postbox to various locations worldwide. But this adventure is more than just about delivering mail; it's about exploring a deeper question about whether we are disconnected as a species and how we can rebuild those crucial human connections.
Throughout his journey, Jonny has met a diverse array of people, each with their own fascinating stories. From reuniting a couple in Belize through a heartfelt love letter to delivering a touching note from a daughter to her mother in Mexico City, Jonny's mission has brought surprises, unexpected joy and reconnections (to him and the receipients). He shares stories of spontaneous hospitality, like the family in Mexico City who welcomed him with tequila and dried crickets, and the emotional reunions that have occurred as a result of his deliveries. Join me as Jonny shares his serendipitous encounters, the challenges he faces, and the incredible impact his journey is having on people's lives and the charities he is fundraising for.
Episode Highlights:
- [00:00] Introduction: Josh introduces Jonny Beardmore, explaining how he discovered Jonny's story and what intrigued him about it.
- [02:20] The Galapagos Postman: Jonny explains his nickname and details the tradition of the Galapagos Islands postbox that dates back to 1793.
- [05:17] The Challenge: Jonny talks about the inception of the Galapagos Postman Challenge, collecting 50 letters from the Galapagos and his year-long journey to deliver them.
- [07:45] Personal Motivation: Jonny discusses his personal motivations, including the impact of his father's battle with motor neurone disease (ALS).
- [15:05] Planning and Logistics: The process of planning this ambitious global adventure, including the support systems in place and the challenges faced.
- [24:03] Human Connections: Jonny reflects on the commonalities he has found among diverse cultures and the importance of personal connections in an increasingly digital world.
- [38:00] Inspiring Stories: Jonny shares some of the most touching and inspiring stories of delivering letters, including reuniting people and the emotional impacts.
- Belize: Reuniting a couple through a heartfelt love letter.
- Mexico City: Delivering a daughter's letter to her mother, recovering from surgery, resulting in an emotional family reunion.
- Central America: Overcoming challenges to deliver letters, experiencing spontaneous hospitality, and hearing incredible life stories.
- [47:50] Funding and Support: Insight into how Jonny funds his adventures and the work-life balance required to manage such an undertaking.
- [55:00] The Bigger Picture: Jonny's thoughts on whether the world is truly disconnected despite technological advancements and how this challenge has impacted his views.
Links & Resources:
- Follow Jonny Beardmore: Instagram - Big O Adventures
- Tracking Map of Jonny’s Journey: Galapagos Postman Challenge Map
- Buy your own TGP t-shirt here
- Donate to Motor Neurone Disease Research:
- Watch Jonny’s Documentary: The Great Game: 30,000 Miles Across Central Asia
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, share, and review the podcast. Your support helps us bring more inspiring stories to light. For more content, visit Ridgeline Wealth Advisors and sign up for our newsletter, The Money Trail Guide. Until next time, pursue your own great adventure!