Life’s Tough, but Hugo Vau is TOUGHER… This Big Wave Surfer Had a Life-Changing Experience with BIG MAMA in Nazare´
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
Release Date: 05/13/2021
Life’s Tough, but JR Harris is TOUGHER… Learn How This Man from Queens Became a Wilderness Trekker!
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
When asked what inspired him to get started as a solo backpacker over fifty years ago, JR Harris will tell you it was Richard Burton… and the movie “Alexander the Great.” He was sixteen years old and recalled that Socrates asked Burton’s character if he wanted a short, exciting life or a long, dull one. Thinking about this later that night, he decided he would choose a short, exciting life for himself. Listen as he shares with the host of the Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese, and tells us of his pursuit of “Mountain Man” status! As he made some decisions about the...
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Life’s Tough, but Geoff Green is TOUGHER… Learn How This Explorer Uses Trips to the Polar Region to Teach About Environmental Science
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
He’s led over 120 expeditions to the polar regions. Many of these trips have been in the company of students, educators, artists, and leaders. While others are planning family holidays, Geoff Green prepares to take sixty teenagers to Antarctica with the Students on Ice Program. He took some time to talk with the host of our Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese, and share some of what he’s learned. He’s got “stuff” in warehouses all over the place—heavy-duty clothes and equipment which can be pressed into service on short notice. Geoff tells us that the way to keep kids...
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Life’s Tough, but Leela Hazzah is TOUGHER… This Champion Defender of Wildlife Reveals Her Winning Strategy to Save Lions
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
From her earliest recollection, Leela Hazzah has loved animals of all types. Still, she has been wildly infatuated with lions and elephants. She was raised in Egypt, where Barbary Lions lived before they became extinct. Leela took some time to sit with the host of the Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese and shared some insights into wildlife conservation. After working in conservation for over twenty years, Leela has discovered that her most significant learning was from spending time living in the Maasai community. In the community, she has been recruiting traditional Maasai...
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Sean Meagher, Super Yacht Captain Explains How Yachts Help the Environment
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
When we think of yachts, most of us think of the “idle rich” spending days in the sun and surf without care. When Super Yacht Captain Sean Meagher sat down with Richard Wiese, the host of the Explorers podcast, he revealed some surprises that yacht technology provides to the rest of the world, specifically how they help the environment. Captain Sean Meagher wants you to know that the one thing all Super Yacht designers have in common is that they are innovative and forward-thinking. Yachts must be built to a stringent code, and the areas that they sail in often have...
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Life’s Tough, but Brandi DiCarli is TOUGHER… This Innovator is Making a Difference in the Planet’s Food Production!
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
She used to volunteer at a food bank. Today, she’s expanded that role and is the CEO and Co-Founder of Farm From a Box. This innovative company provides parts of the world with everything they need to grow the food they need. The host of our Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese, interviewed Brandi DiCarli about the project and her views on world hunger. What followed is an exciting look into what’s possible for our planet. Brandi DiCarli and her Co-Founder Scott Thompson saw food access throughout the world as a problem for which they had a solution. What resulted was a...
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Life’s Tough, but Richard Garriott is TOUGHER… This Explorer Reveals What’s Next in the World of Exploration
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
You might say exploration runs in the family. Richard Garriott, astronaut, and pioneer of private space flight is the son of astronaut Owen Garriott. When he spoke in an interview with Richard Wiese, the host of the Explorers podcast, they discussed the fact that when it comes to exploration, paradigms have changed. We’ve exceeded previous boundaries, and yet there is still so much more to learn about. In addition to being an astronaut, video game developer, and President of the Explorer’s Club, Richard is a record holder. He is the first man to fly in space and...
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Life’s Tough, but Rachel Graham is TOUGHER… This Shark Expert Explains Her Work in Preservation of Shark Species
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
Dr. Rachel Graham is practiced in the art of connecting with people. She has a love of sharks and a passion for the preservation of sea life that transcends any fear she might feel. In fact, she’s always had a love of maligned animals. And, when she sat down to speak with the host of the Explorers podcast, Richard Wiese, she talked about her vision of preservation and the team she’s put together to make it happen! Raised in Tunisia, she had the opportunity to camp with her family in the Serengeti and to observe the wonders of nature. Her parents were perpetually curious and...
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Life’s Tough, but Luca Parmitano is TOUGHER… This Italian Astronaut Shares the Adventure of His Journey!
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
Luca Parmitano has the distinction of being the first Italian astronaut to walk in space. On his second spacewalk, he nearly drowned when his helmet filled with water. During the Explorers podcast, he talks with host Richard Wiese about the thrill of the spacewalk and what he’s learned about what’s important. Luca had a wonderful childhood in Catania, Sicily, and didn’t realize that this place was special. It’s a vacation destination for people around the world. His parent were both teachers. The first recollections he has of interest in space was...
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Life’s Tough, but Wade Davis is TOUGHER… This Cultural Anthropologist Talks About His Life as a Storyteller
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
Although he certainly has a way with words, as evidenced by his success as a writer, it will surprise most people to know that he never thought of himself as a writer. As the author of 23 books, and countless articles, Wade Davis sits down with host Richard Wiese on the Explorers podcast to tell us about where he came from and what he’s passionate about. Wade Davis grew up in Canada, and that’s where he lives today. He made many alternative choices that others might not have but felt he didn’t get much direction from his parents when he was young. Later in life, on...
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Life’s Tough, but Austin Gallagher is TOUGHER… This Marine Biologist is known as the “Tiger Shark King!”
Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER!
Suppose you’re a fan of “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel. In that case, you’re likely to be familiar with shark expert Dr. Austin Gallagher. Austin spent some time with our podcast host, Richard Wiese, for our Explorers are Tougher Podcast. They talked about ocean conservation, and we learned that sharks could be so much more than the subject of marine studies. They can actually be partners and collaborators to help us gain new scientific insights into the oceanic world. Dr. Gallagher has always had a keen interest in marine biology, even from a young age. He...
info_outlineSurfing wasn’t always popular in Portugal. It’s only in the last 35-40 years that it has been acknowledged as a sport. During this podcast, big wave surfer Hugo Vau talks with our host, Richard Wiese, about taking risks and pushing yourself to new extremes in exploration.
In 2006, surfers began exploring and surfing on bodyboards in the Nazare´ Canyon area of Portugal. This huge underwater valley creates gigantic waves away from shore and out in the ocean. Watermen started telling surfers stories about these big waves, and some couldn’t resist the desire to see them.
There was one wave somebody told them was bigger than the rest. It was nicknamed “Big Mama.” She was 0.8 miles out in the ocean, and they used a jet ski to tow surfers out. In 2011, fellow surfer Garrett McNamara set a world record by surfing a 70-foot wave in Nazare´.
In his attempt to conquer Big Mama, Hugo studied forecasts and charts to calculate the best time to make his approach. They went out at around 4:30 in the afternoon. There were high wind warnings, but Hugo wanted strong winds. He planned to work with the wind instead of fighting against it.
When asked what it was like, Hugo says it was unique, really beautiful, a scenic array of colors. Although he has been surfing for a long time, he was overwhelmed with the intensity of nature and the ocean's hugeness.
You might be wondering how Hugo’s life changed after conquering Big Mama. He wasn’t really prepared for what happened after this worldwide event. He got huge media exposure and lots of interviews.
He’s able to stay humble, telling us that this whole adventure is a testimony to the magic of teams – supporting and believing in each other… working together for the moment. His surfing partner and best friend, Alex Botelho, was there with him. Another team member, who served as the spotter and videographer, was stationed in a church onshore and nicknamed Jesus. Although you think that surfing might be a solitary sport, a team is necessary.
These days, Hugo appreciates the simple things. He remembers to celebrate them with others… the fact that we get to breathe everyday… we’re able to walk and smile at each other. It sounds like Hugo Vau has things in proper perspective!
To learn more about explorer Hugo Vau and big wave surfing, check it out here. Hugo is featured in many videos and surf magazines as well. To hear about other explorers, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Explorers are TOUGHER! At https://www.lifestough.com/podcast/explorers/.
Richard Wiese, the host of this podcast, is an American explorer. He is the author of the guidebook, Born to Explore: How to Be a Backyard Adventurer. He became the youngest person to become president of the Explorers Club in 2002. Richard is also Executive Producer and Host of the PBS weekly television series Born to Explore with Richard Wiese.