526 River Running, Publishing, and Adventure with Eugene Buchanan

Eugene Buchanan drops by for a deep dive into a life built around rivers, paddling, and epic adventure. He’s a former editor-in-chief of Paddler magazine, founder of Paddling Life, a Fellow of the Explorers Club, a renowned author, and a man whose stories span over 30 countries and six continents.

Show Notes

WHAT HAPPENED:

I never planned to make a living from rivers. In fact, if you had asked me back in college, I was more focused on seasonal raft guiding and avoiding any “real job” that required shoes.

But then a friend called. He had a permit for the Grand Canyon. I packed up, strapped a kayak to my car, and drove down the Alcan Highway. That trip changed everything.

I met my wife on that river.

Then I quit my job. Took freelance writing gigs. Burned my vacation time to chase rivers in Peru and Ecuador. Eventually, I found myself editing a national paddling magazine... and later, starting my own.

I’ve paddled in Siberia with Latvians who made rafts from military gear and soccer balls. I’ve seen the rise of pack rafts, drone scouting, and GPS maps. I’ve watched river communities form in the unlikeliest places. And I’ve learned the hard way—like, “class V in the Colombian jungle, middle-of-nowhere, CPR-on-the-rocks” kind of hard—that rivers don’t care about your itinerary.

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PRINCIPLE:

The river doesn’t just test your skills. It reveals your priorities. It reminds you that life—like paddling—isn’t about control. It’s about choosing the current that calls to you… and having the right crew with you when it all goes sideways.

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TRANSITION:

Too many people think paddling is just about adrenaline. But the truth is, most folks never get beyond the weekend warrior stage—not because they lack passion, but because they don’t have a crew, a guide, or a map for what's next.

They want to explore more, but they don’t know where to start. Or worse—they overestimate what they can handle and end up burned out, discouraged, or worse.

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THAT’S WHY:

That’s why this episode with Eugene Buchanan is such a gift. It’s not just a story about rivers—it’s a deep dive into how adventure becomes a lifestyle, a career, and a calling. From Siberia to the Yampa, Eugene shows what’s possible when you follow your curiosity and stay in the current long enough to let it shape you.

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CALL TO ACTION:

If you've ever wondered if you have what it takes to go from weekend paddle trips to something bigger—this is the episode you need. Don’t wait for perfect weather. Don’t wait until you “feel ready.” The river's already flowing. Jump in.

👉 Listen to the full episode now.