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Episode 233 of The Adventure Podcast features expedition medic and NHS GP, Will Duffin. Will has spent 16 years as an expedition and reality TV doctor, including four seasons as lead on-screen medic for Survivor. He talks to Matt about his winding journey to becoming a medic, and how his work became expedition-focused. He also tells the story of his first on-camera emergency, and how to handle life-threatening situations with cameras in your face and a safety team in your ears. They cover six months running a neonatal unit in Myanmar with his paediatrician wife, nature as medicine and who gets access to it, balancing family with a freelance career, and why his side hustle keeps him energised in a job where colleagues are burning out. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 00:00-11:58: Will’s first on-camera emergency, then his path from a Devon farm and a secret rainforest to breakdancing in Bristol during med school. 11:58-30:26: A last-minute Kilimanjaro break, the economics of expedition medicine, balancing trips with family, and the ethics and reality of charity trekking. 30:26-46:27: Six months in Myanmar, losing a crew member, meditation, and why access to nature matters for health. 46:27-57:25: “Hard play” on Dartmoor, wild swimming, and letting children take manageable risks. 57:25-1:04:20: Why adventure is about solving the right problems, and how a side career alongside the day job has kept him energised. 1:04:20-1:10:47: Staying open to opportunity, the polar trips he never made, a luxury Trans-Siberian train, and the final questions. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 232 of The Adventure Podcast features legendary alpinist, Mick Fowler. Mick is 70 and still climbing in the Himalaya. He can't remember how many first ascents he has there, but spoiler alert, it's a lot. In this episode, Mick talks to Matt about balancing his seemingly ordinary tax career with an extraordinary alpine one. He explains his approach to alpine-style climbing, what makes a good multi-decade climbing partner, near misses, and the mindset needed to know when to push on vs when to turn back. Mick also talks candidly about being diagnosed with cancer and the colostomy bag he's lived with since. Together they also reflect on ageing and moderating objectives without losing satisfaction. Mick is one of the greats but is exceptionally humble, and this is an honest, no fluff conversation about the 'simple' life that got him the accolades. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Photo credit - Paul Ramsden Chapter Breakdown 00:00-09:58: Mick on life after retirement, balancing 39 years at the tax office with family and climbing, and why he never planned to stop. 09:58-20:33: The difference between fixed-rope commercial expeditions and his own minimalist, uncertainty-driven approach - and how his climbing evolved over the decades. 21:02-31:14: What makes a good Himalayan climbing partner, and the criteria behind choosing an unclimbed, remote, culturally interesting mountain. 32:27-39:55: A dangerous descent in China, followed by his cancer diagnosis, surgery, and life afterwards with a colostomy bag. 39:55-53:28: Staying fit through fell racing, moderating ambitions with age, and preparing for an upcoming expedition to Nepal. 54:57-1:02:51: Views on style and bolts in modern mountaineering, and writing his latest book during recovery from injury. 1:02:51-1:05:08: What scares Mick, what gives him hope, and a close. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 231 of The Adventure Podcast features explorer and polar activist, Matthieu Tordeur. Starting with a solo trip to Antarctica at 26, Matthieu talks through his shift from solo self-funded expeditions to purpose-driven exploration. He explains what drew him to polar landscapes specifically, and they talk in detail about a kite-skiing research-driven traverse he recently did with glaciologist Heidi Sevestre. They discuss what that expedition actually involved logistically - data collection, kites, navigation, no hierarchy. And they get into some of the harder questions facing modern expedition life. The conversation also touches on glaciers, hope, hypocrisy, and whether there's still time to act. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 00:00-06:07: Matthieu's relationship with solitude and what led to a self-funded solo expedition at 26. 06:07-8:32: The specific pull of polar landscapes over other extreme environments. 08:32-13:54: Returning to Antarctica years later, this time for a different purpose. 13:54-23:23: The shift from expeditions as personal journeys to expeditions with scientific intent, and the tension of travelling extensively while advocating on climate. 23:23-26:22: Reconciling personal freedom, fatherhood, and environmental responsibility without easy answers. 26:22-37:37: How the kite expedition with glaciologist Heidi Sevestre was built around research from the outset. 37:37-46:35: The physical and logistical demands of the trip, and whether it was enjoyable or simply hard. 46:35-49:33: Decision-making and conflict within a two-person team with no fixed hierarchy. 49:33-54:59: Weighing privilege and personal travel against a backdrop of wildfires and climate change. 54:59-58:04: Rediscovering everyday adventure through his young son. 58:04-1:02:39: Whether it's too late for the world's glaciers, and choosing to act regardless. 1:02:39-1:06:42: What scares Matthieu, what gives him hope, and a close. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 230 of The Adventure Podcast features survival instructor, bushcraft expert, and TV adventurer, Naomi Allsworth. Naomi started as a sportswear fashion designer in London, before pivoting to bushcraft and working alongside Bear Grylls as a survival expert. She talks to Matt about finding her place in the bushcraft world, but also the criticism she has and still receives from some. She also reveals what it was like being cast on survival show, 'Alone', with just three weeks' notice, and how authentic survival TV shows really are. Naomi also opens up about her crippling postpartum depression, and that pushing herself back into wild, uncomfortable places was the only thing that pulled her out. Together they dig into the double standards facing adventurous parents, and they both get candid about the guilt, privilege, and precarious balancing act of a career built on being away. They also touch on Naomi's upcoming unsupported expedition, and representation vs community skepticism. It's an honest, no frills conversation around what it costs to build a career that lives online and away from home, but also what that can give you. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 00:00-02:31: Naomi on identity, growing up in rural Wales, and finding herself through fashion design in London. 02:31-05:53: Swerving her degree toward mountaineering clothing, and testing kit in the Sahara and on Everest. 05:53-13:42: Naomi's postpartum depression, the fear of leaving her son, and how bushcraft became her lifeline. 13:42-24:01: Matt and Naomi compare notes on parental guilt, presence, and the different judgement mums and dads face for going away. 24:01- 26:34: Why having the right partner makes an adventurous career possible. 26:34-34:00: Naomi's whirlwind three-week casting, hostility from a fellow contestant, and finishing third. 34:00-39:48: How authentic survival TV actually is, and the tension between bushcraft purism and entertainment. 39:48-48:00: Wanting to represent women in the outdoors while keeping the respect of a skeptical community. 48:00-58:36: Why paid TV work funds real expeditions. 58:36-1:03:36: The impossible task of pleasing everyone online, and how criticism still stings even after years in the spotlight. 1:03:36-1:05:34: What scares Naomi and what gives her hope. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 229 of The Adventure Podcast features founder and CEO of Trash Free Trails, mountain biker, and spaniel-owner, Dom Ferris. In this episode, Dom traces his path from a feral, nature-soaked childhood in Mid Wales, through teenage mountain bike racing and a wilder stretch of partying that cost him his sense of self. He goes on to found Trash Free Trails after a breakdown at Surfers Against Sewage taught him the hard way what happens when purpose tips into relentlessness. He and Matt open up about their own mental health struggles and the danger of tying your worth to constant output. The conversation also digs into the real philosophy behind Trash Free Trails; why litter isn't really about litter, the "activism arms race," the risk of accidental greenwashing, and the hard science linking single-use pollution to disconnection from nature. It's a raw, funny, occasionally tearful look at burnout, boundaries, and what it actually means to do good work without losing yourself in it. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 00:00-02:27: Dom on post-big-week exhaustion and the guilt of not resting after doing good work. 02:27-06:52: A feral, nature-connected childhood and the early seeds of caring about litter. 06:52-11:57: Teenage mountain bike success derailed by partying, family breakdown, and drinking. 11:57-21:10: Matt and Dom open up about mental health, feeling pointless, and past breakdowns. 21:10-32:38: Why tying self-worth to contribution can be dangerous - and Dom's current struggles. 32:38-47:07: Dom's career path, burnout leading a team, and the leap into founding Trash Free Trails. 47:07-58:12: The pressure for bigger, better campaigns, and Dom's discomfort with it. 58:12-1:10:23: The science behind single-use pollution, disconnection from nature, and greenwashing risks. 1:10:23-1:20:15: Dom's philosophy and using your own sphere of influence for good. 1:20:15-1:23:00: What scares Dom, what gives him hope, and a fittingly emotional close. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dispatches are our shorter form episodes, usually around a single question, subject or story. In this episode, Niall McCann recites an incident from a couple of years ago when he, alongside a group of rangers, tracked buffalo poachers for over an hour through incredibly complex terrain. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 228 of The Adventure Podcast features sailor, adventurer, and philanthropist, Tim Good. Tim comes from a 200-year-old family business which is deeply connected to multiple philanthropic projects. He has also quietly accumulated a life that most people only plan. In this episode, Tim talks to Matt about losing his brother Matthew and how that resulted in Tim selling his business, buying a boat, and planning to sail around the world. Delayed by Covid, Brexit tax complications and a baby, last August he and his wife set off anyway, with their three-year-old daughter on board, heading for West Africa. Tim covers crossing the Bay of Biscay in rough weather, navigating the Saloum Delta, and spending weeks motoring 170 miles up the Gambia River to find hippos, chimpanzees and river dolphins. At the time of recording, they'd crossed the Atlantic just two weeks before. Matt and Tim also talk about solo motorcycle adventures, a paragliding expedition from the Jungfrau where a teammate went missing for four days, and how adventurous parents stay themselves without drowning in guilt. Despite his adventurous life, by design, Tim has almost no internet presence. Quietly one of the most lived-in guests we've had on - this is what it looks like when someone actually does the thing they said they were going to do. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 00:00-04:10: A 200-year family business, a great-great-great-grandfather who went to sea at 11, and why Tim has almost no internet presence. 04:10-12:17: Losing his brother at 32, launching the Matthew Good Foundation, and how grief became the catalyst for selling his business and buying a boat. 12:17-19:00: The Seven Life System, sailing Norway with skis on board, and how Covid, Brexit and a baby reshaped the circumnavigation plan. 19:00-27:00: A three-year-old on a boat, crossing Biscay in rough weather, and exploring the Saloum Delta. 27:00-35:54: Two weeks up the Gambia River, hippos, chimpanzees and river dolphins, and what West Africa felt like compared to everywhere else. 35:54-44:00: Why solo hits differently. 44:00-54:25: The Caribbean vs Patagonia dilemma, balancing fatherhood with ambition, and why learning to be selfish made both of them better parents. 54:25-1:00:00: The Matthew Good Foundation, rewilding in Scotland, and why Tim is deliberately waiting before committing to his next big philanthropic move. 1:00:00-1:05:22: What scares him and a contentious answer to what brings him hope. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 227 of The Adventure Podcast features wildlife camera operator and television presenter, Declan Burley. Declan grew up in Luton, dyslexic and working on building sites. Nobody around him went into the arts and no one really knew what a wildlife camera operator was. In this episode, Declan talks to Matt about the long road to where he is now: three months in the Amazon at 23 that changed everything, years of being flat broke, and a cancer diagnosis in his late twenties. He explains what camera trapping actually involves, and what it was like to work across six critically endangered species for The Wild Ones, from snare-riddled jungle in Malaysia to mine-field leopards on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. They also cover the class divide in British wildlife television, what slowing down teaches you about the natural world, and whether conservation storytelling can actually change anything - or whether it's just preaching to the converted. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 0:00-06:15: Growing up in Luton, building sites, dyslexia, and why becoming a wildlife camera operator wasn't something anyone around him had ever done or suggested. 06:15-14:13: Class, access and the 8% statistic. 14:13-26:36: Three months in the Amazon at 23, learning to move slowly, borderline trench foot, and why that trip settled everything. 26:36-34:48: Declan talks about receiving a cancer diagnosis in his late twenties, and how camera trapping became his specialist skill and calling card. 34:48-42:00: What camera trapping actually is. 42:00-50:18: The Wild Ones - six critically endangered species, six countries, and what Declan saw on the ground. 50:18-58:00: Whether conservation storytelling can actually change anything, the three choices when faced with environmental despair, and why commissioners need the audience to keep watching. 58:00-1:00:00: What scares him, what brings him hope, and why he puts animals and humans on exactly the same level. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 226 of The Adventure Podcast features ex-England Rugby Captain, sailor, rower, and world-record holder, Ollie Phillips. After over a decade of elite sport and multiple Player of the Year awards, an unknown injury suddenly stopped Ollie's career. In this episode, Matt and Ollie cover what it's like to grieve a career and a life you dedicated yourself to, and what happens after. They talk about Ollie's last minute decision to say yes to the Clipper Round the World Race, having never sailed before, a world record expedition to the North Pole, and more recently, a charity row across the Atlantic. Ollie is funny, direct, and genuinely honest. And it turns out the gap between who you were and who you're becoming is where the most interesting stuff happens. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 00:00- 06:22: Who Ollie is now and the twelve-year rugby career that started it all. 06:22-14:48: Why sports people and soldiers gravitate towards adventure, the ten-out-of-ten feeling that real life rarely matches, and what the corporate world gets wrong. 14:48-22:43: Community, shared experience, and why Ollie has never started a story with "this one time, when I was on my own." 22:43-33:24: How a spinal injury ended his rugby career in four hours, and why saying yes to a last-minute call from Sir Robin Knox-Johnston changed everything. 33:24-39:14: Getting on the Clipper Race with no sailing experience, going from novice to second-in-command in three months, and the useful delusion that rugby might still be waiting at the end. 39:14-49:13: PwC, the North Pole, and a fifteen-month legal battle just to play one last game of rugby at Twickenham for closure. 49:13-1:00:51: What that final game meant, and the moment outside a basement flat that made Ollie realise he needed to change. 1:00:51-1:05:03: Therapy, validation, fatherhood, and why not expecting anything from anyone has made everything better. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 225 of The Adventure Podcast features marine biologist and TV host, Melissa Cristina Márquez. Also known as the 'Mother of Sharks'. Born in Puerto Rico, Melissa's spent her career trying to make people care about one of the most misunderstood animals on the planet. In this episode, Matt and Melissa cover a lot of ground - from Jaws and Baby Shark to a three-metre crocodile bite on her first ever Shark Week shoot. They touch on the psychology of inflammatory media language, and the hundreds of thousands of years of indigenous knowledge that Western science has largely ignored. Melissa is warm, funny, deeply informed and completely disarming. She has a way of making you realise how much of what you think you know about sharks has been handed to you by Hollywood. She challenges the idea that fear and respect can't coexist, argues that diversity in science isn't just about fairness but about asking better questions, and explains why a species that's survived 450 million years may not survive us. While this conversation starts with sharks, really it's about how we relate to the natural world and whether caring - loudly, specifically, and imperfectly - might be the most important thing any of us can do. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 00:00-07:05: Growing up in Puerto Rico, falling in love with sharks, and fighting to build a career. 07:05-16:48: Why diversity in science changes the questions we ask. 16:48-25:28: The language of fear and the lasting damage of Jaws. 25:28-38:11: The empathy gap between sharks and other endangered animals, and what early education can do to close it. 38:11-50:34: No villain animals, the case for fearful respect, and the crocodile bite nobody saw coming. 50:34-1:02:12: Sharks as keystones, trophic cascades, and why Melissa remains an optimist about the future. 1:02:12-1:08:32: Why science communication belongs to everyone, and what visibility does for the next generation of scientists. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode five of our long-term series, The Far Reaches, features ornithologist, environmentalist, writer, and sustainability advisor, Tony Juniper CBE. Tony is the Chair of Natural England, the former president of The Wildlife Trusts, and has devoted over four decades to nature recovery and environmental protection. In this episode, Matt sits down with Tony in his greenhouse for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of the natural world. They start with the scale of what’s happening: climate change, collapsing ecosystems, soil loss, freshwater depletion, and how it's all driven by the same forces shaping modern society. Tony explains why many of the biggest environmental debates are framed incorrectly - not as trade-offs between nature and food, or economy and environment, but as problems that can be solved together if approached differently. They talk about farming, land use, and how mindsets are already beginning to shift. This episode is rooted in cautious optimism as Tony shares stories of species already returning to the UK. It emphasises that restoration isn’t theoretical, it’s already happening. Throughout the episode, Matt and Tony keep coming back to the idea of connection. People and nature. Policy and reality. And how the future depends on whether more people engage with it. While this is a stark reminder of what's going wrong, it's also strongly hopeful and shows what's already being quietly put back together. The Far Reaches is a long-term series where we speak to guests about subjects related to our planet and our place on it. These episodes will dig a little deeper, perhaps enter the realm of armchair philosophy, and will tackle some more existential questions surrounding adventure and exploration. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 00:00-05:00: Why climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion are deeply tied to how society functions. 05:00-15:00: How different lifestyles drive vastly different environmental footprints, and consequences. 15:00-25:00: Why framing issues as “nature vs food” or “economy vs environment” is misleading, and what a better approach looks like. 25:00-35:00: How farmers are responding to climate pressures, and why the conversation is shifting on the ground. 35:00-45:00: Examples of restoring ecosystems and improving biodiversity through smarter land use. 45:00-55:00: Beavers, white-tailed eagles, cranes, spoonbills - real stories of recovery across the UK. 55:00-End: Why this isn’t hopeless - and how reconnecting people with nature is key to change. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 224 of The Adventure Podcast features wildlife cinematographer and third generation commercial fisherwoman, Erin Ranney. The conversation begins with Erin's upbringing in Alaska and Washington State, and how she grew up working on her family tree farm and in the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. She talks about how that shaped her understanding of conservation from the inside out and why she’s chosen to stay connected to that community. From there, Erin traces her path into filmmaking and the point at which she realised it could act as a bridge between science, storytelling, and audiences. Alongside the field stories, Matt and Erin dig into the realities of the industry; the long periods living in tents, years spent building skills through unpaid work and stock footage, and the challenges facing nature storytelling today. They talk about the need for better science communication and the lack of funding for nature content. And why inspiring curiosity might be one of the most important parts of the job. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 00:00-08:00: Life in Bristol Bay, commercial fishing, and understanding conservation from within a working community. 08:00-18:00: A chance fly-fishing class leads to a complete career pivot into ecology and field research. 18:00-26:00: Erin discusses her lemur research, and how borrowing a long lens led to realising film could connect people to science. 26:00-36:00: Cold emails, buying her own camera, filming stock footage, and landing her first paid job filming bears in Alaska. 36:00-45:00: Working in extreme environments. 45:00-55:00: Six months in remote camps, bush planes, family involvement, and rediscovering a love for filmmaking. 55:00-01:05:00: Glacial retreat, extreme heat, and salmon die-offs - and why these stories couldn’t be ignored. 01:05:00-01:15:00: Why Erin stays connected to fishing and farming communities, and sees herself as a bridge between worlds. 01:15:00-End: Kids’ programming, inspiring curiosity, mentoring young filmmakers, and what needs to change in the industry. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 223 of The Adventure Podcast features award-winning director and cinematographer, Richard Ladkani. Richard has dedicated his life to impactful, compelling storytelling about our world and our place in it. His work includes The Ivory Game, Sea Of Shadows, YANUNI, and his latest film follows the life of his close friend, Jane Goodall. In this episode, Richard reflects on his life and his career so far. He starts by telling the tale of how Jane once challenged him to stop making films that were simply “interesting” and instead focus on work that could genuinely change the world. And how that one moment changed everything. He explains how that led him into the heart of the illegal ivory trade and cartel-driven illegal fishing in the Sea of Cortez. Matt and Richard unpack the reality of making “impact films”: chasing dangerous stories, earning trust on the ground, and taking risks that often define whether a story even exists. They also dive into what impact actually means and what can limit it, and touch on the challenges facing documentary filmmaking today: political pressure, platform control, and the constant tension between telling important stories and actually getting them seen. At its core, this episode is about choosing work that matters, taking risks to tell stories that need to be told, and figuring out how much impact one person can really have. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Chapter Breakdown 00:00-05:00: Greenland & Jane Goodall: feeling lost, then being challenged to make films that actually matter. 05:00-10:00: Discovering the scale of the ivory trade and realising how few people understand what’s happening. 10:00-15:00: Arriving in Africa, gaining access, and witnessing the aftermath of elephant poaching first-hand. 15:00-25:00: How following instinct, taking risks, and building relationships opens doors to the real story. 25:00-35:00: Choosing characters and narratives that can carry impact, not just information. 35:00-45:00: How the film reached China, Jane Goodall’s role, and the potential link to policy change. 45:00-55:00: Cartels, illegal fishing, and why timing (like Covid) can derail even the biggest campaigns. 55:00-01:05:00: Why stories need hope, character, and emotional connection to actually change behaviour. 01:05:00-01:15:00: Streaming platforms, politics, censorship, and the difficulty of getting important stories seen. 01:15:00-End: Purpose, Impact & What Comes Next. Why he keeps doing it even when it’s difficult, and what it means to use storytelling as a force for change.  Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 222 of The Adventure Podcast features ex special forces operative and mindset coach, Simon Jeffries. After starting out as a Royal Marines Commando and a tour in Afghanistan, he was selected to serve in the SBS. Several tours later, he decided to step away from the military and instead founded his mindset coaching company, The Natural Edge. In this episode, Simon traces a life shaped by long journeys, hard-earned lessons, and a deep curiosity about people and place. He reflects on the experiences that pulled him into adventure in the first place, and rather than focusing on polished outcomes, he shares the messy reality. Matt and Simon talk about risk, resilience, and how perspective changes over time. They also discuss the mindset behind a life of adventure, and how that way of thinking carries far beyond expeditions. That these same principles apply to work, relationships, and long-term direction. At its core, this episode is about taking the lessons learned in extreme environments and using them in the real world; building resilience, clarity, and confidence in the face of the unknown. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode four of our long-term series, The Far Reaches, features conservation journalist Rhett Butler. In 1999, fresh out of high school, Rhett founded Mongabay - an independent, non-profit environmental science and conservation news platform. He ran the project solo for the first few years, publishing thousands of stories and photos. However it has grown immensely since then, with a network of roughly 1,000 correspondents in 80 countries, covering conventional news to deeply reported investigative projects. Rhett also co-founded Tropical Conservation Science, an open-access academic journal that creates opportunities for scientists in developing countries to publish their research. In this episode, Rhett talks openly about his lack of traditional experience, early interest in conservation, his trajectory in finance, and making the leap (or building the bridge) to committing full time. They also touch on the current state of conservation news and its challenges, and the importance of solution-oriented storytelling. It’s a fascinating and inspiring conversation with someone whose genuine modesty feels rare, given the reach and impact of the platform he’s built. The Far Reaches is a long-term series where we speak to guests about subjects related to our planet and our place on it. These episodes will dig a little deeper, perhaps enter the realm of armchair philosophy, and will tackle some more existential questions surrounding adventure and exploration. For extra insights from the worlds of adventure, exploration and the natural world, you can find The Adventure Podcast+ community on Substack. You can also follow along and join in on Instagram @‌theadventurepodcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-adventure-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.