The Adventurepreneur Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Today on the show I have Dory Trimble, Executive Director of the Honnold Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting solar energy for a more equitable world.    What to say about Dory…? Well first of all she’s a total bad ass. Honestly, I find Dory’s perspective so invigorating and I think you’ll see why in this episode, which turned out to be one of the most insightful I’ve done. Her grit, tenacity, and proclivity for problem solving is something we can all learn from - so I’m excited for you all to snag some good takeaways.    One quick note on this episode, it was actually recorded almost a year ago but most everything we talked about is still as relevant today. I also wanted to point you in the direction of a new resource the Honnold Foundation has, which I found to be a very practical and action-focused list of things you can do to be proactive about climate change. It’s called Alex’s Sustainability Tick List, I encourage you to go over to Honnoldfoundation.org and check it out.   Last but far from least, I’m psyched to announce that my company Outwild is holding a retreat for early stage entrepreneurs and freelancers later this month. We’ll be gathering some awesome thought leaders and workshop leaders at an amazing sustainable ranch in the mountains of Northern Utah, for 3 packed days of building businesses and playing outside. We’ll be hanging with the head of marketing at the US Ski Team, to the Founder of Goal Zero, angel investors, a Wim Hoff breathing and cold immersion instructor, and half a dozen other seasoned outdoor and adventure entrepreneurs. Of course we’ll be climbing, biking, paddleboarding and making new friends along the way too. So if you’re either brewing over a startup idea, in the nascent stages of starting a business, or interested in making the transition to freelance work, this event is for you. We’ll be covering topics like: entrepreneurial mindset, drafting lean business models, early-stage marketing, boundary-setting to avoid burnout, and more! The best part of all this, I’m offering $500 off - literally only to the listeners of this show. If you’re interested, head over to outwild.co and use the code “Podcast500”, that’s with a capital P and no space. Again Podcast500 for $500 off Outwild for the Entrepreneur, July 29-Aug 1st.

Today on the show I have Louis Arevalo, a super talented outdoor photographer and journalist and one of the sweetest guys out there. Through Louis’s career, he’s been published in some of the industry’s most coveted publications and worked with many leading brands, but it wasn’t always that way. Louis worked for many years at FedEx, double timing it trying to make a living wage while also building a photography business on the side. After a lot of hard work and grit, Louis eventually was able to go full time into photography and never looked back. 

Earlier this year, the Salt Lake City native was backcountry skiing a fire burn out zone in the southern Wasatch, when we took a fall and started to tomahawk high speed down the mountain. While he a was tumbling, his ski edge hit his head and literally scalped him - and he landed squarely on his upper back against an old burned tree trunk. 

Louis lost consciousness, but luckily, his friend had been trained as a ski patroller and acted fast to save his life. The incident left Louis fully paralyzed from his chest down. If you want to hear the full story, stay tuned to the end of the episode, you’ll be glued to your speaker I guarantee you that.

My heart goes out to Louis and his family, not only because no one should have to go through that (let alone a notoriously sweet guy like Louis), but also because so many of us in this community are constantly in those same positions. Risking ourselves to pursue the things we love. It really makes you take a second to breath it all in. If you’re anything like me, you leave these types of stories feeling a little helpless. Well, if that’s you please consider taking action by donating to Louis GoFundMe page, every little bit helps. I’ll have the link available in the show notes, or you can Google Louis Arevalo GoFundMe and you’ll find it.

A quick reminder that as we move closer and closer to election season it’s important to start thinking about your role in the fight against climate change. My go to resource is Protect Our Winters. The y make it easy to get your friends and family registered to vote and have lots of information on how to make informed decisions and get involved. Head over to their website or check them out on the socials for all the deets.

 

Show resources here.

On today’s show I have Susie Moore, a best-selling author, coach and what I would call a mindset ninja. Susie and I met when she showed up to an Outwild event like a fish out of water. I was immediately impressed by her ability to dig into the discomfort of doing something completely out of her normal wheelhouse and fearlessly trying new things like climbing and whitewater rafting. You only have to talk with Susie for about 5 seconds to notice her infectious optimism and sage worldview. Needless to say, the decision to have her on the podcast was not one I regretted.

This conversation is so rich with truth bombs and wisdom nuggets that I barely know where to start when describing it. On that note, I think I’ll just leave you to meander through the Susie forest on your own without too many preconceived notions. I really hope you enjoy this one.

 

Resources

Susie Moore’s website

Susie’s newest book Stop Checking Your Likes

What If It Does Work Out?: How A Side Hustle Can Change Your Life by Susie Moore

Susie’s Instagram

Susie’s Twitter

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

Today I’m sharing my conversation with Chris Burkard, a prolific photographer, explorer, and author. Chris has spent the last 15 years turning himself into a go-to content creator for the likes of National Geographic, Apple, Patagonia and dozens of other Fortune 500 companies and notable publications.

Needless to say, he’s racked up a few insights over the years when it comes to deconstructing what it takes to become successful creative. Chris and I explore the empathy, what it means to create a guiding vision, the importance of diversity of thought, and how to recession proof your business.

Grab your notebook, you may want to jot a thing or two down.

Before we dive in, I want to let you know about a new organization that’s creating massive impact in the current pandemic crisis we’re facing. As you probably know, healthcare workers are currently facing a dire shortage of masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment. In short, they are fighting for our lives, so we need to protect theirs. If you have, make, or want to request PPE, go to GetUsPPE.org and find out how you can get involved. Thanks guys, appreciate your help. 

Lastly, if you like what you’re hearing here - please share it with a friend or someone who might find it valuable. You can find all the information you need, including all the show links and resources at jeremyrjensen.com.   Okay, without further ado here’s my conversation with Chris Burkard. Enjoy!

On the show today I have Stephanie Howe, an athlete and academic who has some great insights on how to train, eat, and live. Stephanie got her PhD in Nutrition & Exercise Science and helps athletes of all levels and types get the most of food and take their performance to the next level.   If you’re anything like me, consistently maintaining a convenient and healthy diet is a constant challenge and so talking with Stephanie helped debunk some of the endless misinformation about food out there. On top of that, she has a thing or two to say about what it takes to build a career and lifestyle that aligns with what you really care about. I hope you get as much out of it as I did.    Alright, without further ado here is my conversation with Stephanie Howe. Enjoy!  

Episode Resources:

Stephanie’s website, Instagram and Twitter

Recipes

Clif Athlete

Today on the show I have Vasu Sojitra, a skier on the North Face Athlete Team and bad ass skater and trail runner. But before you start imagining what this conversation will be like, get this. When Vasu was only nine months old, he was diagnosed with septicemia (a rare blood disease), resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. Vasu experienced rampant discrimination and witnessed extreme poverty growing up in India - all of which he views as a blessing because it has allowed him to truly hone his ability to empathize with others.

On top of being an accomplished athlete, Vasu has used his experiences to challenge the biases that go with being a person of color with a disability through his current work as the Adaptive Sports Program Director at Eagle Mount Bozeman, an organization that empowers children and adults with challenges to enrich their lives through adventure activities. He also serves as a coordinator for Earthtone Outside Montana, which works to elevate the visibility of diverse outdoor enthusiasts and build an inclusive community for people of color. 

There are so many valuable nuggets, truth bombs, and lessons learned in this one. These types of conversations always leave me feeling highly motivated to step into spaces I don’t know enough about and learn as much as I can, not only to be a better ally and support these communities, but also because it makes me a better person. As you listen today, I wish the same for you. 

Alright, without further ado - here’s my conversation with Vasu Sojitra. Enjoy!

Episode Resources:

Vasu’s website and Instagram

Behind the scenes of Out on a Limb interview

Eagle Mount Bozeman

Earthtone Outside Montana

The North Face Athlete Team

Rocket Power

Adaptive skiing Association 

Conrad Anker

Montana Racial Equity Project

Disability Language Style Guide

 

Dave Mossop is the cofounder of Sherpas Cinema, one of the most - if not the most cutting edge, innovative outdoor film production studios out there. In fact Sherpas has been cited as redefining what is possible in outdoor film. Dave and his team have created some of the most stunning imagery I’ve ever seen, and likely a lot of what you’ve seen but may not know it. With big productions like All I Can, Into the Mind, Imagination, and their latest film - Loved By All - Sherpas has received countless top awards from most of the well-known Outdoor Film Festivals globally. They also work with some of the biggest house hold names out there: Google, Audi, The North Face, Asics, the list goes on and on.

What I loved about this conversation is that Dave has such an authentic and palpable appreciation for the things he cares about. Whether its the places he visits, or the new filming techniques he’s learning, or the people he’s met and lost along the way, whatever it is - there’s this deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity, which I just find really cool.

With this episode, you get a little bit of everything - just the way I like it. We zig in and out of self-actualization, living life to the fullest, the role of art in outdoor film, virtual reality, and of course some good old dirt bag stories too. 

Hope you enjoy it!

Show Resources:

Sherpas Cinema Website

Dave Mossop's Instagram

Sherpas Cinema Instagram

Apa Sherpa

Dave Shuman

Conrad Anker

Thule

Eric Rosland and Malcolm Sangster (CoFounders Sherpa Cinema)

Brian Hendricks (Film Professor)

Sherpas Cinema Portfolio

JP Auclair

Flyover Canada

Tom Wallisch

Landon Bassett

Today on the show I have Breanne Kiefner, founder of Root Adventures and her husband Dave Kiefner who heads up operations for the business. Sure, Root Adventures is a great travel company, but as you’ll soon find out in this episode, it’s also much much more than that. 

Breanne and Dave are some of the most thoughtful and sincere entrepreneurs I’ve come across. After a couple of life-altering events and even a traumatic existential crisis, Breanne decided to do exactly the opposite of what most of us would do when the going gets tough. She decided to dig deep, embrace discomfort, and commit to the hardest thing she’s ever done - build the business and lifestyle she’s also wanted. The result, is a company that truly stands out not only for its admirable conviction, but also for the impact it has on peoples lives. 

Breanne and Dave’s impact goes beyond just their business too. The way they show up in the world on a personal level is also special, and I know I’m certainly proud to call them friends. 

All that said, I’m excited to share their story with you all!

 

Resources:

Root Adventures (Breanne and Dave’s business)

Adventure Travel Trade Association

Forest bathing

Article Breanne wrote for Scary Mommy

Frank Scotti (Owner of Nomad Inc.)

Type 1, 2, 3 Fun - from the Dirtbag Diaries

Diversify Outdoors

Lean Canvas (business model template)

 

Show themes:

**the advantages of being vulnerable and sharing with people who you really are
**entrepreneurship as a form of healing 
**no such thing as competition, only collaboration 
**learning how to not be a victim of your circumstance
**entrepreneurship forces you to step outside your comfort zone - it forces growth. 
**no better antidote to depression than connection 
**running a business as a couple and with a family 
**type 1,2,3 fun — not just living a comfortable, stable life 
**being comfortable being uncomfortable
**giving is one of the most regenerative forms of self-care you can have
**working on diversity and support in the outdoor and adventure travel industry

Today on the show I have Hillary Allen, a professional trail ultarunner, speaker, and author. Hillary grew up always thinking she would be an academic, following in her father's footsteps by pursuing a PhD in a scientific discipline and settling in to life as a college professor. That all changed when in graduate school, Hillary discovered trail running as a way to relieve stress and in turn found the thing that brings her most alive and would shape the rest of her life. Shortly thereafter, a friend talked her into doing her first race where she not only won, but set a course record. Since then, she has gone on to become a world champion and one of the most accomplished high altitude trial runners of all time. 

As a collegiate tennis player and clearly a natural athlete it might seem at first glance that Hillary is simply athletically gifted, and while that may be true, we uncovered a much more tangible and accessible lesson behind her success: A lot of grit, determination, and really hard work. There’s no better testament to Hillary’s character than her attitude towards a major setback to her career,  a set back that almost cost her her life. If you’re a sucker for the feels or simply enjoy a healthy dose of bad ass inspiration, look no further than this conversation my friends. 

Show Resources:

Hillary’s Website

Hillary's Instagram

Hillary’s TED talk

Trail de Mount Blanc races 

US Skyrunning Series

Skyrunning world circuit

Adam St. Pierre - Hillary’s running coach

Ragna Dabats (champion sky runner)

Why We Run - book by Ern Heinrich

Deep Survival - book by Lawrence Gonzalez

Hard Rock - big mountain trail running race in Colorado

Sierra High Route

Lavaredo - Race in Italian Dolomites

Dirty Kanza - gravel bike race in Kansas 

 

 

Today on the pod I’m joined by Rian Doris, co-founder and COO of the Flow Research Collective, which is a peak performance research and training organization headed by Steven Kotler. You may remember Steven from episode 31 of the show where we chatted about adventure athletes who are pushing the boundaries of human potential. If you haven’t checked it out, carve out some time to do so - that show is one of my most popular episodes by far and I think you’ll see why.

In this episode, we’re going to do something a little different. We’re going to focus mainly on one topic - that is, getting shit done. You know, since you haven’t heard enough about that in this new decade already. Seriously though, even with all the hype of the new year it’s still a great time to reevaluate your processes and build a plan for yourself to achieve the life you want. We’ll be walking you through what I would call the ULTIMATE evening and morning routine. It’s worth putting out a fair warning, Rian and I nerd out pretty hard core on productivity, flow, and life hacking - so if you’re anything like me you’ll be in heaven and if not, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

This episode not only dissects Rian’s strategy that led him to cofound one the world’s leading organizations in peak performance and flow science, but also is chocked full of fantastic resources - so be sure to check out the resources section below for all your geeking and linking needs. 

Speaking of resources, Rian and Steven have generously offered to give a free one-on-one coaching session plus 10% off their most popular flow training program, Zero to Dangerous, for all listeners of this show. Simply use the link below to apply. On your application interview call with the team, be sure to mention my name and you’re good to go. 

Oh and I apologize in advance for the audio quality on this one. I don’t even remember where I was during the recording, but clearly it was an airport bathroom or something 😉

 

Resources/links:

Custom link here for 1 free one-on-one coaching session plus 10% off the Zero to Dangerous flow training program (be sure to use link above and mention my name during the application interview to receive discount and free coaching)

Flow Research Collective

Steven Kotler

Mentioned books by Steven Kotler: Bold, Abundance, Rise of Superman

Richard Saul Wurman - Founder of TED

Joe Mechlinski - Founder Shift the Work

Carol Dweck - Author of Mindset

Dan Siegel - Interpersonal neurobiology

Keith Ferazzi - Author of Never Eat Alone

Dave Osprey - Bulletproof Radio

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Cal Newport - Deep Work

Paul Graham - Maker/Manager schedule 

3 suggested tools: Apple Calendar, Asana, Notion 

John Sweller - Cognitive Load Theory 

Jocko Wilnick - “Discipline equals freedom”

Ryan Holiday - Author of Stillness Is the Key

Greg McKeown - Author of Essentialism

Herb Benson - Developed the precursor to Flow Cycle (aka Relaxation Response)