Thinking Off-Piste – Details, episodes & analysis

Max Campbell is a sailor from Cornwall who left his hometown of Falmouth at the age of 20 on a 22 ft wooden boat named Flying Cloud. Over the next two years, he sailed single-handed across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, and back again to the UK the following year. The journey encountered phenomenal highs and devastating lows. Max ended up in hospital for four days for treatment after his paraffin stove exploded during rough weather. The accident happened when he was just 150 miles from his final destination of Grenada and the explosion set him alight. He managed to put the fire out on Flying Cloud, treat his burns, which covered most of his upper torso, and sail for another 30 hours before he reached land. Since then, Max has restored the 37 ft yacht, Elixir and is planning to sail around the world, surfing, and sharing the sailing experience with as many people as he goes.

Max learnt to sail when he was just four years old, after his step-dad gave him a little wooden dinghy with yellow sails to sail around Bristol Harbour. It was in those murky brown waters where Max first connected with the ocean – the simplicity and endless possibility of adventure made it extremely exciting. Max is currently in Colombia, travelling west to transit the Panama Canal and working on a collaborative project with a group of friends — Wild Swimming Cornwall — which aims to promote the mental and physical benefits of cold seawater.

Follow Max's updates: @un.tide on Instagram / @un.tied on Tik Tok
Hosted by: @beckylucyking

Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.

Andy talks to Becky about his inspiring journey across Canada, as he sets out on his mission to clean up one million bottles. After 35 years in the hospitality industry, Andy witnessed a large volume of food waste and lack of recycling and wanted to do something about it. Having cycled across Canada in 1998 and with multiple marathons under his belt, Andy had always dreamt of running across Canada.

In 2013 Andy’s dream came true as he embarked on his 9,000km(!) run across Canada with minimal carbon footprint to promote the 3 R’s; reduce, reuse, recycle. The moment he set off he noticed a staggering amount of litter along the Trans-Canada Highway and began picking it up as he went. It was a life-changing moment – Andy had never felt so fulfilled before, and he was hungry for more. 

Andy is a proud Canadian, nature-lover and outdoor enthusiast who has set himself a goal to collect one million bottles in order to keep Canada beautiful and inspire others to do the same. Hear about Andy’s epic journey so far – where he’s travelled, the friends he’s made along the way and how many bottles he’s collected to date. Andy is a modest man who has never sought any sponsorship – he runs for the joy of making a difference and meeting other inspiring like-minded people along the way.

Follow his updates: @millionbottlepledge / Million Bottle Pledge on Facebook
Hosted by: @beckylucyking
Photo credit: @shawspotlight - check out their video on Andy’s Million Bottle Pledge

Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.

Emily Scott is a multiple Ironwoman triathlete, ski instructor, and adventure athlete who is also a founding member of the British Adventure Collective. In this episode, Emily talks us through her gruelling journey climbing all 282 of the Scottish Munros in one self-supported round trip. The expedition, which took 120 days, involved travelling by bike, foot and kayak, covered a total of 2,605km.

Follow Emily's adventures on Instagram: @adventure_scottie / @britishadventurecollective
Hosted by: @beckylucyking

Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.

Kristian Manietta is no stranger to pushing limits and living outside of his body's comfort zone. The endurance athlete is a sub 9-hour age group champion at Ironman, an ex-professional snowboarder, and a Performance Enhancement coach. He is also experienced at Trail Running, Ultra Racing, Triathlons, mountain biking and more.

Alongside his incredible career as an athlete he is also the founder of a training company for endurance athletes called Endurance Specific; and the creator of the The Endurance Specific Podcast. 

Kristian shares his career and personal achievements with Becky, talking through his strategies, insights, stories of adventure, his life mantra, limits, learnings, and drive. 

endurancespecific.com

@endurancespecific

Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.

Photo: Stirl and Rae Media Haus

Follow on instagram: @beckylucyking

Konrad Bartelski is a former British Alpine Ski Racer who became the first male British downhill ski racer to stand on the Alpine Skiing World Cup podium. The skier and broadcaster turned professional photographer challenged the status quo by proving that it is possible for a man who is not from a privileged background to compete, and be successful, at beating the Austrian and Swiss at their own game.

He completed the downhill race in an incredible time of 2 minutes 7.52 seconds; missing first place by 0.11 seconds. Britain had never produced a successful male downhill racer, and Bartelski's performance resulted in the French television commentator saying, "Ce n'est pas possible! C'est un anglais!". The second placing result remained the highest placing by a Briton in any World Cup race, until it was equalled by Dave Ryding in 2017.

Konrad shares his story of passion, injury and determination with Becky; highlighting how he went beyond what was expected in order to prove that a male British downhill racer could stand on a World Cup podium.

Photo: Konrad racing in St Anton 1979 © Colorsport / Stewart Fraser
www.konradbartelski.photography
Instagram: @konradbartelski

Facebook: KonradBartelski

Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.

Follow on instagram:  @beckylucyking

In this episode of Thinking Off-Piste Becky chats to Jamie Barrow, Britain's fastest snowboarder​. After a serious snowboard accident whilst competing in a Snowboard Cross event in 2013 Jamie was forced to leave the British team due to a bad back injury. Despite doctors advising Jamie to give up snowboarding, he was determined to not only snowboard again but to challenge himself further. Jamie is now the Guinness World Record holder for the fastest speed on a snowboard being towed by a vehicle, and has many more goals lined up...

Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.

Follow Jamie on Instragram @jamiebarrow_gb
Host: @beckylucyking

Maria Leijerstam Edy is a British polar adventurer and World Record holder. In 2013 she became the first person in the world to cycle to the South Pole from the edge of the Antarctic continent. Maria started her expedition on the Ross Ice Shelf at the edge of the Antarctic continent, and cycled for 10 to 17 hours each day with no rest days. Without intent, Maria also set the World Record for the fastest human powered coast to pole traverse, completing the journey in 10 days, 14 hours and 56 minutes. Maria takes us on a journey through her extreme adventures, and the planning, training and creativity that went into breaking these incredible records.

You can read Maria's detailed story in her book 'Cycling to the South Pole': www.marialeijerstam.com/book-documentary

Facebook: marialeijerstam

Instagram: marialeijerstam

Twitter: marialeijerstam

Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.

Hosted by: @beckylucyking

Steep skier, climber and IFMGA Mountain Guide Tom Grant shares his first-hand experience of skiing first descents all over the world. From technical lines in Baffin Island, BC to one of the world’s largest previously un-skied lines in New Zealand, Tom loves to push his boundaries and take on extreme descents. Hear about Tom's back-up plans for when things go wrong in the mountains and learn how to reach your optimum performance through flow state.

As an IFGMA mountain guide, Tom holds the highest level of certification worldwide and is part the only association permitted to work in the European Alps. Based out of Chamonix Tom specialises in alpine climbing, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, freeride, steep skiing and offers custom guiding for all abilities and aspirations.

Follow Tom's updates: tomgrant.guide / @tom_grant_
Hosted by: @beckylucyking

Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.

Caroline recounts the story of her life-changing injury after having fallen from an outdoor climbing wall in Dubai. She was immediately rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries that included two shattered feet, a displaced & fragmented right pelvis that was no longer connected to the left side of her body and a bust fracture to part of her spine. Initially Doctors told Caroline that she might never walk again. After 14 surgeries, 23 blood transfusions and two years of extensive rehabilitation Caroline regained the ability to walk with the use of crutches.

After 4 years of healing, Caroline returned to work and co-founded the online fitness education platform A Life of Education. To mark the end of her recovery, in which she fully regained the ability to walk unassisted, Caroline endeavored to set a new Guiness World Record to become the first person in the world to summit all of the highest points in the Middle East and The Arabian Peninsula in the fastest possible time - a feat that had never been attempted by a woman alone.

Caroline became the first female mountaineer to climb 10 of the highest peaks across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in a record time of 28 days. Raising funds for children around the world through Gulf4Good, Caroline summited mountains in some of the world's most dangerous countries; Turkey, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the UAE.

Caroline has since gone on to speak publicly about mindset, healing and traveling across the Middle East on Dubai Eye, Virgin Radio, iHeart Radio & Off Script. She also shared her story on TEDX Dubai and various podcasts, News channels and TV interviews. As a result of the expedition Caroline was awarded the "Hero of the Year" and now represents Australia as an Ambassador for Expo 20/20.

What’s Next: 

In Dec 2021 Caroline, with the support of DHL, is attempting another Guinness World Record, to summit the highest volcanoes in each of the 7 continents in the fastest possible time. 

Caroline Leon is an Australian-born health and fitness advocate who holds a BA. in Medical Science, a Grad Dip. in International Health and is also a Health Coach, fitness professional and the Co-Founder of A Life of Education.  

Follow her journey on Instagram: @caroline.d.leon
Hosted by: @beckylucyking

Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.

Aaron Rolph recounts his recent solo attempt to ski the Haute route non-stop which he completed in one self-propelled, sleepless push in only 31 hours! The route from Chamonix to Zermatt is usually skied over a week and covers a distance of 125km and climbing almost 8,000m in ascent. In doing so, he became the first person in the world to complete the popular Verbier route in a single push, proving that "normal skiers" can achieve the extraordinary if they just set their mind to it. Aaron recalls what it's like to ski alone through the night, his experience filming extreme sports documentaries, and country appreciation.

Aaron Rolph is a full-time adventure athlete and photographer based between London and the French Alps.
Follow his updates: @aaronrolph / @britishadventurecollective
Hosted by: @beckylucyking

Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.