What's Up Åre – Details, episodes & analysis

What does it take to climb mountains—both literal and figurative? This week, we chat with Maria Granberg, an adventurer who’s made discomfort her superpower. From summiting Mount Everest to surviving on half an apple for 72 hours, Maria shares her incredible journey of grit, growth, and self-discovery. Packed with inspiring stories and honest reflections, this episode will leave you rethinking what it means to embrace life’s challenges. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that might just spark your next adventure!

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction (00:10:38) Living the Adventure Life (00:21:11) Climbing Safely in Extreme Environments (00:31:47) Facing Glacier Challenges (00:42:22) The Mental Side of Climbing (00:52:57) Summiting Mount Everest (01:03:33) Personal Discoveries Through Climbing (01:14:08) Balancing Passion and Hardships (01:24:43) Making Life-Altering Decisions (01:35:19) Healing Through Adventure

Featured Quotes:

• "You have to get very comfortable with being uncomfortable."
• "Fear isn’t something to avoid; it’s a way to grow and discover who you really are."
• "I ate half an apple and one gel in 72 hours while climbing—sometimes survival is about the smallest wins."
• "Climbing Everest taught me that the summit is only a small part of the journey."
• "The mountains mirror life—challenging, beautiful, and endlessly rewarding if you’re willing to embrace the climb."

- Marie Granberg

Love what you’re hearing? Help us keep the stories coming! Sharing episodes and subscribing mean the world to us. To make a bigger impact, consider sponsoring an episode—your support fuels our mission to spotlight the vibrant stories of Åre.

Follow Our Guests and Team:

• Maria Granberg: ⁠@granbergadventureathlete
• Creative Director: Viktor Ohlin⁠⁠ @allinvision.jpg⁠⁠
• Hosts: Val Cook and Tim Boffe⁠⁠ @thenomadsfamily⁠⁠
• Interior Design by⁠⁠ Theolin Interior Design⁠⁠

Watch and Listen: This episode is also available on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube Music⁠⁠.

Last week's giveaway:

The winner of the giveaway of last week's episode is none other than Glenn Jäderlund

In this episode, we sit down with Malin Rapp—a professional athlete, motivational speaker, and all-around inspiring soul. Malin opens up about the highs and lows of her journey, from winning a world championship to facing a life-changing accident that forced her to rethink everything. Now, she travels Sweden sharing her story, while finding her own peace here in Åre. We talk about resilience, embracing new paths, and what it means to find balance in a place that feels like home. Join us for an honest, uplifting chat with Malin about passion, purpose, and the twists life brings.

Chapters:

[00:00:00] - The Drive to Keep Fighting
[00:00:14] - Breaking Barriers in Extreme Sports
[00:00:49] - First Arrival in Åre
[00:01:03] - Family Traditions in Nature
[00:01:23] - Defining Mountain Cabins
[00:11:00] - Lessons from Hardship and Resilience
[00:18:30] - Discovering New Outdoor Passions
[00:25:50] - Introducing Kids to Adventure
[01:13:30] - Reflections on Community in Åre
[01:20:00] - Rapid-Fire Fun: Choices and Preferences

Standout quotes:

• "There's something here that makes me keep fighting."
• "Extreme sports, it's not for girls. So I gave everything I had in that competition."
• "The best adventures I've ever had in my life started with uncertainty."
• "Sometimes, it's not about pushing limits, but appreciating the journey."
• "What can this situation teach me? That question changed everything."

- Malin Rapp

Love what you’re hearing? Help us keep the stories coming! Sharing episodes and subscribing mean the world to us. To make a bigger impact, consider sponsoring an episode—your support fuels our mission to spotlight the vibrant stories of Åre.

Follow Our Guests and Team:

• Malin Rapp: @malin_rapp
• Creative Director: Viktor Ohlin⁠ @allinvision.jpg⁠
• Hosts: Val Cook and Tim Boffe⁠ @thenomadsfamily⁠
• Interior Design by⁠ Theolin Interior Design⁠

Watch and Listen: This episode is also available on ⁠YouTube⁠ and ⁠YouTube Music⁠.

Special Thanks: This episode is sponsored by ⁠@mrsmaggieduved⁠

We're thrilled to announce an exciting giveaway in this episode of What's up Åre. We're giving away a delicious Swiss evening dinner for four people at Mrs. Maggie to one lucky subscriber.

Here's how to enter:

Simply subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Spotify – the more channels you follow, the better your chances of winning. We'll announce the winner in the description of the next episode, so keep an eye out and see if it's you!

Don't miss out – hit that subscribe button, stay tuned, and you could be the winner.

The winner of the giveaway of last week's episode is none other than Emilia Giertta

Description: In this episode, we chat with Anna-Maria Eriksson, a lively and creative soul who’s made her mark in Åre. She shares her journey of falling in love with the town, from her first days baking flatbread to her spontaneous decision to take over a local café. With humor and a whole lot of heart, Anna-Maria talks about what makes her feel at home in Åre, her unique take on Swedish culture, and her “badass” approach to life. Join us for an inspiring, feel-good conversation about life, community, and the joys of doing things your own way.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) - A beautiful place to call home

(00:07:55) - How to make the most of limited resources

(00:14:46) - Living close to nature: the joys of rural life

(00:21:15) - Exploring the charm of Tegeforsen

(00:28:04) - Facing challenges and finding solutions

(00:37:15) - Standing up for what matters

(00:45:44) - Building a supportive and creative community

(00:54:29) - Turning visions into reality

(01:01:46) - Surreal moments and unexpected opportunities

(01:09:12) - Finding connections between work and passion

(01:16:33) - Wrapping up: quickfire questions and final thoughts

Featured Quotes:

• "It’s amazing how Åre allows you to create something out of nothing—it’s a place full of endless possibilities."
• "The sense of freedom here is contagious—there’s space to try new things, to experiment, and to truly be yourself."
• "Living in Åre is about possibility—it’s not just a place, it’s an abundance of opportunities."
• "I feel strange and different to the typical Swede, but I think that’s what makes life interesting."

–– Anna-Maria Eriksson

Love what you’re hearing? Help us keep the stories coming! Sharing episodes and subscribing mean the world to us. To make a bigger impact, consider sponsoring an episode—your support fuels our mission to spotlight the vibrant stories of Åre.

Follow Our Guests and Team:

• Anna-Maria Eriksson: @annamariaeriksson
• Creative Director: Viktor Ohlin @allinvision.jpg
• Hosts: Val Cook and Tim Boffe @thenomadsfamily
• Interior Design by Theolin Interior Design

Watch and Listen: This episode is also available on YouTube and YouTube Music.

Special Thanks: This episode is sponsored by @Eivy

We're thrilled to announce an exciting giveaway in this episode of What's up Åre. We're giving away a nice package of clothing from Eivy to one lucky subscriber. Here's how to enter:

Simply subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Spotify – the more channels you follow, the better your chances of winning. We'll announce the winner in the description of the next episode, so keep an eye out and see if it's you!

Don't miss out – hit that subscribe button, stay tuned, and you could be the winner.

The winner of the giveaway of last week's episode is none other than Jon Spijon.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a paramedic in a mountain town? This week, we chat with Fredrik Arenstig, the guy who’s seen it all—from everyday callouts to wild mountain rescues. Fredrik opens up about his most intense moments on the job, the close calls that stick with him, and how he’s learned to take life as it comes. It’s a laid-back conversation full of laughter, heart, and insights into life on Åre’s frontline. Join us for a feel-good, eye-opening talk with Fredrik about what makes his role one of the most unique in town!

• "I had a few freak accidents that almost ended our lives."
• "You need to decide if you want to live your life or if you want to live like in the past."
• "I’ve always been passionate about pushing limits, whether it’s in sports or life."
• "When you’re faced with something life-threatening, you quickly realize what truly matters."

–– Fredrik Arenstig

Chapters:

(00:00:02) - Starting with a bang: life’s unexpected turns

(00:09:59) - What keeps you grounded during tough times?

(00:18:43) - Learning to let go (and trust the process)

(00:27:11) - Moments that inspire and surprise us

(00:36:15) - What makes Åre such a special place?

(00:44:55) - Emergency calls: what really happens behind the scenes

(00:53:15) - Winter in Åre: avalanches, safety, and teamwork

(01:02:08) - A day in the life of an ambulance responder

(01:10:46) - How living in Åre changes your perspective

(01:19:15) - Exploring Åre: small adventures, big rewards

(01:26:56) - Wrapping up: goals, Instagram, and rapid-fire fun

Love what you’re hearing? Help us keep the stories coming! Sharing episodes and subscribing mean the world to us. To make a bigger impact, consider sponsoring an episode—your support fuels our mission to spotlight the vibrant stories of Åre.

Follow Our Guests and Team:

• Fredrik Arenstig: @fredrikarenstig and @arenstig
• Creative Director: Viktor Ohlin @allinvision.jpg
• Hosts: Val Cook and Tim Boffe @thenomadsfamily
• Interior Design by Theolin Interior Design

Watch and Listen: This episode is also available on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXRXoW7vPEk

Special Thanks: This episode is sponsored by Clean Grit, @cleangrit

We're thrilled to announce an exciting giveaway in this episode of What's up Åre. We're giving away a nice package of products from Clean Grit to one lucky subscriber. Here's how to enter:

Simply subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Spotify – the more channels you follow, the better your chances of winning. We'll announce the winner in the description of the next episode, so keep an eye out and see if it's you!

Don't miss out – hit that subscribe button, stay tuned, and you could be the winner.

Val and Tim are your hosts for What's Up Åre, a video podcast that goes beyond small talk to explore the real stories of people living in Åre, a Swedish mountain town. After years of adventure with a hostel on wheels—a converted American school bus traveling across Europe—they've put down roots in Åre, drawn by the incredible community and its fascinating stories. In this trailer, they show you snippets from some of the amazing guests they've already had in the studio. Make yourself comfortable and get ready for inspiring stories from Åre's residents. Subscribe now and join the journey!

Love what you’re hearing? Help us keep the stories coming! Sharing episodes and subscribing mean the world to us. To make a bigger impact, consider sponsoring an episode—your support fuels our mission to spotlight the vibrant stories of Åre.

Follow Our Team:

• Creative Director: Viktor Ohlin @allinvision.jpg
• Hosts: Val Cook and Tim Boffe @thenomadsfamily
• Interior Design by Theolin Interior Design

Watch and Listen: This episode is also available on YouTube.

Trailer Credits:

"We are the Rovers Norway" by Antonin Michaud-Soret

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/wearetherovers

"Built for Life: The Nomads Family" by Michiel Rotgans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAuQl8_BCeg&t=47s

"Whitelines x The Nomads Bus" by Will Nangle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMwQjHzCMSU