Wild Chats with Ben Southall – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with ultra runner Coree Woltering, whose athletic journey has taken him from the world of triathlons to the heart of the ultra running community.

Coree shares how his passion for the trails led him to pursue Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempts and endurance challenges that push both body and mind. He opens up about his Ice Age Trail FKT—the obstacles he faced, the lessons learned about resilience, and the powerful role of community support throughout the journey.

They dive into the mental and physical preparation behind ultra events, the balance between competition and enjoyment, and the deeper meaning Coree finds in running for a cause. He also reflects on the simplicity and beauty of trail running, his close collaboration with sponsors, and his excitement for his upcoming race, the Blackhall 100.

Looking ahead, Coree shares his plans to return to shorter distances to sharpen his performance, all while staying grounded in the sense of connection that fuels his love for the sport.

This is a conversation about resilience, purpose, and the unbreakable spirit of the ultra running community.

🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia.

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with ultra runner Buha Bali, whose journey has taken her from local races in Australia to competing on the world stage at the prestigious UTMB in Chamonix. 

Buha opens up about the highs and lows of ultra running—how training, community support, and sheer determination play a role in preparing for some of the toughest endurance events on the planet. They dive into the mental and physical challenges of racing in the Alps, the importance of gear and technique, and the transformative moments found on the trails of the Pyrenees and beyond. 

She reflects on the pre-race atmosphere, the nerves before the start line, and the resilience needed to overcome both physical and mental hurdles mid-race. Buha also shares her aspirations for future adventures and the lessons she’s carrying forward from Chamonix. 

This is a conversation about perseverance, growth, and the love of pushing limits in the wild. 

 Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia. 

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the World of Ultra Running

02:43 The Journey to UTMB: From Local to Global

05:44 The Competitive Mindset: Embracing Opportunities

08:22 Preparing for the UTMB: Training and Challenges

11:30 The Role of Community in Trail Running

14:20 Training for the Alps: Overcoming Elevation Challenges

17:11 The Importance of Technique: Using Poles Effectively

20:01 Building a Support Network: The Role of Mentors

22:44 Choosing the Right Race: Finding Your Sweet Spot

25:44 Experiencing the UTMB: The Atmosphere and Community

28:52 Reality Check: Training in the Pyrenees

32:46 Facing the Challenges of Altitude

36:09 Understanding the Mountain's Power

38:02 Experiencing the Terrain and Conditions

39:45 Arrival in Chamonix: The Calm Before the Race

42:15 The Build-Up to the Race Day

47:07 Nerves and Pre-Race Rituals

50:41 The Journey to the Start Line

52:23 Imposter Syndrome and Personal Growth

55:33 The Emotional Journey of Racing

59:27 Overcoming Adversity in Extreme Conditions

01:05:04 The Finish Line: Triumph and Reflection

01:09:16 Looking Ahead: Future Goals and Training

In this episode, Ben Southall sits down with Cam Bostock, an outdoor adventurer and content creator, to dive deep into his journey from a childhood spent exploring the outdoors in Perth, Australia, to rediscovering his passion for nature after years of gaming and introversion.

Cam shares how hiking became a transformative force in his life, improving his mental and physical well-being. He takes us through his experiences on some of the world’s most iconic trails, including New Zealand’s Te Araroa and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and opens up about the challenges he faced—from harsh weather and rugged terrain to wildfires.

Whether you're an avid hiker, an aspiring content creator, or just looking for adventure inspiration, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and real-life stories from the trail.

Follow Cam on Instagram and keep up to date with Optiventure. 

 https://www.instagram.com/optiventure.co/

https://www.instagram.com/cambostock/ 

Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth.

In this episode, Ben Southall sits down with Sophie Matterson, an adventurer who took on the ultimate solo challenge—trekking 5,000km across Australia, from Shark Bay (WA) to Byron Bay (NSW), with only camels for company.

Sophie shares how she went from a novice hiker to a seasoned trekker, navigating the harsh realities of the Australian outback. She reflects on her deep bond with her camels & the lessons they taught her. The mental & physical challenges of long-distance solo travel. Adapting to extreme landscapes & the unpredictable elements and the transition from solitude to civilization & how it changed her life.

This conversation is a raw and inspiring look at resilience, adventure, and the profound connection between humans and animals in the wild.

Find Sophie on www.sophiematterson.com

Instagram @sophiematterson

Grab a copy of Sophie’s book ‘The Crossing: A memoir of love, adventure and finding your own path

'The Crossing is as profound as it is moving - a tapestry of adventure, love and, of course, camels.' Tim Cope, author of On the Trail of Genghis Khan

Hosted by Best Life Adventures and Wild Earth
https://bestlifeadventures.com
https://www.wildearth.com.au

In this episode of Wild Chats, host Ben Southall speaks with Thor Pedersen, the first person EVER to visit every country in the world without flying. Thor shares his unique journey, starting from his early life in Denmark, through military service, and into his ambitious project called 'Once Upon a Saga.' He discusses the challenges he faced while traveling across continents, the importance of cultural exchange, and the lessons learned from his experiences. The conversation highlights the beauty of travel, the connections made along the way, and the significance of storytelling in sharing these adventures.

THOR PEDERSEN is the only person in history to have

reached every country in the world completely without

flying. The project, named Once Upon A Saga, was initially

planned to take just four years but ended up taking nearly

a decade due to unforeseen challenges such as visa issues,

political unrest, and the COVID-19 pandemic. On May

23rd, 2023, Pedersen reached the final country, Maldives,

completing the project and claiming world history.

@onceuponasaga | Thorpedersen.dk

For all press enquiries please contact:

Henry.Lord@littlebrown.co.uk

Keywords: 

travel, adventure, exploration, Thor Pedersen, Once Upon a Saga, military service, United Nations, global travel, storytelling, cultural exchange, wild earth, best life adventures

Dr Geoff Wilson and his crew at @projectzero_earth have voyaged across oceans on their first leg of Project Zero - a carbon-neutral expedition to explore the impacts of climate change in the most remote corners of the planet. 

Listen to Geoff recount the rough seas, polar hurricanes, crossing the Southern Icefields of Patagonia and the wonders of Antarctica. 

Find out more about Project Zero here: https://www.projectzero.earth/

Listen to @heykiera_ and @floriano_esse share the learnings from their first European bikepacking tour 1,900km along the Marco Polo trail. They biked all the way from Venice (ALMOST) to Athens!

David King aka @dingo_darbo on Instagram joins Ben Southall to share his passion for country, his knowledge of Aboriginal culture and land management along with tips on how to adventure respectfully in the wild!

Find out more about him here: https://davidkingbluemountains.com/about

This week Sarah shares some serious ultra-running inspiration from her one-million-acre station in far North West Queensland! We apologise for the tech issues as this one did drop in and out a few times but hang in there it’s worth it!

Sarah is a Wild Earth Ambassador and Athlete. Follow her on Instagram at @sarahloufoster14

Jackson Groves is an Aussie adventure traveller who has been on the road for six years creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches, mountains & adrenaline activities. ⁠He shares his tips on solo adventure travel, how to plan a trip as well as how to get into travel blogging with Ben Southall.
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He's currently on a 1.5-month backpacking and hiking trip around the Philippines, carrying only what he can fit into two bags attached to his bike.⁠

Follow more of his adventures on Instagram @jackson.groves
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JacksonGroves
Website:  https://www.journeyera.com/
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