EP-226 FROM CRASH TO CLARITY: Michael O’Brien’s Last Bad Day

What drives someone to paddle a thousand miles alone through the Canadian subarctic? In this episode, Richard talks with Stephan Kesting, author of Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic. Stephan shares the story behind his epic 50-day canoe journey, a trip shaped by health challenges, risk, and a relentless drive to keep moving forward. Along the way, he reflects on lessons about wilderness, resilience, and the balance between risk and reward. From grueling days of non-stop travel, to swarms of northern bugs, to the history of fur traders and Indigenous canoe routes, Stephan brings listeners into the harsh but awe-inspiring world of the subarctic. His book combines gripping adventure with reflections on life, nature, and the meaning of perseverance itself. 👉 Find the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612 👉 To learn more, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essentialwilderness/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@essentialwilderness Website: https://essentialwilderness.com/   About Us 🌍     10Adventures 🌟 was founded with one goal in mind: to make active travel accessible, promoting mental and physical well-being. 🚶‍♀️🚴 Our mission is to eliminate the stress of holiday planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey. We offer seamless trip coordination, handling accommodations, meals, transfers, and guides 🗺️ through our network of vetted local tour operators in over 80 countries. For those who prefer a lighter load, we arrange luggage transfers, ensuring a stress-free biking or hiking experience. 🧳🌄   Specializing in private and personalized travel experiences, our team 🧑‍💼🌐 is dedicated to tailoring trips to your preferences. We understand that travel is more than just a trip; it's an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. As fellow active travelers, we provide genuine, human support to ensure your journey with 10Adventures is as unique and fulfilling as possible. 🤝✨   To learn more, visit https://www.10adventures.com/ 🌐 Or contact us at https://www.10adventures.com/contact/ Also, you can check one of our local tours at https://www.10adventures.com/tours/

Can the wilderness really teach us how to lead? Sandy Colhoun, President of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), says yes. In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, Sandy shares stories from his outdoor journey, explains how NOLS has taught leadership through expeditions for 60 years, and reflects on why the wilderness remains the ultimate classroom. From expedition behavior to wilderness skills to building lifelong confidence, this episode will inspire you to see the outdoors in a new way. 👉 Learn more about NOLS:  http://nols.edu/  https://www.nols.edu/about/expedition-behavior/ 👉 Or, find them on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/nols1965 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolsedu   About Us 🌍     10Adventures 🌟 was founded with one goal in mind: to make active travel accessible, promoting mental and physical well-being. 🚶‍♀️🚴 Our mission is to eliminate the stress of holiday planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey. We offer seamless trip coordination, handling accommodations, meals, transfers, and guides 🗺️ through our network of vetted local tour operators in over 80 countries. For those who prefer a lighter load, we arrange luggage transfers, ensuring a stress-free biking or hiking experience. 🧳🌄   Specializing in private and personalized travel experiences, our team 🧑‍💼🌐 is dedicated to tailoring trips to your preferences. We understand that travel is more than just a trip; it's an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. As fellow active travelers, we provide genuine, human support to ensure your journey with 10Adventures is as unique and fulfilling as possible. 🤝✨   To learn more, visit https://www.10adventures.com/ 🌐 Or contact us at https://www.10adventures.com/contact/ Also, you can check one of our local tours at https://www.10adventures.com/tours/

Thinking about escaping the cold this winter? Look south! In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, Richard is joined by Nadine — fresh back from maternity leave — to count down the 10 best treks in South America. These are the adventures most loved and most booked on Ten Adventures, mixed with a few insider favorites that pack an unforgettable punch. From the rugged peaks of Patagonia to the cultural wonders of Peru and the hidden gems of Bolivia and Colombia, this episode is full of inspiration for your next big adventure. Whether you’re looking for a guided trek, a challenging circuit, or a once-in-a-lifetime view of Machu Picchu, there’s something here for every hiker.   🥾 The Top 10 Treks in South America Here are the trails discussed in the episode (with links to start planning your own trek):   Lost City Trek – Colombia 👉 Colombia Hiking Tours 👉 Lost City Trek   Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek – Peru 👉 Peru Hiking Tours 👉 Peruvian Andes Tours 👉 Ausangate & Rainbow Mountain + Machu Picchu   Chimborazo Summit – Ecuador 👉 Ecuador Hiking Tours 👉 Climb Chimborazo   Salkantay Trek – Peru 👉 Peru Hiking Tours 👉 Machu Picchu Tours 👉 Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu   Trekking Ecuador’s Volcanoes 👉 Ecuador Hiking Tours 👉 Trekking the Avenue of the Volcanoes   W Trek – Torres del Paine, Chile 👉 Chile Hiking Tours 👉 Torres del Paine Tours 👉 W Trek Torres del Paine 👉 Self-Guided W Trek   Inca Trail – Peru 👉 Peru Hiking Tours 👉 Machu Picchu Tours 👉 Classic Inca Trail (Private)   Cordillera Real Trek – Bolivia 👉 Bolivia Hiking Tours 👉 Cordillera Real Trek   Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit Trek – Peru 👉 Peru Hiking Tours 👉 Peruvian Andes Tours 👉 Huayhuash Trek 👉 Short Huayhuash Tour   O Circuit – Torres del Paine, Chile 👉 Chile Hiking Tours 👉 Torres del Paine Tours 👉 Self-Guided O Circuit 👉 O Circuit Torres del Paine Tour About Us 🌍     10Adventures 🌟 was founded with one goal in mind: to make active travel accessible, promoting mental and physical well-being. 🚶‍♀️🚴 Our mission is to eliminate the stress of holiday planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey. We offer seamless trip coordination, handling accommodations, meals, transfers, and guides 🗺️ through our network of vetted local tour operators in over 80 countries. For those who prefer a lighter load, we arrange luggage transfers, ensuring a stress-free biking or hiking experience. 🧳🌄   Specializing in private and personalized travel experiences, our team 🧑‍💼🌐 is dedicated to tailoring trips to your preferences. We understand that travel is more than just a trip; it's an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. As fellow active travelers, we provide genuine, human support to ensure your journey with 10Adventures is as unique and fulfilling as possible. 🤝✨   To learn more, visit https://www.10adventures.com/ 🌐 Or contact us at https://www.10adventures.com/contact/ Also, you can check one of our local tours at https://www.10adventures.com/tours/    

What if the best prescription for better health isn’t found in a bottle, but just outside your front door? In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, Richard speaks with Professor Jay Maddock, a global leader in the science of nature and health. Jay shares fascinating research on how spending time outdoors — whether it’s a quick 10-minute break in a park or a weekend in the wilderness — restores our attention, reduces stress, improves creativity, strengthens the immune system, and even speeds recovery in hospitals. From the importance of getting children outdoors to why doctors and even the military are prescribing time in nature, this episode is packed with evidence and inspiration to make nature a daily part of life.   To learn more, visit: Website: https://www.natureandhealthalliance.org/   About Us 🌍     10Adventures 🌟 was founded with one goal in mind: to make active travel accessible, promoting mental and physical well-being. 🚶‍♀️🚴 Our mission is to eliminate the stress of holiday planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey. We offer seamless trip coordination, handling accommodations, meals, transfers, and guides 🗺️ through our network of vetted local tour operators in over 80 countries. For those who prefer a lighter load, we arrange luggage transfers, ensuring a stress-free biking or hiking experience. 🧳🌄   Specializing in private and personalized travel experiences, our team 🧑‍💼🌐 is dedicated to tailoring trips to your preferences. We understand that travel is more than just a trip; it's an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. As fellow active travelers, we provide genuine, human support to ensure your journey with 10Adventures is as unique and fulfilling as possible. 🤝✨   To learn more, visit https://www.10adventures.com/ 🌐 Or contact us at https://www.10adventures.com/contact/ Also, you can check one of our local tours at https://www.10adventures.com/tours/  

We all know travel can broaden our horizons — but what happens when our adventures harm the very places we love? In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we sit down with Rebecca Thompson, an award-winning sustainability leader and founder of Sustainable Travel Technologies, to discuss how we can move beyond “less harm” and into travel that actively creates a positive impact. Rebecca has worked across the globe helping tourism companies and travelers rethink their choices. She shares insights from destinations grappling with overtourism, explains the hidden social and economic costs of our travel habits, and offers easy, practical tips anyone can use to make their next trip more sustainable — without losing the joy of discovery. Rebecca’s stories will challenge the way you think about your role as a traveler. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a weekend road-tripper, this conversation will inspire you to travel better.     To learn more, visit:   Website: https://sustainabletravel.tech/ LinkedIn: Rebecca Thompson   About Us 🌍     10Adventures 🌟 was founded with one goal in mind: to make active travel accessible, promoting mental and physical well-being. 🚶‍♀️🚴 Our mission is to eliminate the stress of holiday planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey. We offer seamless trip coordination, handling accommodations, meals, transfers, and guides 🗺️ through our network of vetted local tour operators in over 80 countries. For those who prefer a lighter load, we arrange luggage transfers, ensuring a stress-free biking or hiking experience. 🧳🌄   Specializing in private and personalized travel experiences, our team 🧑‍💼🌐 is dedicated to tailoring trips to your preferences. We understand that travel is more than just a trip; it's an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. As fellow active travelers, we provide genuine, human support to ensure your journey with 10Adventures is as unique and fulfilling as possible. 🤝✨   To learn more, visit https://www.10adventures.com/ 🌐 Or contact us at https://www.10adventures.com/contact/  

In this powerful episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we sit down with Michael O’Brien, a former executive turned mindfulness advocate and cyclist, to hear how a near-fatal accident on a morning ride changed his life forever. After being struck by an SUV in what he now calls his "Last Bad Day," Michael's recovery journey became the foundation for his transformational approach to life. He discusses how meditation, gratitude, and mindfulness helped him shift from chasing happiness to intentionally living it — and how he eventually fulfilled a lifelong dream of cycling across the U.S.. This conversation is for anyone feeling stuck, stressed, or searching for a more purposeful way to live.   To learn more, visit: Website: https://www.michaelobrienshift.com/ App: Pause. Breathe. Reflect. on iOS or Android  LinkedIn: Michael O’Brien   About Us 🌍     10Adventures 🌟 was founded with one goal in mind: to make active travel accessible, promoting mental and physical well-being. 🚶‍♀️🚴 Our mission is to eliminate the stress of holiday planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey. We offer seamless trip coordination, handling accommodations, meals, transfers, and guides 🗺️ through our network of vetted local tour operators in over 80 countries. For those who prefer a lighter load, we arrange luggage transfers, ensuring a stress-free biking or hiking experience. 🧳🌄   Specializing in private and personalized travel experiences, our team 🧑‍💼🌐 is dedicated to tailoring trips to your preferences. We understand that travel is more than just a trip; it's an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. As fellow active travelers, we provide genuine, human support to ensure your journey with 10Adventures is as unique and fulfilling as possible. 🤝✨   To learn more, visit https://www.10adventures.com/ 🌐 Or contact us at https://www.10adventures.com/contact/  

On this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we’re joined by filmmaker, traveler, and author Matt Tori, whose new book Go See America: 118 of the USA’s Greatest Hits (According to a Guy Who Visited Them All) captures over 100 of the most awe-inspiring places across the US National Park system. From iconic landmarks like Yosemite and Zion to lesser-known gems like Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Matt shares his picks for the Top 10 Hikes in the Western US National Parks — along with insider travel tips and personal stories from his cross-country adventures. Whether you're planning your next road trip or dreaming of visiting every national park, this episode is packed with trail-tested recommendations and inspiration to hit the trail.   To get Matt’s book, visit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4RRVST6   About Us 🌍     10Adventures 🌟 was founded with one goal in mind: to make active travel accessible, promoting mental and physical well-being. 🚶‍♀️🚴 Our mission is to eliminate the stress of holiday planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey. We offer seamless trip coordination, handling accommodations, meals, transfers, and guides 🗺️ through our network of vetted local tour operators in over 80 countries. For those who prefer a lighter load, we arrange luggage transfers, ensuring a stress-free biking or hiking experience. 🧳🌄   Specializing in private and personalized travel experiences, our team 🧑‍💼🌐 is dedicated to tailoring trips to your preferences. We understand that travel is more than just a trip; it's an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. As fellow active travelers, we provide genuine, human support to ensure your journey with 10Adventures is as unique and fulfilling as possible. 🤝✨   To learn more, visit https://www.10adventures.com/ 🌐 Or contact us at https://www.10adventures.com/contact/  

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we explore the fascinating connection between neuroscience and the outdoors with Dr. Jamey Maniscalco, a neuroscientist, wellness consultant, and former pharmaceutical industry professional. Dr. Maniscalco unpacks how our overstimulated, fast-paced modern lives are misaligned with how our brains evolved. He shares compelling research on how time in nature can reduce stress, improve attention and creativity, and even enhance our relationships. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a wellness seeker, or someone simply looking to feel more grounded, this episode delivers science-backed reasons to spend more time outside — and how even small steps can make a big difference.     To learn more, visit: manifestwellness.co   Get Jamey’s 10 Wellness Habits at this link: https://wild-hill-99243.myflodesk.com/123   About Us 🌍     10Adventures 🌟 was founded with one goal in mind: to make active travel accessible, promoting mental and physical well-being. 🚶‍♀️🚴 Our mission is to eliminate the stress of holiday planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey. We offer seamless trip coordination, handling accommodations, meals, transfers, and guides 🗺️ through our network of vetted local tour operators in over 80 countries. For those who prefer a lighter load, we arrange luggage transfers, ensuring a stress-free biking or hiking experience. 🧳🌄   Specializing in private and personalized travel experiences, our team 🧑‍💼🌐 is dedicated to tailoring trips to your preferences. We understand that travel is more than just a trip; it's an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. As fellow active travelers, we provide genuine, human support to ensure your journey with 10Adventures is as unique and fulfilling as possible. 🤝✨   To learn more, visit https://www.10adventures.com/ 🌐 Or contact us at https://www.10adventures.com/contact/  

In this unique episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we speak with Adam Lee, who walked 700 miles across the United Kingdom — not alone, but with a donkey named Martin. What began as a quest to avoid carrying a heavy backpack turned into an unforgettable journey filled with encounters, laughter, and life lessons. Adam shares the surprising reasons he brought a donkey, how the pair traveled from Cape Wrath in Scotland to Portland Bill on England’s southern coast, and how walking slowly, and with an animal, transformed the way strangers interacted with him. From finding wild campsites to managing Martin’s grazing schedule, this is a story of simplicity, connection, and self-reliance. Along the way, Adam shares insights from other major adventures across Latin America, the Pamir Highway, and Scotland — and reveals his dream trek from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.   To learn more, visit:   https://adamwalks.wordpress.com/ https://www.instagram.com/adamswalks/   About Us 🌍     10Adventures 🌟 was founded with one goal in mind: to make active travel accessible, promoting mental and physical well-being. 🚶‍♀️🚴 Our mission is to eliminate the stress of holiday planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey. We offer seamless trip coordination, handling accommodations, meals, transfers, and guides 🗺️ through our network of vetted local tour operators in over 80 countries. For those who prefer a lighter load, we arrange luggage transfers, ensuring a stress-free biking or hiking experience. 🧳🌄   Specializing in private and personalized travel experiences, our team 🧑‍💼🌐 is dedicated to tailoring trips to your preferences. We understand that travel is more than just a trip; it's an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. As fellow active travelers, we provide genuine, human support to ensure your journey with 10Adventures is as unique and fulfilling as possible. 🤝✨   To learn more, visit https://www.10adventures.com/ 🌐 Or contact us at https://www.10adventures.com/contact/  

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we travel to Japan’s southernmost islands to explore Okinawa, a region known for its tropical beaches, rich cultural history, and unique longevity. Our guest is Yuki Tanimura, an Okinawan native and adventure guide, who shares why Okinawa should be on every traveler’s list, especially for those looking to explore Japan beyond the usual Tokyo-Kyoto route. Yuki walks us through the natural wonders, historical roots, and wellness lifestyle that make Okinawa so special. He also introduces his company’s circumnavigation cycling tour, offers travel tips, and dives into the Blue Zone secrets of Okinawan food, ikigai (life purpose), and slow living. Whether you're a beach lover, cyclist, foodie, or cultural traveler, this episode reveals why Okinawa is Japan’s best-kept adventure secret.     To learn more, visit:   https://www.10adventures.com/tour/okinawa-4-day-e-bike-tour/ https://www.10adventures.com/tour/okinawa-cycling-tour/   About Us 🌍   10Adventures 🌟 was founded with one goal in mind: to make active travel accessible, promoting mental and physical well-being. 🚶‍♀️🚴 Our mission is to eliminate the stress of holiday planning, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey. We offer seamless trip coordination, handling accommodations, meals, transfers, and guides 🗺️ through our network of vetted local tour operators in over 80 countries. For those who prefer a lighter load, we arrange luggage transfers, ensuring a stress-free biking or hiking experience. 🧳🌄   Specializing in private and personalized travel experiences, our team 🧑‍💼🌐 is dedicated to tailoring trips to your preferences. We understand that travel is more than just a trip; it's an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. As fellow active travelers, we provide genuine, human support to ensure your journey with 10Adventures is as unique and fulfilling as possible. 🤝✨   To learn more, visit https://www.10adventures.com/ 🌐 Or contact us at https://www.10adventures.com/contact/