Ep. 1153: Epic Mountain Biking with Alenka Vrecek Revisited

At fifty-four, Alenka was running out of time to follow through on a dream she’d written down just after her first marriage crumbled. Years later, as she slowly rebuilt her life with her second husband, things started spiraling out of control with their health. The only way she knew how to heal and connect all painful parts of her life was by riding her bike, and she didn’t want to have regrets. But was she brave enough to embark on an unknown path and risk losing everything . . . perhaps even her own life?Determined to awaken her dying spirit and heal her battered body, Alenka loaded her mountain bike with 50 pounds’ worth of camping gear and set off on a 2,500-mile journey. Starting in Lake Tahoe, California, she hoped to ride to the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, following remote mountain trails, alone.What followed was an irrevocably transformational journey of love, hope, courage, and resilience—and here, Alenka tells that story in a voice stripped of self-pity and infused with a good dose of humor. Her book, She Rides, is a galvanizing wake-up call for anyone who wants to unearth and follow their own deeply buried dreams—and reclaim their life.Learn more about Alenka and her book, She Rides, below:www.mylifesuspended.comInstagram: @mother_lenTwitter: @AlenkaVrecekFacebook: @alenka.vrecekTo contribute to We See Hope, Climbing for Change 2026: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinvilleOur Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join us as Curt Linville interviews Epic Bill Bradley, an endurance athlete known for his incredible feats in extreme conditions. Bill shares his journey from running a video store to becoming a prominent figure in the world of endurance sports. He discusses the challenges he has faced, including numerous attempts at the Arrowhead 135 race, and the lessons he has learned about resilience, and the importance of never giving up. Bill's story is one of inspiration, showcasing how he has turned setbacks into motivation and continues to push the limits of what is possible in endurance athletics.Movie: Epic Bill. IMDb Rating: 9.2/10! Woohoo!https://www.epicbillfilm.com/IG: @epicbillbradleyIG Film: https://www.instagram.com/epic_bill_film/YT: https://www.youtube.com/@BillBradleyEpicTo contribute to We See Hope, Climbing for Change 2026: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinvilleOur Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

SummaryMatt Harmody was part of a team of living kidney donors who set out to summit the high points in all 50 states to illustrate that kidney donors go not not only to live normal lives, but can accomplish amazing feats. Matt shares his personal story beginning in 1980 when his father was diagnosed with renal failure, leading to a long journey of dialysis treatment. He discusses the emotional and physical toll of this experience on his family and the challenges faced during the nine years of treatment. This led Matt to becoming a kidney donor later in life. Great adventure. Great reason. Learn more at:www.MattHarmodyMD.comwww.NKDO.orghttps://www.kidneyregistry.com/The book: Ascending America - https://a.co/d/cXfZoVBTo give to We See Hope: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinvilleOur Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this revisited episode from the first year of the show, Pete Waldroop shares exciting stories about his skydiving adventures. He had over 2800 jumps and was active in sky diving competitions, competing at the USPA US National Sky Diving Championships. He was awarded 1 bronze and 6 silver metals in various disciplines, including CRW formations, and four and eight person freefall formations.  To support We See Hope, Kilimanjaro:  https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinvilleThanks!!!!Our Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sydney Petersen is a professional American trail and mountain runner from Crested Butte, Colorado, specializing in vertical and uphill races. She competes for the Brooks Trail Runners team and has rapidly emerged as one of the top U.S. athletes in the discipline, earning a spot on the 2025 Team USA for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC) in the Uphill (Vertical) event.Listen in as she shares what it is like to break into the global racing world.Give to We See Hope - The goal is $1 per foot of elevation of Kilimanjaro, $20,000:  https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinvilleTo follow Sydney (IG): @sydneypetersen33Our Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Listen in as Abby Galloway, a thru-hiker of the Colorado Trail, shares her transformative experience on the trail, discussing the challenges she faced, the people she met, and the lessons learned about herself and the outdoors. From navigating water sources to dealing with wildlife encounters, Abby emphasizes the importance of community, mental strength, and preparation in the hiking journey. She reflects on how the trail has impacted her life, instilling confidence and a sense of purpose as she continues her adventures beyond the trail.To donate to We See Hope: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinvilleTo catch up with Abbey: https://www.fredaheights.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/freda.heights/?hl=enOur Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Listen in as Steve Silk and Curt have tons of fun exploring the alternatives to over tourism, namely, biking the roads less traveled. Steve shares amazing experiences, helpful tips, and fun stories about cycling vacations in the UK. Steve has written two books on the subject. The first was Great North Road, and his newest book is Go West (linked below).We See Hope: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinvilleGo West: London to the Welsh Coast – 8 Days, 2 Wheels and a Whole Lot of Hills - https://a.co/d/5N3qiA2The Great North Road: London to Edinburgh – 11 Days, 2 Wheels and 1 Ancient Highway - https://a.co/d/gLxTkANOur Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join us as Chris Whitaker, founder of Global Shenanigans, shares his journey in the outdoor industry, the lifestyle of adventure sports, and the importance of building connections within the adventure community. Chris discusses the balance between passion and work, the challenges faced in the adventure sports career, and offers valuable advice for aspiring adventurers. He also shares memorable experiences from his adventures and emphasizes the significance of technical skills and certifications in the field.IG: @global_shenanigansWebsite: https://global-shenanigans.com/To support We See Hope: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinvilleCheck out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspFor Trudiagnostic: www.trudiagnostic.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On June 30th, 2013 Ron left his home in Cape Town, South Africa, in an attempt to cycle a single continuous journey through all 48 countries on mainland Africa (a world first), with the ultimate goal of reaching the UK in time to watch the South African National Rugby team at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. Just over two years later Ron had completed 42,000 km (26,000 miles), through 75 countries in total. Needless to say, a trip that changed his life. Oh, and South Africa lost the rugby game. We See Hope: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinvilleTo learn more about Ron:Twitter - @ronrutlandIG - @ron.rutlandOur Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspOur Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

"If you're not living on the edge, then you're taking up too much roof!"From UK police officer to leadership adventurer who journeyed to the North Pole to raise funding to start a school for hearing and speaking disabled children in Africa, Phil Wall has a long list of adventures. But the biggest adventure of all has been and continues to be a life well lived. Phil and his wife Wendy tried to adopt an HIV positive young girl from South Africa, but when that did not work out, they promised to devote their lives to making a difference for similar children who needed help across Africa. Now 25 adventurous years later, We See Hope, which they founded, has helped over 850,000 children. Phil and Wendy simply decided to take a risk and to do something, and what an amazing SOMETHING! This is what can happen when we decide to live the grand adventure of life.To support We See Hope: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinvilleCheck out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspFor Trudiagnostic: www.trudiagnostic.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/ASP* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/aspSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy