Ep. 1086: Jacob "Val" Myers - Antarctica and other Expeditions

Luc Mehl is an Alaskan adventurer, author, and educator based in Anchorage, known for his extensive wilderness travels and expertise in outdoor safety. Born and raised in McGrath, Alaska, he has traveled over 10,000 miles across Alaska by packraft, ski, bike, foot, and ice skates. Mehl is an award-winning author of The Packraft Handbook, a comprehensive guide to packrafting, which earned accolades such as the National Outdoor Book Award and Banff Mountain Book Competition Guidebook Winner. He holds graduate degrees from MIT and UCSB in geology and geophysics, works as an environmental data scientist, and teaches at Alaska Pacific University.Find out more about Luc:Thingstolucat.comIG: @lucmehlHis book, The Packraft Handbook: Thingstolucat.com/packrafthandbookSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Curt Linville interviews Jacob Val Myers, a remarkable athlete known for his extreme adventures, including an attempt to ski solo to the South Pole. Val shares his backstory, detailing his upbringing in Appalachia and his passion for outdoor activities and conservation. He recounts his challenging expedition in Antarctica, the tough decision to abort the mission due to health concerns, and his experiences running the Crazy Mountain 100 ultra marathon. Val emphasizes the importance of community and conservation efforts, discusses his upcoming book, and shares advice for aspiring adventurers.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this heartfelt episode of the Adventure Sports Podcast, Curt shares the profound impact of adventure sports on family bonding and youth development. Through personal stories and experiences with his son Caleb, he illustrates how engaging in outdoor activities fosters qualities like bravery, self-reliance, and tenacity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of spending quality time together, learning life lessons from nature, and celebrating milestones. This episode serves as a tribute to the transformative power of adventure in building strong family connections and personal growth.Music: https://caleblinville.itch.io/worlds-and-realms-27-essential-tracksChapters:00:00 The Benefits of Adventure Sports for Families09:35 Quality Time vs. Quantity Time in Family Adventures16:30 Life Lessons from Nature23:03 Empowering Youth Through Outdoor Experiences29:07 Encouraging Adventure: Mountain Biking Journey35:17 Camping Adventures: Embracing the Elements39:51 Winter Adventures: Learning Survival Skills45:28 The Thrill of Adventure SportsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Curt Linville interviews Susan Norman, an experienced paddler and author, about her journey through adventure sports and its profound impact on emotional health and resilience. Susan shares her early experiences with paddling, the challenges she faced in her personal life, and how outdoor adventures helped her cope with trauma and become a parent. The discussion highlights the importance of community, the empowerment of women in adventure sports, and the healing power of nature. Susan's story serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative effects of engaging with the outdoors.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Adventure and Healing03:09 Susan's Journey into Paddling Sports05:56 The Impact of Adventure on Mental Health08:58 Facing Fears and Building Resilience11:57 The Role of Community in Outdoor Sports14:58 Transitioning from Competition to Parenting17:54 Parenting Challenges and Outdoor Solutions20:54 The Connection Between Nature and Healing23:53 Rivers as Living Entities26:45 Empowering Women in Adventure Sports29:40 The Journey of Parenting and Adventure32:52 The Importance of Resilience in Life35:39 Conclusion and Reflections on AdventureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today’s episode we talk with sea kayaking guide and adventurer, Jeremy Carberry, about circumnavigating the Santa Rosa Island of Channel Islands National Park. Jeremy and his crew had to endure rough seas, storms, and elephant seal-covered beaches that prevented them from finding camping spots, as well as great white sharks. He’ll share some of the craziest stories from the adventure as well as some of the most valuable lessons learned.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Kix Marshall shares his adventurous experiences traveling from Canada through Central and South America on his motorcycle, highlighting the importance of local culture, unexpected opportunities, and the freedoms that come with motorcycle travel. He discusses amazing people he met along the way, the Darien Gap, mudslides, and amazing foods and coffee. If you love travel, then this episode is for you.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sea Kayaking! 72 days. 1600 km. From Lund BC to Skagway AK. What an amazing trip from Chris Whitaker! This is a revisited episode, but what an adventure! Chris named this trip "The For Fun’s Sake Expedition," Some highlights include wildlife encounters like humpback whales, killer whales, and grizzly bears, as well as the challenges of remote camping and navigation through the pervasive islands of the North Pacific Inside Passage.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, Curt Linville interviews Colby Brokvist, a seasoned adventure guide with over two decades of experience. They discuss Colby's journey in guiding, the challenges and rewards of leading expeditions, and the importance of connecting with nature. Colby shares insights on the role of guides in conservation, the balance between passion and profession, and the essential people skills needed in guiding. Through engaging stories and personal experiences, they explore how adventure can foster connections and promote environmental stewardship. They discuss the importance of positive group dynamics, the emotional breakthroughs that can occur during challenging outdoor experiences, and the role of guides in facilitating self-actualization. The conversation also delves into risk management, decision-making in group settings, and the significance of communication in outdoor adventures.Links:Waypoint Guide Academyhttps://www.guideshandbook.com/www.adventuresportspodcast.comChapters:00:00 Introduction to Adventure Guiding02:59 Colby's Journey in Guiding05:56 Challenges and Rewards of Guiding08:50 The Importance of Connection with Nature12:01 The Role of Guides in Conservation14:55 The Path to Becoming a Guide17:57 Passion vs. Profession in Guiding21:00 People Skills in Guiding24:12 Conflict Resolution in Group Dynamics28:51 The Power of Positive Expedition Behavior30:06 Self-Actualization Through Adventure31:53 Guiding as a Journey of Self-Discovery34:04 Emotional Breakthroughs in Adventure36:01 The Role of Guides in Personal Growth36:56 Navigating Challenges in Guiding40:10 Risk Management in Group Adventures45:56 Making Tough Decisions as a Leader52:02 The Importance of Communication in Adventure55:58 Professional Development in GuidingSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you love the idea of seeing the world on two wheels, human powered, and joyfully, then this is the episode for you! Mason Interviews Ryan Van Duzor about his many bike journeys as well as regarding the book he released a couple years back. Don't forget to visit Ryan's YouTube channel for more. Go bike touring!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Curt Linville and Krista Halling discuss the essential aspects of hiking and adventuring with dogs. They cover dog etiquette on trails, the importance of situational awareness, and the health benefits of outdoor activities for dogs. Krista shares insights on puppy development and exercise guidelines, emphasizing the need for gradual training and the significance of being an advocate for your dog's well-being. The conversation highlights the joy of shared experiences between dogs and their owners, encouraging responsible pet ownership and outdoor exploration.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy