From Death’s Door to Solo Kayaking 1,000 Miles Through the Canadian Arctic with Stephan Kesting

Jul 1, 2025

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Why does it take a brush with death for some of us to finally do the things we’ve dreamed of?

Stephan Kesting is an accomplished martial artist, firefighter, wilderness explorer, and the author of Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic. You might know him from his popular jiu-jitsu videos and teachings at Grapplearts, but Stephan’s story goes far beyond the mat. After surviving a life-threatening kidney disease and receiving a transplant from his brother, Stephan set out on a 1,000-mile solo canoe expedition through Canada’s remote Subarctic - a journey that became both an epic adventure and a profound exploration of mortality, identity, and what it means to truly live.

In this episode, Stephan and I dig into what it takes physically, mentally, and emotionally to embark on a solo wilderness journey in the face of mortality and grief.

Stephan’s story will inspire you to rethink your own limits. You’ll hear how he navigated a rare kidney disease that threatened his identity as a martial artist and outdoorsman, and how facing death up close became the push he needed to tackle a dream he’d been putting off for years. From his raw reflections on loss and resilience to his honest look at fear, self-doubt, and satisfaction versus happiness, Stephan’s insights will stick with you long after you’ve listened.

Whether your version of adventure is paddling 1,000 miles alone or just stepping outside your comfort zone, this conversation might just give you that nudge to get started.

When was the last time you answered your own call to adventure? What did it teach you about yourself? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

Why Stephan walked away from a career in physics and ended up studying botany in the Arctic
How growing up with a foot in the city and a foot in the wilderness shaped his love of the outdoors
The surprising overlap between martial arts and wilderness survival
How polycystic kidney disease forced Stephan to confront his mortality and identity
How he planned and trained for a 1,000-mile solo canoe expedition after a transplant
What it’s like to be alone in the Subarctic for weeks, battling harsh weather and self-doubt
Why he believes satisfaction matters more than happiness when it comes to big goals
How the wilderness has helped him process grief and loss
Practical advice for anyone who wants to dip their toes into solo outdoor adventures safely
And so much more

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