Boyd Varty

Join Sam Hinkie, a former NBA executive turned venture capitalist, as he discusses the power of data-driven decision-making and finding exceptional talent. Boyd Varty, a wildlife tracker and author, shares insights on tracking life's paths and personal growth, weaving in thrilling stories from nature. Charlie Songhurst, a prolific investor and ex-Microsoft strategist, uncovers lessons from investing in 483 companies, emphasizing the importance of deep connections and thoughtful recruitment in achieving success. This blend of unique perspectives offers timeless wisdom on life and investing.

Boyd Varty, an author and wildlife activist, shares insights from his transformative life spent at the Londolozi Game Reserve. He delves into the art of tracking not only wildlife but also personal growth, intertwining stories of family resilience and the Shangan people's journey from hunting to conservation. Varty discusses profound experiences in nature, the philosophy of Ubuntu, and the emotional connections formed with animals. He emphasizes solitude as a path to self-discovery and highlights the healing power of nature and community.

In this discussion, Boyd Varty, a lion tracker and life coach from South Africa, shares his unique insights on storytelling as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. He introduces the idea of 'story hunting' and emphasizes how cultivating compelling narratives can enrich our lives and businesses. Varty also explores the transformative role of storytelling in leadership and shaping culture, urging listeners to embrace authenticity in their journeys. His rich experiences in the wilderness highlight the profound connections we can forge through meaningful stories.

Margaret Atwood, acclaimed for her groundbreaking works like "The Handmaid's Tale," and Boyd Varty, a lion tracker and wildlife activist, dive into intriguing discussions. Atwood shares her insights on the creative process behind speculative fiction, connecting it to childhood experiences and poetry. Varty reveals transformative lessons from the wild, exploring themes of fear, healing, and personal growth. Their engaging narratives highlight the profound links between literature, nature, and human connection—spanning the creative spectrum from storytelling to tracking.

Boyd Varty, a wildlife and literacy activist and master life coach, shares his unique approach to personal transformation through connection with nature. He discusses the art of 'storyhunting' and how immersing oneself in the wilderness fosters deep introspection. Varty emphasizes the importance of recognizing our inner dialogues and questioning ingrained beliefs to shape our realities. He explores how coaching can serve as a transformative journey, highlighting the power of storytelling and authentic connections in fostering community and growth.

Boyd Varty, wildlife and literacy activist and author of "The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life," shares his insights on using the wilderness for introspection. He discusses the concept of 'slow productivity,' emphasizing the benefits of aligning our work with natural rhythms for deeper satisfaction. Varty also addresses the complexities of identity beyond labels, sharing personal anecdotes that highlight resilience and self-discovery. His unique perspective encourages listeners to foster personal connections with nature and embrace their multifaceted identities.

This week’s episode is the most unique to date. My guest is Boyd Varty, who grew up in the South African Bush, living among and tracking wild leopards. The main theme of our conversation is tracking, and how the same strategy for pursuing animals in the wild can be applied to all aspects of our lives. Boyd’s family has been tracking animals for four generations, and he is bringing what they have learned to a larger audience around the world.   The episode includes the best answer I’ve ever heard (which comes when I ask Boyd to describe his most memorable experience). We also discuss the dangers of an achievement or goal oriented mindset, and what he learned from spending time with Nelson Mandela as a boy.   This episode is one I hope you share with those you love, because I think Boyd’s ideas will have a profound impact on many who are thinking about what to do with their lives—whether they are young or old.   Please enjoy.   For comprehensive show notes on this episode go to http://investorfieldguide.com/boyd For more episodes go to InvestorFieldGuide.com/podcast.  Sign up for the book club, where you’ll get a full investor curriculum and then 3-4 suggestions every month at InvestorFieldGuide.com/bookclub Follow Patrick on twitter at @patrick_oshag

In this episode of the Align Podcast, Boyd tells us how African safaris can relate to the journey into our own lives. He also emphasizes how important it is to connect with nature for our personal well-being, especially in a world where technology is dehumanizing us on many levels. Boyd shares his personal experience with trauma and how he embarked on a healing journey through transformational practices and doing the work. Join us as we discuss what it means to be human, how to live towards the feeling and giving into the idea of "I don't know”. Boyd Varty is the author of two books, The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life and his memoir, Cathedral of the Wild. He has been featured in The New York Times, on NBC, and in other media and has taught his philosophy of “tracking your life” to individuals and companies around the world. Boyd is a wildlife and literacy activist who has spent the last ten years refining the art of using wilderness as a place for deep introspection and personal transformation. He grew up in South Africa on Londolozi Game Reserve, a former hunting ground that was transformed into a nature preserve by Boyd’s father and uncle—both visionaries of the restoration movement. Under his family’s stewardship, the Reserve became renowned not only as a sanctuary for animals but as a place where once-ravaged land was able to flourish again and where the human spirit could be restored. When Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment, he went to Londolozi to recover. Boyd has a degree in psychology from the University of South Africa. He is a TED speaker and the host of the *Track Your Life* podcast. LifeForce: Use code ALIGN for 15% off at: mylifeforce.com To start the FREE TRIAL of the Align Method Program, head to: https://www.alignpodcast.com/amp For a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase, go to: athleticgreens.com/align.

An interesting question that I think about a lot: how do you balance exploring the new with savoring what you already know and love? Most of the time I prefer to explore, but the best part of this podcast experience for me has been meeting people who become close friends. For episodes 99 and 100, I’m bringing back two of the most popular past guest who are both now dear friends.  This week’s episode is split into two parts, today and tomorrow. Today’s episode is with Boyd Varty and tomorrow is with both Boyd and his sister Bronwyn. The incredible Varty family hosted me in South Africa, so you’ll hear birds and elephants in the background as we talk.  This conversation with Boyd is about our shared experience called “track your life” which I couldn’t recommend more highly. We tracked animals on foot for five days, and learned a lot from the environment itself. While we discuss our time together, this is much more about how to live. My original conversation with Boyd had a huge impact on me, and this continues the exploration of Boyd’s idea that we should all be going our own way, in the right way, instead of simply following well trodden paths.  I hope you enjoy this conversation with Boyd and check back tomorrow for another conversation with the Vartys.  For more episodes go to InvestorFieldGuide.com/podcast. Sign up for the book club, where you’ll get a full investor curriculum and then 3-4 suggestions every month at InvestorFieldGuide.com/bookclub. Follow Patrick on Twitter at @patrick_oshag   Show Notes 1:55 - (First Question) – Encounter with five wild dogs 10:19 – The idea of a perfect day on the track 15:59 – The importance of silence 19:42 – Why we could all benefit from the power of silence 21:37 – Side effects of being on the track 23:49 – Following the smaller paths 25:20 – How culture can keep us from forging our own path   29:34 – The stress he puts on the watch at night 33:34 – The power of going from alert to rest and back again             35:11 – Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers 38:25 – Disconnecting from the modern world and reconnecting with your life’s purpose 41:42 – How much does skill play into finding your life’s calling 43:23 – Common objections to what they do 49:58 – Importance of end of day on the track 52:33 – Silence and feeling of thousands of years of time passing through hallucinogenic 56:22 – His experience with bees Learn More For more episodes go to InvestorFieldGuide.com/podcast.  Sign up for the book club, where you’ll get a full investor curriculum and then 3-4 suggestions every month at InvestorFieldGuide.com/bookclub Follow Patrick on twitter at @patrick_oshag

Today’s conversation is a continuation of my discussion on applying the lessons of tracking animals in the wild to tracking in your own life. I encourage to listen to that episode first. In this second part, Boyd’s sister Bronwyn joins and offers perspective on business and life. Given that Boyd and Bron grew up in this wild place, their perspective on the world is refreshing and very different. We discuss a wide range of things, But the section on restoration near the end is just phenomenal stuff. Please enjoy part two of my conversation with the Varty family.   For more episodes go to InvestorFieldGuide.com/podcast. Sign up for the book club, where you’ll get a full investor curriculum and then 3-4 suggestions every month at InvestorFieldGuide.com/bookclub. Follow Patrick on Twitter at @patrick_oshag   Show Notes 1:21 - (First Question) – Concept of shame and the role it plays in the lives of the people that visit 3:11 – Bron’s take on shame and if this is uniquely male issue 5:15 – How the Varty’s think about the concept of presence, and time with Nelson Mandela 13:34 – Selfishness as an impediment to presence 20:26 – Tending the cup 20:37 – Life is not a zero-sum game 23:15 – How they run the reserve as a business 30:18 – Importance of motivation as a business 33:55 – Cultivating a culture that makes a business a family 40:15 – How they help other family businesses 45:29 – The idea of restoration as a business and legacy 51:23 -Restoration model in investment 53:49 – The age of restoration will be born on the age of information 54:48 – Places that have given Varty’s deep connections (other than Africa) 1:00:46 – Kindest thing anyone has done for Bron   Learn More For more episodes go to InvestorFieldGuide.com/podcast.  Sign up for the book club, where you’ll get a full investor curriculum and then 3-4 suggestions every month at InvestorFieldGuide.com/bookclub Follow Patrick on twitter at @patrick_oshag