Wild Ideas Worth Living

In October 2024, Tracee Metcalfe became the first American woman to climb all 14 of the world’s tallest mountains, each towering above 8,000 meters. Her journey demanded years of preparation and survival in some of the most unforgiving conditions—from the deadly slopes of Annapurna to the steep walls of K2. Connect with Tracee:WebsiteInstagramListen to: Camp MonstersOur Common NatureTake the 5-minute Listener Survey!Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jacob Lemanski is a long distance cyclist who embarked on a global journey in 2013 with no set destination, just a desire to see how far his legs could take him. Over two and a half years, he pedaled more than 38,000 miles across 42 countries, driven by curiosity, endurance, and a love for exploration.Connect with Jacob: Instagram YouTubeListen to: Camp MonstersOur Common NatureTake the 5-minute Listener Survey!Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nelly Attar has climbed more than 30 notable peaks around the world, including Mount Everest. Her journey to these intense mountaineering expeditions had an unconventional origin: dance. She grew up learning choreography from YouTube and later opened Saudi Arabia’s first dance studio. As she explored movement through fitness, weightlifting, and hiking, she built the foundation for high-altitude endurance. In 2022, Nelly became the first Arab to summit K2. Connect with Nelly: WebsiteInstagramListen to: Camp MonstersOur Common NatureTake the 5-minute Listener Survey!Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ron Griswell is an outdoor educator and founder of HBCU's Outside, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting students at historically Black colleges and universities with nature. After taking a gap year from North Carolina A&T State University to work as an adventure guide, Ron discovered a deeper purpose in the outdoors. Motivated by the lack of outdoor opportunities at his HBCU, he launched a movement to make nature more accessible and inclusive. His work continues to inspire the next generation of outdoor leaders.Connect with Ron: InstagramHBCU's website & InstagramBoyz N The Wood InstagramTake the 5-minute Listener Survey!Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rickey Gates is a professional athlete and endurance runner known for redefining what it means to explore on foot. After racing at an elite level, he ran 3,700 miles across America and later completed every street in San Francisco. Nearly seven years later, Rickey is tackling his latest challenge: identifying and running 50 Classic Trails across North America. His adventures go beyond distance—they are a way for him to explore, connect, and see the world in a whole new light.Connect with Rickey: WebsiteInstagramFifty Classic Trails of America website & InstagramTake the 5-minute Listener Survey!Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nadah Feteih spent years working as a software engineer before discovering a deep passion for the outdoors. As she ventured into running, trekking, and mountaineering, she often found herself as the only woman wearing a hijab on the trail. That experience led Nadah to found Ma'wa Collective, an adventure company dedicated to creating space for Muslim women in the outdoors. Connect with Nadah: WebsiteInstagramMa'wa Collective wesbite & InstagramTake the 5-minute Listener Survey!Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Benchmade Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dorian Anderson was a neuroscientist and geneticist with a promising academic career when he made a radical shift: in 2014, he left the lab to pursue a year-long, cross-country birding adventure—on a bicycle. Pedaling nearly 18,000 miles across the U.S., his goal was to spot over 600 bird species while deepening his sobriety, and reconnecting with nature. Connect with Dorian:WebsiteInstagramDorian's book, Birding Under the InfluenceRegister for Camp Monsters LIVE in Denver, ColoradoThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Benchmade Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeska Clark is a human performance specialist who studies how people adapt to extreme environments such as high-altitude peaks, sub-zero temperatures, and the intense pressure of deep ocean dives. Her research combines scientific inquiry with personal experience, as she applies insights from her academic work to her own wilderness expeditions. A skilled outdoorswoman, Jeska has completed several ambitious treks and is now preparing to lead the first all Black team to the North Pole.Connect with Jeska: WebsiteInstagramFull-Circle website If you enjoyed this episode, listen to: Veteran Turned Everest Climber with Dom MullinsBikepacking Through History with Erik CedeñoClimbing Mountains & Making History with Philip HendersonRegister for Camp Monsters LIVE in Denver, ColoradoThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Benchmade Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marlene and Dan Lin have been living on the road full-time for the past 17 years. Alongside their three children and two cats, they’ve driven across the U.S. multiple times, explored over 30 countries in Europe, and road-tripped from California to Patagonia via the Pan-American Highway. What began as a short-term adventure turned into a lifestyle they never anticipated—nearly two decades of life in a camper van. Connect with Marlene & Dan: InstagramYouTubeSubstackThank you to our sponsors: Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Benchmade Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Libby DeLana, an author, podcast host, and model, shares her inspiring journey of daily walking and cold plunging, which began at age 50. She discusses the profound emotional and meditative benefits of walking, emphasizing its role in self-discovery and creativity. Libby also dives into how these practices foster connections to nature and promote overall wellness. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their authenticity and pursue passions, adopting a beginner's mindset to cultivate curiosity and joy in their lives.