Wild Ideas Worth Living

Stacy’s Wild Idea: To experience places he and others served in war through outdoor adventures, overcome addiction and use adventure (and humor) for good. Not many of my interviews start with a story about getting kidnapped that are also comedic. But at six-foot-seven with an even bigger personality, Stacy Bare is not your average guy or storyteller.  He received a Bronze Star for his time spent serving in Iraq from 2006 to 2007, but struggled with depression, addiction and even contemplated suicide when he returned home from war. When a friend introduced him to rock climbing, however, the course of his life changed forever. Soon after, Stacy created Veterans’ Expeditions and Adventure Not War, taking vets outside and even back to the places they experienced war from the perspective of someone enjoying the outdoors. In 2014, he was named the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, a well-deserved title. Currently the director of The Sierra Club Outdoors, the National Director of Programming and Operations at The Phoenix, as well as a brand champion at The North Face, he’s a sought after speaker and presenter with stories about him everywhere from Men's Journal to Outside Magazine, and for good reason. On this episode we talk about war, the power of the outdoors, how to start a movement, climbing with Alex Honnold, skiing in Iraq, addiction, and so much more. This episode is dedicated to Ann Krcik, an executive at The North Face, and a mentor of Stacy’s, who helped paved the way for many women (and men) in the outdoor industry. Listen to this episode if:  You or someone you know is a veteran. You’ve ever survived a trauma. You want to start a movement. You love getting other people outside. You want to laugh at a funny man telling a great story. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/65 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kimmy’s Wild Idea: To create a job for herself as a professional backcountry snowboarder, be a mentor for other riders and remain active through pregnancy. Kimmy Fasani is a well-respected athlete, most known for her aggressive free-style backcountry snowboarding. She has won countless awards like Women’s Rider of the Year, Standout Performance of the Year, and has had some incredible video parts with Standard and Absinthe Films. Kimmy loves mentoring other snowboarders, especially other females and is a vocal ambassador for several nonprofits. On the personal side of her life, Kimmy is married to skier Chris Benchetler and they are part-owners of Dessert’d Organic Bakeshop (and yes, she gets to taste test everything). I recorded this interview after a day on Mammoth Mountain, and at the time Kimmy was about five weeks from having a baby. She opened up about being a pregnant athlete, why people care more about what she does with her body now, and her spiritual journey to getting pregnant. She also shares about how she created her dream job, what it takes to be a pro snowboarder, and how she tackled injuries, self-doubt, fear and overcame some of the hardest times in her life. Listen to this episode if:  You want to be a backcountry snowboarder or professional athlete. You want to create your dream job. You want to conquer self-doubt and fear of failure. You have a spiritual side. You want to cultivate a positive mindset, even in the face of adversity. You are an active Mom or Mom-to-be. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/64 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brendan’s Wild Idea: To make a living creating stories about adventure and the human experience through books, film and art. Brendan Leonard is the creator of Semi-Rad, a blog he started in 2011. He’s also an author, adventurer, illustrator, filmmaker, ultra-marathoner, and an all-around interesting guy. Most of his work showcases the joy that comes from adventures done by the everyman and woman, not just for the experts and pros, but people like you and I who like to hit the trails and mountains too! You may recognize Brendan from the movie he just made with REI called How to Run 100 Miles, which is not only about his journey to train for and run an ultra-marathon with his close friend, but it’s about so much more. He’s also a contributor to sites like Dirtbag Diaries and The Adventure Journal, and the author of three books including a memoir about how he overcame addiction. Over the last year, he has built a large following, from his hilarious Seinfeld-esque illustration on his Semi_Rad Instagram account that documents the daily choices we make in the outdoors and as adults. This episode is full of gems and wisdom from a guy making it happen in a major way. Brendan has a great sense of humor, and is not afraid to laugh at himself, a trait I find incredibly admirable. Enjoy! Listen to this episode if:  You’ve ever run a long race (have any desire to run one). You want to work for yourself. You want to get paid to do art without being a pro. You love being outside. You’re an adventurer or you like to laugh. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/63 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Outdoor Outreach’s Wild Idea: To help transform the lives of young adults by introducing them to the power of the outdoors. If you’re a regular listener to this show, you’ve probably tasted the power of the outdoors. I remember my first time standing on a wave. You may remember your first time carving through powdery snow, your first long hike, or your first time camping under the stars. Chances are, these experiences impacted you in a major way.  Today I talk with four young adults who have been part of Outdoor Outreach, a nonprofit from San Diego that takes kids who might not have otherwise had access to the wonders of nature, on outdoor adventures like snowboarding, rock climbing, snorkeling, hiking, and more.  Miriam Pi, Meli Perez Valdez, Lawrence Vallejos, and Gaby Jasso grew up with different backgrounds and share how their trips with Outdoor Outreach changed the path of their life forever. We talk about why they are now leading trips to get other kids outside, what they are doing to encourage adults and people in power to make the outdoors more accessible for all, and how the outdoors is so powerful. With one of these young adults being a DACA recipient, another a former refugee, and the others with diverse backgrounds, their stories are not only timely, but important. Listen to this episode if:  You are passionate about being outside. You want more youth to experience nature and the power of the outdoors. You had a rough childhood. You have been impacted by the outdoors. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/62 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donna’s Wild Idea: To be a positive leader, celebrate counterculture, and create more opportunities for people to enjoy the mountains. A few weeks ago at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Denver, I sat down with Donna Carpenter, the CEO and Co-Founder of Burton Snowboards. Donna is a true force of nature. She’s always pushing the envelope with her mission and products, and she radiates positivity and go-for-it, attitude.  Donna really opened up in our conversation. She shared about how she became the CEO of one of the biggest snowboard companies ever, some funny stories like how she met her husband, Jake Burton, and what it was like in the early days of snowboarding. We also talked about how they’ve created such a strong culture, overcome adversity, and how they are not afraid to do things like send female staff to the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., and throw huge parties. It’s a great episode about lessons learned from failure and her keys to success. Listen to this episode if:  You want to start and run your own business. You want to work at a company with an awesome culture. You love snowboarding. You want to listen to a great female leader. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/61 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andy’s Wild Idea: To pave his own path and make a career spreading aloha vibes through art. Andy Davis is quite possibly my favorite artist ever, and for good reason. He has been called one of the best surf artists of our generation. Using bright colors, and organic, curvy shapes, his work gives you the feeling of being near the water, and exudes a pure, simple joy and aloha spirit. His work has appeared in films by Thomas Campbell, brands like Billabong, Roxy, and his own brand Free, on huge murals, in big stores, and now on the panels of Igloo coolers. We talk about how he forged his own way, passing on traditional education for real work experience, surrounding himself with friends, and continuing to create what he wanted along the way. He has a great sense of humor and a bold outlook on life. Andy’s perspective on following your creative and wild ideas is a breath of fresh air, and one that will most likely inspire you to keep going after what you want. Listen to this episode if:  You are an artist or a creative person. You love the aloha vibe. You watched cartoons as a kid. You are into surf culture. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/60 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mirna’s Wild Idea: To run ultra-marathons and advocate for body positivity, showing others fitness comes in many sizes. You may have seen Mirna Valerio, “The Mirnavator.” Her video with REI had millions of views on Facebook. It starts with her reading an angry letter from a guy who wrote to her while she was doing a 50k run. He called her a “fraud,” a “liar,” and said she is not only faking running ultra-marathons, but she’s making a bad name for runners because she is overweight and doesn’t “look like a runner.” Well, Mirna can not only run, but she’s a true force of nature. She’s also a teacher, coach, diversity leader, trained opera singer, mom, wife, and recently added author and brand ambassador to her resume. A few years ago, when Mirna started doing longer runs, she started the site called Fat Girl Running. There weren’t a lot of people who looked like her on the trail, and she wanted to get more people outside running.  Her story was featured in the Wall Street Journal in 2015, and then was picked up by Runner’s World, NBC Nightly, CNN, and REI. She has now added a few more titles to her resume: brand ambassador, author of her new book, A Beautiful Work in Progress, and my own addition, total badass! Listening to Mirna talk is inspiring. She has an incredible outlook on the world, she laughs easily, and she isn’t afraid to go deep. We talked about diving into the uncomfortable, dealing with haters, how to create opportunities for yourself, and how you can be a runner no matter what your size, shape, or background. Presented by REI Listen to this episode if:  You want to start running. You are self-conscious about your body or fitness level. You need a dose of positivity.  You want to break out of your comfort zone. You hate when people tell you that you can’t do something. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/59 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ami’s Wild Idea: To use photography to help people from around the world understand each other and connect. To raise awareness about cultures, communities, animals, and the environment. Ami Vitale is a world-class photographer who has traveled the world on assignment for publications like National Geographic and the Associated Press. She got her start in journalism working as a war correspondent, and now focuses on stories, videos and photos about culture, wildlife and the environment. As a storyteller, she’s traveled to over 90 countries, lived in mud huts and war zones, contracted malaria, and even donned a panda suit. In our conversation, you can hear how compassionate Ami is. She gives everything she has to her work, which is one reason she’s won so many awards and gets asked to give lectures and teach around the globe. She also donates proceeds of her work to benefit charities. You’ll be inspired to go out and do good in the world after this one.  Presented by REI Listen to this episode if:  You are a photographer or just like taking pictures. You want to help save the environment and animals. You love storytelling. You love animals, especially African elephants and pandas. You want to conquer your fears. You are looking for hope in the world. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/58 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rhonda’s Wild Idea: To combine her love of research and science into a podcast and site where she helps educate people about health and wellbeing practices. Leading a healthy lifestyle is a key component to living wildly. That’s why I’m so excited to have on Dr. Rhonda Patrick. You may have heard her on The Joe Rogan Experience, The Tim Ferriss Show, or on her own podcast, Found My Fitness. She’s done research on and has interviewed some of the top scientists in their field about things like breath work, sauna, training, fasting, and more. Rhonda and I actually know each other from teaching surfing together at the Surf Diva Surf School in our early twenties. We reconnected a year ago when I was researching a story about Wim Hof for Outside Magazine, who she’s spent some time with. I love how she takes complex scientific studies and puts them into plain English so more people (like myself) can understand them.  On this show, we talk about everything from health hacks to increase performance on the road or trail, how she got the wild idea to create her own site full of health and science information instead of going the traditional tenure track and working at a university, and how she got the attention of people like Joe Rogan and Tim Ferriss. Presented by REI Listen to this episode if:  You love trying new health hacks. You’ve thought about using a sauna. You’re intrigued by time-restricted eating and/or fasting. You’re curious about the benefits of different types of exercise and which is best. You want to pave your own career path in health or science. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/57 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike’s Wild Idea: To turn the shark attack where he lost his leg into a life mission. To also photograph sharks, help preserve marine wildlife, and to help other amputees and shark attack victims get active. When he was 18, Mike Coots was attacked by a shark while bodyboarding in Hawaii. He survived, punching the shark numerous times in the face, but it took his right leg. Today, Mike is a marine life advocate, a world-class photographer, a competitive surfer, and advocate for adaptive athletes. He is full of amazing stories, and shares many including one about how he tested, researched and designed his own prosthetic leg so he could standup surf. He also shares how he got into running, how he helps other shark attack victims and amputees get back in the water, and how he decides which projects to say yes to.   Listen to this episode if:  You’re a surfer or bodyboarder. You’re passionate about preserving marine wildlife. You love photography. You or someone you know is an adaptive athlete. You want to hear an awesome story. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/56 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.