Wild Ideas Worth Living

Chris’s Wild Idea: To make a living by writing and talking about surfing and skateboarding. To use humor and positivity to land his dream job, and remain relevant though the ages. Chris Cote is a professional action sports personality. He got his start as a competitive surfer and skateboarder, became editor of Transworld Surf Magazine, and is now a commentator on the World Surf League, the commentator and host of the Vans Park Series, the editor Encinitas Magazine and the host of his own podcast, the Monday M.A.S.S. He’s also a hilarious and positive guy who can still skateboard and surf with some of the best pros in the business. He not only shares great stories including getting branded by Blink182 and Green Day, hanging out with Andy Irons, his encounter with a sea anenome and the crazy stuff he’s seen at surf and skate competitions; but he also shares about failure, getting sober, how to stay relevant no matter how old you are, and what it really takes to create your own dream job, and how you can do that now. Listen to this episode if:  You surf, skate, snowboard, or love action sports. You want to hear a hilarious storyteller.  You are a Chris Cote fan. You want to create your own dream job, or work in action sports. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/35 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Steve’s Wild Idea: To share deeper stories about travel and adventure by creating an online and print media company, Adventure Journal. Steve Casimiro is the founder of Adventure Journal, an online magazine with a beautiful quarterly book that covers the deeper side of adventure. Steve has worked in journalism for years. He got his start in newspapers, then worked at Powder Magazine, helped start Snowboarder Magazine, was the founding editor of Bike Magazine, and then the west coast editor of National Geographic, before he jumped into the world as a media entrepreneur.  Becoming an entrepreneur, and starting a media company, especially at the height of the recession wasn’t easy, but Steve had the experience and the willingness to do every single job necessary, even packing and delivering magazines, to make it happen. He shares tips about starting your own business, why failure is important, and how art and adventure go hand in hand.  Listen to this episode if:  You love adventure. You love old school journalism, great stories and beautiful magazines. You are a photographer.  You want to start a business. You want to know what it really takes to start a thriving adventure magazine. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/34 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shanti’s Wild Idea: To improve people’s lives, health, and communities by getting families outside through Hike it Baby. Shanti Hodges is a journalist, writer, and mom who started a community called Hike it Baby. The non-profit organization’s mission is to connect families and get them outside, especially when their children are young. Hike it Baby is now responsible for bringing families and babies on over 3,000 hikes a month in over 330 cities. Shanti is an inspiring woman who had a wild idea and made it a reality. She shares insights on how Hike it Baby grew so rapidly, what it takes to start a movement, why nature is so good for babies and adults, and why Facebook called up Shanti and personally invited her to their headquarters. Listen to this episode if:  You love hiking, nature and being outside. You’re a parent or love kids, and want to spend more time with family outdoors. You are a city slicker and intimidated by the outdoors. You want to start a community. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/33 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Damien’s Wild Idea: To chase his dreams of being a professional athlete while spreading positivity everywhere he goes. Damien LeRoy is a professional and world renowned kiteboarder, paraglider, stuntman, and athlete. Last year he had a terrifying crash where he fell over 150 feet from the air into a forest of mangrove trees and broke his leg, ribs, punctured his lung, and more. He could have easily died, but ten months later he is almost completely recovered and already back on his board.  Damien shares his story with me and talks about what was going through his head while his lines were tangled and he began to spin out of control in the air. He also talks about his unique upbringing (dad was in James Bond movies and he was a pro skier and lived in the mountains for many years). He also shares about working on the new Baywatch movie with the Rock and Zach Efron, how his approach to kiteboarding has changed since his accident, what it is like to be a professional athlete, what he always takes on the road, and why he strives to be positive 100% of the time. Listen to this episode if:  You love adventure. You want to hear a crazy story. You kiteboard, ski, paraglide, or use a GoPro camera. You want to know why Damien took off his clothes at the OutFound Series. You saw the movie Baywatch. You strive to live a life of purpose and positivity. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/32 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cyrus’s Wild Idea: To continue to learn about our planet, people, and our passions by making films about these topics and sharing them with the world. To be interested instead of just interesting. Cyrus Sutton is an incredibly thoughtful and introspective person. A director, filmmaker, surfer, adventurer, and sought-after brand ambassador, Cyrus has produced Emmy Award-winning films, including Stoked and Broke, and is the founder of Korduroy TV, a website that explores creativity and sustainability in the outdoors. His latest film, Island Earth, documents how we grow our food, and explores the challenges between using conventional agricultural practices (including the use of science and chemical solutions) versus using ancient techniques to feed our population and our planet. Cyrus has travelled all over the globe, lived in California and even spent some time living and working out of a van. He now resides in the Pacific Northwest where he is working on growing his own food and enjoying documenting others who also live off the land and are interested in permaculture and sustainable ways of living. I’ve always been interested in Cyrus’s ideas and films, and enjoyed this conversation a lot. There are some true gems about following your dreams, the unique world of social media, the power of storytelling and the reality of what it takes to make a career around your passion. Listen to this episode if:  You are interested in pursuing your passion full-time. You care about organic, non-GMO food. You love adventure sports.  You like watching surf films or you are a surfer. You are a curious person who loves learning. You love Hawaiian culture. You want to know the pros and cons of living, working or traveling in a van. You grow your own food or want to learn how. You want to be a filmmaker. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/31 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grant’s Wild Idea: To educate and raise awareness about mental health issues through surfing in bright colors, sharing his personal story, and starting a movement. Grant Trebilco is the creator of One Wave is All it Takes (OneWave), a nonprofit tackling mental health issues, literally one wave at a time. The organization started in Australia, and has quickly gained worldwide attention through its “Fluro Friday” events, where participants surf in bright colors and wild outfits, drawing attention to a darker issue. I met Grant while surfing in Australia, participated in a few of his events, and have been inspired by his story. Because he had an experience he was willing to share, Grant’s organization has helped numerous people around the world, both in the water and on land. By doing so, One Wave has become an international movement with coverage in outlets like the BBC. Thousands of people at hundreds of beaches participate in Fluro Friday OneWave surf sessions every week. Listen to this episode if:  You have or someone you know has struggled with mental health. You love surfing. You’re passionate about a good cause. You want to surf in fluorescent colors. You want to start your own nonprofit. You love Kiwi and Aussie accents. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/30 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rebecca’s Wild Idea: To be a professional adventure racer and bike the Ho Chi Minh Trail in search of her father, who was shot down as a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War. Rebecca Rusch has been a professional athlete for over three decades. She is a seven-time World Champion who continues to shatter the glass ceiling in whatever sport she tackles, whether it is climbing, rafting, or biking. She has a first female ascent rock climbing El Capitan in Yosemite. She has river boarded down the Grand Canyon. And she has beaten most men at endurance mountain bike racing.  Rebecca’s most recent journey goes much deeper. She biked 1,200 miles along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Southeast Asia to search for the crash site of her father’s plane where he was shot down in the Vietnam War over 40 years ago. She shared the journey with another mountain biker, a local Vietnamese woman, and they documented it all in an epic film by Red Bull Media House called Blood Road that just hit theaters. Listen to this episode if:  You love adventure, adventure racing or know of Rebecca Rush. You know someone who was in or affected by the Vietnam War. You have ever wanted to do an epic adventure. You love stories about family, friendship or history. You love giving back. You love amazing documentaries. You want to listen to the most badass female athlete I have ever met. You want to hear how finding magic is possible, even after massive blood, sweat and tears. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/29 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Angela’s Wild Idea: To combine spirituality and athleticism while helping others find their own purpose through fitness. Angela Davis is an international fitness evangelist and motivational coach, who’s helped lead events alongside people like Oprah. In addition to being one of the most inspiring voices and coaches, she’s a former member of the USA track and field team and was a five-time All-American who held world rankings in the 100 meter race. These days, Angela can be found instructing one of the most sought after SoulCycle classes with long waitlists and tons of celebrity clients. There’s countless reasons why. One is that her class feels like being inside an upbeat church, with awesome music. You forget you’re in a dark room getting sweaty, and leave the studio feeling pumped up and ready to conquer the world. Angela shares her journey to finding her purpose and how you can find yours. She also shares why working out on the inside is as important as working out on the outside - it’s not just about that tight bootay! Listen to this episode if:  You have twenty minutes to get inspired. You love SoulCycle. You attend fitness classes. You’re searching for your purpose in life. You want a good technique to conquer your fears. You’re the smartest, most inspiring person in your friend group. You are a runner, an athlete or just want a little more mojo. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/28 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Izzy’s Wild Idea: To be a rebel, to start the first all-women’s surf school, and to create a thriving business in a bikini. Izzy Tihanyi started the first all-women’s surf school in 1996. Prior to founding Surf Diva, Izzy was a competitive collegiate surfer, competed on the professional women’s longboard circuit, hosted a TV show for action sports, and at one point was even my surf camp counselor. Izzy has an awesome story, which is why she frequently gets asked to speak at business and sports events. She also happens to be one of my best friends ever, so we get a little cheeky on the show. We dive into some pretty serious topics too, like body image, the work ethic that is instilled when you come from an immigrant family, starting a business in a bikini, advice to teens, why surfing naked is awesome, and how to be the best surfer in the water. Listen to this episode if:  You wish you didn’t have to wear shoes to work. You surf or want to know how to surf. You love the ocean.  You are an entrepreneur or want to start a business. You know of or have been to Surf Diva. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/27 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gretchen & Taylor’s Wild Idea: To be able to go on an adventure at any moment with minimal planning and packing. To explore the world from a van and start a thriving business around their passion.  Gretchen Bayless and Taylor Hood are the founders of Roamerica Rentals, a camper van rental company based in Oregon that lets you take their vans all over North America and even to Canada. Their vans are decked out with items like Rumpl blankets, Stanley stainless steel cooking ware and local organic coffee, so all you have to do is show up with clothes and hit the road. Van life is all the rage right now, and it’s definitely a passion for these two - which is why they were so eager to start a business around sharing their love of exploring the great outdoors with the world.  What I love about their story is it’s very real. Starting a new company isn’t always easy, and as fun as a camper van rental company might sound, it comes with challenges, like working day jobs! That’s right - Roamerica is their side hustle. They didn’t let time or stress or some serious health problems hold them back. Gretchen and Taylor have a lot of joy and a huge sense of adventure, and that shines through in everything they do. They share tips for getting through the highs and lows of starting a business, and letting us all in on the true van life essentials so you can  get on the road and get going. Listen to this episode if:  You want to travel out of a van. You want to see the world. You love the Pacific Northwest. You’re starting a new business. You’re struggling with Lyme Disease. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/26 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.