Wild Ideas Worth Living

Zach Friedley is a professional athlete who is changing the sport of trail running. Zach was born without most of his right leg, and is often the only adaptive athlete at the starting line of some of the world’s hardest races. There aren’t a lot of running events with categories specifically for adaptive athletes, but Zach is on a mission to change that.Connect with Zach: Instagram Born to Adapt website & InstagramIf you enjoyed this episode: Listen to Running for Change with Nicole Ver KuilenThank you to our sponsors: Capital One: Check out the REI Co-op Mastercard program and learn about local REI Fund granteesGU Energy

Lestarya Molloy is the founder of Fridie Outdoors, an app that has easy, digestible camping tips that you can access from anywhere. In this episode, Lestarya is joined by REI's Green Vests and Experience Guides to share the best tips for your upcoming camping adventure. Connect with Lestarya: Fridie Outdoors website & Instagram Download the Fridie Outdoors appResources and products mentioned in this episode: REI 's Path Ahead Ventures Program REI's Embark ProgramREI's InstagramREI's YouTube ChannelItacate FoodsPescavoreNEMO Roamer Sleeping PadNEMO pillowBedrock SandalsYETINalgeneHipCampAnnie's favorite Teriyaki Chicken Burgers recipe Annie's go-to Miso Mushroom Foil Yaki recipe Thank you to REI's Green Vests & Experience Guides: Carlos Rodriguez, Jentry Schirmbeck, Mackenzie Anderson-Bell, and Elizabeth Nguyen. Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One: Check out the REI Co-op Mastercard program and learn about local REI Fund granteesAllbirds

Chev Dixon is a skilled outdoor athlete whose life changed when he learned to kayak. He is the director of an organization called the Hudson River Riders and the founder of the Hudson Valley Challenge, a 685-mile paddling, hiking, running, and cycling event that crosses the state of New York. Connect with Chev: Instagram Hudson River Riders website & InstagramIf you enjoyed this episode: Listen to, Thru-Paddling the Mississippi River with Cory Maria DackThank you to our sponsors: Capital One: Check out the REI Co-op Mastercard program and learn about local REI Fund granteesAllbirds   

Galen Kirkpatrick is a world class paraglider - in 2022 she was the FAI Women’s Pan-American Paragliding Champion, and in 2023 she became the overall US National Champion. Paragliding has become a vehicle for Galen to get in touch with herself and see the world from a new perspective.Connect with Galen: InstagramThank you to our sponsors: Capital One: Check out the REI Co-op Mastercard program and learn about local REI Fund granteesAllbirds   

Mario Ordoñez-Calderón, a Mayan-American storyteller and surfer, shares his journey of reconnecting with his Indigenous roots through a 1500-mile bike ride to the Yucatan Peninsula. He discusses his work with Un Mar de Colores, a nonprofit providing surf therapy to San Diego youth. The episode touches on cultural identity, family dynamics, nature's messages, and empowering kids through surfing.

Alexi Pappas is a wildly talented, multi-faceted athlete. She’s a professional runner, an author, a champion for mental health, a guide runner for blind athletes, a filmmaker, and an entrepreneur. When she runs, Alexi is often wearing a huge smile on her face and a healthy dusting of glitter across her cheeks. Alexi’s running journey has taken her to through peaks and valleys and she’s using her story to mentor the next generation.Connect with Alexi: Website Instagram New podcast, Mentor Buffet Alexi's book, BraveyThank you to our sponsors: Capital One: Check out the REI Co-op Mastercard program and learn about local REI Fund granteesAllbirds 

Sasha DiGiulian is one of the best female rock climbers in the world. She's spent over a decade competing internationally, she’s a three-time US National Champion, a World Champion, and she’s had over 30 first female ascents. Sasha is also the founder and CEO of the superfood protein bar company, Send Bars. Connect with Sasha:  Website InstagramSend Bars websiteSend Bars InstagramThank you to our sponsors: Capital One: Check out the REI Co-op Mastercard program and learn about local REI Fund granteesNUUN

Thruhikers, Tim Beissinger and Renee Miller started dating in college and have always been active people. Tim grew up hiking and camping with his family, and Renee was a runner. The two dragged each other along on their respective outdoor outings. Eventually they worked their way up to thru-hiking, a sport that they've fallen in love with and built a life around.Connect with Renee & Tim: Website Instagram TikTokCheck out: REI's mission to get everyone Outside in 5 If you enjoyed this episode: Listen to Wild Ideas Worth Living with Cheryl StrayedThank you to our sponsors: Capital One: Check out the REI Co-op Mastercard program and learn about local REI Fund granteesNUUN

Sarah Swallow is a professional adventure cyclist who develops bike packing routes around the country. When she creates a route, she takes the history, geography, and the biodiversity of an area into account. Her routes are often hundreds of miles long and lead riders past historical sites, landmarks, and diverse landscapes. In 2019, Sarah took her route crafting to the next level when she created a cycling and conservation event called Ruta del Jefe.Connect with Sarah: Website & InstagramRuta Del Jefe website & InstagramCheck out: The North Face x Hike Clerb CollaborationThank you to our sponsors: Capital One: Check out the REI Co-op Mastercard program and learn about local REI Fund granteesNUUN

Isabel Riza Cautivo, a prominent solo woman backpacker, shares her transformative solo backpacking adventures, from overcoming challenges in national parks to becoming a backpacking influencer on TikTok. She explores the importance of safety and empowerment in solo backpacking, highlighting her journeys through Iceland, Europe, and New Zealand. Discover the awe-inspiring moments and solitude experienced in majestic natural landscapes like Yosemite Falls Trail and island backpacking.