Living Adventurously

Thom Barnett runs Mamnick, a clothing brand passionate about cycling. The tagline is "one thing at a time, as beautiful as possible". I cajoled Thom out of bed at early o'clock and we cycled out of Sheffield together, nipping down the back alleys and cycle paths he knows so well. Over breakfast I asked the fine arts graduate about life as a fashion designer, loving what you do, and Thom's love for exploring the hills and lanes of the Peak District.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY PODCAST(It’s completely free, zero hassle to do (click here), but really helpful for me trying to get a new podcast off the ground. If you’re feeling extra kind, please leave a review on the app – that really helps.)Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn (“Alexa, please play the Living Adventurously podcast”) or on your favourite podcast platform such as Overcast, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker, Soundcloud, Castbox, Castro.www.alastairhumphreys.com/podcastTHIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KOMOOTYour very own outdoor experiences are waiting for you. Go explore more with komoot. Use the voucher code ADVENTUROUS to claim your free region maps bundle.The personalised planning and navigation tools ensure you plan the adventure that’s perfect for you. Komoot is Europe’s number 1 outdoor app, with route planning and navigation functionality, and strong community-driven inspirational features in the form of recommended Highlights and inspirational route Collections. It is used by nearly 10 million adventurers worldwide. Komoot is becoming the app of choice for cyclists and hikers the world over, with rapid community growth in the UK, the US and other parts of Europe. You can see my ride’s route on komoot here.SHOW NOTESIf you enjoy listening to this episode over a cup of coffee and think it might be worth the price, you can buy me a coffee here: www. ko-fi.com/al_humphreysKeep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribeSay hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys"One thing at a time, as beautiful as possible". Fine products manufactured in the UK and Japan: MamnickMamnick on InstagramI'm a fashion designer, but I also make the cups of tea and post my own clothes.Do one thing at a time, as beautiful as possible.If it was all about money I'd have a proper job.I wanted to make a living doing something that I enjoy.When cycling you do more chatting than in other sports, and some of the conversations you have can be fantastic.I managed to make a living from my brand after about six months.A lot of the challenge of turning dream into reality is about confidenceStory-telling is really important, but the narrative around this brand just wrote itself and was natural.You don't want anything to feel phony. You don't want to have to blag it.Yomping - your own marching pace - less about training and more about riding your bike, being in the moment, and living at your own paceI've made life hard for myself at times by being so outspokenReal things, real places, real people resonate more with real people.My brand has basically become an extension of my own lifeI can ride so much in the Peaks without going on the same road twice, so I don't feel much desire to load up my bike and cycle round the world. A friend of mine cycled round the world and told me that the Peak District has the best roads.TRANSCRIPTBelow is the transcription of our conversation. It’s done by AI so is perhaps a wee bit ropey here and there. If these transcripts prove sufficiently useful then I will make the effort to clean then up and make them better. Do let me know if you think it’s worth my time to do that. (Or, better still, do it for me…!). If you’d like to listen as you read along you can do that here:https://otter.ai/s/8KjD2nB9Q3y8K5xZUsuWrA ★ Support this podcast ★

Professor Ian Rotherham is an expert on a range of environmental issues, including urban wildlife, extreme weather, flooding and climate change. He has published extensively in academic journals, and has released a number of books on UK wildlife and the environment. Ian is a man positively bursting with enthusiasm and knowledge and ideas.Ian poured forth a cheerful stream of lessons on the environment, eco-tourism and rewilding. We talked about the cultural severance between cities and wildness, and the reassuring dictum that you can change the world, a little bit at a time: perhaps by beginning with rewilding your back garden.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY PODCAST(It’s completely free, zero hassle to do (click here), but really helpful for me trying to get a new podcast off the ground. If you’re feeling extra kind, please leave a review on the app – that really helps.)Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn (“Alexa, please play the Living Adventurously podcast”) or on your favourite podcast platform such as Overcast, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker, Soundcloud, Castbox, Castro.www.alastairhumphreys.com/podcastTHIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KOMOOTYour very own outdoor experiences are waiting for you. Go explore more with komoot. Use the voucher code ADVENTUROUS to claim your free region maps bundle.The personalised planning and navigation tools ensure you plan the adventure that’s perfect for you. Komoot is Europe’s number 1 outdoor app, with route planning and navigation functionality, and strong community-driven inspirational features in the form of recommended Highlights and inspirational route Collections. It is used by nearly 10 million adventurers worldwide. Komoot is becoming the app of choice for cyclists and hikers the world over, with rapid community growth in the UK, the US and other parts of Europe. You can see my ride’s route on komoot here.SHOW NOTESIf you enjoy listening to this episode over a cup of coffee and think it might be worth the price, you can buy me a coffee here: www. ko-fi.com/al_humphreysKeep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribeSay hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreysIan Rotherham's blogEcotourism should not only be "take only photographs, leave only footprints", but we also need to try to help people in a benign way.Adventure literature is often about "defeating nature" rather than pausing for a while or caring for the landscape.We need more respect and awareness when dealing with the vulnerable resource of the natural world.How best to minimise your damage and maximise your positive impactRewilding, in all its guises, (including rewilding the mind) can save the NHS millions, as well as all the other benefits.Sheffield Trees Action GroupThe communities that are able to protest about their environment are usually the most affluent ones.Trees give you a sense of place and seasonality. They are therapeutic and spiritually uplifting.The new urban wild and bringing wild to the peopleCultural severance in urban landscapes - a broken connection between cities and wildnessFeral - George MonbiotShadow woods - Ian RotherhamYou can change the world, even incrementally and a bit at a time. Rewilding your garden is a good start.Globally and in Britain, in terms of nature conservation, biodiversity and sustainability we are indeed in a very bad way – essentially the ecosystem is broken and we need to mend itThe problems are not as simple as carbon = climate change = plant lots of trees! Such naïve thinking is actually dangerously misconceivedRewilding offers a radical new approach to resolving many of the issues in ways which are, paraphrased from Lawton (2010), bigger, bolder, better, more joined …..However, this idea needs to connect with a far wider community especially in urban areasAdditionally, approaches have to be paid for and not just with ‘ecosystem services which are community goods’ – but with MONEY ….. (This is a fact not popular with politicians for example!)I suggest that farmers & farming have to be part of the SOLUTION and are not, as often portrayed, the problemTRANSCRIPTBelow is the transcription of our conversation. It’s done by AI so is perhaps a wee bit ropey here and there. If these transcripts prove sufficiently useful then I will make the effort to clean then up and make them better. Do let me know if you think it’s worth my time to do that. (Or, better still, do it for me…!). If you’d like to listen as you read along you can do that here:https://otter.ai/s/4mbmzPCyRr2gYKfRXYdvbQ ★ Support this podcast ★

Sophie Stephenson was living the life she’d always wanted. She had a well-paid dream job in Australia, lived in a beautiful place and felt secure in the knowledge that this could go on, indefinitely. But she was, she realised, unfulfilled. She was not, it turned out, truly happy with this life at all.By chance Sophie came across a reference to Nancy Kline’s book Time to Think. She described a way of being with one another that is both incredibly simple, and incredibly rare. We don’t give ourselves, or others, the freedom to think without interruption, or judgment, or time limits, or an obsession with outcomes. We limit our thinking, our conversations, our relationships and our entire lives by confining our minds.Sophie began to question the life she had chosen. She began to ask what she really wanted, to explore the ‘authentic’ me, her instinctive mind, and gradually, she began to reclaim what really mattered. Sophie left corporate life, moved back to the UK, and met the man who is now her husband and father to her two children.We need to reclaim time to think in our life if we are to do meaningful things with our life.I was struck by how deeply Sophie listened and quickly figured me out. It was almost bizarre, in a nice way. I asked her how I could become a better listener, and how to ask better questions - both pretty crucial things for a novice podcaster to get to grips with...PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY PODCAST(It’s completely free, zero hassle to do (click here), but really helpful for me trying to get a new podcast off the ground. If you’re feeling extra kind, please leave a review on the app – that really helps.)Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn (“Alexa, please play the Living Adventurously podcast”) or on your favourite podcast platform such as Overcast, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker, Soundcloud, Castbox, Castro.www.alastairhumphreys.com/podcastTHIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KOMOOTYour very own outdoor experiences are waiting for you. Go explore more with komoot. Use the voucher code ADVENTUROUS to claim your free region maps bundle.The personalised planning and navigation tools ensure you plan the adventure that’s perfect for you. Komoot is Europe’s number 1 outdoor app, with route planning and navigation functionality, and strong community-driven inspirational features in the form of recommended Highlights and inspirational route Collections. It is used by nearly 10 million adventurers worldwide. Komoot is becoming the app of choice for cyclists and hikers the world over, with rapid community growth in the UK, the US and other parts of Europe. You can see my ride’s route on komoot here.SHOW NOTESIf you enjoy listening to this episode over a cup of coffee and think it might be worth the price, you can buy me a coffee here: www. ko-fi.com/al_humphreysKeep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribeSay hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreysThe Thinking Project helps exceptional purpose-driven women create time and space so they can consciously create lives they love & businesses where everyone thrives.On TwitterNancy Kline’s book Time to ThinkWe need to reclaim time to think in our life if we are to do meaningful things with our life.Don't just fill the time with nothing: it needs to be a bit more conscious and structured than that.Ruminative thinking - we just go over and over the same thoughts time and again (often negative)Our brains try to keep us safe by just thinking the same stuff over and overThinking with someone else rather than ourselves helps keep it focussed rather than distracted. Having someone listen to us makes it easier.Usually we come up with lists of all the things we don't wantFirst big question: "what do you really want?"We jump to assumptions that stop us doing what we want to do, largely without evidence, largely unexamined.At root there are a couple of major assumptions that stop us: a sense of worthiness, belonging and being enough.We all have a need for safety, connection and autonomy, but they manifest in different ways for each of us.Thinking is like a seed - it needs the right conditions to thriveConsciously choose what it is that you want and do not want in life.We need to warm up to thinking well and more deeply. Ask "so what?" to your answers lots of times.Being a better listener starts with talking less, and choosing to become a better listener. Stop interrupting. Get really interested in other people.Get interested in other people. Not necessarily in the subject they are interested in, but in the fact that they are interested in that.To ask better questions, think about what is the purpose of your question?The best questions are ones that you do not know the answer to.Ask either very broad or very specific questions. For example, "what do you want to think about?"Her decision-making has changed. It used to be about challenge and proving what a well-lived life entailed.Often we lead the life that we think we Should live, rather than the life of our choice.Change your motivations from being fear-based to doing things that you love.When making a big change some people leap into the unknown, others establish some breathing space and time and security to cushion the leap.You don't have to make enormous changes and drastic switches - it can be small steps that are transformative and life-changing.The experiences when we are vulnerable are often those that transform our livesThe relationship between vulnerability and trustMeditate, drink lots of water, and remove social media from the phone - all simple but not easy and beneficial things.TRANSCRIPTBelow is the transcription of our conversation. It’s done by AI so is perhaps a wee bit ropey here and there. If these transcripts prove sufficiently useful then I will make the effort to clean then up and make them better. Do let me know if you think it’s worth my time to do that. (Or, better still, do it for me…...

Jon Barton is the founder of Vertebrate Publishing. It sits at the very heart of British adventure writing and outdoor sports. Jon says that "we publish books to inspire adventure. It’s our rule that the only books we publish are those that we’d want to read or use ourselves. We endeavour to bring you beautiful books that stand the test of time and that you’ll be proud to have on your bookshelf for years to come."I asked Jon about the lessons he's learned from starting a company, the discrepancy between male and female authors in the outdoor world, and his scorn for self-titled 'Adventurers' (like me) who spend a lot of time talking about themselves on the internet...PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY PODCAST(It’s completely free, zero hassle to do (click here), but really helpful for me trying to get a new podcast off the ground. If you’re feeling extra kind, please leave a review on the app – that really helps.)Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn (“Alexa, please play the Living Adventurously podcast”) or on your favourite podcast platform such as Overcast, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker, Soundcloud, Castbox, Castro.www.alastairhumphreys.com/podcastTHIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KOMOOTYour very own outdoor experiences are waiting for you. Go explore more with komoot. Use the voucher code ADVENTUROUS to claim your free region maps bundle.The personalised planning and navigation tools ensure you plan the adventure that’s perfect for you. Komoot is Europe’s number 1 outdoor app, with route planning and navigation functionality, and strong community-driven inspirational features in the form of recommended Highlights and inspirational route Collections. It is used by nearly 10 million adventurers worldwide. Komoot is becoming the app of choice for cyclists and hikers the world over, with rapid community growth in the UK, the US and other parts of Europe. You can see my ride’s route on komoot here.SHOW NOTESIf you enjoy listening to this episode over a cup of coffee and think it might be worth the price, you can buy me a coffee here: www. ko-fi.com/al_humphreysKeep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribeSay hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreysVertebrate Books - website and TwitterVertebrate Books also have a podcast - Inspiring Adventure"If a book is the sort of thing we'd use ourselves, we'd publish it."Books we chat about:Tilman booksNan ShepherdGwen MoffatWaymakingBrown Hares in the Derbyshire DalesJoe BrownDon WhillansNanga Parbat PilgrimageWe didn't know the first thing about publishing when we began.I just employ people who are brighter than me and then stuff happens.On Sunday night I am excited to go back to work on Monday morning, whereas my wife dreads it.Just because you have done a good book in one niche doesn't mean you can leap into a different one.Whenever we go out of our niche we haven't done very well.The calm after the calm. (Phrase about book writing and launching)When we are putting together we think, "is Hannah [regular customer] going to read this?"Women and men, in general, write about their adventurous experiences in different waysWaymaking: The book would have failed (regardless of sales) if it didn't change the participation of women in adventure.We get 10x more submissions from men and women. Men are risk-takers - leads to epic stories and also they don't mind writing a book and getting a rejection.An adventure is just having an experience and how you feel afterwards.I got more from climbing with people who were better than me than trying to be the best myselfDone is better than perfectTRANSCRIPTBelow is the transcription of our conversation. It’s done by AI so is perhaps a wee bit ropey here and there. If these transcripts prove sufficiently useful then I will make the effort to clean then up and make them better. Do let me know if you think it’s worth my time to do that. (Or, better still, do it for me…!). If you’d like to listen as you read along you can do that here:https://otter.ai/s/ot2psvHsSraJCsG6Jd-dKg ★ Support this podcast ★

Tomo Thompson is Chief Executive of the charity Friends of the Peak District who work to safeguard the landscape of Britain’s first national park. Tomo is a retired Army Officer, with a recent background in business management consultancy. He also enjoys and instructs outdoor pursuits and is an encyclopaedia of knowledge about expeditions, equipment and fine places to unroll your bivvy bag for the night.I asked Tomo whether the word 'adventure' was inappropriate for a career in the military. One similarity in our lives was that military life gives you restlessness and an appetite for uncertainty. Now caring for one of the most beautiful corners of Yorkshire, Tomo believes that a small thing which greatly improves life is to go to the top of a hill, sit down, turn off the phone, accept what the weather's doing, and accept both how big and how small you are. Wise words indeed.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY PODCAST(It’s completely free, zero hassle to do (click here), but really helpful for me trying to get a new podcast off the ground. If you’re feeling extra kind, please leave a review on the app – that really helps.)Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn (“Alexa, please play the Living Adventurously podcast”) or on your favourite podcast platform such as Overcast, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker, Soundcloud, Castbox, Castro.www.alastairhumphreys.com/podcastTHIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KOMOOTYour very own outdoor experiences are waiting for you. Go explore more with komoot. Use the voucher code ADVENTUROUS to claim your free region maps bundle.The personalised planning and navigation tools ensure you plan the adventure that’s perfect for you. Komoot is Europe’s number 1 outdoor app, with route planning and navigation functionality, and strong community-driven inspirational features in the form of recommended Highlights and inspirational route Collections. It is used by nearly 10 million adventurers worldwide. Komoot is becoming the app of choice for cyclists and hikers the world over, with rapid community growth in the UK, the US and other parts of Europe. You can see my ride’s route on komoot here.SHOW NOTESIf you enjoy listening to this episode over a cup of coffee and think it might be worth the price, you can buy me a coffee here: www. ko-fi.com/al_humphreysKeep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribeSay hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreysTomo is on Twitter.Friends of the Peak District on Twitter.A video of our curry in a cave.The Army was a way to get lots of climbing, walking and paddling expeditions in far-flung places.Developmental role of challenging expeditions in the outdoors.When you've been in put in situations where risk are involved (military / expeditions), you become better placed to deal with risk in normal life.One thing that military life gives you is restlessness, and an appetite for uncertainty.A small thing that greatly improves life is to go to the top of a hill, sit down, turn off the phone, accept what the weather's doing, and accept both how big and how small you are.Leaving a decision for too long you just stew in it. Don't stand on the edge of the diving board with your toes over the edge for hours.The importance of looking after yourself so that you can radiate that in your engagements with family and friends.Therefore self-improvement need not be deemed selfish.Goodbye Things - Fumio SasakiHow to Connect with Nature - Tristan Gooley ★ Support this podcast ★

Louise McMahon is a climber, caver, diver, occasional photographer and a trans woman she/her. So says her Twitter bio, and I like the order she has chosen to list things in.Once Louise had unpicked and identified the problems she faced, the big change of committing to transition was a sudden release and huge relief. Committing was, in the end, easier than hiding. And none of the worries she had beforehand came to pass.I began this podcast to ask people about worlds that overlap with my own but are also very different. Louise's open, thoughtful explanations of realising that she was not living the life she wanted to lead - and then summoning the boldness to make a massive change - are the very epitome of what I wanted on this living adventurously podcast. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY PODCAST(It’s completely free, zero hassle to do (click here), but really helpful for me trying to get a new podcast off the ground. If you’re feeling extra kind, please leave a review on the app – that really helps.)Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn (“Alexa, please play the Living Adventurously podcast”) or on your favourite podcast platform such as Overcast, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker, Soundcloud, Castbox, Castro.www.alastairhumphreys.com/podcastTHIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KOMOOTYour very own outdoor experiences are waiting for you. Go explore more with komoot. Use the voucher code ADVENTUROUS to claim your free region maps bundle.The personalised planning and navigation tools ensure you plan the adventure that’s perfect for you. Komoot is Europe’s number 1 outdoor app, with route planning and navigation functionality, and strong community-driven inspirational features in the form of recommended Highlights and inspirational route Collections. It is used by nearly 10 million adventurers worldwide. Komoot is becoming the app of choice for cyclists and hikers the world over, with rapid community growth in the UK, the US and other parts of Europe. You can see my ride’s route on komoot here.SHOW NOTESIf you enjoy listening to this episode over a cup of coffee and think it might be worth the price, you can buy me a coffee here: www. ko-fi.com/al_humphreysKeep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribeSay hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreysLouise is on Twitter.Neither climbing or caving is scary - if you're scared you're probably doing it wrong.High consequence actions versus the low risk of those high consequences.The notion of consequences versus likelihood of happening are different things and useful in businessOnce Louise had unpicked and identified the problems she faced, the big change of committing to transition was a sudden release and huge relief.Committing was, in the end, easier than hiding.None of the worries she had beforehand came to pass.Humans are cautious creatures and we tend to focus a lot on the worries beforehand. Yet we don't realise what all the benefits might be until we have committed.Spin-off benefits and enhanced self-confidence.Living an authentic life is one less thing to worry about"Sometimes I think 'oh, I'd quite like to do it one day', then just say 'oh, sod it, and do it!'"TRANSCRIPTBelow is the transcription of our conversation. It’s done by AI so is perhaps a wee bit ropey here and there. If these transcripts prove sufficiently useful then I will make the effort to clean then up and make them better. Do let me know if you think it’s worth my time to do that. (Or, better still, do it for me…!). If you’d like to listen as you read along you can do that here:https://otter.ai/s/AIc7-qqzRgiT6zgYLoOhcQAlastair Humphreys we met via Twitter originally and on there you say you're a climber and a caver. which is more scary.Louise McMahon I don't think either is scary.If you getting scared you're probably doing it wrong or doing taking too many risks. Or not managing the risks well enough as like caving. If you get it wrong, it can be really dangerous.Alastair Humphreys But you're not doing it for the adrenaline.Louise McMahon no. I do the climbing because I enjoy it. So I like being out in the hills and the caving is exploration often find new cave and new new thingsAlastair Humphreys Have you gone somewhere No one's ever been before?Louise McMahon not no one's ever been before. But never in the last several hundred years. We do a lot in 17th century mines.Alastair Humphreys Wow. That's a Amazing, isn't it? Well within an hour of massive city. how did you get into caving?Louise McMahon I was a climber before that. And then so driving around the Peak District to these kind of moody people with harnesses with the equipment that looks a bit like climbing and I thought I'll give it a go. And so I found my newest book, to me is a technical psychological group and consultant. I went along and loved it just and just carried on doing it. And so I've been doing it unit now.Alastair Humphreys decliners in cave is like each other.Louise McMahon Hmm, interesting. I do both. There are the climbers in our club. And they don't tend to mix too well, because climbers like to get up quite early and got climbing and cables don't care what time of the day is and will drink until four in the morning because it's going to be dark anyway. So I'm a headphone, you know, having my in?Alastair Humphreys what's the what's the difference in mindset between someone who is a good cave and somebody who's a good climate.Louise McMahon I think good cavers are happy to suffer but also a doing it for a different reason. Often, we're doing it to extra, whereas a lot of climbers are just doing it because they like climbing and and that's fine.Alastair Humphreys So it's okay. So it's more of abit more of a mission to Yeah, baby and purpose perhaps Yeah,Louise McMahon yeah. You know, I am, before I started taping, I build things, I'll do th...

Sarah Lister was drifting through her twenties until a 'doorstep mile' moment of commitment saw her quit her unloved job and begin again. Today Sarah lives in a cosy cottage at the foot of beautiful fells in the Peak District National Park. She works as a coach these days and this has given her a new way of thinking, teaching her that a fresh perspective comes from asking open, non-judgemental questions.I arrived at Sarah's house in a torrential storm. I was soaking wet and a bit fed-up. So when Sarah invited me to join her for a swim in the stream cascading down the mountain behind her village I was not particularly keen. But I remembered one of life's immutable rules: you never regret a wild swim.And, sure enough, the hills were beautiful, the waterfall was bracing and bouncing and we galloped back down the hill happy, and hungry for homemade pizza.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY PODCAST(It’s completely free, zero hassle to do (click here), but really helpful for me trying to get a new podcast off the ground. If you’re feeling extra kind, please leave a review on the app – that really helps.)Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn (“Alexa, please play the Living Adventurously podcast”) or on your favourite podcast platform such as Overcast, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker, Soundcloud, Castbox, Castro.www.alastairhumphreys.com/podcastTHIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KOMOOTYour very own outdoor experiences are waiting for you. Go explore more with komoot. Use the voucher code ADVENTUROUS to claim your free region maps bundle.The personalised planning and navigation tools ensure you plan the adventure that’s perfect for you. Komoot is Europe’s number 1 outdoor app, with route planning and navigation functionality, and strong community-driven inspirational features in the form of recommended Highlights and inspirational route Collections. It is used by nearly 10 million adventurers worldwide. Komoot is becoming the app of choice for cyclists and hikers the world over, with rapid community growth in the UK, the US and other parts of Europe. You can see my ride’s route on komoot here.SHOW NOTESIf you enjoy listening to this episode over a cup of coffee and think it might be worth the price, you can buy me a coffee here: www. ko-fi.com/al_humphreysKeep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribeSay hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreysSarah's website: careers coaching for those who don't know where to begin.Sarah's Instagram: @about.the.adventureBusy London routine meant Sarah had lost her zest for life. She did not like who she was and the negative way she was complaining about everything.Sarah began using small escapes from London as a way to escape the city life she no longer enjoyed.For a while it felt acceptable to use adventurous weeekend escapes as a counter to the job she no longer liked.Admitting to herself that she had been drifting through her twenties felt very daunting.Whilst she knew what she did NOT want to do, Sarah did not know for a while what she DID want to do.Sarah wanted to pay off her debts, to be financially stable before leaving her job and making the change. But in the end an evening of adventure talks plus a ticking off from her boss sparked her into resigning.In her coaching work Sarah sees a lot of people who are heavily swayed by the amount of time and effort they have put into something, even if they don't like it. (The only important part of the runway is that in front of you). "I've come this far so I might as well keep going with it."Sometimes it feels easier to keep going with the devil you know rather than risking the uncertainty and newness and pressure of change.Coaching has been helpful for guiding Sarah that it is OK to change, it's OK to be upset by it sometimes, and it's not always easy.Coaching gives a new way of thinking and a fresh perspective through open, non-judgemental questions.Don't just ask yourself what the barriers are, but also break them down and think about what stories you are telling yourself about them.It would be good to give more attention and voicepieces to the unsung heroes of society who are helping to solve various problems.University felt like a wasted experience for Sarah (and me).TRANSCRIPTBelow is the transcription of our conversation. It’s done by AI so is perhaps a wee bit ropey here and there. If these transcripts prove sufficiently useful then I will make the effort to clean then up and make them better. Do let me know if you think it’s worth my time to do that. (Or, better still, do it for me…!). If you’d like to listen as you read along you can do that here:https://otter.ai/s/qR4Tiji2QpKAn_tR8-UO6QAlastair HumphreysHow did you go from being ayoung womanworking hard in London, to living a little cottage in the middle of nowhere, spending your days running in the hills?Sarah ListerWell, it started reallywanting to get out a little bit more. So I was in London and became very dissatisfied and not really thinking very, very critical. And I noticed that I didn't have not realisedyou know, something, my office paradise. And looking in the mirror I didn't like who I was. And the way that I'm talking, I'm saying negative complaining about my job and complain about everything really, even though I had quite nice job in my class, I wouldn't really keep making it or enjoying it. And it does come through just a little tiny mini adventure in a living. And I was asked to see what was around me, and then say that that I hadn't known before. And that made me startto work, roll and see more. And it's just like going outside of London.so I'm coming here on Monday 10 on the safer dog on a Friday, go home, packing my bags ready for the next morning, coming up at five and six o'clock in the morning whenever it started. And get on the train, set them on the street. So I did get back on a Sunday evening. And then go back to work Monday. I thought I've got it. I've got it down about a week. Yeah, I thought if I can say this. And I say my family hated me....

Hetty Key combined her industry experience of the Outdoor / Adventure world with her academic background to investigate issues surrounding women in adventure. Hetty is passionate about using data to increase diversity and improve accessibility within the outdoors.Women in Adventure offers a collective voice for women, empowering others through the sharing of information, inspiration and advice.We took refuge from the torrential rain in a cafe to chat. I asked Hetty what she believes limits women getting more involved with the outdoor community. She is an adventurer, an endurance athlete, and a massive data geek. It's a good combination!PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY PODCAST(It’s completely free, zero hassle to do (click here), but really helpful for me trying to get a new podcast off the ground. If you’re feeling extra kind, please leave a review on the app – that really helps.)Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn (“Alexa, please play the Living Adventurously podcast”) or on your favourite podcast platform such as Overcast, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker, Soundcloud, Castbox, Castro.www.alastairhumphreys.com/podcastTHIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KOMOOTYour very own outdoor experiences are waiting for you. Go explore more with komoot. Use the voucher code ADVENTUROUS to claim your free region maps bundle.The personalised planning and navigation tools ensure you plan the adventure that’s perfect for you. Komoot is Europe’s number 1 outdoor app, with route planning and navigation functionality, and strong community-driven inspirational features in the form of recommended Highlights and inspirational route Collections. It is used by nearly 10 million adventurers worldwide. Komoot is becoming the app of choice for cyclists and hikers the world over, with rapid community growth in the UK, the US and other parts of Europe. You can see my ride’s route on komoot here.SHOW NOTESIf you enjoy listening to this episode over a cup of coffee and think it might be worth the price, you can buy me a coffee here: www. ko-fi.com/al_humphreysKeep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribeSay hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreysWomen in Adventure is an independent research-based organisation focused on empowering women through the sharing of information, inspiration and adviceHetty Key is on Instagram as @mudchalkandgearsMaking a pact with a friend to do a weekly 7am swim - began only going in up to her kneesAdventure of moving from a proper job to pursue her researchWhen curiosity and a hobby grows organically into something biggerEventually she was doing so much with her passions that it reached a tipping point to quit her job and go it alone.Women in Adventure survey around the inspirations and limitations of women getting into the outdoorsMental wellbeing is unanimously improved by being in the outdoors doing sportsLife satisfaction, happiness, anxiety, worthwhile - different sports help different aspects of these better than others.Women worry about looking out of place, about being beginners and looking foolsA lack of knowledge and information is a common barrier for women wanting to get into adventureThe importance of relatable role modelsTRANSCRIPTBelow is the transcription of our conversation. It’s done by AI so is perhaps a wee bit ropey here and there. If these transcripts prove sufficiently useful then I will make the effort to clean then up and make them better. Do let me know if you think it’s worth my time to do that. (Or, better still, do it for me…!). If you’d like to listen as you read along you can do that here:https://otter.ai/s/vaVwYEmITsekx_MWHnU2LwAlastair Humphreys what does living adventurously mean to you?Hetty Key That's, that's a big question. I mean, I think that it is being out of your comfort zone. And so living adventuroulsy for me is... it's not, you know, the types of fun. So type one, type two, it's not always being sort of uncomfortable. But it's consistently trying to push yourself just out of the comfort zone into that. I think it's quite an exciting, I think the definitely challenging moments, really enjoyable moments, but it's just being out of your comfort zone and kind of going and doing the things that when you first think of them, you think, I don't know if I can do that. Okay, so give me an example of your life of adventure you had that does not include being in the mountains, etc. I think so. About two years ago, I was quite short on time, I was doing a lot of work and my kind of work life balance have gone down the drain pipe, so to speak. And friend and I made a pact the 7am once a week, we're going to try and slowly get into a river near because both of us are actually quite nervous about the concept. I like water fascinates me, don't get me wrong. But I would not have jumped in a river like open water was terrifying. It was like, you know, all the monsters on the bottom, like, the feeling of the ground with your feet, like the whole thing, like completely. It was it was very out of my comfort zone. But actually, every every week we went through at seven in the morning. And just gradually the first time I think I went like up to my knees and I was like I'm good enough. And actually we kept going and starting in started in October. And actually we by February, we were we went through the whole winter and it totally changed my outlook and perception on on water and actually something I still do a lot and really, really enjoy. But that was definitely adventure.Alastair Humphreys Okay, I agree. What about moving from having a proper job to not have a job? Tell me what you've doneHetty Key So recently, I took the decision to leave my full time joband actually pursue my research through a company called Women and adventure.Alastair Humphreys Okay, so we're going to talk about adventure a lot but to pick you up here on the leaving your full time job to go into the freelance ...

Helen Mort is a busy woman. She is an award-winning poet and novelist, a runner and a climber. She has also recently become a mum which has transformed her perspective on living adventurously. She told me about being open to the possibilities of change in your life, and the weird way in which an expedition to Greenland can feel less daunting than staying in Sheffield at a gathering of other new parents. Helen is not only a highly-acclaimed poet but also a lecturer in creative writing. So I was intrigued to hear her take on imposter syndrome and her masochistic enjoyment of attempting creative projects that she has no idea how to complete. I had slept on a river bank (beneath a tree with a noisy hooting owl) the night before meeting Helen, so I was glad that I had the chance to chug down a speedy espresso at the cafe before Helen arrived. She is an incredibly smart woman and my brain needed all the help it could get! Helen graduated from Cambridge with a degree in Social and Political Sciences. In 2014, she completed her Doctorate at Sheffield University with a Ph.D thesis in English and Neuroscience. To clear her mind, Helen enjoys running in the Hills of the Peak District.Please Subscribe to the Living Adventurously Podcast(It's completely free, zero hassle to do (click here), but really helpful for me trying to get a new podcast off the ground. If you're feeling extra kind, please leave a review on the app - that really helps.)Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn ("Alexa, please play the Living Adventurously podcast") or on your favourite podcast platform such as Overcast, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker, Soundcloud, Castbox, Castro.www.alastairhumphreys.com/podcastThis Podcast is brought to you by komootYour very own outdoor experiences are waiting for you. Go explore more with komoot. Use the voucher code ADVENTUROUS to claim your free region maps bundle.The personalised planning and navigation tools ensure you plan the adventure that’s perfect for you. Komoot is Europe’s number 1 outdoor app, with route planning and navigation functionality, and strong community-driven inspirational features in the form of recommended Highlights and inspirational route Collections. It is used by nearly 10 million adventurers worldwide. Komoot is becoming the app of choice for cyclists and hikers the world over, with rapid community growth in the UK, the US and other parts of Europe. You can see my ride’s route on komoot here.Show NotesIf you enjoy listening to this episode over a cup of coffee and think it might be worth the price, you can buy me a coffee here: www. ko-fi.com/al_humphreysKeep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribeSay hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys​"Helen Mort is among the brightest stars in the sparkling new constellation of young British poets" - Carol Ann DuffyHelen's website and Instagram."I enjoyed running because it was the first time I'd ever been good at something physical."The difference between running and climbing for clarity.There are times in your life when you can't just 'take off' but you can pretend you can by manageable adventurersThe changing approach to adventure (and writing) with parenthood.Taking a baby running or up Snowdon - Helen enjoys that side of adventureThe baby gives her adventures more purpose because Helen is exposing them to adventure and the outdoors.Adventure is being open to the possibility of something changing your life in ways you can't predict.Life feels less risky when I'm in Greenland rather in Sheffield with a group of mumsThe need for security stops Helen going freelance as a writer.Fear of your own inadequacy.Wilfully feeds her imposter syndrome by trying new genres.Likes doing things she doesn't know whether she can do.Writing comes from an urge to communicate and to connectTranscriptBelow is the transcription of our conversation. It's done by AI so is perhaps a wee bit ropey here and there. If these transcripts prove sufficiently useful then I will make the effort to clean then up and make them better. Do let me know if you think it's worth my time to do that. (Or, better still, do it for me...!). If you'd like to listen as you read along you can do that here:https://otter.ai/s/jhNKddo2Rq2HyzVN8GXDGgAlastair Humphreys Helen, thank you for meeting me. I'm sitting on a Saturday morning outside nice cafe, your local cafe, you seem to know everybody walks past with the little one. And who's desperate at the microphone. So we'll give this a go see how we get on. And my first question to you is because I asked this for everyone who's done a PhD? Yeah. Because I love it. What was the title of your PhD? andHelen Mort I'm embarrassed to say it! So the first part is a quote, I must emphasise. "something else, then something else. neuroscience: neuroscience and connexion making in contemporary poetry."Alastair Humphreys I Really, absolutely love people's PhD titles. And I won't I won't ask another question about it! You're a climber and runner?Helen Mort Yeah, kinda. Definitely. Not so much of a climber.Alastair Humphreys Okay. And, and one of the things you enjoy it for is the clarity of it. Can you tell me a bit about that? Why you like the running and the climbing.Helen Mort And well actually is I came to climb in a bit later I ran, I was quite, I think it was quite a quite a stocky little kid, I did a lot of walking with my dad, when I was a kid, I was always quite into something German sports, but I never thought of myself as particularly sporty. And I sort of got into running a secondary school and got picked to do a race decided to train for it. And then on the day that PT should pick someone else. And I was really upset and asked if I could run anyway, and then ended up doing quite well. So it kind of all started from there. And so I always enjoyed. I enjoyed running because it was the first time I've been good at anything sort of physical. And that then became my because of that it then became I becam...

Tommy Banks was the youngest chef in the world to be awarded a Michelin star. The Black Swan at Oldstead was rated the best restaurant in the world by TripAdvisor in 2017.As a connoisseur of banana sandwiches and dehydrated expedition meals, this was not my usual world! But that is exactly what I was interested in on this bicycle ride: to learn about different people's worlds and ask myself how their lessons might overlap with my own.I was surprised when Tommy agreed to meet me. I thought he would be far too busy and would not waste his time nattering to some bloke on his bike. I made sure to arrive early and swilled my smelly armpits from my water bottles before knocking on the door. But Tommy was so generous with his time and I loved being shown around the restaurant and the impressive kitchen gardens. I asked him about his choice between running a cheap restaurant or a brilliant one, about how restrictions can encourage creativity, and the catalyst that serious illness proved to be for him.I asked Tommy about ambition, defining success, as well as the delights of milk vending machines and flapjacks.And, no, to answer your question, I didn't manage to blag a free Michelin-star meal! Back out onto my bike for more banana sandwiches in the rain...Please Subscribe to the Living Adventurously Podcast(It's completely free, zero hassle to do (click here), but really helpful for me trying to get a new podcast off the ground. If you're feeling extra kind, please leave a review on the app - that really helps.)Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn ("Alexa, please play the Living Adventurously podcast") or on your favourite podcast platform such as Overcast, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Breaker, Soundcloud, Castbox, Castro.www.alastairhumphreys.com/podcastThis podcast is brought to you by KomootYour very own outdoor experiences are waiting for you. Go explore more with komoot. Use the voucher code ADVENTUROUS to claim your free region maps bundle.The personalised planning and navigation tools ensure you plan the adventure that’s perfect for you. Komoot is Europe’s number 1 outdoor app, with route planning and navigation functionality, and strong community-driven inspirational features in the form of recommended Highlights and inspirational route Collections. It is used by nearly 10 million adventurers worldwide. Komoot is becoming the app of choice for cyclists and hikers the world over, with rapid community growth in the UK, the US and other parts of Europe. You can see my ride’s route on komoot here.Show NotesIf you enjoy listening to this episode over a cup of coffee and think it might be worth the price, you can buy me a coffee here: www. ko-fi.com/al_humphreysKeep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribeSay hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreysTommy Banks runs the Black Swan at Oldstead and Roots in York.@tommybanks on Instagram.Tommy's book, Roots, is available here.He focuses on normal, good techniques of cooking - and just does them really well.In 2006 Tommy was running a pub, and probably not a very good one. In the credit crunch he was faced with two options to survive: "2-for-1 scampi night" or "do something out of the ordinary".The Pub has a bad location - it's hard to get people through the door. Constraints can be good things.His thinking when needing to change: "We need a thing - I don't know what it is, but we need a thing."Putting restrictions in place (self sufficiency) enforced creativity.For the first couple of years of the change in approach they were "serving weird stuff and still nobody was coming".When you spend a long time in an area you get an understanding of the seasons.Home is a connection you feel, not the buildings or the location.Always wanted to be a cricket player but got ill. If he hadn't got ill he would never have gone down the path he is on now.I was a horrible skinny kid with a colostomy bag. I needed to pull my finger out and make something of myself.Impatience has been a catalyst for success, but it's not sustainable.Would you rather play cricket for England or have the best restaurant in the world? Cricket, no question.Values of sport that can transfer into business and into life and into the kitchenWon a Michelin Star at 24, by using recipes out of other people's cook books. Took time to learn to be original.Disappointment of never being quite fulfilled at finishing an achievement.Do we actually want to fulfil our ambitions? Or does it just lead us to flatness and emptiness?Doing 3 things a day, every day, to make the Black Swan better.Endorphins of exercise vs being overwhelmed by the scheduleRelaxed approach to sharing of secrets. Tell the world, then go find something else. The way you go about things needs to evolve anyway.Spontaneity is vital, but so to is organisation in the backgroundSunday lunch tip: Dawney Arms at Newton on OuseTranscriptBelow is the transcription of our conversation. It's done by AI so is perhaps a wee bit ropey here and there. If these transcripts prove sufficiently useful then I will make the effort to clean then up and make them better. Do let me know if you think it's worth my time to do that. (Or, better still, do it for me...!). If you'd like to listen as you read along you can do that here:https://otter.ai/s/WR1pkTSCT8-8iXXhc7Wg8QAlastair Humphreys Can I test the levels by asking you how do you cook a fried egg?Tommy Banks low temperature, I think.Alastair Humphreys Tell me more.Tommy Banks well, it depends how you like fried eggs. Some people like them crispy. But the proteins been absolutely frazzled. Heat the oil or even butter if you feel that way. And then a lower temperature almost boil it in the fat so it's nice and soft. And then if you want a bit more CRISP you can always turn the heat up at the end and ...