Living Adventurously

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What are you messing around for being miserable? Change it. Living Adventurously 40. Jul 07, 2020

Show notes

Anna McNuff is an adventurer, author, Ambassador for Girl Guiding, and the co-founder of Adventure Queens; the UK’s fastest growing women’s adventure community.
In 2019, Anna ran 2,352 miles (the distance of 90 marathons) through Britain – completely barefoot.
Starting in the Shetland Islands and ending five months later in London, she weaved her way along rugged coastlines, through small villages, across moors, along beaches, over farmland and even pitter-pattered down the odd A-road too.
Anna says, "I get my kicks by travelling the world on long, human powered journeys, and in sharing those journeys with others. When not running up mountains or sleeping in the wild, I encourage others to grab life by the balls (non-scientific term), and speak and write about the importance of adopting a growth mindset (scientific term), in everything we do.
With a background in psychology and a career as an elite athlete under my belt, I’m fascinated by the powerful and delicate relationship that exists between mind and body. I have an insatiable thirst for exploring the limit of human potential, and in better understanding the (often misunderstood) feelings of fear, self-doubt, vulnerability and courage."
Anna is awesome.

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SHOW NOTES

If 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_humphreys
Keep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribe
Say hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys
Anna McNuff's Website, Twitter and Instagram
I'm scared of dying because I really like life
I'm scared of getting to the end of the run and not having pushed myself as much as I could have done
Pants of Perspective book
Living a life of purpose: gratitude, inspiration, and an understanding of what you bring to the world that is unique.
Valuing yourself
What are you messing around for being miserable? Change it.
I've already done a long run in trainers. I know I can do it. But barefoot was a stupid idea, that's why I took on the challenge - for the pain
50 Shades of the USA book
Jamie McDonald - Adventure Man
I didn't make it as an Olympian - I gave up. But I've never regretted it
Enthusiasm is the key for getting the most out of life
Pump good stuff out into the world and it comes back to you
GLOW - Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
I've learned to recognise the times I tell myself I'm not good at things, and question that
Girl Guides
Adventure Queens

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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.

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If I lived my life again I'd be braver. Living Adventurously 39 Jun 30, 2020

Show notes

Jo Moseley is @healthyhappy50. She is the first woman to SUP coast to coast across the UK. She describes herself as a Joy Encourager, Midlife Adventurer & Beach Cleaner. Somebody else called her 'a fruitbat on a glorified surfboard' much to Jo's delight!

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SHOW NOTES

If 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_humphreys
Keep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribe
Say hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys
Jo's website, Instagram and Twitter.
Proper Nutty peanut butter
Adventure close to home is about seeing home with different eyes
Paddleboard the North
An adventure can be big if it means a lot to you emotionally
Plastic Pollution is one of Jo's passions
Showing herself she could be brave outside being a 'school mum'
Wanted to do something when her boys went off to Uni, to show herself, her boys and the world that a new life was beginning for her
The possibilities are bigger than I thought
Canal resource is extraordinary
2MinuteBeachClean
Looking for purpose
She feels she belongs to a place more when she is looking after it
Lucozade bottles was the most common litter on her trip
Found a 1995 crisp packet - 2 minutes of eating, 20 years of rubbish
54 and a half. A lot of women feel embarrassed about getting older
I feel as excited about life now as I did in my 20s
Living adventurously is about doing uncertain things with curiosity and really living in the moment. Being not sure of the outcome but doing it anyway
My advice to me in my 30s would be to not lose myself - to look after myself too.
There is still a difference in societal guilt between men and women
I feel I'd have been a better mum had I gone off and done some adventures them
Most people were very encouraging and positive on her trip. A few men found it OK to question her ability and competence.
My biggest worry is that people think I'm bragging
Yorkshire Rows: our superpower is believing in ourselves
None of the worries I had before came to pass
I've cried in most supermarkets
Doing exercise - a rowing machine - benefited her mental health in a couple of weeks
Moving with purpose - rowing a million metres
Joy Encourager
Wild - Cheryl Strayed
Dear Sugar
Audrey Sutherland - Go solo, go simple, go now
If I lived my life again I'd be braver
We need to allow girls to be brave
'A fruitbat on a glorified surfboard'
One Day - david nicholls
You can't change the world but you can change the world around you

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I never thought I could make a living from expeditions - I just stumbled into it. Living Adventurously 38 Jun 23, 2020

Show notes

Matt Kettlewell was born and raised on a remote farm at the head of a long valley. There is no through road. Matt had travelled very little when he accidentally got a job that required him to move to Africa!
Matt now leads groups on expeditions around the world.
We talked about growing up in a farming community, making a living from adventure, and motivational tattoos...

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SHOW NOTES

If 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_humphreys
Keep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribe
Say hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys
Matt's website, Twitter and Instagram.
Ryedale preserves
Stalling Busk tea room
Inspired by Steve Irwin
In the local area you are born into a trade
After college got a job in South Africa. Had never flown, never been abroad
The more you do stuff, the more you bump into people doing similar things
SUP Semerwater
I never thought I could make a living from expeditions - I just stumbled into it
You can make a life like this happen - you just have to make a series of little sacrifices
Going to South Africa was the best thing he did for dealing with his depression and kickstarting his life
Camino de Santiago
Dream as if you'd live for ever, live as though you'll die today
"Great things are done when men and mountains meet." - William Blake

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The right tree in the right place. Living Adventurously 37 Jun 16, 2020

Show notes

Tom Orde-Powlett's family have lived in Bolton Castle for 800 years. The Bolton Estate plays an important role in managing and caring for the beautiful area of Wensleydale. Tom considers it his duty to hand things over to the next generation in a better condition than he inherited it.
Tom served in the Army for 7 years and was awarded the Military Cross. These days he is a passionate conservationist.

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SHOW NOTES

If 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_humphreys
Keep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribe
Say hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys
NOTES
https://www.boltoncastle.co.uk/ 1399 castle and 800 years of the same family
Works on the conservation of the local environment
River conservation, sustainable fishing business.
Solar powered cattle drinker - broad range of benefits
The right tree in the right place
Curlew is the soundtrack of spring
Britain is most important country for breeding curlews - the slenderbill and the eskimo have already gone extinct
Learning to acknowledge and tolerate your weaknesses, and those of others
Yorkshire Dales River Trust
I was 40 recently; it's probably time my life became a little less adventurous!

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I won't regret not washing the kitchen floor more often. Living Adventurously 36 Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

Anna Ashfield describes herself as "a kind of can't-be-arsed girl (who is really a middle aged woman). If an opportunity to do something arises, I test it by thinking, "when I go to bed at night and the opportunity has passed, will I regret it?" Fear alone is not an excuse to say no. But, if I simply don't want to do it, that is the best reason of all to say no, not for me."
Anna sent me an email in response to one of my email newsletters about learning to live more adventurously (https://alastairhumphreys.com/living-adventurously/). She went on to tell me some amusing anecdotes about her attempts to encourage a bunch of her friends to sleep out on a microadventure once a month.
We met for a cup of tea before I continued my ride, but then Anna wanted to show me her favourite wood, and then we went to the pub and then she and her husband John invited me for dinner and then to stay the night! Proper Yorkshire hospitality...

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SHOW NOTES

If 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_humphreys
Keep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribe
Say hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys
Anna is on Instagram: @anna.ashfield
I won't regret not washing the kitchen floor more often
Both Buddhism and Royal Marine training are enquiries into the nature of suffering
Childhood cancer - having a real purpose helped deal with it. It taught us that what we have in life is so precious.
For the daughter, her recovery has made her more positive and make the most of opportunities
There were, in fact, gifts that came from childhood illness
I'm not allowed to say 'no' to anything if the reason is because I'm scared
Fear alone is not an excuse to say no. But if I simply don't want to do it then I say no.
The big decisions I've made in life tend to be gut decisions
I joined the Royal Marines because I wanted to test myself against the best
You often don't know the outcome of a decision you've made until you reflect on it much later in life
Am I really as brave as I think I am?
(As Anna's husband was a Royal Marine I feel that it's prudent for me to point out that when I asked Anna about her 'felted bottom' I was referring to a piece of artwork! 😂)

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120 marathons in 120 days Living Adventurously 34 Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

Graham Wilson retired from the Police and is now on a mission to walk 120 marathons in 120 days (along with his dog, Tilly). The 120 marathons will cover 8 countries, 3 isles and cover a distance of 3180 miles - the equivalent of walking from Leeds to New York City.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY PODCAST

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SHOW NOTES

If 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_humphreys
Keep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribe
Say hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys
You can follow Graham online: https://120marathonman.org
Got married at 21, had kids young: now I'm 52 and "it's my time now"
It's not just about fitness - it's wanting to do a big adventure
Adventure plans just grow once you have the kernel of an idea
Fundraising - think of a massive number and go for it. Spurred on by the unknown element of it
We know that at some point in the 120 days things will go wrong - it's about living with that and accepting it
Living adventurously is about doing something different to the day to day
If I could live my life over I'd have travelled more with the family

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The Wild Harvest school of self-reliance. Living Adventurously 33 May 26, 2020

Show notes

Diana Page was raised by her soldier Grandfather and hippy Father in an unconventional upbringing for a little girl in the seventies. A childhood that necessitated teaching herself self-reliance skills led to a university post-graduate education in Criminal Psychology and teaching at college. Three children later, Di gave up academia to raise her children alone and off-grid in a remote North Yorkshire Dale. They had no heating, loo, or running hot water, living in a green painted caravan in a five acre field, they lived very simply using what was around them.
Di now runs the Wild Harvest school of self-reliance.

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SHOW NOTES

If 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_humphreys
Keep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribe
Say hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys
Wild Harvest school of self-reliance
Unusual childhood with a soldier grandfather and a hippy father
Basically left to her own devices as a child
Peaked senses - the best part of living off the land. You're not blanketed by comfort
You can hold your dream, and when you are ready you can live it
Guilt at the separation between being indoors with central heating and what the weather is like outdoors
Raising kids off-grid
post grad in Decision Making in Sex Offending
Permaculture - observe then accept feedback (closed loop system)
I've had so many responsibilities for so long I just want to put on my backpack and walk

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"Ideas are Free: Give them Away." Living Adventurously 32 May 19, 2020

Show notes

Mike Sowden is a curious writer and he is a fantastic person to share ideas and bounce thoughts around with. Mike describes himself online as an archaeology student turned writer and story geek, as well as a travelling disaster...

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SHOW NOTES

If 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_humphreys
Keep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribe
Say hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys
It is easier to advise other people on their lives than to heed your own advice.
Mike Sowden website and Twitter
Living Adventurously newsletter
Ideas are free - give them away for free but just try to do them better than everyone else
My blog has been a series of failed experiments. But that is good because it gives me good feedback
I like throwing ideas at the wall and learning that most (but not all) are rubbish
On Looking - Alexandra Horowitz (Brainpicking post)
Walking for a mile a day and writing about it
Have a question, chase it, that leads you to more questions
Inside of a dog - Alexandra Horowitz
I would like to be a writer that people hear
Brene Brown - taking people to a retreat to perform her book
What was holding me back from becoming a writer was 75% my own insecurity
You need to experiment with your life and test your boundaries
You need to be selfish enough to look after yourself
Desire Paths
Interested in the idea of 'the inside' - as opposed to being outside
The long dark computer game
I'm interested in the way we have become addicted to online culture - social media has been gamified
Everything Bad is Good for You: How Popular Culture is Making Us Smarter

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The Hardest Part of an Adventure is Coming Home Again - Living Adventurously 31 May 12, 2020

Show notes

Clare Nattress and Matty Waudby cycled round the world together. Clare is a PhD Candidate Arts Researcher & Lecturer and an artist. Matty is an adventurous creative with a love for bicycles, camping and the great outdoors. He aims to create inspirational imagery that documents human interaction with nature and to show that there is always more than we realise outside the front door. (Matty created the funky logo for my podcast!)

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SHOW NOTES

If 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_humphreys
Keep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribe
Say hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys
@getwildmatty and @thetouringartist/
Different perspectives and motives for cycling round the world together
I wanted to go with no date and that was my end goal - to set off into the unknown
Being a teacher - people suck your creativity, so I was not inspired myself as an artist
Cycling RTW was about finding creativity again
Odd jobs Matt v Career Claire. Interesting diff takes on all this
Facing an adventure together when you both have the same mindset is easier
I'm not an idiot, but I've done idiotic things. There is a difference
Claire - only done a week's bikepacking in Scotland, then agreed to cycle RTW
Coming back has been the hardest part. I've had to start from scratch with my career and that has been quite frustrating.
Going back to the same job afterwards it's hard
Seeing different things is the best way to broaden your horizons and give you ideas to do things. You have a lot of time on the bike to mull things over.
If you're a photographer you need to get off your bike and make the effort to take good photos.
Not having a mileometer changes the vibe of a trip
Matty's book / hats / embroidery
Happiness and contentment are different things. Happiness should be saved for special occasions.
Enough is learning to be content with what we have. And social media is a pain in the arse for that.

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Don't think too much; don't worry too much - Living Adventurously 30 May 06, 2020

Show notes

Charlotte Evans, at 20 years old, was the youngest person I interviewed on my ride around Yorkshire. She describes herself on Twitter as a Notts County supporter, singer/songwriter, geographer and occasional radio producer from up North currently studying at the University of Nottingham.
I was interested to get a different perspective on things that I think I know well - the world of adventure, its accessibility (or not) to women, and the barriers that stop young women like Charlotte from travelling as widely as they may wish to do.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY PODCAST

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SHOW NOTES

If 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_humphreys
Keep up to date with future episodes (and my other adventures, projects and books) with my free monthly newsletter: alastairhumphreys.com/more/subscribe
Say hello on Twitter and Instagram: @al_humphreys
Charlotte's music on Soundcloud
Charlotte is a geographer who plays music, not the other way round
I write music on a laptop, which isn't very poetic
Failed music A-Level, which forced her to drop music which she was hoping to do for a career
Fan of Billie Eilish
Harvest Moon - Neil Young, written for people with tinnitus
Failing music was the best bad thing that ever happened to me
My main passion these days is geography
Main barrier to living adventurously is herself
Barriers for being a young woman wanting to travel - it's daunting.
Comparing to Lev Wood or Simon Reeve she sees that there's things she can't do because she's a young woman. But she also thinks you just need to find things way round it.
The phases of life when you have money / or time
Don't think too much; don't worry too much
The luck of being born in a country like the UK, and the freedom that comes from it
Nottingham Refugee Society
If I could magically change one thing in my life I would... mend my oven

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Your 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.

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