The Call to Adventure Podcast

Latest Episodes:

CTA 019 - Crossing Oceans for Mental Health with Charlie Head Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

Charlie Head circumnavigated the country to get people talking about mental health

Charlie Head is no stranger to adventure. His stand up paddle board has taken him across the Arctic, through the Nile and along the Amazon, meeting and living with tribespeople and locals along the way to discuss education, community and the environment. His most recent achievement was his circumnavigation of the UK, which he pursued as an opportunity to spread the word about mental health and encourage conversation up and down the nation.
We discuss Charlie’s motivation for campaigning for mental health, the hardest bits of his journey and the incredible individuals he met along the way. Tune in folks, this one’s a belter.

CTA 018 - Harrison Ward, AKA the ‘Fell Foodie’ on reaching rock bottom, taking one step at a time and the joy of a homecooked meal at 900m Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

Harrison Ward, or ’Fell Foodie’ on Instagram wasn’t always running up and down the Cumbrian fells with a stove and the ingredients for a hilltop curry in his rucksack.

Though it’s how he spends most of his days now, it was a tough journey to get there. Harrison tells his story of overcoming years of depression and alcoholism and how eventually, it was the fells that saved him.

Harrison talks about pulling himself out of the depths of darkness and making that first physical and metaphorical step towards recovery. It’s been a good few years since that first Hellvellyn summit and Harrison is passionate about spreading his message and getting more people outdoors. We discuss the power of hillwalking, being outdoors and the joy of cooking in the hills.

Tune in to find out more.

CTA 017 - Elise Downing on running around the country, the joy of the UK and never giving up Nov 11, 2021

Show notes

Elise Downing was sat in her London grad job office, miserable with the corporate grind, when the idea of running around the UK first came to her. In 2015 the spent 10 months running a lap of the UK, gradually building up her mileage to running 30-40 miles a day and for the most part staying with friends or strangers.

It was a trip that would teach her the power and presence of kindness in the UK, the joy of long distance adventures and that the hardest step is simply committing to it in the first place. Elise’s book, Coasting, is a touching, witty and inspiring account of her travels and why every person, however ordinary they think they are, is capable of adventure.

Elise’s book is available to buy from Waterstones, Amazon, Blackwell's and most other book retailers.

CTA 016 - Summiting Mental and Physical Peaks: How the Natural Health Service Saved Alex Staniforth Nov 05, 2021

Show notes

Alex Staniforth has battled anxiety, disordered eating, depression, bullying and even avalanches to get to where he is, a trailblazer for achieving mental wellbeing through being outdoors.

At just 26, he is already a record-breaking adventurer and ultra-endurance athlete, with a fair few achievements under his belt. Having endured both the 2014 avalanche in Nepal and the earthquake in 2015 whilst attempting an Everest summit, completed the National 3 Peaks by foot in just 9 days and taken on countless other runs, summits and adventures, Alex is a force of nature.

It is the force of actual nature however, that has taken him to where he is now, founder of Mind Over Mountain. Mind Over Mountains is a charity that helps restore people’s mental wellbeing through the outdoors, mindfulness and “walking and talking.” We dig in to Alex’s mental and physical highs and lows over the last few years and how the “Natural Health Service” came to be his knight in shining armour.

If you want to join a Mind Over Mountains event, find out more or learn how you can support them, you can visit their website here - https://mindovermountains.org.uk

CTA 015 - Resilience Through Pain and Disability - Being Extraordinary, with Alex Flynn Oct 27, 2021

Show notes

We are releasing this podcast a few days after Alex's passing on Mera Peak in Nepal, where he was training to become to first person with Parkinson's to summit Everest. His family commented that "he went out exactly how he would have wanted to, off the high of having completed another adventure on top of the world about to step into a helicopter ready to take on the next challenge."

We hope this episode does such justice to such a trailblazer of a man, and that it goes on to inspire you to live your fullest life, whatever hurdles are thrown your way.

Alex Flynn has always had a high threshold for pain. But when diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at 36, his whole life changed. Determined not to let it define or restrict him, Alex has dedicated his life to raising funds for Parkinson’s research, and aims to inspire others with disabilities to live full, joyous and stretching lives.

We discuss how Alex has become the master of his own life and just how he managed to complete 10 million meters of running, walking and crawling around the globe. Tune in to find out more!

CTA 014 - The power of listening to nature and how it can guide us to be ethical consumers with Jarvis Smith Oct 27, 2021

Show notes

Jarvis Smith is the co-founder of My Green Pod, the UK's leading ethical lifestyle store and media company, on a mission to help people live more sustainable lifestyles and purchase ethical alternatives to mainstream products. They hope to encourage businesses to change their models and practises, and for individuals to lead the charge.

In this episode, Jarvis shares with us the moment he vowed to dedicate his life to inspiring people to live more conscious lifestyles, on camera in front of millions of viewers.

Guided through life by shamanic teaching and principles, Jarvis offers us the chance to look closely at nature, listen to it, to give back what we take from it. From easy tips to becoming a more ethical shopper, to deeper conversations about what is really need to tackle the climate crisis, this is an episode you won’t forget.

CTA 013 - Wild Swimming Brother's - The Call to Coldwater: Why More and More People are Loving Wild Swimming Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

Wild swimming is like a secret society these days. With those 'on the inside' having access to a whole new type of outdoor euphoria, connection with nature and mind-body experience.
The good news is, this is no exclusive club. Wild swimming is for everyone. And Wild Swimming Brothers Jack, Calum and Robbie are here to get your psyched and ready.
For those that are curious, seeing people jump ecstatically into cold lakes and hammer through ice with nothing but a swimming costume on can be simultaneously mesmerising and horrifying. If you're wondering how you can get a slice of the magic but have no idea how to start, this episode is for you.
To find out how to get started, what to wear, how to find your first spot and other tips, tune in! Plus, there's a wild swimming quiz at the end and really, who doesn't love a quiz?

CTA 012 - Rebecca Wrigley from Rewilding Britain: Why UK Wild Spaces Need to be Even Wilder Mar 21, 2021

Show notes

We all know that we need to take drastic action to avoid the imminent climate emergency. Rewilding will play a pivotal role in adapting to the unprecedented challenges to come.
Everyone seems to be talking about rewilding, but what exactly is it, and how does it play into climate change?
Rebecca Wrigley spills the beans. As one of the founders and now Chief Executive of Rewilding Britain, she really knows her stuff.
Buckle up and take a listen.

CTA 011 - Bikepacking, Ultra Endurance, Running, & Tough Women with Jenny Tough Nov 14, 2020

Show notes

Jenny Tough embodies adventure through and through.
She's competed in ultra bikepacking races around the world including the Atlas Mountain Race, Silk Road Mountain Race No1, the TransatlanticWayRace, and the TransScotland to name a few.

Jenny’s also on a mission to run solo and unsupported across a mountain range on every continent, some of which were world firsts, like her run across the Andes. She's currently on 5 of 6 and raring to go once things open up after covid subsides.

Jenny is also the editor of the book Tough Women.
Get listening for all the inspiration you need to get out on your own adventure.

CTA 010 - Bike Travel, Cycle Touring, & Bikepacking Top Tips From 1000's Miles - Adam Hugill Oct 09, 2020

Show notes

This week we've gone for a completely different approach.
Instead of delving into the life of an adventurer or activist I've teamed up with a co-host, Adam Hugill, to give you our best cycle touring and bikepacking tips.
There's something for everyone in here from absolute beginners to more experienced bike rats. Our top tips range from the bigger overarching tidbits of advice, right down to specific bits of kit.
Adam's bike toured in Europe, South East Asia, Japan, and North America. He has an awesome YouTube channel too which you'll find in the show notes.
I share my stories bikepacking from our 18 month trip from Alaska to Panama seeking out the best long-distance off-road tracks and trails.
Get listening and get planning your next trip.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Call to Adventure Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected