travel
High-impact interviews for those who love adventure and the outdoors. Host and journalist Shelby Stanger interviews world-class explorers, athletes, authors, scientists, health experts and entrepreneurs about how they’ve taken their own wild ideas and made them a reality, so you can too. Some of the wildest ideas can lead to the most rewarding adventures.
Breannah Yeh, also known as Ye, has been a professional slackliner and content creator for six years. She started slacklining at 13 years old after seeing it at a rock climbing gym and was immediately hooked.
Ye describes highlining, a more extreme form of slacklining done hundreds of feet in the air, as a significant mental battle. She explains the process of harnessing in and the intense psychological challenge of overcoming the fear of heights.
In her early teens, Breannah Yeh competed in slacklining, sometimes winning small amounts of prize money. She notes that the competitions were judged on a less defined point system, emphasizing the 'coolness' or 'extremeness' of tricks.
Lisa Jhung, an ultramarathon pacer with over 25 years of experience, shares what it's like to support runners in grueling races. She highlights the pacer's role in providing encouragement, ensuring correct fueling, and talking runners out of quitting, often acting as a crucial support system during the most challenging parts of a 100-mile race.
Lisa Jhung transitioned to ultramarathon pacing after a career in adventure racing, a sport she discovered through the TV show 'Eco Challenge.' She found that pacing offered a similar sense of excitement and problem-solving as racing, but without the intense personal training commitment.
Lisa Jhung explains a unique aspect of pacing at the Leadville ultramarathon, where pacers historically "mule" their runner's gear. This practice, which involves carrying the runner's pack, is a nod to the area's gold mining history.
Lisa Jhung describes the emotional challenges and rewards of being an ultramarathon pacer. She finds it difficult when a runner doesn't meet their goals, but the experience is rewarding because she feels useful and gets to share in the race's excitement.
Lisa Jhung's journalism career was significantly influenced by her exposure to adventure racing, which she saw on 'Eco Challenge.' The sport's demanding nature and inspiring stories, like a team carrying an injured member, motivated her to pursue writing about it.
Lucy Vanart is attempting to be the first woman to walk the length of the Americas, from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska. She started in 2017 and hopes to reach Alaska in the summer of 2027.
Lucy Vanart reflects on the solitary nature of her record-breaking walk and how strict rules can become a form of confinement. She notes that while others have completed similar journeys with breaks or alternative modes of transport, her consecutive approach means enduring difficult periods.
Lucy Vanart was inspired by George Meegan, the first man to walk the length of the Americas. She decided to undertake the same journey, motivated by a desire to see more women achieving such feats and to contribute to closing the perceived evidence gap in gender equality.
When Lucy Vanart announced her plan to walk the length of the Americas, her family and friends reacted with silence, hoping the idea would pass. They were scared due to the many unknowns and prevalent fearmongering in media, fearing she might not return.
Margaret, a colleague of Lucy Vanart, became her biggest supporter after Lucy shared her ambitious plan to walk the Americas. Margaret's unwavering belief in Lucy's ability to achieve this feat was crucial in making the seemingly impossible dream feel attainable.
Before embarking on her journey, Lucy Vanart had to learn Spanish, which she found easier to communicate with in its 'broken' form among indigenous populations. She also relied on existing wilderness survival skills and a self-rescue plan involving a beacon.
Lucy Vanart maintains a detailed first aid kit for herself and her dog, Wombat, consulting with her doctor for updates. She also carries strong pain medication, using it judiciously to ensure she remains aware of her surroundings and does not exacerbate any injuries.
Lucy Vanart managed to save $50,000 Australian dollars and secure gear sponsorships for her walk. She meticulously planned the route, gathered necessary equipment, and prepared herself for the immense undertaking.
Lucy Vanart described the first week of her walk as 'terrifying,' acknowledging that the initial phase is the most fragile. She believes that simply reaching the starting point is a significant step towards success, which also requires support, luck, or a strong ego.