Off Grid

Kenton Cool has summited Everest more times than any other non-Sherpa climber in history. He is a British high-altitude guide, mountaineer, and the man responsible for leading some of the world's most recognised names, including Ranulph Fiennes and Ben Fogle, to the top of the world. In this conversation, we talk about: Why Everest might now be too dangerous to climb The unglamorous early year...

Ash Bhardwaj is a journalist, author of Why We Travel, and Army reservist who spent six months travelling from Norway to Crimea retracing the new Iron Curtain. In this conversation, we talk about: - The neuroscience of why humans are wired to crave stories - The inner turmoil of not having a single career path - How AI gives rise to the importance of storytelling - Joining the Army Reserve at 29 a...

Markus Stitz holds the world record for being the first person to cycle around the world on a single-speed bike. He is a bikepacker, author and filmmaker based in Scotland. In this conversation, we talk about: Why closing the door on comfort is the only way to create real change Why the so-called safe career is disappearing faster than you think Cycling through grief after losing his father mid-tr...

Belinda Kirk is the skipper of the first all-female crew to row non-stop around Britain, founder of Explorers Connect, and author of Adventure Revolution. In this conversation, we talk about: - Why adventure is not a luxury but a human need - How adventure helped Belinda overcome childhood trauma - The case for letting children be feral - Leaving a successful TV career to become an entrepreneur -...

Levison Wood is an explorer, author and former British Army officer who has walked the length of the Nile, the Himalayas, and the Americas. In this conversation, we talk about: - Why solo travel is crucial for young people right now - Being homeless while starting a business - Hitchhiking to India in his 20s with less than £500 - The psychological shift from civilian life to becoming an Army offic...

Rebecca Stephens is the first British woman to summit Everest, expedition leader and author. In this conversation, we talk about: - Rebecca quitting her job in a recession to pursue Everest - Why following your interests matter more than the ‘sensible path’ in life - What it was like to be the only woman on the expedition team in 1993 - How to gain the confidence to take big leaps in life - Concer...

Alastair Humphreys is an adventurer and author who first became known for cycling around the world for four years before later pioneering the idea of micro-adventures. In this conversation, we talk about: - Busking across Spain with no money by playing the violin - Why people feel the need to adventure in the first place - How micro-adventures became Alastair's answer to fatherhood and modern...

Mike Trueman is the founder of True Adventure that lead expeditions for school children. He has also been a Gurkha officer, Everest summiteer, army helicopter pilot, chief jungle warfare instructor in Brunei, diplomat during the Yugoslavian war, mountaineer, and author. In this conversation, we talk about: - Why travel is needed to develop young people - Joining the Army aged 16 as a boy soldier -...

Ben Sherlock is an adventure cameraman whose work has taken him from war zones to some of the biggest adventure productions on television, including Blue Planet 3 with David Attenborough, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth, and multiple shows with Ed Stafford. In this conversation, we talk about: - Flying into war in Baghdad age 21 - Why Ben describes his early career as a series of terrible mistakes...

Recorded on video in a woodland, this episode is all about how the outdoors can help us feel less lonely and more connected. I share 3 simple ways to socialise outside, build stronger relationships, and create more meaningful moments with people in real life. In this episode, I talk about: - Why mornings are better for real connection - Micro-adventures that start from your doorstep - The power of...

Julian Osborne is the co-founder of Batch London, the casual suit menswear brand. In this conversation, we talk about: - Why it's worth going to university as an entrepreneur - The value of off grid travel in a busy life - Lessons in male confidence in England - Redefining success beyond money and status - The reality of building a 10 year overnight success Julian is the co-founder of Batch LD...

Dave Carson is a professional safari guide and the Founder of Kazuma Trails and Hwange Bush Camp in Zimbabwe.  In this conversation, we talk about: - How to track down animals in the bush and the rare black rhino - The moment Dave found himself hiding just a few feet away from a herd of elephants - Why money brings you actually further away from a true safari experience - Shedding layers of our id...

Emily Scott is a ski instructor, seven-time Ironman finisher and international mountain leader based in the Swiss Alps. In this conversation, we talk about: Leaving Emily's previous job as a chartered accountant in London How fitness may be a form of escapism in our lives Summiting all 282 Munros in Scotland in 120 consecutive days Advice for solo female adventurers Emily's philosophy on m...

Alex Ledger is the Managing Director of Off SkySchool, a paramotoring instructor, and an adventure air sports specialist.   In this conversation, we talk about: How to pursue an adventurous life Starting a paramotoring business at age 20 with no experience  Mental techniques to overcome fear Stories of the adventurous spirits that live in Chamonix in France How to keep the dream alive after 20 yea...

Nick Murray is a professional safari guide and co-founder of Bushlife Safaris, based in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park. He has built his life around the bush, guiding in one of Africa’s wildest landscapes. In this conversation, we talk about: Living with Sir David Attenborough in the bush Nick’s specialism in the painted wolves  The dark world of organised crime and poaching wildlife The real...

Josh Dickson is a clinical psychologist, trauma and positive psychology therapist and founder of Resurface, a science-backed approach using surf therapy and EMDR to help people heal. In this conversation, we talk about: How flow states can create therapeutic change in the body and mind Josh’s experience of childhood abandonment trauma at boarding school How EMDR and Blue Health can significantly h...

Archie Whitfield ran all 20 Premier League stadiums in 25 days in memory of his Dad, fundraising for a The Brain Charity. He’s also run to all the stadiums in the Scotland league, the Portuguese league, and even around the whole of Lake Como in Italy.  In this conversation, we talk about: Processing grief through mission and movement over sitting and talking How to find enjoyment in doing hard thi...

Andy McMenemy is an extreme endurance athlete, clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist, and mindset coach. He’s completed the Marathon des Sables, a 24-hour endurance race in the Namibian desert, and ran 66 ultra marathons in 66 consecutive days across 66 UK cities. In this conversation, we talk about: - Being rejected from joining the military at a young age - Questioning what mental health a...

In this solo episode I share 3 adventures I’ve done that ordinary people can go and repeat. No epic kit lists or extreme skills required, just solid routes, a bit of planning, and the confidence to start. I take you through going solo in the Brecon Beacons, trekking Mallorca’s GR221 and Gran Canaria’s GR131. I share what each trail is actually like, how to trek them and the lessons I learned along...

Adam Burns, walked 1,966 km from Argentina to Brazil with three mates and a golf trolley for the 2014 Brazil Football World Cup, cycled Sydney to Melbourne dressed as a jockey for the Melbourne Cup, and during the 2018 Football World Cup watched a match with a fan from every nation, all in London. He is the Founder of sports advertising agency FANION Studio. In this conversation, we talk about:  A...

From business advisor to expedition leader and leadership speaker, Jo Bradshaw has summited Everest and completed the Seven Summits, reaching the highest peak on every continent. In this conversation we talk about: - How to reinvent your life when you feel stuck - The overlooked story of the first woman on Everest - Surviving the 2015 Nepal earthquake - Nepalese culture and lessons the West misses...

Kim Slade is the founder of Unlost Co. He quit a stable social media job, booked a one way flight to a remote island in the South China Sea, and set out to never get a normal job again. In this conversation we talk about: How to create agency in your life What is really takes to quit having security for the unknown  The balance between the need for money and having a dream What to do when you feel...

Ian Finch is an adventure photographer, Founder of Walk Wild, and a former Royal Marine Commando. In this conversation, we talk about: Why humans seek adventure and what it gives us How Royal Marine training changes your mindset  Lessons in culture from remote tribes Discovering personal spirituality in wild places What nature teaches when you truly pay attention You can find Walk Wild here: https...

Jack Pitcher holds the British record for running across Australia - 2,684 miles from Perth to Bondi in 61 days. A former roofer from Bracknell who was not even a runner, Jack is now a motivational speaker who shares how he built an underdog mindset, ran on grit not hype, and what the road taught him about purpose, pain and men’s mental health. In this conversation, we talk about: Why not having a...

When Henry was 25 years old, he cycled from London to Sydney over 2 years. He is the founder of We Are Explorers and Outside Kids, on a mission to put real adventure back into children’s lives and rewild how families spend time together. In this conversation we talk about: Quarter-life crisis and choosing the long road How he ended up in an Iraqi prison Australia vs UK culture  Raising outdoor-lov...