The 10Adventures Podcast

EP-221 CROSSING THE PYRENEES: Nikita Grachev’s Solo Journey on the HRP In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we dive into one of the most demanding and spectacular long-distance treks in Europe — the Pyrenean Haute Route (HRP), with hiker and filmmaker Nikita Grachev. Starting with just four days of backpacking experience, Nikita set out to walk across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the...

 In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we head to southern Japan to explore Kyushu — one of the country’s most beautiful and least-traveled regions. Our guest, Max Wall, is a Swedish-born cycling guide who has called Kyushu home for over seven years. He shares what makes this rugged, culture-rich island a paradise for adventure travelers, food lovers, and seekers of authentic Japanese exper...

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of addiction, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Listener discretion is advised. International: https://findahelpline.com USA and Canada: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 988   In this deeply moving and inspiring episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we sit down with Pawel Durakiewicz — a multiple Guinness World Record holder who turned his...

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we travel to one of the most underrated adventure destinations in the world: Jordan. Our guest, Ayman Abd-AlKareem, co-founder of Experience Jordan, shares his passion for hiking, cycling, and connecting travelers with the rich culture, history, and landscapes of his home country. Ayman tells the story of how he helped build Jordan’s premier walking and...

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we’re joined by Beverly and Julian, a couple in their 60s who decided it was time for a radical reset. Instead of easing into retirement, they set out to cycle from the UK all the way to New Zealand, a bold adventure that redefined their lives, their careers, and how they spend their time.   What happens when you decide not to retire, but to reinvent? ...

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we’re joined by Will Gadd — elite ice climber, Red Bull athlete, paragliding pioneer, and National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year. Will is best known as the first person to climb Niagara Falls, but his true legacy is built on decades of bold expeditions, thoughtful risk-taking, and helping others reframe challenge as opportunity. Will shares storie...

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we sit down with Charles Achampong, speaker, author, and father, who made the life-changing decision to step away from a high-powered career to travel the world with his wife and two daughters. Over the course of a year, Charles and his family visited eight countries across four continents, carrying only backpacks and a commitment to reconnect with each...

In this thrilling episode, Ricardo Kaljouw joins the 10Adventures Podcast to share his incredible journey of climbing the highest volcano on each continent, known as the Volcanic Seven Summits. With his final summit of Mount Sidley in Antarctica, Ricardo became the first person from the Benelux region to complete this unique and demanding global challenge. We hear about the rugged jungle terrain o...

In this awe-inspiring episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we meet Pascale Marceau, a former engineer and tech startup leader who walked away from a high-powered corporate life to chase polar dreams. Pascale’s story is one of reinvention — trading stability for freedom, and fluorescent lights for frozen landscapes. Pascale Marceau left her role as a pioneering engineer at a green energy startup to...

Meet Roz Brooks, a woman who discovered hiking in her 50s and then said “yes” to everything. In this inspiring episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, Roz shares her journey from Las Vegas city life to climbing mountains, leading hundreds outdoors, and founding Blacks in Nature. You’ll hear about her first time seeing Alaska, the challenge of backpacking the John Muir Trail, and her accidental path i...

In this moving and uplifting episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we sit down with Jennifer Andrewes, author and adventurer, who transformed a Parkinson’s diagnosis into a journey of self-discovery and healing. Jennifer shares how walking across France—nearly 2000 kilometers—helped her reconnect with her body, her spirit, and a slower way of living.   We talk about her experiences on two iconic ro...

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Synnott — legendary climber, Arctic explorer, author, and filmmaker. From summiting Everest to sailing 7,000 miles through the Arctic Passage, Mark shares stories of extreme endurance, raw connection to nature, and his mission to retrace the doomed 1845 Franklin Expedition. Mark dives into the emotional and physical challenges of hi...

In this episode of The 10Adventures Podcast, we talk with Rob Pope, author of Becoming Forrest: One Man’s Epic Run Across America, and host of the How to be Superhuman Podcast.   Rob shares what inspired his desire to run across the US five times, following the path of Forrest Gump.  Rob also talks about the challenges of such a grueling adventure, the impact of doing this with his partner and the...

In this episode of The 10Adventures Podcast, we dive into one of Europe’s most fascinating long-distance walks—the Via Francigena. Mico takes the hosting seat once again as we chat with Richard about his recent journey along this historic pilgrimage route. Starting in Canterbury and stretching all the way to Rome, the Via Francigena offers a mix of stunning landscapes, rich history, and, of course...

In this episode of The 10Adventures Podcast, we flip the script as Mico takes over hosting duties to grill our host Richard about multi-day trekking in Europe. With years of experience hiking across the continent, Richard shares why Europe is such a fantastic destination for long-distance walks—think stunning landscapes, rich history, incredible food, and the luxury of luggage transfers!   We dive...

In this episode of The 10Adventures Podcast, we explore one of the most fascinating and extreme landscapes on Earth—the Atacama Desert. We’re joined by journalist and author Mark Johansen, whose latest book, Mars on Earth, is both a travel memoir and a deep dive into Chile’s culture, history, and the experience of being an outsider in a foreign land.   Mark shares his journey from New Zealand to C...

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we sit down with our show producer and returning guest, Mico, to dive into the art of backpacking and long-distance trekking. Last time, we focused on the best trails in the Canadian Rockies — but today, we’re talking about everything else that makes a backpacking trip successful. From choosing the right gear to packing light and learning from years of...

In this episode of The 10Adventures Podcast, we dive into the crucial topic of brain health and injury prevention in outdoor sports. We chat with Kelsey Boyer, a passionate snowboarder whose journey took an unexpected turn after suffering multiple concussions during an Olympic qualifying year. Kelsey shares her experience of unknowingly sustaining repeated head injuries, the terrifying moment she...

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we’re flipping the script! Mico takes over as host to interview Richard about backpacking in the Canadian Rockies—a place he’s been exploring for over 20 years. With endless trails, stunning alpine scenery, and the chance to truly disconnect, backpacking here is unlike anywhere else.   We dive into what makes the Rockies so special, the best time of yea...

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we sit down with Crystal Gail, whose journey into the outdoors began in an unexpected way. After battling intracranial hypertension—a rare brain disease—she faced multiple surgeries before ultimately choosing a neuromodulator that changed everything. With a new sense of energy, she quickly went from recovery to running a half marathon in just six weeks....

In this episode of The 10Adventures Podcast, we venture into new territory—literally and figuratively—by exploring the world on two wheels. Our guest is Kix Marshall, an author and filmmaker who undertook an epic motorcycle journey from Canada to Argentina. Along the way, he discovered the power of food, culture, and adventure in shaping an unforgettable travel experience.   Kix is a passionate tr...

In this episode of the 10Adventures podcast, we sit down with Emily Keddie, an inspiring endurance athlete known for her record-breaking Fastest Known Times (FKTs) across the American West. From car camping as a child to conquering ultra-distance challenges, Emily shares her journey of embracing the outdoors and discovering her passion for pushing physical and mental boundaries.   Whether you’re c...

In this episode of The 10Adventures Podcast, we sit down with Jacob Lemanski, who shares the story of his awe-inspiring 999-day journey cycling 38,000 miles across six continents—twice! What started as a personal challenge to discover his limits turned into an epic adventure of resilience, exploration, and connection with people worldwide.   Jacob recounts his route, from Portugal through Europe a...

In this episode of The 10 Adventures Podcast, we chat with Kevin Crowe, an incredible individual who is about to take on the Montane Yukon Ultra Arctic Marathon—a 700 km race across the Arctic, all to support his charity, Give a Mile. Kevin shares the powerful story behind his decision to challenge himself with this extreme race, including the loss of a close friend to brain cancer and his own bat...

In this episode of The 10Adventures Podcast, we sit down with Ray Zahab, a world-renowned ultrarunner and explorer, to talk about resilience, transformation, and pushing beyond perceived limits. Ray shares how he went from an uninspired lifestyle to conquering some of the world’s most extreme environments, running over 17,000 kilometers across deserts and completing unsupported expeditions to the...