The Human Adventure

#137 - Becky Lukovic's wanderlust journey takes center stage as she shares how a brisk April morning in the Bay of Naples transformed her life and career. From her roots in Arkansas to adventures across Uganda and Patagonia, Becky's narrative is a vibrant tapestry of cultural curiosity and natural wonder. We explore how she broke free from traditional roles, embracing the challenges of e...

#136 - What happens when pageantry meets wanderlust? Join us for a captivating conversation with Kerry Damiano, known as Ms. World Traveler, as she shares her remarkable transformation from Miss Idaho 1983 to a globe-trotting fashion and travel aficionado. Kerry reveals how her pageant background uniquely influences her approach to travel blogging, combining elegance and adventure into her project...

#135 - What if you could transform your life with just a few small resets? Join us as we sit down with the adventurous and inspiring Ingo Schulmeyer, who recounts his incredible journey from a successful career in the semiconductor industry to a life of exploration and fulfillment in Veracruz, Mexico. Ingo, an endurance athlete and life coach, shares how his passion for adventure developed during...

#134 - After years of managing a bustling family life with eight children, Kitty Robinson discovered the Appalachian Trail's transformative power. Her story unfolds as she balances motherhood, yoga teaching, and studying marriage and family therapy while embracing the trail's challenges. Join us as Kitty recounts her adventures and shares how nature, faith, and family support have become...

#133 - From passionate adventurer to social media influencer, Luke Bosworth shares a journey that defies convention and embraces the unknown. Our conversation starts with Luke's roots in Orlando, Florida, where his adventurous spirit was nurtured by an inspiring father. That eagerness for exploration led him to an unexpected opportunity with the Sailing Zatara YouTube family, which, in turn,...

#132 - Award-winning hairstylist and beauty influencer Danielle Keasling invites you on her exhilarating journey of beauty, travel, and wellness. Growing up in Minneapolis with a family connected to Northwest Airlines, Danielle developed a wanderlust early on, which eventually shaped her adventurous career path. She shares how the universe guided her from aspiring marine biologist to a celebrated...

#131 - Join me as I embark on an exhilarating conversation with Jude Kriwald, an adventurous spirit whose bicycle has taken him from the bustling streets of London to the mysterious jungles of Liberia. Jude's tales are more than just stories of travel; they are lessons in resilience, cultural exchange, and the kindness of strangers. He shares how his youthful escapes from boarding school led...

Bonus - Achieving the extraordinary often starts with a simple conversation, and today, we celebrate Veterans Day with a truly inspiring one. My friend and running coach, Ryan Head, joins us to share his incredible achievement of completing two daunting 100-mile races—the Wasatch 100 and the Bear 100—just three weeks apart. Ryan's story is a testament to the power of determination, faith, and...

#130 - What if you could navigate the world of collegiate athletics without being tied to a university? Join us as we chat with Sara Diener, an incredible "unattached athlete," who competes at the NCAA level independently. Discover her inspiring journey from Draper, Utah, through her recent graduation from Utah Valley University with a marketing degree, and her adventurous plan to explor...

#129 - What inspires a combat arms officer to trade the grit of the battlefield for the serenity of the skies? Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of Kaity McKee, affectionately known as Pilot Kaity, whose passion for aviation was ignited by her father's legacy as a retired Air Force pilot. From her upbringing in Georgia to her current status as a beacon of inspiration on social med...

#128 - What if you traded your traditional lifestyle for a life on the road? Join us as Michele DeVries, a seasoned overland traveler, unveils her journey from settling into an unconventional lifestyle to thriving in it. Originally sparked by discomfort, Michele's transition into full-time nomadism has blossomed into a life filled with personal growth and inspiring perspectives. At 43, Michel...

#127 - What happens when you leave your 9-5 job behind and embark on an eight-month journey across 17 countries? Join us as we chat with Peter Cordova, affectionately known as Petey, who did just that. Growing up in the heavily polluted mining town of La Oroya, Peru, Petey transitioned to a career in IT sales in Denver, Colorado, and found his true passion in videography and travel. In this episod...

Bonus - Get ready to unlock the joy of reading and the wonders of American history with Valerie and Eric Woebkenberg, our inspiring mother-son duo. Valerie, a passionate former first-grade teacher from Cincinnati, teams up with her roller-coaster-loving son, Eric, to create the magical "Miles Across America" children's book series. This episode promises to take you on an exciting jo...

#123 - Beth Atencio didn't always love the outdoors, but a dark period in her life and a therapist's advice led her to find healing in nature. Her story of transformation from simple walks to epic hikes around Lake Tahoe is a testament to the power of stepping out of one's comfort zone. Discover how she took a leap during the COVID-19 pandemic by purchasing and converting a van, ope...

#125 - What if the path to fulfillment lies in choosing the most adventurous route? In this episode of Journey with Jake, we unravel the incredible life of Dan Mathews, better known as the Nomadic Outdoorsman. Inspired by a friend's advice to always seek adventure, Dan and his family left their conventional jobs behind to embrace a life of travel and exploration in an RV. From launching a suc...

#124 - What if overcoming immense personal and natural adversities could propel you to achieve your wildest athletic dreams? Discover the incredible story of triathlete Josh Vernon as he recounts his inspiring journey from the chaos of hurricanes Irma and Maria to finding sobriety, reclaiming his life, and reigniting his passion for sports. Growing up in Menden, Massachusetts, Josh’s story is a po...

#123 - Experience the exhilarating life of Chris Cameron, a first responder pilot and wildlife guide with an insatiable thirst for adventure. Hear how Chris's unique upbringing in South Florida, balancing summers on cattle ranches and life on the Atlantic coast, shaped his path from playing college football at Mississippi State University to becoming an expert in both flying and guiding wildl...

#122 - From riding a rickshaw across Pakistan to navigating the treacherous routes of the Sahara on an iron ore train, Will Meara's adventures are nothing short of epic. This episode features the adrenaline-pumping stories of Will, an event organizer and adventure travel expert from Dublin, Ireland, whose passion for exploring unconventional destinations has led him to some of the world'...

#121 - Jennie Milton's story is a thrilling ride through the world of extreme sports, from her vibrant upbringing in her parents' sports store to becoming a pioneer in kite surfing and snow kiting. Jennie's early exposure to activities like windsurfing, sailing, and skiing laid the foundation for her adventurous spirit and resilience. Her journey is a testament to how embracing adve...

Bonus - What drives a man to exchange the picturesque mountains of Pennsylvania for the sun-soaked coastlines of Florida? Join us on this special Labor Day bonus episode of Journey with Jake, where we chat with Bob Gonzalez, the passionate author of "Flicker in the Water." Bob takes us on a nostalgic trip through his early fishing days, recounting the excitement of catching his first oce...

#120 - How does one find solace in the wilderness after facing the darkest of times? Mike Martin joins us to share his extraordinary journey from homelessness and depression to becoming a beacon of mindfulness and spiritual connection with nature. Mike's story is not just about overcoming adversity; it's about rediscovering the healing power of the outdoors through wilderness meditation....

#119 - Ever wondered how epic adventures can reshape your outlook on life? Join me as I sat down with Matt O'Neill, the inspiring host of the Good Mood Revolution podcast. Matt opens up about his remarkable journey from Michigan to Colorado and finally to the beach, sharing how setting goals for extraordinary adventures can break the routine and enrich our lives. He reveals the secret to main...

#118 - What would compel someone to leave the security of home for the uncertainty of the road? Adventurer Nicolai Dotter joins us to share the origin story of his daring spirit and the motivations behind Operation Brazil, his bold motorcycle expedition from California to Brazil. Influenced by his father's enthralling travel tales and an unconventional education in the Redwood Forest, Nicolai...

#117 - What happens when a seasoned adventurer shifts his focus to improving parent-preteen relationships? Meet Marcus Higgs, our extraordinary guest who brings a wealth of multicultural wisdom and global teaching experience to the table. Raised by a father from the Bahamas and a mother from the Philippines, Marcus has lived and taught in South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Spain. His insight...

#116 - David Allen Tracy, a personal brand coach and intrepid adventurer, shares his extraordinary journey that spans continents and life-changing experiences. From his childhood exploring the rainforests of Panama to his nonprofit work providing medical aid in remote and dangerous areas, David's story is one of courage, resilience, and profound humanitarian effort. His collaboration with Pan...