The Human Adventure

#098 - Imagine facing a life-altering illness, fighting for every breath, and being haunted by the possibility of never waking up from sleep. This was the reality for Ben Lawson, a fitness enthusiast whose world was upended by a leukemia diagnosis. Through his story, we traverse the uncertain terrains of health and resilience. Ben candidly recounts his intense battle, from the fear that gripped hi...

#097 - As my voice soldiers on through the remnants of a cold, I sit down with adventurer and author Edward Olu, the spirited soul behind the children's book "Around the World in Eight Dives: Scuba Diving All Seven Continents." Our conversation travels from the depths of Edward's Nigerian origins to his life today in Southern California, capturing the ethos of resilience and hu...

#096 - As the sun kissed the Arizona desert where Annalise Castillo's love for the natural world was nurtured, we embark on an exploration of her adventurous spirit and dedication to self-care. Annalise, a yogi with an insatiable appetite for adventure, shares with us her transformative journey from the dusty trails of Tucson to the serene beaches of the Marshall Islands. Her stories of wild...

#095 - Every battle leaves its scars, some visible, others hidden deep within the mind. Join me as I sit down with Vincent Proulx, a beacon of hope for anyone facing the dark aftermath of service. Vincent's raw and honest retelling of his struggle with PTSD and suicidal thoughts isn't just a tale of adversity; it's a narrative that reaffirms the immense courage it takes to reach out...

#094 - Have you ever stood at the precipice of change, teetering on the edge of transformation but unsure how to leap? Alex R Wagner, filmmaker and marathon runner, joins us to recount his exhilarating plunge from darkness into the light of self-discovery and relentless determination. Through the twists and turns of his life's narrative, Alex illuminates the path from a youth in Illinois to h...

#093 - The echoes of tragedy often linger long after the event has passed, but my guests Laura Hall and Sarah Bush have discovered a powerful form of healing that propels them forward—literally. In the wake of the Columbine High School shooting, these sisters found themselves grappling with the weight of trauma and its silent aftermath. Together, we take an intimate look at their emotional journey...

#092 - When Christie Sausa laced up her skates at the age of eight, little did she know the ice would carve out a path leading her to the heart of Lake Placid, where Olympic dreams shimmer and the spirit of winter sports thrives. Journey with us as Christie, a figure skating and speed skating dynamo, takes us through her life's voyage on the ice - an odyssey that intertwines the grace of piro...

#091 - Embarking on an adventure can be as simple as stepping outside your comfort zone and, for Desiree van Welsum, this meant transforming a health scare into a life of exploration. Desiree and her husband decided to go  for the freedom of the open road, and in this episode, she recounts the profound lessons and lifestyle shifts that come with full-time RV living. From their first excursion in a...

090 - When dreams thunder into reality, it's a story you don't want to miss. Join me as I sit down with the electrifying Sarah Roberts, a professional barrel racer whose journey from a small Idaho town to the roaring arenas of rodeo is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Sarah didn't inherit a legacy of horse lovers; she carved her own path with determination and the support of a close...

Feel the rush of water beneath you and the tug of G-forces as I, Jake Bushman, share the microphone with Thomas Degasperi — or T-Gas to those in the know. He's not your average sportsman; he's a professional water skier with a story that stretches from Italian mountains to Floridian lakes. In this episode, Thomas reveals how a childhood surrounded by the love of water skiing and his pare...

When Sydney Benson leaped onto the gymnastics scene at eight years old, little did she know the heights she'd reach as a Brigham Young University gymnast. My guest, Sydney, shares her extraordinary journey with captivating stories that chronicle her evolution from a determined youngster into a collegiate athlete. From the thrill of competition to the camaraderie between teammates, we explore...

#087 - A Christmas Day flight might not seem like an adventure starter, but that's exactly where I, Jake Bushman, met Zach Frisch, a trail runner with a love for Utah's untamed paths. Our conversation, as unexpected as the meeting itself, turned into a profound exploration of endurance, nature, and the communities we cherish. On this episode of Journey with Jake, Zach takes us along on h...

#086 - Get ready to venture into the wild side! I'm thrilled to bring you an electrifying conversation with Amy Siewe, a fearless Python Hunter with a fascinating story to tell. A former homecoming queen and real estate agent, Amy switched gears in a major way when she swapped property showings for python hunting in the Everglades. You'll be hooked as Amy takes us through her unique jour...

#085 - Imagine packing up your life and jetting off to a remote island halfway across the world. That's the story of our spirited guest, Lexie Brown, who traded in her urban life for an adventure-packed existence on the Marshall Islands. This episode takes us on a wild journey to the sandy shores of the Pacific, unearthing the emotional upheaval and logistical challenges of such a drastic mov...

#084 - Prepare to be transported to stunning landscapes, exotic cuisines, and rich cultures as we sit down for an enlightening chat with Jamie Edwards, the creator of the much-loved travel website I Am Lost and Found. www.iamlostandfound.com Her tales take us on captivating journeys, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the icy wilderness of Antarctica, and to the serene beauty of Uganda. Journey...

083 - Strap yourself in for a thrilling ride on the wave! We have the electrifying Sam Studee, a professional wake surfer, a Minnesota native, and an all-round action sports enthusiast joining us on the show today. He’s going to take us through the rollercoaster ride of his journey, from being just a boy with a love for action sports to becoming a professional wake surfer. We’ll be hearing about h...

#081 - Join us for a heartening episode as we sit down with ultra-runner Ryan Head, whose story is the epitome of resilience. Over the years, Ryan has turned his life around, shedding 85 pounds as well as the mental and physical barriers that held him back. We journey with him on his path to personal transformation, as he moves from running a mile on a treadmill to completing  full and half marath...

#081 - Get ready for a thrilling rollercoaster ride through exhilarating highs and challenging lows as I, Jake Bushman, recount my journey of running my second half marathon at the breathtaking Snow Canyon in St. George, Utah. Will I conquer the grueling 13.1 miles or succumb to the taxing trials of the course? Joined by my good friend, Paul Petersen, we explore this journey and much more, offerin...

#080 - If you've ever wondered how one man can balance the exhilarating thrill of riding waves, with the calm tranquility of nursing, you're about to meet him. Meet our guest, Spencer Tong, a passionate surfer, nurturing nurse, and dedicated family man. This episode sees Spencer's captivating tales of surfing from Hawaii to Indonesia, and the life lessons he's harnessed from th...

#079 - You're in for an absolute treat, as today's episode of Journey with Jake is sure to ignite your wanderlust. We're joined by Dianni Hall, the awe-inspiring host of the podcast While She's Away. Dianni's been living a life of adventure for the past five years, immersing herself in various cultures, and today she offers us a glimpse into her thrilling nomadic lifestyle...

#078 - Today's episode is a portrait of perseverance, dedication, and triumph amidst adversity. We're thrilled to bring you a heart-to-heart with Elsa Hassett, a cheerleading titan with six NCA championships and three NCA partner stunt championships under her belt. Elsa's journey takes us from her humble beginnings in gymnastics, all the way to the high-stakes world of competitive c...

#077 - Meet Tucker Balmert: an 11-year-old wakeboarding prodigy whose passion and determination have already led him to major triumphs in the sport. As our youngest guest yet, Tucker offers a unique perspective on the journey to success, sharing his experience from childhood practice sessions at Lake Barton under the committed guidance of his coach, Glenn Fletcher, to his crowning glory of winning...

076 - Prepare to plunge into the depths of an awe-inspiring sojourn as we voyage with Allison Burkhard into her year of revelation and transformation. As she paints an evocative portrait of her path from an environmental law attorney to an ardent ocean travel and underwater photography enthusiast, you can feel the lapping waves and cool sea breeze. Her stories will transport you from the comfort o...

#075 - Join me as we embark on an invigorating journey with an incredible woman, adventurer, and traveler, Sara Iannacone. With a life story filled with globe-trotting experiences, culinary adventures, and a candid portrayal of her battle with anxiety, Sara is an inspiration to all of us who desire to explore the world and embrace life. Raised in quaint Mystic, Connecticut, Sara's love for tr...

074 - Join the fascinating journey of Mario Ruiz, the Black Scuba Bear, on this episode of Journey with Jake. As your host I assure you this is not just a story about scuba diving. It's a journey of discovery, of connecting with the world beneath the surface, and of finding one's purpose in life. We'll start with Mario's early life in Miami, explore his love for water and marin...