World Extreme Medicine Podcast

In this episode Emergency Department Physician, mountaineer, wing suit pilot and documentary film maker Glenn Singleman joins us to discuss his career, as both a medic and extreme sportsman.  Alongside WEM Education Lead Will Duffin, they discuss access to the 'flow state', exploring how when faced with high risk situations, people find they can tap into a level of enhanced performance to allow us...

‘Just because you were brave, doesn’t mean you weren’t afraid’.  Former SAR Paramedic turned Mental Health First Aider Andy Elwood joins us to discuss the importance of recognising your own fragility in preserving and protecting your mental wellbeing. Andy takes us through some of his experiences from his 20 year career on the frontline. He compares the war-like language used against the common en...

This week, Advanced Clinical Practitioner and WEM Faculty Member Karen O'Neill joins us to discuss her experience of COVID19. In 2014, Karen worked in Northern Uganda tackling the outbreak of Ebola. Alongside WEM Education Lead Will Duffin, Karen considers the lessons we can learn from this outbreak and crucially, the importance of changing the language of preparation from 'if' to 'when'. Karen di...

Retired (well, kind of!) Paramedic Nich Woolf joins us to discuss his work in Vanuatu where he’s now based for the foreseeable future following the global shutdown instigated by COVID19.  Alongside WEM Trauma Lead Eoin Walker, they discuss Nich’s transition from working as a Paramedic in the UK to teaching first aid in remote and austere environments, anti-personnel mine campaigning and working at...

In this episode, WEM Founder Mark Hannaford chats to Jason 'Foxy' Fox, WEM conference speaker, former Royal Marine Commando and Special Forces Sergant turned explorer, author and TV star. They discuss how Jason is handling lockdown and how he's channeling lessons from his military days to cope with isolation. Jason also talks about the importance of acknowledging your limit of control and taking e...

In this episode, Matt Walton joins WEM Trauma Lead Eoin Walker to provide an update on his experience as a Junior Doctor on the frontline in London. Matt details the rising level of fatigue amongst colleagues as they've spent a number of weeks tackling and treating the enormous amount of unwell patients presenting at A&E, including fellow staff members. Matt comments on the bravery and resilience...

Adventurer, writer, naturalist, explorer and presenter Steve Backshall joins WEM Founder Mark Hannaford in this World Extreme Medicine podcast. Steve talks life-changing moments and living life in limbo, as well as the potential impact of COVID on his career. The pair also consider the functionality of high performing teams and the impact this can have on expeditions. Crucial to this is communicat...

This week, we're joined by Expedition Leader, Survival and Adventure Consultant Megan Hine.  Alongside WEM Founder Mark Hannaford, Megan discusses her career, from an Erasmus Year in Prague that proved a pivotal moment in sparking her love of the outdoors to entering the industry and working with Bear Grylls for over a decade. Megan also considers how gender has impacted her work and how social me...

‘You’ve got to avoid getting injured in order to be effective tomorrow’.  Expedition Leader, Operations Manager, Polar Guide, Consultant and Lecturer Steve Jones joins us in this episode to discuss his work in Antarctica, and the lessons we can take to the frontline.  Alongside WEM Education Lead Will Duffin, Steve considers the keys to isolation success, including the importance of personal admin...

In this episode, Research Scientist Nathan Smith discusses the psychological challenges of confinement and isolation. Alongside WEM Education Lead Will Duffin, Nathan considers the loss of agency that quarantine presents, as well as the key effects of social isolation on individuals, from persistent threat and dread, lingering uncertainty and dips in mood - and the strategies we can use to tackle...

Mark catches up with Chris Nicholas, founder of the Adopt a Healthcare Worker in Western Australia which has captured the attention of over 55K volunteers via their Facebook group.  Chris talks us through the purpose of the page, from providing meals to hosting medics in empty Air BnBs. Chris gives his advice for those wanting to kick-start initiatives of their own, as well as how to juggle helpin...

In this episode, Mark Hannaford is joined by Lou Rudd - record-breaking polar adventurer, expedition leader, former Royal Marine Commando and Director of Expeditions at Shackleton London. Lou looks back on how he got into the world of adventure and the journey from a bike-ride to visit his Dad over the summer holidays to traversing Antarctica.  Lou gives some of his top tips for dealing with isola...