Episode 47: Suffering together with Patrick Serfass


Some stories grab you right from the first sentence—and this one, with Patrick Serfass, took me on a ride I didn’t want to end.

Patrick isn’t just a triathlete, or a renewable energy leader, or a dad raising two adventurous boys. He’s a guy who once said yes to sailing a 26-foot boat with no refrigeration all the way to South America. A guy who climbed the Grand Teton without any prior climbing experience. But what really makes his story stick with you is what happened when all of that—his athletic identity, his mobility, his very sense of self—got upended in a moment.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to suffer well, how ego can drive growth, and why the most powerful moments in life often come through challenge. We talk about trust, adventure, the loneliness of injury, and the healing that comes when you’re surrounded by people who say, “I’ve got you.” If you’ve ever been forced to let go of something you thought defined you—this one’s for you.

⏱️ Timestamps

[1:12] – Patrick introduces his family and his lifelong pull toward movement and travel
[5:55] – A spontaneous dinner conversation leads to a year-long sailing adventure
[12:01] – Why shared suffering forges deeper connection than comfort ever could
[17:40] – Losing the ability to run, and finding new purpose beyond the podium
[30:17] – What happens when your body becomes the limiting factor—and you say yes anyway
[35:12] – Climbing Grand Teton without climbing experience: fear, faith, and the magic of the mountains
[47:40] – The unexpected rewards of pushing through what scares us
[56:00] – What it really means to “stay in shape for the next adventure”—and why it’s not just physical

🔗 Links & Resources

If you’ve ever had to redefine who you are, if you’ve ever stood at the edge of something scary and whispered “yes,” I hope this episode reminds you: you’re not alone.

And hey—if it did speak to you, don’t forget to share the love. Follow, rate, and leave a review to help On Adventure reach more listeners who need these stories just as much as we do.

Check out this episode!

Episode 46: The Great Nearby – Chasing Wild in North Carolina with John Norwood


In this fun episode, Josh sits down with John Norwood, a commercial banker from Raleigh, North Carolina, whose second identity is that of a passionate adventurer. While John’s day job revolves around numbers and negotiations, his soul is stirred by trails, waterfalls, and sunfish sails. Rather than jetting off to exotic lands, John finds endless wonder in his own backyard—the mountains, lakes, and coastlines of North Carolina.

Together, they explore John’s lifelong connection with the outdoors, how he blends adventure with a full-time career, and how he’s cultivated a community of fellow explorers. From Christmas Day hikes to dry-suit sailing in winter winds, John shares stories that blend practical inspiration with a bit of wanderlust magic. 🌲🛶

⏱️ Timestamps

  • [00:00:00] Introduction to John Norwood and his adventurous alter ego

  • [00:03:00] Family traditions and the origin of the “dreaded Christmas hike”

  • [00:06:00] Sailing in dry suits and winter wind at Falls & Jordan Lake

  • [00:11:00] An unforgettable halibut fishing trip in Alaska

  • [00:16:00] Why John chooses to adventure local

  • [00:18:00] The magic of Grayson Highlands and wild ponies

  • [00:24:00] John’s roots in outdoor exploration

  • [00:33:00] The 11-year quest to complete 100 Classic NC Hikes

  • [00:37:00] Turning solo trips into a thriving hiking community

  • [00:41:00] The deep “why” behind adventuring: mental clarity, physical challenge, and spiritual renewal

  • [00:51:00] Upcoming trips: Cape Lookout Jeep expedition & AT alternatives post-Hurricane Helene

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Adventure is everywhere – You don’t need a passport to find wonder.

  • Make space for solitude – Recharging happens when you unplug and reconnect with nature.

  • Community grows through shared challenge – John’s trips turned into a tribe.

  • Local treasures, lifetime stories – From Grayson Highlands to the Sycamore Trail sleep hack, there’s beauty in repetition.

“The trail gives me solitude, structure, and stories—and that’s what keeps me coming back.” – John Norwood

Check out this episode!

Q2 Letter to Clients

As we wrap up the first quarter of 2025, I want to briefly reflect on recent market activity and share some thoughtful insights on maintaining perspective during volatile times.

Market and Economic Overview

This quarter reminded us that markets rarely move in a straight line. The S&P 500 saw a decline of a little more than 4%, driven largely by investor unease over inflation concerns and uncertainty about global trade policies. Additionally, international markets showed surprising resilience, with the MSCI All Country World Index ex-U.S. index outperforming the S&P 500 index by nearly 11 percentage points, marking the strongest first-quarter performance for international stocks since 1987, demonstrating the importance of diversification in your portfolios.  And yet, these numbers mean nothing to me, and they shouldn’t to you either.  Index returns, especially over one quarter, say nothing about whether you are on track to achieve your own personal goals or more importantly, about whether you are living your great life right now.  You should be tracking your Return on Life index, and the stock market has nothing to do with that!  These short-term returns are just noise, distracting you from the conversation that really matters.

Strategic Opportunities Amid Volatility

While volatility can feel uncomfortable, it’s essential to recognize the opportunities it creates for a long-term investor. We continuously monitor your portfolios for opportunities like tax-loss harvesting – turning short-term declines into meaningful tax savings – and strategic rebalancing which keeps your investments on target to your risk model.  Or better yet, if you have cash on the sidelines, putting new cash to work in your investment accounts is a great way to take advantage of lower asset prices, which has an outsized effect on your future portfolio!  Volatility coming from risk is also the price we all must pay in order to expect longer-term returns that outpace inflation. 

Great New Content

In line with our belief in tuning out short-term noise and focusing on long-term goals, Dimensional Fund Advisors recently released an exceptional documentary film called, “Tune Out the Noise,” directed by Academy award-winning filmmaker, Errol Morris. I highly recommend this impactful video, which beautifully captures the essence of remaining grounded and focused amid market distractions, spoken from the perspectives of some of the smartest people in finance over the last 60 years.  Check it out in the link below.

Above all, remember that your financial plan is built specifically for times like these – grounded in your personal goals, risk tolerance, and life’s milestones. Markets will always fluctuate, but our commitment to your financial well-being remains constant.

Thank you for your continued trust. Please feel free to reach out anytime.