Episode 34: The 5 Elements of Adventure with Matt Walker


In this special episode, I’m excited to bring you an insightful webinar with adventure coach and psychologist Matt Walker. Known for his unique blend of mountain climbing experience and psychological expertise, Matt shares how the concept of adventure can shape not only extreme expeditions but also our everyday lives. In this session, he takes us through his recent solo climb of Manaslu, one of the highest peaks in the world, and how it taught him the importance of living adventurously. Learn about the five essential elements of adventure and how you can apply them to your own life, whether you’re scaling mountains or navigating day-to-day challenges. This is an inspiring episode that will push you to think deeply about your own adventures—big or small!

Tune in to hear Matt’s captivating stories and insights on high endeavor, uncertainty, total commitment, tolerance for adversity, and the power of companionship.

Episode Highlights:
[2:00] – Introducing Matt Walker: From psychologist to extreme adventure guide
[4:10] – What is adventure? Challenging conventional definitions
[11:00] – Matt’s solo climb on Manaslu: confronting extreme conditions and overcoming obstacles
[15:30] – The Five Elements of Adventure: High endeavor, uncertain outcome, total commitment, tolerance for adversity, and great companionship
[21:00] – How Matt integrates his family into his adventurous life
[27:45] – Climbing in extreme altitudes: life in the death zone
[33:00] – The importance of staying present and focused during difficult journeys
[40:00] – Why adventure isn’t just for mountaintops: Applying the elements of adventure to daily life
[45:00] – Listener Q&A: Overcoming psychological barriers to adventure

Links & Resources:

Closing Remarks:
If you enjoyed this conversation with Matt Walker and learned something new about how to bring more adventure into your life, don’t forget to rate, follow, and share this podcast with friends! And if you’re ready to embark on your own adventure, start by subscribing to our newsletter for more tips and resources. Until next time, keep pursuing your great adventure!

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Episode 32: Epic Adventures and Life Lessons with Skip Schweiss


In this episode of the On Adventure podcast, I sit down with Skip Schweiss, a seasoned executive in the financial services industry and a passionate adventurer. Known for his years of leadership at TD Ameritrade, Skip has seamlessly woven his professional life with a personal quest to push physical and mental boundaries in the great outdoors. We dive into Skip’s career journey, from his work in advisor advocacy to how he’s now dedicating more time to his love of the wilderness.

But Skip isn’t just about hiking the occasional trail—he organizes an annual group hike called “Excellent Adventures,” attracting dozens of people to tackle challenging hikes across some of the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S. From the majestic peaks of Colorado’s 14ers to this year’s adventure in Telluride, Skip shares his motivation for doing hard things, the camaraderie that comes from shared suffering, and why he believes that testing our limits makes us better.

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or someone looking for inspiration to push past your comfort zone, Skip’s stories will encourage you to set bigger goals, embrace the challenge, and find joy in the journey.

Episode Highlights:

[2:42] – Skip’s journey in the financial industry, his role at TD Ameritrade, and how his love for adventure began.

[7:00] – How the Rockies ignited Skip’s passion for hiking, leading him to complete all 54 of Colorado’s 14ers.

[12:15] – The origin of Skip’s “Excellent Adventures” group hikes, which have now grown to include 70 people, and the importance of camaraderie in adventure.

[29:00] – Handling adversity on the trail: The lessons Skip has learned about staying calm when things go wrong, and how to apply that mindset to life.

[40:30] – A recap of the most recent “Excellent Adventure” in Telluride, where Skip led a group on a brutal 26-mile hike with 8,000 feet of elevation gain.

[52:00] – What’s next for Skip and the group? A sneak peek into next year’s adventure to Zion National Park and some of the epic hikes planned.

Links & Resources:

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