Wild Ideas Worth Living | Interviews On Adventure, Outdoors, Travel, Health, Fitness, Running, Business, Surfing, Exploring

Becky Mendoza and Emi Koch’s Wild Ideas: To advocate for the environment, give back to local communities, travel the world, and encourage other surfers and travelers to use their voices and make a difference. Becky Mendoza is the founder of Changing Tides Foundation, and Emi Koch created Beyond the Surface International. Both non-profits connect surfers and travelers around causes that give back to local communities, and create positive change. These young women are inspiring not only because they took their wild ideas to do good on a local level, but because they’ve also been able to organize others to implement their ideas on a global scale. We talked about how to find the cause that lights you up, how to seek joy now, and why you get so much more from giving than you ever get from getting. Listen to this episode if:  Giving back is important to you. You want to protect the environment.  You want to travel the world. You love meditation and exercise, especially surfing. You want to know how to get more inv

Eric’s Wild Idea: To travel around the world, cook with different cultures, and then inspire others through photography. Eric Wolfinger has been called the Annie Leibovitz of food photography. He’s published over a dozen award-winning books, and done even more photo and film commissions with amazing chefs from around the world. While he wasn’t always a photographer, after college Eric, who was also a longtime surfer, wanted to find a way to combine his passions for traveling and cooking. The unexpected answer was photography. While working as an apprentice at the famous Tartine Bakery in San Francisco, Eric traded surf lessons with owner Chad Robertson for bread baking tips, and soon after was commissioned to take the photos for the Tartine Bread cookbook. It was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2011 for Best Cookbook Photography, and since then, he’s become a sought after food photographer. I’ve known Eric for a long time - we went to high school together and grew up surfing. He’s gone on to do some pret

Sarah’s Wild Idea: To bring all of you, to everything you do. To be your most extreme version of yourself and live to your fullest in work and life. And to stop being so afraid of failure. Sarah Robb O’Hagan is the Founder and Chief Extremer of Extreme You. Formerly the President of Gatorade and Equinox, she’s also worked at Nike, Virgin, Air New Zealand, and is currently the CEO of Fly Wheel. Sarah shares about success,  failure and how to thrive in work and life. Her new book, Extreme You, interviews everyone from Condoleezza Rice to Skier Bode Miller, with nuggets of wisdom from superstars in their fields. Sarah has a great Kiwi accent and a positive sense of self. We talk about how to live wildly even if you work at a big company, why failure is a good thing, bringing your all to your business, and how to have a work-life balance.  Listen to this episode if:  You are afraid of failure or have ever failed. You work at a large company and want to be a badass, even 9 to 5. You are a fitness and adventure fa

Chris’s Wild Idea: To establish and climb the most challenging routes in the world.  Chris Sharma is one of climbing’s most accomplished athletes. He started climbing at the young age of twelve in gyms in his native Santa Cruz, CA and now searches out the most difficult, beautiful, and seemingly impossible climbs known to man. He continues to push the limits of what’s possible in the sport, and isn’t afraid to pursue routes that can take him years to accomplish. In 2013, he opened a gym, Sender One, in Los Angeles. He now lives in Barcelona, Spain with his wife and daughter, where he just opened his own climbing gym, Sharma Climbing. I recently had a chance to sit down with Chris at a friend’s dinner party and got to ask him about his climbing and life philosophies, his passion for deep water soloing, the evolution of the sport, being a stunt double on the movie Point Break, and so much more.  Listen to this episode if:  You’re a climber.  You want to try deep water soloing. You love travel and adventure. F

Amy’s Wild Idea: To impact the world though yoga and activism.  Amy has the dream job of a traveling around the world as a yoga teacher, which she started doing in the 1980s. She has a different take on yoga than many. It’s not just about working out and breathing. The practice of yoga also has ties to activism, which is why Amy does things like take her yoga to the oceans to raise awareness for the environment and animal conservation.  Amy is a faculty member at the Omega Institute, Esalen, and Kripalu, and a regular presenter at Yoga Journal Conferences, Asia Yoga Conference, Wanderlust Festivals, and more. She’s also a prAna ambassador, which is how I was lucky to meet her.  Listen to this episode if:  You practice yoga or want to get more involved in yoga. You want to live a healthy lifestyle physically and mentally. You’re an activist. You want to help save our planet.

David’s Wild Idea: To optimize your health, athletic and mental performance, and sex appeal with a plant-based diet and intermittent fasting. David has some unique ideas when it comes to nutrition, fasting, and health. He’s all about using fasting as well as an exclusively plant-based, whole foods diet to promote optimal health and performance. David studied physiology and nutrition at Columbia University and is a registered dietician. He worked at Columbia Athletics as a strength and conditioning coach, and has been a nutrition consultant at Facebook. Most recently David is at True North Health in Santa Rosa, CA which is a supervised water fasting center, where he manages the fitness program. In addition to all of this, he also works with professional athletes on plant-based nutrition and using intermittent fasting to improve their performance. David eats every other day, does some wild experiments when it comes to his health and nutrition, and is always pushing the envelope and testing new ways of using the

Brendan’s Wild Idea: To create a more environmentally and socially sustainable world.  Brendan Brazier is one of the most well know plant-based elite athletes on the planet. He’s the author of bestselling book Thrive, and the founder of several companies including Vega, a plant-based nutrition company. His new magazine, Alive, is available for free at health food stores around the country. He also advises celebrities like Venus Williams, Hugh Jackman, and entire pro-sports teams about their nutrition.  Brendan is all about living a healthy, sustainable lifestyle, and his mission is to help educated people about the possibilities when it comes to an environmentally friendly diet. Listen to this Episode if: You’re interested in a plant-based life You want to know how to train hard while eating a plant-based diet You’re interested in starting a business You’re passionate about environmental and social sustainability For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http

Caroline Paul’s Wild Idea: To overcome fear, cultivate bravery, and encourage others to live with more adventure. Caroline Paul is the New York Times best-selling author of four books, including Fighting Fire, a memoir about being a San Francisco firefighter; the illustrated Lost Cat, A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology; East Wind, Rain; and The Gutsy Girl: Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure. She’s competed alongside Olympians as a luger, swam for dead bodies in the San Francisco Bay, made first ascents down Class V rapids, surfed giant Ocean Beach waves, attempted a Guinness Record (in high school), and even walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. She just presented @TedWomen, and is a highly entertaining and empowering story-teller. Listen to this Episode if: - You want to cultivate bravery. - You want to overcome fear or look at it from a new perspective. - You want to become a firefighter, writer, or just live with more adventure. - You want to listen to an amazing story-teller and

Chris Burkard’s Wild Idea: To become an adventure photographer. Wanting to discover the best photographs in nature, Chris Burkard decided to go to the most remote and raw of places. While he was well on his way to become a leading surf photographer, spending most of his time in tropical water, Chris wanted to go to places that were a little more untrammeled by man. He knew a little sacrifice, just might yield amazing results and photos. Listen to this episode if: You want to be an adventure or nature photographer. You want to find a deeper connection to nature. You want to know how to balance family and travel. You want to learn tips on how to become a successful photographer. You have ever seen one of Chris Burkard’s stunning photos. You just want to listen to a great storyteller. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/13

Kate and Kim’s Wild Idea: To create an athletic company to empower women to cultivate their grit to find their grace. To make women feel good and safe while working out. And to create athletic clothes are are fashionable and effective. Kimberly Caccavo and Kate Nowlan are the founders of activewear brand GracedByGrit. They started this business from scratch, and it has now become a successful company with a team of rocking women at the helm. They believe in a business with a mission, and are passionate about teaming up with causes they care about to raise both funds and awareness. It’s an inspiring conversation about starting a company, building an awesome team, and creating an exciting culture. Listen to this episode if: You’ve ever thought about starting your own company You’re passionate about women led businesses You are an active, athletic, fashionable woman Giving back is important to you For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliv

Alana Nichols’ Wild Idea: To become a world-class athlete despite any limits. At 17, Alana was on her way to college on a softball scholarship when she attempted a flip snowboarding, and landed directly on a rock on her back. She suffered a spinal cord injury that left her paraplegic. Instead of giving up sports altogether, Alana transitioned to adaptive sports, quickly becoming a top Olympic competitor in skiing, wheelchair basketball and sprint kayaking. She has some crazy stories about falling, and about winning. She has most recently taken up surfing, and is one of a few females competing in adaptive surfing, and helping pave the way for more to come. Listen to this episode if you: - Want to get massively inspired. - Love the Olympic Games and sports. - Have ever felt like giving up on anything. - Want to hear what it's like to be on shows like Conan O'Brien and compete in the Olympics. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.co

Jaimal Yogis’ Wild Idea: To run away from home as a teen and learn to surf in Hawaii. Then, join a Buddhist Monastery. Next, head to head to Columbia Journalism School and become an award-winning journalist, and then the award-winning author of Saltwater Buddah, the best seller The Fear Project (where Jaimal surfed Maverick’s), Turtles Don’t Surf (an illustrated kids books), and soon to be released book, All Waves Are Water, due out by Harper Wave this July of 2017. As a teen, Jaimal ran away from home to Hawaii where he found surfing. He also learned to meditate. This path lead him to life as a journalist and writer. The author of the science-based book, The Fear Project and memoir Saltwater Buddah, Jaimal has a brand new book, All Waves are Water that talks about surfing, God, mindfulness and love. It’s an important read for the era and Jaimal gives us a sneak peek into the story. Listen To This Episode If: - You need a dose of mindfulness, or are curious about the practice. - Love the ocean and/or surfing.

Bethany Hamilton’s Wild Idea: Surfing giant waves, having a family, giving back to others, and living life to the fullest no matter what. Bethany Hamilton is one of the most empowering surfers of all time. She's had many wild ideas, from continuing to surf despite losing her left arm, to surfing giant waves at Jaws in Maui last year, starting a non-profit to help others, having a baby, speaking in front of crowds of 20k plus, and now making a movie, Unstoppable. Because wild ideas require wild living, this interview was done from a cell phone on an island, so the sound is not perfect, but the message is still clear. Nothing gets in the away for Bethany in achieving her dreams. Listen to this episode if you: - Are a Bethany Hamilton fan. - Are curious how long she can hold her breath. - Want to know how Bethany juggles her schedule. - Want to hear some of Bethany's tricks and tips to life and surfing. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideaswort

Dean’s Wild Idea: To quit his corporate job and become the UltraMarathon Man. Time Magazine called Dean Karnazes one of the most interesting men. He's also one of the fittest men on the planet. On his 30th birthday (after tequila), Dean ran 30 miles non-stop for the first time. Shortly after that big run, he quit a lucrative, cushy job to become a long-distance, as in ULTRA-distance, runner. Since then, he’s run a marathon in every state, and he plans to run a marathon every country in the WORLD next year. WHO. DOES.THAT? Listen in for more. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/8

James Nestor’s Wild Idea: To leave the corporate life for a job as a freelance writer, then learn to freedive and uncover an entire world of science beneath the surface of the ocean that lead to an award-winning book, Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves About a decade ago, James Nestor knew he wanted to quit his job, but he had no idea he’d become a freediver and develop such strong connection with the ocean. A surfer at heart, James always loved playing at the surface of the ocean, but when doing a story about freedivers, he learned so much more, including about what the ocean can tell us about ourselves. If you love the ocean, have ever wanted to freedive, or want to be a writer, listen to this episode. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/7

Alison Teal’s Wild Idea: To Travel the World, Thrive and Get The Highest PSI (Primaries Survival Rating) of Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid Season 1, and Make Movies That Get People to Pay Attention to Plastic Pollution and Protecting Our Environment. There’s a reason Oprah Magazine calls Alison Teal the “Oprah of Adventures” and Time calls her the “Female Indiana Jones.” While you and I were going to regular school, she was riding camels and climbing in Nepal with her adventurous parents. After studying film at USC, she was invited to participate on the Discovery Channel show, Naked and Afraid. She not only survived 21 days with a guy in the wilderness naked, but she used her fame from winning the show to promote an important cause, protecting our planet. Alison does it all with a ton of passion, a bikini and a pink surfboard. This episodes tells her story, to the tune of tropical birds signing behind her computer at her adventure house on the Big Island of Hawaii. For full show notes, including guest l

Ryan and Nicole’s Wild Idea: To leave San Diego, their jobs and house to sail to French Polynesia. Now they are sharing their awesome story and you can find out how. Ryan and Nicole Levinson of Two Afloat set sail for French Polynesia two years ago to pursue a dream. Taking on such a feat requires tons of preparation, but there’s only so much you can do on land to prepare for the unknown sea. Eventually, you just have to untie the dock lines and go, as they say. This episode explores how they untied the dock lines and set sail across the Pacific, with challenges and great feats they faced along the way. We also talk about Ryan’s own physical limits. Despite having FSHMD, a disease that literally eats away his muscles, he’s managed to defy doctors initial thoughts about his body and pursue the sports and activities, including sailing, that bring him joy. This is a story for anyone who has a dream, but has self-doubt and fear. It’s also a great episode for anyone wanting to set sail across the Pacific or even a

As a young boy, Joel Van der Loon grew up in South Africa and Tanzania, and has always been somewhat of a “wild child.” He and his dad grew up in a remote area of Africa, where he learned from the Massai, then sailed around the world, and lived a life very connected to animals and the untrammeled outdoors. Find out about the lessons Joel’s learned from the Massai tribe, his cultural shock in moving to the United States, what survival skills you need NOW, and why major TV networks want Joel to show the world his survival skills. Also, hear about his terrifying encounter with a very wild animal and why understanding animals is so rewarding. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/4

Have you ever wanted to skateboard down the freeway?! Me too, except please don’t try that at home because you will most likely die! Cindy Whitehead managed to sneak in a session on the L.A.’s busiest freeway one day and also did some other wild things. She was one of the first females to get a centerfold plus two-page article in a men’s skateboard magazine, and she’s become a renowned sports stylist for everyone from Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, and Drew Brees to Mia Hamm and Peyton Manning. Cindy shares about: Breaking barriers, rules of the road and literally avoiding road rash. How to get a hold of people like Joan Jett when you need them. What to do if you are a little girl or adult (man or woman) with a dream. How to listen to your gut and down what you want regardless of what others think. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/3

Running across the entire United States of America is no easy feat. How about doing and training while working a full-time job?! Pete Kostelnick recently finished doing just that. Starting in San Francisco and finishing in New York, Pete logged about 72 miles a day on his feet running, with only one day off. It took him 42 days, six hours and 30 minutes for a total of 3,067 miles. They have been calling him the real Forrest Gump, and he’s just a financial analyst from Iowa who SHATTERED a GUINNESS RECORD. I love Pete’s story because this running adventure, which he broke a record doing, wasn’t his full-time job. He isn’t a pro athlete making heaps of money off of running. He’s a full-time financial analyst who had a dream to do something wild and made it happen by getting up two hours earlier to run, and then running after work while watching TV (which he says he would have just done sitting otherwise) after work to train. When he finished his run that he did take a few weeks off work to do (he has a very nic