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

In 2020, Emily Pennington set off on the trip of a lifetime. Her goal was to visit every national park in the United States. Emily wasn’t sure what she’d find out there in the wilderness, but she needed a change - she was burnt out from her life in Los Angeles and reeling from personal losses. The time was right for Emily to quit her job, hit the road, and find her way outside.Connect with Emily: Website InstagramPurchase a copy of Emily's new book, Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America's National Parks Episode Sponsors: Check out Danner's all-new Mountain 600 Leaf GTXCheck out REI’s trade-in program

In 2022, Cal Dobbs became the first known transgender person to triple crown, which means he hiked all of the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail. Cal's next wild idea involves running across the U.S to raise awareness for trans rights. Connect with Cal: Website Instagram Resources: REI statement: Join us in supporting the trans community and LGBTQ+ equalityHuman Rights Campaign article American Civil Liberties Union articleEpisode sponsors: Listen to Finding Mastery podcastCheck out REI’s trade-in programAt REI we remain committed to ensuring that the outdoors, the co-op and society at large are accessible and welcoming to all people—including transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people.

Garrett McNamara is one of the best big wave surfers on the planet. In 2011, Garrett broke a world record when he rode a 78-foot wave in Nazare, Portugal. Nicole McNamara is Garrett's manager, his spotter, and his wife. The power couple have figured out a way to live a life that grounds them while focusing on what they love– surfing and family. Connect with Garrett & Nicole: Garrett's website McNamara InstagramNicole's InstagramThe McNamara FoundationEpisode sponsor: Listen to Finding Mastery podcast

Wild Ideas Worth Living's host Shelby Stanger gives us a behind the scenes look at her wild journey to becoming an adventure journalist, host of an REI Co-op podcast, and now author of her brand new book, Will to Wild. Connect with Shelby: WebsiteInstagram Grab a copy of Shelby's new book, Will to Wild Watch the Wild to Wild trailer Episode sponsors: Listen to Finding Mastery podcast

In honor of those who are raising the next generation of wild ones. Host Shelby Stanger shares insights from past guests on how to raise adventurous kids, and tips about how you can make it easier to get outside with your family.Connect with guests: Chris Fagan's InstagramStacy Bare's InstagramKatie Arnold's InstagramEvelynn Escobar's InstagramLindsey Konchar's InstagramResources: Lindsey Konchar's book, I Got 99 Problems and Being a B*tch Ain't One Episode sponsors: Pre-order Shelby Stanger’s new book, Will to Wild  and watch the trailer!Listen to Finding Mastery podcast 

Alyssa Ravasio is the founder and CEO of the online campsite booking platform, Hipcamp. Many people think of technology and the outdoors as complete opposites, but for Alyssa, the two have always gone together. With Hipcamp Alyssa's found a way to connect folks with campsites on public and private land. This creates more camping spots and makes it easier to find a place to hunker down under the stars.Connect with Alyssa: Instagram Resources: Book a campsite on Hipcamp 5 Cool Hipcamp Camp Sites for KidsREI + Hipcamp partnership Episode partners: Pre-order Shelby Stanger’s new book, Will to Wild  and watch the trailer!Listen to Finding Mastery podcastCheck out REI's trade-in program 

In the summer of 2022, four women, Sophia Denison-Johnston, Brooke Downes, Libby Costello and Adrienne Smith, set a new record for the fastest all female team to row from San Francisco to Hawaii. They completed the journey in 34 days, 14 hours and 20 minutes. Connect with the Latitude 35 Row Team: Brooke Downes Instagram Sophia Denison-Johnston InstagramLibby Costello InstagramAdrienne Smith InstagramLat 35 InstagramLat 35 websiteEpisode partners: Pre-order Shelby Stanger’s new book, Will to Wild  and watch the trailer!Listen to Finding Mastery podcast

In January, 2023, Erchana Murray-Bartlett set the Guinness World record for running the most consecutive marathons. She ran 150 marathons in 150 days and raised money for Australian wildlife along the way. Erchana started at Cape York, which is in the northern tip of Australia and ran along the coast all the way down to Melbourne.Connect with Erchana: InstagramTip to Toe websiteWilderness Society website Episode partners: Pre-order Shelby Stanger’s new book, Will to Wild  and watch the trailer!Stream Space Oddity on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu

Izzy Sederbaum is a trans-masculine cyclist and policy scholar who survived a rare cougar attack on a ride outside of Seattle in early 2018. Izzy was hospitalized with severe facial trauma while hateful anti-trans rhetoric filled comment sections of news articles that he had little to no control over. All the hatred pushed Izzy in a direction motivated by love. Today he's working to make cycling more inclusive for people with marginalized identities.Connect with Izzy: Instagram Wild Composite Racing Resources: Take Action: Equality Act REI statement: Join us in supporting the trans community and LGBTQ+ equalityEpisode partners: Pre-order Shelby Stanger’s new book, Will to Wild  and watch the trailer!Stream Space Oddity on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, and VuduCheck out REI's Spring 2023 Editors' Choice AwardsAt REI we remain committed to ensuring that the outdoors, the co-op and society at large are accessible and welcoming to all people—including transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming

Cecil Konijnendijk has been studying, teaching, and advising on urban forestry for more than 25 years. He is interested in how trees can improve our cities, communities, personal lives, and mental health. Cecil came up with a rule he calls 3-30-300 which has become popular among climate change activists and urban tree canopy specialists. The rule encourages seeing at least 3 trees from your window, having 30% canopy coverage in your neighborhood, and having a high quality public green space within 300 meters (340 yards) from your house. Connect with Cecil:Twitter Nature Based Solutions InstituteEpisode partners: Pre-order Shelby Stanger’s new book, Will to Wild  and watch the trailer!Stream Space Oddity on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, and VuduCheck out REI's Spring 2023 Editors' Choice Awards

Cal Calamia has been a runner their entire life, but in 2018, their relationship with the sport changed when Cal came out as trans non-binary. Most races in the US only have two gender categories, men and women, and Cal doesn't fit in either one. In an effort to make space for themself and other non-binary athletes, Cal has become an advocate for gender inclusivity and races across the US.Connect with Cal:  WebsiteInstagramNon-Binary Run Club Book, San FranshitshowJanji's Creating Spaces article featuring CalResources: REI statement: Join us in supporting the trans community and LGBTQ+ equalityHuman Rights Campaign article American Civil Liberties Union articleEpisode partners: Pre-order Shelby Stanger's new book, Will to Wild Stream Space Oddity on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, and VuduCheck out REI's Spring 2023 Editors' Choice AwardsAt REI we remain committed to ensuring that the outdoors, the co-op and society at large are accessible and welcoming to all people—including transgender, non-bina

Courtney Guerra is a culinary farmer who loves the intimacy of planting seeds, watching them sprout, and harvesting rich, colorful produce. She's grown food for some of America's top restaurants. Now Courtney focuses on bringing the positive impact of gardening and interacting with nature to her community in Southern California.  Connect with Courtney: Website Instagram Take action:Upward Bound HouseUpward Bound House Instagram Episode partners: Pre-order Shelby's book Will to Wild  

Christophe Zajac-Denek was just a couple of days old when he was diagnosed with a rare form of dwarfism called cartilage-hair hypoplasia. Doctors told his parents that he might never be able to ride a bike or go for a run. Today, Christophe stands at four feet, four inches tall. He can't bend his back and the bones in his legs have been surgically altered. Despite his physical limitations, Christophe gets out on the water to surf anytime he can. Connect with Christophe: InstagramWebsitePodcastStanding On Water film

Myishia Haynes is one of the most cheerful, exuberant fisherwoman you'll ever meet. She practices catch and release fishing, and has a pretty good track record, especially when it comes to fishing for bass. Myishia has made it her mission to show the world that anyone can fish and get outside.Connect with Myishia:Instagram YouTubeEpisode sponsors: Teva

Sara Mudallal was 20 years old when she decided to try parkour. She also decided to start wearing a hijab as an expression of her Muslim identity. Over the years, plenty of people told her to stop practicing parkour because of her gender or her faith. But Sara has kept her head up, found success in the world of parkour, and inspired thousands of people to stay true to themselves.Connect with Sara: Instagram YouTube TikTok tutorial Resources: Joe Dispenza books Parkour Women InstagramEpisode sponsor: Teva

Faith Dickey is one of the greatest highliners in the world. In 2012, Faith broke the record for the longest free solo, that's highlining without a safety harness. Then in 2014, she became the first woman to cross a highline over 100 meters long.Connect with Faith: Instagram Faith's company, Elevate Outdoors Guiding Faith's TEDx Talk, Deciphering Fear From Intuition 1000 Feet Up Women's Highlining MeetingEpisode sponsors: Teva 

Melissa Kegler is an elite open-water swimmer who specializes in cold water, long distance swims. She recently broke the U.S. national distance record for IISA’s Ice Mile event. Her goal goes beyond excelling in this extreme sport. Melissa is committed to fostering an inclusive community focusing on body positivity and self-love. Connect with Melissa: Webiste Instagram Watch, Open Water: Melissa Kegler Resources: Check out REI’s Fall 2022 Editor’s Choice Awards

In the fall of 2022, the Oregon Symphony hired Deanna Tham as their new associate conductor. Deanna is incredibly talented and she's an expert at drawing out rich sounds from large orchestras.  When she needs to let loose Deanna goes rock climbing. You might think that scaling rock faces has nothing to do with conducting an orchestra, but for Deanna, the two disciplines have a lot in common.Connect with Deanna: Instagram Oregon Symphony Instagram Oregon Symphony WebsiteResources: Check out REI’s Fall 2022 Editor’s Choice Awards

Nirvana  Ortanez is a former pro park rider who was once sponsored by Salomon. She has been a change maker in the sport. Early on, Nirvana was one of the original members of Jet Pack 5000, a group of women who empowered other female snowboarders through film. More recently, Nirvana co-founded Soy Sauce Nation, a community for Asian snowboarders. Connect with Nirvana: Nirvana’s Instagram Soy Sauce Nation’s InstagramSoy Sauce Nation's Stir Fry March eventResources: Check out REI’s Fall 2022 Editor’s Choice Awards 

Brandon Dugi is a competitive ultra runner who grew up in LeChee, Arizona, a small community in the Navajo nation. He runs several miles a day and competes in ultra races around the southwest. By becoming part of this larger running community, Brandon has made meaningful connections with other athletes and brands with the goal to celebrate and share the story of his Diné roots. Connect with Brandon: InstagramRunning InstagramResources: Watch Running the Grand Canyon with Brandon Dugi (Diné) on REI’s YouTube Channel Watch HOKA’s Time To Hózhó film Water is Life website Check out REI’s Fall 2022 Editor’s Choice Awards