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Today on Adventure Diaries I sit down with Chris McCaffrey — better known as @chrisinthecold — an adventurer who has tested himself on some of the toughest human powered challenges imaginable. From sailing as a teenager to attempting an unprepared row across the North Atlantic, to cycling 16 months across 21 countries, Chris has a knack for throwing himself into the unknown and coming back with stories of resilience, awe, and human connection.

In this conversation, Chris shares what it’s like to face hurricanes at sea, capsizes, rescues by oil tankers, and the daily grind of pushing a bike across continents. His global cycle took him from Europe through the Silk Road, into the Pamirs, across Southeast Asia, and beyond. Along the way he battled illness, typhus, road collisions, and moments of collapse — yet also found kindness in strangers, moments of stillness in vast landscapes, and the perspective that comes from living on the edge of your limits.

We cover the highs, lows, and the lessons that come with chasing audacious dreams. Chris reflects on fear, risk, and the difference between physical endurance and mental endurance. There are stories of six-foot monitor lizards in the road, collapsing in a Thai guesthouse, being taken in by strangers with no common language, and the stark beauty of cycling across the Pamir Mountains.

Most of all, this is a story about why people step into the unknown, and what they learn about themselves when they do.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How Chris attempted to row the North Atlantic without rowing experience.
• The realities of long-distance cycle expeditions across 21 countries.
• Surviving hurricanes, capsize, illness, and isolation.
• The role of human kindness and connection in endurance adventures.
• Reflections on risk, fear, and pushing beyond personal limits.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Follow Chris on Instagram: @chrisinthecold
• Adventure Diaries on Instagram: @AdventureDiaries__
• Follow the show: Adventure Diaries Podcast

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In this thought-provoking episode of Adventure Diaries, I’m joined by conservationist, academic, and author Jonny Hanson to explore one of the most complex and emotional topics in modern conservation: how humans and apex predators can share the land.

Jonny is the author of Living with Lynx: Sharing Landscape with Big Cats, Wolves and Bears, a compelling blend of field research, personal story, and social insight. From the mountains of Malawi to the peaks of Nepal, and from Scottish farmlands to the Snow Leopard Conservancy, Jonny has spent his life navigating the thin line between wild nature and domestic life.

We go deep on the ecological, emotional, and political dimensions of rewilding. What does it really mean to reintroduce predators like lynx and wolves to Britain and Ireland? What do they offer our ecosystems—and at what cost to farmers and communities?

Jonny speaks candidly about his own conflicted identity as both a farmer and a conservationist, the damage done by illegal predator releases in Scotland, and the urgent need to build long-term trust and governance if we’re to truly live with wild nature once again.

This episode is a journey into big landscapes, difficult questions, and the wild edges of our own imagination.

🔍 What You’ll Learn

• Why apex predators matter—and what they do that humans can’t replicate
• The surprising story behind illegal lynx releases in Scotland
• How rewilding taps into both our deepest fears and wildest hopes
• Lessons from Malawi, the Himalayas, and Swiss lynx coexistence projects
• Why conflict over predators is often really conflict between people

🌍 Resources & Mentions

• 📘 Living with Lynx by Jonny Hanson
  https://www.jonnyhanson.com
• 🐆 Snow Leopard Conservancy
  https://snowleopardconservancy.org
• 🎞️ Snow Leopard Trail – Jonny’s new documentary (screenings in 2025)
  Teaser: https://www.jonnyhanson.com
• 📚 Feral by George Monbiot – rewilding inspiration
  https://www.monbiot.com/2013/05/27/feral/
• 🎥 Gordon Buchanan – wildlife filmmaker (referenced story: grizzly bear in Scotland)

🧭 Whether you're a farmer, naturalist, or nature-curious listener, this one will challenge your views and expand your sense of what wild really means.

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What happens when you stop chasing life... and start walking through it—one step at a time?

In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, I sit down with Tom Turcich, the tenth person ever to walk around the world—and the first to do it with a dog. Over the course of seven years, six continents, and nearly 30,000 kilometers, Tom and his rescue pup Savannah navigated deserts, war zones, snowfields, mountains, and megacities. But what they really explored was the human condition—mortality, solitude, fear, love, and how to find peace in just existing.

What began as a response to the sudden death of a close friend transformed into a global odyssey—one that asked more questions than it answered. We talk about:

• The real reason he chose to walk the world
• What fear actually feels like in the middle of Central America
• Training Savannah into the perfect walking companion
• Living through exhaustion, sickness, and uncertainty—and what it teaches you
• Why photography became his gateway to connection
• Letting go of social media, letting go of ego, and letting life just be
• What he thinks about adventure now, in his post-walk life

From the wilds of the Atacama to the stillness of Antarctica, from dusty roads to TEDx stages, this is a reflection on what it means to live intentionally, with humility and grace.

If you’ve ever questioned your path—or wondered what lies on the other side of fear—this one is for you.

🔗 Resources & Mentions

• 📖 The World Walk by Tom Turcich – Buy it here
• 🐶 Savannah, the dog who walked the world – @theworldwalk
• 📹 Tom’s TEDx Talk – Watch on YouTube
• 
  

✨ Key Themes

Adventure & Fear – Walking into the unknown with no backup plan
Solitude & Resilience – What it means to be your own best company
The Bond with Savannah – How a dog can become your home
Slow Travel & Privilege – Seeing the world at human pace
Letting Go – Of productivity, ambition, and becoming “more”

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What drives someone to venture deep into Arctic Finland—alone, for a month—armed with just a packraft, backpack, and wilderness grit?

In this episode, I sit down with Finnish adventurer and political scientist Albert Weckman—also known for his YouTube and Instagram project Wilderness Bastards—to unpack his epic 300km solo expedition through the wild heart of Finnish Lapland.

We cover Albert’s early connection to Finland’s vast archipelagos and forests, his formal survival training in harsh Arctic conditions, and the mindset shifts required for long solo adventures.

Albert shares the highs and lows of his month-long trek through four remote regions:

• The Vatsari Wilderness, Finland’s wildest terrain bordering Russia and Norway
• The daunting Lake Inari, Finland’s third-largest lake, known for brutal winds
• The swampy and mountainous Hammastunturi Wilderness
• The tranquil Lemmenjoki National Park, where his journey concludes

We dive into the unexpected moments—like a chance meeting with Bosnian fishermen who offered him beer and a Snickers—and explore deeper themes: mental resilience, the myth of needing expensive gear, and how solitude in the wild transforms your perspective.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be totally alone in the Arctic, this episode delivers.

What You’ll Learn:

• How growing up in Finland’s archipelago shaped Albert’s adventurous mindset
• The brutal reality of survival training in minus 20°C with no food or shelter
• Why planning safety in remote solo expeditions is absolutely non-negotiable
• Packrafting lessons from crossing Lake Inari with 40kg of gear
• How adventure isn't about fancy equipment—but simple, deliberate experiences

Resources & Mentions:

• Wilderness Bastards (Instagram & YouTube): Instagram | YouTube
• A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough
• BioSur Foundation, Costa Rica (Rainforest Conservation): Website
• Lake Inari: More Info
• Lemmenjoki National Park: More Info

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What if your next adventure wasn’t just a hike—but a journey into ancient traditions, mountain culture, and deep human connection?

In this episode, I sit down with Gilbert Moukheiber—Lebanese adventurer, wilderness guide, and founder of 33 North—to explore one of the world’s most unexpected adventure destinations: Lebanon.

From snow-covered peaks to ancient shepherd migration routes, Gilbert reveals how Lebanon’s dramatic geography lets you ski in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean by afternoon.

We dive into the Boukaat Loubnan Trails, a 400km network winding through forgotten Roman temples, Phoenician trade routes, and remote shepherd communities. But this is far more than a trek—it’s a cultural expedition where you walk alongside shepherds, share their meals, and even help tend their goats.

Gilbert also shares his vision for sustainable, community-driven tourism through his Wilderness and Adventure Academy, which trains guides and outdoor lovers in safe, respectful adventure practices—protecting both nature and heritage.

What You’ll Learn:

• How human-powered adventure helps preserve Lebanon’s culture and landscapes
• The magic of transhumance: shepherds’ seasonal migrations through the mountains
• Why Lebanon remains an underrated but world-class adventure destination
• How adventure tourism uplifts and sustains remote mountain communities
• Practical ways to explore Lebanon responsibly, beyond mass tourism

Expect campfire stories, fresh-baked bread, and unforgettable moments of connection—this one is a true hidden gem.

Please Check Out

Boukaat Loubnan Trails | 33North

https://www.instagram.com/33northleb/

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In this raw and riveting episode of Adventure Diaries, I’m joined by expedition leader Chaz Powell—a man who walked into some of the most extreme wildernesses on Earth and returned with stories of survival, connection, and purpose. From dehydration in Zambia’s 50°C heat to being kidnapped in Mozambique, Chaz’s journey isn’t just about distance—it’s about transformation.

We cover his treks along Africa’s wildest rivers—the Zambezi, Gambia, and Mangoky—where he faced wild animals, dodged bandits, and survived by intuition, diplomacy, and grit. But this isn’t just a story about adventure. It’s about how walking saved his life, pulled him out of a troubled past, and became his way of giving back—to people, to rivers, and to the wild.

You’ll also hear about his off-grid plans in Scotland, reflections on fatherhood, bushcraft, and how a simple walk along the River Tay became a form of healing and tribute after losing his dad.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

IDEAS – How adventure can become a personal and societal turning point.
INSIGHTS – What wild rivers teach us about life, growth, and human endurance.
QUOTES – “Walking saved me. I’d just go—bag on back—and keep moving forward.”
FACTS – The Zambezi River trek covered 3,000km over 137 days in 50°C heat.
RECOMMENDATIONS – Walk your local river from source to sea. See what it teaches you.

🔗 Resources & Mentions

• The Wildest Journey – Chaz Powell’s website
• Chaz Powell on Instagram
• African Wildlife Foundation
• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer – book inspiration
• Sidetracked Magazine – Chaz’s Madagascar article

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Louisa Hendry, aka The Scottish Geologist, joins me for a raw, funny, and unexpectedly mind-expanding chat about rocks, identity, tectonic plates, Instagram fame, and the untold beauty of Scotland’s ancient landscapes.

From her early days smashing stones on the beach in Largs to running geology tours across the Highlands, Louisa’s story is a brilliant mix of passion, science, humour, and community. We get into everything from the geology of Loch Lomond, granite vs. magma, ancient oceans, volcanoes, climate change, and how she’s built a wildly successful brand by being unapologetically herself.

Whether you think geology is dry or exciting..., this episode will open your eyes to the rocks beneath your feet—and make you think differently about stories they hold.

🎥🎙️ Watch & Listen Here

What You’ll Learn:

IDEAS

• How Scotland’s rocks tell a billion-year-old story
• Why volcanic eruptions and climate shifts go hand in hand
• How geology helps explain the tech in your pocket
• What Mount Everest’s summit reveals about the ancient ocean
• The unexpected connection between social media, geology, and dogs

INSIGHTS

• You don’t need a polished accent to educate and inspire
• Geological time reframes how we view climate, resilience, and human impact
• The best way to spark curiosity is to lead with honesty and humour

QUOTES

Episode Takeaway

Scotland’s landscapes aren’t just beautiful—they’re alive with stories, and Louisa is the guide we didn’t know we needed.

Resources & Mentions

• 🌍 Scott Rock Walks – Louisa’s geology tour company
• 📱 @ScottishGeologist on Instagram

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In this emotional and unfiltered episode of Adventure Diaries, we welcome back Paul Harris, aka The Warrior Walker, for Part Two of his astonishing journey: walking over 20,000 kilometers around the UK—twice. From sleeping in graveyards and castles to withstanding minus 16°C winters alone in the Highlands, Paul opens up about solitude, near-death moments, mental health, kindness from strangers, and the aftershock of completing an adventure of this scale.

🦌 Ever been stared down by a wild stag while sleeping under the stars?

🥾 What does walking 135km on 90 minutes of sleep really do to your body and mind?

💬 Why did people across the UK start calling Paul a brother, son, and friend—without ever knowing him?

In this conversation, we go deep into:

What You’ll Learn

IDEAS
• How a solo walk turned into a national movement of kindness and reconnection.
• Why adventure isn’t about the destination—it’s the coffee stops, the hugs, and the small talk.
• The reality of post-expedition burnout and how to find purpose again.

INSIGHTS
• You don’t need a plan, you need to start.
• Community isn’t built on followers—it’s built on honest moments.
• Letting go of baggage—literal and emotional—is freedom.

QUOTES

Resources & Mentions

• 📚 Book coming Autumn 2025 – Stay tuned!
• 💪 Rock to Recovery – Veteran mental health support
• 🌍 Doctors Without Borders – Global medical humanitarian aid
• 🧭 Follow Paul: https://www.instagram.com/thewarriorwalker
• 🗺️ Try the Local Adventure Tool (by Chris): Hiking Routes - Adventure Diaries

Episode Takeaway

Hardship doesn’t define us—how we share it does. Start walking. Start talking. And don’t carry it alone.

🎙️ Watch & Listen Here or wherever you get your podcasts.

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