Brad Ludden, First Descents

What this episode covers

This episode is about ripple effects, specifically, the one that happened to our guest Brad Ludden when experienced cancer through the eyes of a close family member, his aunt, when he was barely a teenager. At the time he kayaked, so intently in fact, it led him to the World Championships of Freestyle Kayaking. Soon there after into an into a side of the sport that involved going where no one has gone before. Expeditions to far away places and descending a river for the first time. First Descents. “There are fewer places on the world that, that people don't know about or haven't been, and it's harder to find yourself alone.” He says. Cancer touched his life early on and the ripple effect of that experience merging with his passion for kayaking, finally came to a head when he discovered as he says, “gifting a sport you love to someone else” can be transformational. He founded an organization that provides life-changing, outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. It’s called First Descents. That was 20 years ago.

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