E9: A Paddle, Pedal, & Midnight Sky in Maine

On the surface, the cover art shows a calm, sunlit morning: two paddlers on Flagstaff Lake, the Bigelow Range rising in the distance. But as serene as that image looks, it only hints at the story behind it.In the summer of 2021, I joined my great adventure buddies Chris, Mindy, George, Emily & Elizabeth for a single-day, 50-mile human-powered traverse of Maine’s Carrabassett Valley: a paddle across Flagstaff Lake, a mountain bike leg on the Maine Huts & Trails carriage roads, and a full traverse of the rugged Bigelow Mountain Range. It was the Maine meeting of the Adventure Society—a group born out of the chaos of 2020, when races disappeared, plans evaporated, and adventure became our measure of endurance.Along the way, we encountered haunting history in the shallow waters of Flagstaff Lake, overgrown trails blocked by unresolved land access disputes, and the unexpected presence of trail running legend Scott Jurek—quietly attempting a southbound Appalachian Trail fastest known time. Jurek slowed to chat, listened to our story, and then continued on his monumental journey, leaving us in awe of his humility, curiosity, and kindness.Our day ended on the summit of Cranberry Peak under a sky so clear, so full of stars, that it literally stopped us in our tracks. Goosebumps, silence, shared awe—what psychologists call frisson. A moment of intense beauty and emotion that none of us will ever forget.This episode is a story about adventure without a finish line, about wilderness and history, about unexpected encounters, and about the moments that make us feel truly alive.For more information about our work with athletes, recreationalists, and business leaders head over to www.ascendhumanperformancecoaching.com.