Off Grid

Ash Bhardwaj is a journalist, author of Why We Travel, and Army reservist who spent six months travelling from Norway to Crimea retracing the new Iron Curtain.In this conversation, we talk about:- The neuroscience of why humans are wired to crave stories- The inner turmoil of not having a single career path- How AI gives rise to the importance of storytelling - Joining the Army Reserve at 29 and learning servant leadership- Should people be holidaying in America?- How social media turned travel into a performanceYou can find Ash here:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashbhardwaj/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashwinbhardwaj/ You can find Ash’s book, Why We Travel, here:Book - https://shorturl.at/6kaPu Thank you

Markus Stitz holds the world record for being the first person to cycle around the world on a single-speed bike. He is a bikepacker, author and filmmaker based in Scotland.In this conversation, we talk about:Why closing the door on comfort is the only way to create real changeWhy the so-called safe career is disappearing faster than you thinkCycling through grief after losing his father mid-trip and choosing to continueWhat growing up behind the Berlin Wall taught him about freedomHow to find adventure in everyday life once the big trip is behind youYou can find Markus here:Website - https://markusstitz.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/reizkultur/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@reizkultur You can find Markus’s new book here:GRAVEL RIDES: EDINBURGH, FIFE & THE LOTHIANS - https://markusstitz.com/books/ 

Belinda Kirk is the skipper of the first all-female crew to row non-stop around Britain, founder of Explorers Connect, and author of Adventure Revolution.In this conversation, we talk about:- Why adventure is not a luxury but a human need- How adventure helped Belinda overcome childhood trauma- The case for letting children be feral- Leaving a successful TV career to become an entrepreneur- What western society gets wrong that creates unnecessary sufferingBelinda is the Founder of Explorers Connect:Website - https://www.explorersconnect.com Belinda is the Author of the Adventure Revolution:Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventure-Revolution-case-living-boldly/dp/0349428239 You can find Belinda here:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindakirk/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/explorerbelinda/Thank you

Levison Wood is an explorer, author and former British Army officer who has walked the length of the Nile, the Himalayas, and the Americas.In this conversation, we talk about:- Why solo travel is crucial for young people right now- Being homeless while starting a business- Hitchhiking to India in his 20s with less than £500- The psychological shift from civilian life to becoming an Army officer- How to be the type of person who steps into the Coliseum of life- Why money can actually make you less happy- Psychedelics, spirituality, and his connection to the natural worldYou can find Levison Wood’s website here:Website - https://www.levisonwood.com You can find Levison here:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/levison.wood/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/levison-wood-frgs-ba526620/ You can find Levison’s latest book here:The Great Tree Story: How Forests Have Shaped Our World - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Tree-Story-Forests-Shaped/dp/1856755614 Thank you

Rebecca Stephens is the first British woman to summit Everest, expedition leader and author.In this conversation, we talk about:- Rebecca quitting her job in a recession to pursue Everest- Why following your interests matter more than the ‘sensible path’ in life- What it was like to be the only woman on the expedition team in 1993- How to gain the confidence to take big leaps in life- Concerns about the commercialisation of EverestYou can find Rebecca’s website here:Seven Summits Performance Limited - https://rebeccastephens.com You can find Rebecca here:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rebeccastephensofficial/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-stephens-mbe-090539b/ Thank you

Alastair Humphreys is an adventurer and author who first became known for cycling around the world for four years before later pioneering the idea of micro-adventures. In this conversation, we talk about:- Busking across Spain with no money by playing the violin- Why people feel the need to adventure in the first place- How micro-adventures became Alastair's answer to fatherhood and modern day life- How technology is disconnecting us from richer travel experiences- The chasing of adventurous achievements in pursuit of proving himselfFind Alastair Humphreys website here:Website - https://alastairhumphreys.com Find Alastair here:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/al_humphreys/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairhumphreys/ Find Alastair's latest book, Unwilded, here:Book - https://alastairhumphreys.com/product/unwilded/ Thank you

Mike Trueman is the founder of True Adventure that lead expeditions for school children. He has also been a Gurkha officer, Everest summiteer, army helicopter pilot, chief jungle warfare instructor in Brunei, diplomat during the Yugoslavian war, mountaineer, and author.In this conversation, we talk about:- Why travel is needed to develop young people- Joining the Army aged 16 as a boy soldier- Everest rescue missions of the 1996 storms and Michael Matthews- How to make decisions in a crisis- The true meaning of great leadershipYou can find True Adventure here:Website - https://true-adventure.co.ukThank you

Ben Sherlock is an adventure cameraman whose work has taken him from war zones to some of the biggest adventure productions on television, including Blue Planet 3 with David Attenborough, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth, and multiple shows with Ed Stafford.In this conversation, we talk about:- Flying into war in Baghdad age 21- Why Ben describes his early career as a series of terrible mistakes- What it's really like to be Ed Stafford's personal cameraman- Struggles with arrogance and depression in life- How to doggedly pursue your dreamBen’s website is here:https://bensherlock.net/You can find Ben here:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-sherlock-30527253/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dopsherlock/ Thank you

Recorded on video in a woodland, this episode is all about how the outdoors can help us feel less lonely and more connected. I share 3 simple ways to socialise outside, build stronger relationships, and create more meaningful moments with people in real life.In this episode, I talk about:- Why mornings are better for real connection- Micro-adventures that start from your doorstep- The power of a simple walk- How technology is weakening our relationships- Why a little discomfort builds stronger friendshipsThank you 

Julian Osborne is the co-founder of Batch London, the casual suit menswear brand. In this conversation, we talk about:- Why it's worth going to university as an entrepreneur- The value of off grid travel in a busy life- Lessons in male confidence in England- Redefining success beyond money and status- The reality of building a 10 year overnight successJulian is the co-founder of Batch LDN:Website - https://batchldn.comYou can find Julian here:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-osborne/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/julian_osborne/