#90: “I Could Die, And That’s What Drives Me…” (Ash Dykes)

Today’s guest is Ash Dykes. When most people think of adventure, they picture travel, fun, maybe a little challenge. For Ash Dykes, it’s life or death. From pulling a 120kg trailer through the Gobi Desert with no backup, to hallucinating his way to survival on the brink of heatstroke, to being held at gunpoint and crossing crocodile-infested rivers. Ash has lived through it all. But this isn’t just about danger. It’s about why someone would willingly step into the unknown, where death is a real option, and what that teaches you about life, fear, and resilience. Ash shares how he went from a small coastal town in North Wales to setting world records in some of the most extreme places on Earth, and the mental discipline it takes to keep moving when everything in your body is screaming to stop. This conversation is raw, wild, and filled with lessons that go way beyond exploration. Key Discussion Points: Nearly dying of heatstroke in the Gobi Desert Training for world records with just a tire and sledgehammer The “third man syndrome” that saved his life Why fear is a package deal with growth Leading with kindness in life-or-death missions This one will make you rethink what’s really possible. Follow Ash: https://www.instagram.com/ash_dykes/ Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Timestamps: 03:00 Why Ash chases danger 09:40 Childhood dreams in North Wales 13:20 $10 bike across Vietnam 18:40 Illegal jungle crossings 24:50 Mongolia mission begins 31:00 Dragging 120kg through the Gobi 37:10 Heatstroke and hallucinations 42:00 The “third man” phenomenon 50:30 Wolves, bears, and crocs 58:20 Breaking down on the Yangtze 01:05:00 The weight of leadership 01:12:40 Survival in the Amazon 01:18:50 Love vs danger lessons 01:24:40 Next mission on the Yellow River 01:30:00 Chasing legacy and purpose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices