Grandma Gatewood: The Unstoppable Trailblazer | E181

Welcome to this week's episode of The Crux: True Survival Stories. In this gripping installment, we have the honor of sitting down with the remarkable Quinn Brett, a woman whose life took an unexpected turn on a fateful day in October 2017. Quinn's passion for speed climbing led her to the awe-inspiring El Capitan, a towering granite monolith in Yosemite National Park. Little did she know, that day would forever alter the course of her life. In an incredible twist of fate, Quinn experienced a harrowing 120-foot fall while speed climbing El Capitan. The impact of the fall left her with severe injuries that would have left many defeated. However, Quinn's story is not one of defeat, but of resilience and renewal. Against all odds, she not only survived but emerged from this life-altering event with a renewed spirit and an unbreakable determination. Join us as Quinn Brett takes us through the gripping details of her survival journey. Quinn's story is a testament to the power of the human will to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Her tale of survival and renewal will inspire you to find strength in the face of adversity and to embrace the opportunities for growth that life's challenges present. Tune in to this week's episode of The Crux: True Survival Stories to hear Quinn Brett's awe-inspiring account of her 120-foot fall from El Capitan and her remarkable journey towards renewal. It's a story that reminds us all of the incredible resilience that resides within each of us.   Don't forget to check out her documentary, "An Accidental Life", it can be streamed through Apple TV and Amazon TV.   Find Quinn on Instagram at @quinndalina, or on her website at dovetailtrails.com. Check out her suggested organizations including Unite to Fight Paralysis (https://u2fp.org/), High Fives Foundation (www.highfivesfoundation.com), Kelly Brush Foundation (kellybrushfoundation.org), and Move United Sport (moveunitedsport.org).   Thanks for listening, have a great week everyone!!     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

21 Aug 202344min

On January, 2002, brother-in-laws Tommy Robbins and Larry Diamond set out on a plane ride over the Colorado Rockies and neither neither was expecting a sudden turn of events. They flew up over jagged cliffs, soaring high above the snow-capped peaks that seemed to stretch on forever. Suddenly they felt a sudden downward push as the cold air currents drove them lower and lower. Pilot Justin Kirkbride valiantly tried to get them back up, but it was too late - the Cessna crash landed in the middle of a barren landscape, surrounded by nothing but snow and sky. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

14 Aug 202323min

Jim and Jennifer Stolpa, along with their infant son Clayton, were headed to a funeral in Pocatello, Idaho, from California when they suddenly found themselves lost in a vast wilderness of deep snow in northern Nevada. With no way out, the young family was forced to use their resourcefulness and meager supplies in order to survive the winter cold. The story of Jim and Jennifer's fight against the elements begins when Jim drives too far down a snow-covered road and gets stuck during a snowstorm. With no other option, the family must find shelter from the harsh environment as they await rescue. As temperatures plummet and conditions rapidly deteriorate, the Stolpas must use all of their strength and cunning to survive in the frozen wilderness. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

7 Aug 202333min

In May of 2006, New couple Gina Allen and Brandon Day were about to embark on what they thought would be a leisurely walk at the top of Mt San Jacinto, West of Palm Springs. They took the cable car to a Mountain station and set off on their walk. Little did they know that this hike would be more than just seeing nature's beauty. Being unfamiliar with the terrain and the trails, they soon became disoriented and lost in the wilderness. With no map or GPS to refer to, they had no way of finding their way back.   Facing mounting exhaustion and hunger, Gina and Brandon made a discovery! A deserted camp site with some supplies. They experienced feelings of dread when they realized the supplies belonged to another individual who became lost in the wilderness with no hopes of rescue, but the discovery finally lead to their recovery days after they initially set off on their hike. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

31 Juli 202338min

The Granite Mountain/Speculator Mine Disaster of June 8, 1917 is one of the most momentous events in US mining history. In the depths of Butte, Montana's copper mine, tragedy unfolded that day as a fiery inferno engulfed the tunnels and filled them with searing smoke. The miners had been toiling away at full production to support America in World War I and were pushing for better working conditions. Little did they know that their efforts would be in vain, as 168 of them died that day due to suffocation from the fire consuming their oxygen supply. It was a devastating blow to Butte, Montana and the nation and stands today as one of the worst underground hard rock mining disasters in US history. Mining will never be the same. A hundred years have passed since that fateful day, but its memory still lingers in Butte, and its legacy lives on as a reminder of the danger and sacrifice of mining. The Granite Mountain/Speculator Mine Disaster forever stands as a testament to those brave miners who gave their lives in service to their nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

24 Juli 202340min

Wolf Wagner (25) and Johannes Hoentsch (26) had no idea what they were in for when they set out into the Canadian wilderness via canoe mid July 2017. Armed with a few maps, gps device, supplies, and their canoe, Wagner and Hoentsch navigated their way through the beautiful, but often treacherous northern Manitoba waters.   As they made their way downstream, the stunning Canadian landscape unfolded before them - crystal blue lakes, vast marshlands, and thick forests filled with wildlife.   But this idyllic adventure soon took a dangerous turn when they realized the river was not as easy to navigate as they once thought. They entered some rapids and their canoe hit a large rock and was shattered beyond repair. With no way to continue on their journey, the two men had to rely on their own ingenuity and skill for self-rescue. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Juli 202323min

Steven Callahan's incredible story of survival against all odds is inspiring. In 1981, he was left adrift in the Atlantic Ocean for a harrowing 76 days after his sailing vessel sunk during a storm. With nothing but ingenuity and perseverance, he managed to survive on the open sea with minimal resources.   Despite facing incredible difficulties such as intense storms, lack of food, and dehydration, Callahan was able to stay afloat and document his journey. His memoir, Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea, became a best-selling book in which he tells the story of his remarkable struggle for survival against all odds.   Callahan has also been awarded three U.S. patents for inventions related to boats and navigation. His inventive spirit and his ability to overcome adversity inspired many people around the world. Steven Callahan is an example of resilience, strength, and courage in the face of seemingly impossible odds.   Simply put, his story is a true testament to the power of human will and perseverance; an amazing tale that serves as an inspiration for us all. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

10 Juli 202332min

Pilots Syndie and David never expected their flight between Oahu and the Big Island to take a frightening turn. On July 15, 2016, both engines of their plane went out, leaving them with only minutes before impact into the ocean. Little did they know what would lie ahead: an epic 21-hour swim towards shore after a plane crash with temperatures below 70F.   The journey was filled with unexpected obstacles. A deflated life vest left David struggling for hours, and encounters with jellyfish and a swim-by from a shark further tested their will and determination. But the thoughts of family and friends back home kept them going during this difficult journey.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

3 Juli 202323min