Between The Mountains Adventure Podcast

TJ David is a professional skier and endurance athlete residing in Colorado. His experience has seen him mountaineering skiing in Chamonix, kayaking in Colorado and competing in several endurance challenges such as North Face Endurance Challenge and the Indian creek fifties.  Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all other platforms; just search “Between The Mountains” or Ask Alexa!  His skill and name has been slapped onto billboards, commercials and every major publication in the industry and he even finds time still to run his own company and maintain his clients. He has an incredibly humble and experienced view on things, and it’s my pleasure to have him on the show.  An Evolution From Childhood To Profession  TJ started skiing at a young age - 3 or 4 years old - in New Jersey. From that moment he has gone on to ski his whole life. Exposing himself to tough conditions as he grew older, his skill base grew from more local slopes, to now all over the world.  After going to college on the East Coast, TJ took a trip and went to Utah. It was here, that he got his first sponsorship and work opportunities. From here, everything grew. Now, he ski's full time, is an endurance trail runner, and runs his own coaching business  "Spending time outside... there are really strong links to an overall heightened state of being. The endorphins you get from being outside - the time spent out there - is really important for your mental health"  Balancing Capturing The Content And Living The Moment  For long term followers of TJ, you'll know that this used to be a big thing for him. But now, his way of living in the moment is more often than not just leaving the camera at home.  More recently, his content is more lifestyle (behind the scenes like cooking and coaching), or beautiful shots taken on his long runs.  Hear further how TJ directs his photographs, but also his thoughts on living in the moment and looking after your headspace.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ryXljHzC0/ This caption though... Drawing Parallels Between Skiing And The Challenges Of Life Itself  In this interview, TJ describes this rather poetic comparison of life to the downhill. How working hard at something and pushing through tough times make it all so worth it in the end because of the hard work and the rewards.  Life is a lot like climbing and reaching the top. From taxes, to starting a company, to grizzing out a side hustle you do not enjoy to make your passions work.  "These struggles are also momentary. They're fleeting just like the good moments, so you try not to grasp on to them so much. Just to be aware that they are happening, and you are capable of moving beyond that".  TJ David - More Than Just Ski Mountaineering  TJ asks his clients a lot about their "WHY"'s. In the interview, I turned the question on to him.  There's is so much to this personal level of reasoning and spirit. But what TJ touches upon - which I think it silently very inspirational - is his love for the daily process of improving a little bit, every single day. Making those small steps that over time produce the big picture goal. Having that long-term goal.  What is your long-term goal?  TJ is an incredible individual, with so much to give. You can check out his coaching here, his Instagram here, and more information on himself here  --------------- If you enjoy the show please subscribe/follow and share with a friend!  If you really enjoy the show please check out our Patreon site here. Supporting through Patreon really helps cover costs and allow to invest more time into the quality!  To come on the show or work with me, please email on: btmtravelpod@gmail.com  Join in with the community. Instagram/Twitter/Facebook and our new Facebook Page to share your own photos and videos here  Between The Mountains – Adventure Travel Podcast  https://betweenthemountains.org/2020/06/24/tj-david/

18 Maj 20201h 28min

Here is the second part! What a pleasure to have Outdoorlife Norway join me on this.  Personally, I have actually booked this hike with them already and now can't wait even more to do so. Hopefully the conditions will be stunning! In November 2019 I hiked Preikestolen and it was just simply beautiful. I was planning on doing a podcast, but instead of waffling on I thought "why not invite the company on to chat through it?". That was a brilliant idea and it worked out.  Outdoorlife Norway (https://outdoorlifenorway.com/) were simply incredible in their service and knowledge to me and I highly recommend you check out their website and all the things they offer for your next visit to Norway. I said this for the first episode, and I truly mean it: it's 10/10 from me. Besides, in November 2019 they picked me up right from the AirBNB and gave me coffee. Can't get much better than that! The audio is much better in this episode, and I hope you enjoy it. If you do, please follow/subscribe and share with a friend or two. Email me: btmtravelpod@gmail.com Social Media: @BTMTravelPod

16 Maj 202038min

Super excited to share this first of a two part show for you! In November 2019 I hiked Preikestolen and it was just simply beautiful. I was planning on doing a podcast, but instead of waffling on I thought "why not invite the company on to chat through it?". That was a brilliant idea and it worked out.  Outdoorlife Norway (https://outdoorlifenorway.com/) were simply incredible in their service and knowledge to me and I highly recommend you check out their website and all the things they offer for your next visit to Norway. It's 10/10 from me and I have already booked my next tour with them (the location of which we discuss on Saturday!). Besides, they picked me up right from the AirBNB and gave me coffee. Can't get much better than that! I apologise for the audio in this first episode too, something was going on with Skype but I did my best to edit it correctly with the help of a good friend. I hope you enjoy this episode, and I hope you look forward to the next one coming this Saturday! Email me: btmtravelpod@gmail.com Social Media: @BTMTravelPod

13 Maj 202032min

Liana, from @SeekingTheNow, is an incredible photographer and now mountaineer.  Hear in this episode how she got into mountaineering and discovered her passion for the mountains as we take a trip down memory lane, climbing Mount Baker, Washington.   Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all other platforms; just search “Between The Mountains”! Or Ask Alexa!  https://www.instagram.com/p/CADsqSxHr_c/  An Epic Opener  I can relate hugely to Liana and I'm happily jealous of the mountaineering qualifications and experience she has gone on to get.  Finishing off her course, they had to climb Mount Baker. Liana talks us through the course with the Washington Alpine Club. Learning a fantastic skill base, they set off to the mountain to complete the course.  What is wholesome to hear is how her photography drive joined her on the course. While everyone was getting sleep for a summit push, Liana headed out for a spontaneous photoshoot with nature.  Chasing Your Dreams - And Catching Them  I think everyone can learn from Liana. This was terrifying to consider, but so exciting. What was originally a fear of climbing mountains, Liana took on the course she conquered it. She also continues to do so, and you can follow her on her Instagram  Starting from day hikes - as most mountaineers perhaps do - Liana took the course to go further, knowing the end goal was Mount Baker.  Liana asked herself what she would do and wanted to do, and went after it. In the process, she also developed an appreciate and love for her state, realising the beauty hours away from her. It sounds obvious, but perhaps so many of us can learn to look closer to home for natural wonder rather than the next country over and beyond.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B_p6wOgHyN2/  Hear in this episode how Liana acted on her love for the mountains, and her story on climbing Mount Baker. Liana is also a fantastic, brilliant, and incredibly skilled photographer. Consider checking out her prints for your own home or office here  --------------------- If you enjoy the show please subscribe/follow and share with a friend!  If you really enjoy the show please check out our Patreon site here, This really helps support the background costs and quality of episodes!   To come on the show or work with me, please email on: btmtravelpod@gmail.com  Join in with the community. Instagram/Twitter/Facebook and our new Facebook Page to share your own photos and videos here  Between The Mountains – Adventure Travel Podcast  https://betweenthemountains.org/2020/06/24/climbing-mount-baker/

9 Maj 202033min

In this episode we welcome back accomplished and highly respected/renowned Jon Gupta to the show.  After recording the interview with him (Episode 21) we chatted through climbing Denali, the gear, the itinerary, the comparison from winter to summer (he has summited in both!) and have some epic anecdotes along the way. You can find out more from Jon at https://mountain-expeditions.co.uk/ If you would like to come on the podcast please email btmtravelpod@gmail.com To join in with the community, follow me on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @BTMTravelPod

8 Maj 20201h 18min

In our first interview episode, we welcome Jon Gupta from Mountain Expeditions. Jon's career has seen him swimming with turtles off the coast of Odisha, India, competing in the 430-Yukon Arctic Ultra to summiting the tallest mountains on the planet - including the tallest mountain on the planet, three times. Jon is a Montane Athlete, member of the Alpine Club, ambassador for the Youth Adventure Trust, and a member of both the Mountain Training Association and the Association of Mountaineering Instructors.  His career sees him running his own mountain expedition company - aptly called Mountain Expeditions - facilitating and taking part in the 7 summits world record, climbing mountains incredibly quickly, travelling from continent to continent, summiting Everest three times, giving his time to host and run altitude and skill seminars, and still finds the time to escape to places like Chamonix and Scotland for some me-time.  Be Bothered  One of the key take-aways you should take from this, is Jon's infectious attitude to "Be Bothered". It's similar to Lucy Shepherd's view too.  You know when you wake up, need the loo, don't go, carry on not going, keep trying to sleep, and then two hours later you go and fall alseep within five minutes of having done so? This is the exact situation where Jon says you should "Be Bothered".  Quite often when you finish a day on expedition, all you will want to do is sit back and relax. But really, you can't. Especially when it comes to high altitude. You need to get your kit prepped, square away your admin, melt snow for the next day's water... everything.  There's no need to explain further, but Jon does explain how you can practice for this in everyday life. Things like taking out the recycling. You may think "I'll do it later". But instead, you should "Be Bothered" and get it done straight away.  Much like the gym, this works for your physical fitness preparation too. His own example was cycling uphill. Instead of looking at the hill as a total point, he says instead to break it down to manageable distances, and repeat those small distance intervals until you reach the top.  If you want to grow as a person, or simply prepare for the high-altitude mountains, do this.  Short Term Loss, Long Term Gain  Jon touches upon this too - and it is so relatable!  Talking from experience, we all need to start thinking what our long-term goals are. It doesn't mean you need to stop living today. Just a reminder to start thinking of where you want to be, and is what you're doing right now going to get you there.  A Deep And Vast Experience  Jon has a huge experience in climbing Everest, Denali and the rest of the 7 summits. He has speed records and experience in such huge experience.  Hear how Jon compares the North and South approaches on Everest, climbing mountains, dealing with altitude, endurance races, living in North Wales and more.  -----------------  If you enjoy the show please subscribe/follow and share with a friend!  If you really enjoy the show please check out our Patreon site here. Supporting through Patreon really helps cover costs and allow to invest more time into the quality!  To come on the show or work with me, please email on: btmtravelpod@gmail.com  Join in with the community. Instagram/Twitter/Facebook and our new Facebook Page to share your own photos and videos here  Between The Mountains – Adventure Travel Podcast  https://betweenthemountains.org/2020/06/24/jon-gupta/

5 Maj 20201h 58min

A part of Van Life is just being free. When you pair this with a passion for travel you can find yourself in some beautiful places.  Today we welcome Lynn to the show, who has a fantastic blog. She is a professional ski instructor. Lynn's typical year starts teaching to an incredibly high standard on the Montana slopes and then moving down to Tennessee to teach Kayaking after a month hiatus after the winter season.   Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all other platforms; just search “Between The Mountains” or Ask Alexa!  A Three Seasons Van  Lynn has a van from the 90's that - for the most part - fits the bill. She has done only a few modifications, but most crucially she has added a wood stove.  However, she does talk about how, when in Montana, the night can get pretty cold. It's all good kitting out your van, but it's even better when you can stay at a friends house when temperatures plummet well below -10F/-23C!  An Adventure Year - On Repeat  In the winter, Lynn stays in Montana and teaches skiing throughout the season. The van is owe a brilliant thanks for that. Although she has to add a few layers in the peak of winter, it is the van that enables Lynn to be free and stay to teach in this beautiful setting.  Spending the winter teaching some hard skiing is incredible. Naturally, you get some clients who are slower, or perhaps willing to learn. But so many epic powder days are to be had during the season.  Hear more about this in the show, and how Lynn tailors teaches for each person - quite a transferrable skill!  After the ski season, Lynn usually kayaks - for herself this time - for a month to recharge. Then, it's straight back into the next job!  Moving through to Tennessee, Lynn teaches kayaking May-August, then chases white water across the state and over to North Carolina, Georgia and more.  Lynn describes her time as lucky. Although it was a quick comment, I couldn't disagree more. No-one came and handed her this lifestyle as a prize. Lynn has worked hard to have this career and live this lifestyle. A lesson we should all learn and take forward.  -------------------------  If you enjoy the show please subscribe/follow and share with a friend!  If you really enjoy the show please check out our Patreon site here. Supporting through Patreon really helps cover costs and allow to invest more time into the quality!  To come on the show or work with me, please email on: btmtravelpod@gmail.com  Join in with the community. Instagram/Twitter/Facebook and our new Facebook Page to share your own photos and videos here  Between The Mountains – Adventure Travel Podcast  https://betweenthemountains.org/2020/06/24/vanlife-montana-to-tennessee/

2 Maj 202031min

On this whopper of an episode we welcome James to the show. During the podcast, James just kept delivering on detail, locations, tips and his language was wonderfully descriptive; we just had to keep going.  If you have any interest in somewhere new, India or travelling to India I highly recommend you get a drink and some snacks, strap in, and listen away.  James describes the people as truly amazing, with such rich history and culture. The original desire was to do the golden triangle. What James eventually did was drive around the country exploring all of India's know and hidden secrets, and stumbling across some big cats along the way!  "They said they had never had a tourist in their town"  In this episode, we start in Mumbai, and James takes us through his itinerary step-by-step. Providing fantastic detail and information. James gets truly immersed in the culture, and is sure to captivate you with his story.  ------------------- If you enjoy the show please subscribe/follow and share with a friend!  If you really enjoy the show please check out our Patreon site here. Supporting through Patreon really helps cover costs and allow to invest more time into the quality!  To come on the show or work with me, please email on: btmtravelpod@gmail.com  Join in with the community. Instagram/Twitter/Facebook and our new Facebook Page to share your own photos and videos here  Between The Mountains – Adventure Travel Podcast  https://betweenthemountains.org/2020/06/24/exploring-the-unexplored-in-india/  You Might Also Like These:

29 Apr 20201h 58min