Episode 76: Summit Fever and Close Calls – Knowing When to Turn Back in the Mountains with Stefan Gruber


 

What happens when you build your work around the life you want to live?

In this episode of On Adventure, Josh talks with Stefan Gruber, a climber, photographer, traveler, and customer success professional at Levitate. Stefan shares how remote work and his wife Sarah’s career as a travel nurse have helped them create a life centered on movement, creativity, and outdoor adventure.

They discuss climbing, film photography, international travel, dangerous moments in the mountains, and the judgment required to turn around when conditions are not right. At the heart of the conversation is a simple message: meaningful experiences should not always be postponed.

In This Episode

  • Building a mobile life around remote work and travel nursing

  • Why climbing creates focus, presence, and flow

  • Traveling through the American West, Poland, and Nepal

  • The appeal of film photography and printed images

  • Balancing documentation with being present

  • Avalanche terrain, exposed climbing, and failed summit attempts

  • Summit fever, risk assessment, and the limits of luck

  • Future goals, including the Grand Teton and Colorado fourteeners

  • Why Stefan believes in doing things while you still can

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Colorado Springs and life on the move
Josh and Stefan discuss Colorado Springs, choosing temporary homes, and the possibility of eventually buying land in Colorado or Montana.

11:00 – Stefan’s career and lifestyle
Stefan explains how he moved from a long corporate commute into remote work and began traveling with Sarah during her nursing assignments.

17:30 – Climbing, travel, and flow
Stefan reflects on his Polish heritage, his early interest in travel, and the sense of complete focus he finds while climbing.

20:00 – Designing work around life
The conversation explores the freedom and tradeoffs of building a career that supports travel, adventure, and flexibility.

24:00 – Poland and international travel
Stefan describes Poland’s cities, mountains, coastline, affordability, and cultural growth, along with other memorable travel experiences.

36:30 – Photography and creative ambitions
Stefan explains how photography connects his travels and outdoor life. He also shares ideas for creating a travel channel with Sarah.

41:00 – Film, digital photography, and presence
They discuss the visual character of film, the value of printed photographs, and the tension between capturing an experience and fully living it.

51:00 – Risk, fear, and turning around
Stefan recounts dangerous moments involving avalanche terrain, exposed climbing, wildfire smoke, and two unsuccessful attempts on the Grand Teton.

57:00 – Summit fever and the limits of luck
The conversation turns to humility, decision-making, and why surviving a poor choice does not make it a good one.

1:04:00 – Survival psychology and photography advice
Stefan recommends Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales and encourages new photographers to begin with whatever camera they can access.

1:11:00 – Favorite mountains and future goals
Stefan talks about the Tetons, Annapurna Base Camp, Denali, Everest, and his goals for the rest of 2026.

1:18:00 – Do it while you can
Stefan closes with his belief that health, time, and opportunity are uncertain, so meaningful goals should not always be saved for later.

Memorable Quotes

“Sometimes those limits find you.”

“There’s a certain store of luck, and it will run out eventually.”

“If it doesn’t happen today, it can happen another day.”

“Do it while you can.”

Key Takeaways

Build work around what matters.
Flexible work can create more room for travel, relationships, creativity, and meaningful experiences.

Turning around is not failure.
Good judgment sometimes means abandoning a climb or summit and returning under better conditions.

Luck is not a strategy.
A successful outcome does not automatically mean the decision behind it was wise.

Give photographs a life beyond the screen.
Printing images or shooting film can make photography feel more intentional and lasting.

Do not save everything for someday.
Adventure can be a major expedition or a small personal goal. The important step is beginning while the opportunity still exists.

Resources Mentioned

  • Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why by Laurence Gonzales

  • Stefan’s Instagram page

About Stefan Gruber

Stefan Gruber is a climber, traveler, and photographer who works remotely for Levitate. He and his wife Sarah travel throughout the United States for her nursing assignments while pursuing hiking, climbing, skiing, photography, and international travel.

Keep Exploring

Subscribe to On Adventure in your podcast app and on YouTube for more conversations with people building meaningful lives through exploration, challenge, and curiosity.

Share this episode with someone who has been saving an important goal for “someday.”

Check out this episode!

Episode 47: Suffering together with Patrick Serfass


Some stories grab you right from the first sentence—and this one, with Patrick Serfass, took me on a ride I didn’t want to end.

Patrick isn’t just a triathlete, or a renewable energy leader, or a dad raising two adventurous boys. He’s a guy who once said yes to sailing a 26-foot boat with no refrigeration all the way to South America. A guy who climbed the Grand Teton without any prior climbing experience. But what really makes his story stick with you is what happened when all of that—his athletic identity, his mobility, his very sense of self—got upended in a moment.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to suffer well, how ego can drive growth, and why the most powerful moments in life often come through challenge. We talk about trust, adventure, the loneliness of injury, and the healing that comes when you’re surrounded by people who say, “I’ve got you.” If you’ve ever been forced to let go of something you thought defined you—this one’s for you.

⏱️ Timestamps

[1:12] – Patrick introduces his family and his lifelong pull toward movement and travel
[5:55] – A spontaneous dinner conversation leads to a year-long sailing adventure
[12:01] – Why shared suffering forges deeper connection than comfort ever could
[17:40] – Losing the ability to run, and finding new purpose beyond the podium
[30:17] – What happens when your body becomes the limiting factor—and you say yes anyway
[35:12] – Climbing Grand Teton without climbing experience: fear, faith, and the magic of the mountains
[47:40] – The unexpected rewards of pushing through what scares us
[56:00] – What it really means to “stay in shape for the next adventure”—and why it’s not just physical

🔗 Links & Resources

If you’ve ever had to redefine who you are, if you’ve ever stood at the edge of something scary and whispered “yes,” I hope this episode reminds you: you’re not alone.

And hey—if it did speak to you, don’t forget to share the love. Follow, rate, and leave a review to help On Adventure reach more listeners who need these stories just as much as we do.

Check out this episode!

Episode 28: The Psychology of Adventure with Matt Walker


Welcome back to The On Adventure Podcast! I’m your host, Josh Self, and today, my conversation is with Matt Walker. Matt is a unique blend of psychologist and adventurer, who has spent nearly 30 years leading expeditions on multiple continents. In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology behind adventure, the importance of doing hard things, and why integrating adventure into our lives is vital. Matt shares his insights on how discomfort can be a powerful tool for growth and how adventure helps us build resilience and find clarity. We also touch on his upcoming webinar that I will be hosting, so stay tuned for that!

Timeline Summary

  • [00:00] – Introduction to Matt Walker, his unique background, and the upcoming webinar on integrating adventure into our lives.
  • [02:07] – Matt talks about his journey into adventure and psychology, and the connection between the two.
  • [05:00] – Discussing the real “why” behind adventure and how it ties into personal and professional growth.
  • [10:12] – Reflecting on the potential disruptions of changing sleep habits.
  • [14:24] – Matt explains the five elements of adventure: High Endeavor, Uncertain Outcome, Total Commitment, Tolerance for Adversity, and Great Companionship.
  • [19:00] – The role of great companionship in meaningful adventures and how solo endeavors still require support.
  • [25:00] – Overcoming fear in mountaineering and how it parallels with facing life’s challenges.
  • [32:00] – The importance of intentionality and purpose in manhood and how adventure helps achieve this.
  • [43:00] – Matt’s personal adventures, including building a house and planning solo ascents of 8,000-meter peaks.
  • [47:00] – Closing remarks and how to connect with Matt Walker for more insights and support.

Links & Resources

Closing Remarks

Thank you for joining us on this episode of The On Adventure Podcast. If you enjoyed our conversation with Matt Walker, please rate, follow, and share the podcast. Your support helps us bring more inspiring content to you. Don’t forget to check out the links and resources mentioned, and as always, pursue your own great adventure!

Check out this episode!

Episode 22: Beyond the Summit: Exploring the Depths with Kenton Cool


*Credit Elia Saikaly – Kenton on the Everest summit

In this episode of the On Adventure Podcast, I sit down with Kenton Cool, a legendary high-altitude climber with an incredible record of Everest ascents and a storied career in mountain exploration. Dive into a conversation that explores not only the physical heights of the world’s most formidable peaks but also the profound depths of personal ambition, resilience, and self-discovery.

Episode Highlights:

  • [00:02:22] – Kenton recounts the challenges and thrills of achieving the Everest Triple Crown, offering a vivid glimpse into the life of a high-altitude climber.
  • [00:13:00] – Discover Kenton’s unique approach to leadership and team-building in extreme conditions, drawing from his extensive experience as a guide and speaker.
  • [00:22:13] – Delve into the ethos behind Kenton’s climbing philosophy—how passion, mindset, and the power of setting goals propel him forward.
  • [00:35:45] – A reflective moment as Kenton shares how his personal life, particularly fatherhood, reshapes his perspectives on adventure and the sacrifices it entails.
  • [00:47:28] – Hear about Kenton’s transformative experiences with local cultures and communities, enriching his journeys and broadening his world view.

Links & Resources:

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing our show on your favorite podcast platform. Share with friends and fellow enthusiasts who might enjoy diving into the world of all-things adventure! Your support helps us bring more inspiring and enlightening content. Thank you for joining us, and keep seeking your adventures!

Check out this episode!