Episode 55: From Conservation to Kilimanjaro – A Life of Meaningful Struggle with Tom Hicks


What does it really mean to suffer with purpose? In this episode of On Adventure, I sit down with conservationist and ultra-endurance athlete Tom Hicks – a man whose journey is as layered as the landscapes he climbs. From leading anti-poaching efforts across Africa and Asia with the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation to tackling brutal challenges like Ironman races and high-altitude expeditions, Tom’s life is defined by intentional hardship, deep introspection, and relentless forward motion.

We dive into the heart of resilience, why discomfort can be transformative, and how a former rugby coach found meaning in the mountains. Tom also shares his connection with previous On Adventure guest Holly Budge and his plans to lead a new team to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Whether you’re an aspiring adventurer, a mindset junkie, or someone wrestling with self-doubt, this episode delivers a powerful reminder: growth is never linear, and purpose is often found in the pain.

Episode Highlights:

[3:00] – Fighting global wildlife crime: Tom’s work with the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
[8:00] – The brutal truth about poaching, organized crime, and the risks of field conservation
[12:00] – From being told he’d never succeed to becoming a conservation leader
[18:00] – Mentoring the next generation: the importance of presence and vulnerability
[24:00] – The “circuit breaker” mindset tool to quiet negative inner voices
[29:00] – What drives us to endure suffering in pursuit of meaning
[38:00] – A life-or-death lesson on Lenin Peak – and why good decision-making matters
[45:00] – Remembering Dixie Dansercoer and how it reshaped Tom’s risk tolerance
[54:00] – Emotional regulation in chaos: the power of calm leadership
[59:00] – Balancing ambition, burnout, and building a team for Kilimanjaro

Links & Resources:

Connect with Tom:
Have questions about conservation, endurance training, or joining the upcoming Kilimanjaro team? Reach out to Tom directly on LinkedIn or Instagram – he’s always happy to connect with fellow adventurers and curious minds.

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Episode 54: Suffer in Comfort and Other Lessons from Elite Mountain Guide Brian Warren


In this episode of the On Adventure Podcast, I sit down with Brian Warren—an elite mountain guide whose life has been defined by risk, reinvention, and a deep connection to the mountains. From thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail just days after high school to guiding in the Tetons, Himalaya, and beyond, Brian’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and embracing the unknown.

We explore how Brian transitioned from living out of a backpack to leading high-stakes expeditions around the globe—and eventually, to navigating a whole new adventure: fatherhood and a career pivot into financial services. This conversation dives deep into themes of identity, confidence vs. competence, imposter syndrome, and the unique lessons that come from suffering in comfort. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to reinvent yourself while carrying forward everything hard-earned from past chapters, this episode is for you.

Timeline of Highlights

  • [2:22] – Launching into adventure: Brian’s decision to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail at 18.

  • [10:45] – Discovering leadership on the trail and earning the nickname “Merlin.”

  • [18:20] – Transitioning from Knowles courses to guiding in Jackson Hole and the Tetons.

  • [27:05] – Learning to ski on “toy skis” and the path to heli-ski guiding.

  • [37:50] – Companionship as the secret ingredient to adventure: why relationships matter in the mountains.

  • [44:00] – “Suffer in comfort”: Brian’s mantra for staying calm in high-stakes situations.

  • [1:04:15] – Stories from the edge: avalanches, crevasse falls, and helicopter crashes.

  • [1:10:30] – Reinventing life beyond the mountains: from guiding to financial planning.

Links & Resources

Closing

If this episode inspired you, please rate, review, and share the podcast. You can also find our new YouTube page!  It’s the best way to help more adventurers like you find these conversations. And don’t forget to follow so you don’t miss the next episode.

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Episode 38: From the Wilderness to the Operating Room with Dr. Tommy Gavigan


In this episode of the On Adventure Podcast, I catch up with an old friend and fraternity brother, Dr. Tommy Gavigan. From our days at the University of North Carolina to his current life as a practicing surgeon in Charlotte, Tommy’s journey has been anything but conventional. After college, Tommy spent nearly a decade guiding teenagers into remote wilderness areas with Moondance Adventures—experiences that shaped not only his leadership but also his path into medicine.

We explore the connection between pushing past your comfort zone in the backcountry and managing high-stakes scenarios in the operating room. Tommy shares incredible stories of adventure, personal growth, and how these experiences molded his outlook on life. Now in his “Adventure 3.0,” he reflects on fatherhood, future aspirations, and why challenging yourself—physically, mentally, and emotionally—is key to living fully.

This episode is a deep dive into why we seek hard things, what we gain on the other side, and how adventure can prepare us for life’s biggest moments.

Episode Highlights

  • [1:10] – Introduction: Reconnecting with Tommy and his unique journey post-UNC.
  • [4:45] – The Moondance Adventures: From green teenagers to life-changing moments in the wilderness.
  • [12:30] – Real backcountry challenges: Lightning storms, hypothermia, and a rare grizzly bear encounter.
  • [18:00] – Service through adventure: Teaching kids leadership, grit, and resilience.
  • [31:30] – From outdoor leader to surgeon: Tommy’s leap into medicine and his pivotal “letter to the future self.”
  • [39:20] – Adventure 3.0: Parenthood, teaching his son the outdoors, and future dreams.
  • [42:15] – Managing high-stakes stress: Lessons from the wilderness to the operating room.
  • [45:30] – What’s next? Personal peaks, challenges, and expanding the comfort zone.

Links & Resources

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Episode 34: The 5 Elements of Adventure with Matt Walker


In this special episode, I’m excited to bring you an insightful webinar with adventure coach and psychologist Matt Walker. Known for his unique blend of mountain climbing experience and psychological expertise, Matt shares how the concept of adventure can shape not only extreme expeditions but also our everyday lives. In this session, he takes us through his recent solo climb of Manaslu, one of the highest peaks in the world, and how it taught him the importance of living adventurously. Learn about the five essential elements of adventure and how you can apply them to your own life, whether you’re scaling mountains or navigating day-to-day challenges. This is an inspiring episode that will push you to think deeply about your own adventures—big or small!

Tune in to hear Matt’s captivating stories and insights on high endeavor, uncertainty, total commitment, tolerance for adversity, and the power of companionship.

Episode Highlights:
[2:00] – Introducing Matt Walker: From psychologist to extreme adventure guide
[4:10] – What is adventure? Challenging conventional definitions
[11:00] – Matt’s solo climb on Manaslu: confronting extreme conditions and overcoming obstacles
[15:30] – The Five Elements of Adventure: High endeavor, uncertain outcome, total commitment, tolerance for adversity, and great companionship
[21:00] – How Matt integrates his family into his adventurous life
[27:45] – Climbing in extreme altitudes: life in the death zone
[33:00] – The importance of staying present and focused during difficult journeys
[40:00] – Why adventure isn’t just for mountaintops: Applying the elements of adventure to daily life
[45:00] – Listener Q&A: Overcoming psychological barriers to adventure

Links & Resources:

Closing Remarks:
If you enjoyed this conversation with Matt Walker and learned something new about how to bring more adventure into your life, don’t forget to rate, follow, and share this podcast with friends! And if you’re ready to embark on your own adventure, start by subscribing to our newsletter for more tips and resources. Until next time, keep pursuing your great adventure!

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Episode 32: Epic Adventures and Life Lessons with Skip Schweiss


In this episode of the On Adventure podcast, I sit down with Skip Schweiss, a seasoned executive in the financial services industry and a passionate adventurer. Known for his years of leadership at TD Ameritrade, Skip has seamlessly woven his professional life with a personal quest to push physical and mental boundaries in the great outdoors. We dive into Skip’s career journey, from his work in advisor advocacy to how he’s now dedicating more time to his love of the wilderness.

But Skip isn’t just about hiking the occasional trail—he organizes an annual group hike called “Excellent Adventures,” attracting dozens of people to tackle challenging hikes across some of the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S. From the majestic peaks of Colorado’s 14ers to this year’s adventure in Telluride, Skip shares his motivation for doing hard things, the camaraderie that comes from shared suffering, and why he believes that testing our limits makes us better.

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or someone looking for inspiration to push past your comfort zone, Skip’s stories will encourage you to set bigger goals, embrace the challenge, and find joy in the journey.

Episode Highlights:

[2:42] – Skip’s journey in the financial industry, his role at TD Ameritrade, and how his love for adventure began.

[7:00] – How the Rockies ignited Skip’s passion for hiking, leading him to complete all 54 of Colorado’s 14ers.

[12:15] – The origin of Skip’s “Excellent Adventures” group hikes, which have now grown to include 70 people, and the importance of camaraderie in adventure.

[29:00] – Handling adversity on the trail: The lessons Skip has learned about staying calm when things go wrong, and how to apply that mindset to life.

[40:30] – A recap of the most recent “Excellent Adventure” in Telluride, where Skip led a group on a brutal 26-mile hike with 8,000 feet of elevation gain.

[52:00] – What’s next for Skip and the group? A sneak peek into next year’s adventure to Zion National Park and some of the epic hikes planned.

Links & Resources:

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