Wild Chats with Ben Southall

Join Ben Southall and filmmaker and professional tinkerer Beau Miles for a very special milestone episode of Wild Chats... our 100th episode of the podcast!!! Beau returns for a wide-ranging conversation about how his idea of adventure has changed over the years. Once known for big endurance missions, backyard marathons and wonderfully odd experiments, Beau is now finding just as much meaning in fixing broken things, restoring an old mountain shack, picking up rubbish, planting trees and making something useful from what already exists. From DIY, fatherhood and creative burnout to YouTube, gear, rubbish runs, celebrating small wins and the strange satisfaction of knowing exactly how salty your sweat is, this is a conversation about finding adventure closer to home! Buy tickets to Beau's Secret Screenings: https://beaumiles.com/screenings/ Connect with Beau Miles: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeauMiles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beauisms/ Website: https://beaumiles.com/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Australian adventurer Oliver Foran joins Wild Chats for a fascinating conversation about what it takes to travel from sea level to the summit of Mount Everest! Ollie cycled 1,150 kilometres from the Bay of Bengal, trekked through the Himalayas and ultimately stood 8,848 metres above sea level on the summit of Everest, completing the journey in just 50 days. But getting there meant battling 40+ degree heat, brutal Himalayan roads, altitude sickness, an avalanche and days without proper sleep. He also breaks down the gear, preparation and mindset that kept him moving. Connect with Oli Foran: https://www.instagram.com/oliverforan 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall and elite ultra runner and physical therapist Rachel Entrekin for a fascinating conversation about endurance, resilience and what it takes to run over 400 kilometres... and beat every other runner in the field. Rachel made history as the first female athlete to win the Cocodona 250 outright, covering 250 miles (400 km) across Arizona and finishing ahead of the entire field. But her journey into ultra running didn’t begin with obvious talent. Rachel hated running growing up and only gradually discovered that the longer and harder the challenge became, the more she seemed to thrive. Rachel shares what really happens to the body and mind during multi-day races, from five-minute trailside naps and managing nutrition to the moments of doubt that arrive when you’ve already run 240 kilometres and still have 160 to go. From FKTs and alpine adventures to Cocodona, UTMB and the Snowman Race in Bhutan, this is a conversation about discovering just how far your body and mind might be capable of going. Connect with Rachel Entrekin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel__entrekin/ Blog: https://blondeidiotrunning.wordpress.com/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall and emergency physician, expedition doctor and mountain medicine expert Dr Hannah Lock for a fascinating conversation about altitude sickness, frostbite and how to stay safer in the mountains. Hannah explains what actually happens to your body as you climb higher, why even extremely fit people can suffer from altitude sickness and why preparation and a slow ascent are so important. She breaks down the warning signs of acute mountain sickness, HAPE and HACE, and discusses acclimatisation, hydration, Diamox and the usefulness (and limitations) of pulse oximeters at altitude. The conversation also heads into the cold, with Hannah explaining the difference between Raynaud's, frostnip and frostbite, what freezing temperatures actually do to your tissue and why early treatment matters. From building a practical expedition first aid kit to knowing when it's time to descend or turn around, this episode is packed with useful advice for hikers, trekkers and anyone planning to venture into high-altitude or cold environments. Connect with Hannah https://drhannahlock.co.uk/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall and world-renowned adventure photographer and director Krystle Wright for a fascinating conversation about creativity, resilience and what it takes to capture extraordinary moments in some of the world’s most extreme environments. Krystle shares her journey from digital and film photography to climbing, underwater shoots and storm chasing. She explains why she loves the problem-solving involved in trad climbing, what it is really like to film tornadoes, and how adventure sports have shaped her perspective both behind and beyond the camera. Connect with Krystle: Website: https://www.krystlewright.com Socials: https://www.instagram.com/krystlejwright/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall and bestselling author, journalist and endurance expert Alex Hutchinson for a fascinating conversation about curiosity, exploration and why stepping into the unknown might be one of the most important things we can do for our brains. Alex, author of The Explorer's Gene and Endure, explains why humans are naturally driven to explore, how modern technology is quietly removing uncertainty from our lives, and why getting a little lost could actually make us happier, more resilient and more creative. Connect with Alex: Website: https://www.alexhutchinson.net 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall and mountain guide, climber, backcountry skier and K7 Adventures co-owner Lewis Foster for a conversation about growing up in Australia's alpine country, finding purpose in the outdoors, and why wild places continue to shape who we are. Raised in Thredbo by ski-loving parents, Lewis spent his childhood exploring the Snowy Mountains long before he realised how special they were. From skiing and snowboarding to climbing, mountaineering, highlining and backcountry travel, he shares the adventures, mistakes and lessons that led him from mountain kid to outdoor guide and adventure business owner. Connect with K7 Adventures: https://www.k7adventures.com https://www.instagram.com/k7adventures Learn more about the Wild Winter Immersion: https://explore.k7adventures.com/wild-winter-immersion 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall and filmmaker, long-distance hiker and storyteller Bart Schrijver for a conversation about life on the trail, the freedom of walking, and how adventure can shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us. From hiking the 3,000-kilometre Te Araroa Trail across New Zealand to solo journeys through the remote landscapes of Norway, Bart shares how long-distance walking became a path to self-discovery, creativity and a completely different way of living. They explore the mental challenges of spending months on the trail, the surprising lessons that come from solitude, and why some of the most important adventures happen inside your own head. Bart also takes us behind the scenes of his award-winning films, including Human Nature and his latest release, The North, a cinematic journey through the Scottish Highlands. He shares what it's really like to create films in remote wilderness, carrying everything on foot, working with tiny crews, embracing unpredictable weather, and capturing authentic stories in some of the world's wildest places. Connect with Bart: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartschrijver1 Tuesday Studio: https://tuesdayfilm.com/ Watch Human Nature: https://tuesdayfilm.com/human-nature/ Watch The North: https://tuesdayfilm.com/the-north/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au

Join Ben Southall and adventurer Alastair Humphreys for a conversation about big expeditions, small adventures and why the outdoors doesn’t have to be far away, expensive or extreme to change your life. From cycling around the world and walking across deserts to the rise of microadventures, Al shares how curiosity, storytelling and paying attention to nature can help us reconnect with the world around us. Connect with Al: https://alastairhumphreys.com Buy his new book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Unwilded-Natural-Without-Noticing-Matters/dp/1785634836 Check out the beer can camera: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXrpldrDU3G/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Adventure and Micro-Adventures 05:04 The Journey Begins: From University to Adventure Travel 10:51 Cycling the Karakoram Highway: A First Big Adventure 16:10 The Evolution of Adventure Storytelling 21:53 Challenges in Adventure: Pushing Boundaries 28:07 The Future of Adventure and Storytelling 33:17 Final Thoughts and Resources for Adventure Seekers

Ben Southall sits down with Wild Earth’s own Danielle Lewis to unpack the wild, exhausting and addictive world of adventure racing. As Wild Earth’s retail area manager and an experienced adventure racer, Danny has taken on everything from 24-hour races to multi-day expedition events across Australia and New Zealand. In this episode, Dani shares what it's really like to race through remote terrain, navigate under pressure, paddle through freezing conditions, battle sleep deprivation, and keep moving when everything hurts. She also reflects on her recent race in New Zealand, where a brutal ocean paddle, rough surf and a frightening emergency moment pushed her team to their limits. 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Ben Southall sits down with explorer, survivalist and filmmaker Ed Stafford to unpack a life shaped by challenge, discomfort and deep self-discovery. Known as the first person to walk the length of the Amazon, Ed reflects on the two-and-a-half-year expedition that changed him, the brutal reality of life in the jungle, and the inner drive that pushed him into some of the world’s toughest environments. They also dive into Ed’s latest series, Rite of Passage , where he travels into remote communities around the world to understand the rituals that mark the journey from boyhood to adulthood. From bullet ant ceremonies in Brazil to the bigger questions of courage, community, masculinity and maturity, Ed shares why these experiences are about far more than pain or endurance. This conversation explores adventure, fatherhood, survival, mental health, rites of passage, and what the modern world may have lost by making life too comfortable. Find out more about Ed: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ed_stafford/ Website: https://edstafford.org/ Watch Rite of Passage on Amazon Prime & Foxtel 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Ben Southall sits down with legendary Australian mountaineer Tim Macartney-Snape to unpack one of the most iconic adventure stories of all time, his Sea to Summit ascent of Everest. Tim shares how a childhood in East Africa shaped his curiosity, self-sufficiency, and drive to explore, before taking us through the climbs, decisions, and philosophy that led him from the Bay of Bengal to the top of the world. They also dive into the origins of Sea to Summit, how Tim went from climber and expedition leader to co-founding one of the best-known gear brands in the outdoor world, and why innovation, problem solving, and doing hard things still matter. Find out more about Tim: https://www.timmacartneysnape.com/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

Join Ben Southall as he explores the fascinating world of underwater filmmaking, marine research, and conservation with Emmy-winning cinematographer Richard Fitzpatrick. Discover the stories behind the lens, cutting-edge technology, and the urgent need for protecting our oceans. 🦈 Follow Richard's adventures: https://biopixeloceans.org/ https://www.instagram.com/biopixeloceans/ https://www.instagram.com/richard_fitzpatrick_acs/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

In this episode of Wild Earth Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with Steve Jackson, founder of Trail Trips and Events and the race director behind legendary running events like the Wild Earth Coastal High 50. They talk about how trail races are built, what first-time ultra runners often get wrong, Steve’s journey from Hamilton Island to race directing, and where trail running in Australia is heading next. A great episode for runners, adventurers, and anyone curious about the people behind the start line. 🏃 Connect with Steve Jackson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trailtrips_and_events/ Website: https://www.trailtrips.com.au/events-2 Sunset Slice: https://events.humanitix.com/host/wild-earth-australia 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall chats with legendary explorer, biologist and packrafting pioneer Roman Dial about a lifetime spent chasing wild rivers, remote landscapes, and unforgettable journeys. From the early evolution of packrafting in Alaska to adventures on Tasmania’s Franklin River, Roman shares the stories, lessons, and hard-earned wisdom that come from decades in the field. He talks through what it takes to plan for true wilderness travel, how to adapt when conditions change, and why the best adventures are often shaped by uncertainty. Follow Roman's adventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialroman/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: www.bestlifeadventures.com Wild Earth Australia: www.wildearth.com.au

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with legendary Australian mountaineer Andrew Lock, the only Australian to have climbed all 14 of the world’s 8,000 metre peaks. Andrew takes us back to the moment it all began, a slideshow in the back room of a pub that lit the fuse, and the sharp left turn that followed. Within months he was learning to climb in the Blue Mountains. Within a couple of years he was testing himself on Denali. And not long after that, he was stepping into the Himalaya with a mindset that would shape the rest of his life, to earn the skills, respect the mountains, and keep coming back. Ben and Andrew unpack the realities behind big altitude dreams, including what it feels like to turn around short of the summit, why he learned he was a slower acclimater, and how experience changes the way you make decisions when the weather turns, the cold bites, and the margin for error disappears. 🏔️ Learn more about Andrew Guided trips: www.andrewlockadventures.com Speaking: www.andrew-lock.com 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: www.bestlifeadventures.com Wild Earth Australia: www.wildearth.com.au

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with Australian trail running star Lucy Bartholomew to explore what it really takes to stay in love with the sport while chasing big goals. Lucy shares the story behind her rise through the trail scene, the role her family has played in keeping her grounded, and why balance matters just as much as grit when you are training, travelling, and racing at the highest level. They unpack the emotional rollercoaster of UTMB, from unpredictable weather and course changes to the mental battle of the pain cave, plus what consistency looks like when life is busy and motivation comes and goes. Lucy also reflects on the magic of trail running community, the beauty of training in wild places, and what surprised her most about stepping into Ironman events. 🏃 Follow Lucy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_bartholomew 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures: www.bestlifeadventures.com Wild Earth Australia: www.wildearth.com.au Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lucy Bartholomew 02:58 Finding Balance in Life and Sport 09:05 The Role of Family in Athletic Development 11:56 Breaking into the Racing Scene 15:07 The Importance of Support and Opportunity 18:03 Training in Diverse Environments 21:07 The Power of Storytelling in Sports 23:52 Engaging with the Community and Inspiring Others 28:55 Navigating the Trail Running Journey 32:19 Understanding the Risks of Trail Running 35:05 The Evolution of a Trail Runner 39:04 Embracing the Pain Cave 41:29 The Role of Community in Trail Running 43:43 The Path to Chamonix and UTMB 46:07 Preparing for the UTMB Experience 53:20 Adapting to Race Conditions 54:48 Learning from Experience 55:28 The Importance of Basics 56:53 Overcoming Low Points 59:37 Highs of Racing 01:01:28 Mutual Respect in Competition 01:04:22 Exploring New Challenges 01:06:46 Community in Endurance Sports 01:08:09 The Joy of Finishing 01:10:49 Gear Preferences and Technology 01:12:12 Future Aspirations

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with award-winning travel writer and journalist Sophy Roberts to explore the kind of storytelling that begins with a “lump in the throat” and ends in places most people never think to look. Sophy unpacks the strange, irresistible ideas behind her books, from The Lost Pianos of Siberia to A Training School for Elephants, and why she is drawn to places with difficult reputations, not to romanticise them, but to find the human counter-narrative inside them. They talk about “xenophilia” (a love of the stranger), the hunt for the un-Google-able, and the real fieldwork behind great travel writing: moving slowly, earning trust, taking handwritten notes, working with the right interpreter, and letting the story decide where you sleep next. Listen if you love big landscapes, sharp ideas, and travel that is less about consumption and more about feeling your way back to the world. 🌍 Follow Sophy’s work Website: https://sophieroberts.com/ Podcast: https://gonetotimbuck2.com/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from: Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

In this conversation, Rolf Potts discusses the philosophy of minimalistic travel, emphasising the importance of traveling light and giving oneself permission to explore the world at any age. He shares insights on the evolution of travel storytelling, the value of experiences over material possessions, and the significance of intergenerational travel. Rolf also reflects on his journey as a travel writer, the impact of digital technology on storytelling, and the essential gear for modern travelers. Throughout the discussion, he highlights the joy of spontaneity and the richness of cultural interactions that come from embracing local culture. Listen now: Spotify, Apple, and more: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2018168/episodes/18467496 🌍 Follow Rolf's work: Website: https://rolfpotts.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rolfpotts/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from: Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/

In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with world walker Tom Turcich to unpack what it really takes to walk around the planet. After the sudden loss of a close friend as a teenager, Tom made a decision that would reshape his entire life: step out his front door and keep walking. Over seven years, Tom covered roughly 46,000 km across six continents and 38 countries, with an unexpected sidekick joining along the way, his rescue dog Savannah. Together they moved through deserts, mountains, megacities, border crossings, illness, loneliness, and the long, quiet stretches where the mind gets loud. Tom shares the moments that nearly ended the journey, the strangers who restored his faith in people, and why walking changes your relationship with fear, time, and home. The conversation also dives into the mindset of ultra-long adventures, the daily logistics no one talks about, and the lessons Tom carried back into normal life after doing something almost nobody has done. Listen now: Spotify, Apple, and more: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2018168/episodes/18409789 🌍 Follow Tom’s work Website: https://www.tomturcich.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldwalk/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWorldWalk 📘 Tom’s book: The World Walk https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/9781510779013/the-world-walk/ 🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from: Best Life Adventures: https://bestlifeadventures.com/ Wild Earth Australia: https://www.wildearth.com.au/