Episode 37 – 8 decades of Adventuring with Purpose. Of fear and courage with John Blashford-Snell

Episode 37 – 8 decades of Adventuring with Purpose. Of fear and courage with John Blashford-Snell

In this episode, we explore the extraordinary life and adventures of John Blashford Snell, a true adventurer with over 90 years of experience, who has pioneered projects from expeditions on the Blue Nile to environmental innovations in plastic waste. Gain insight into the core principles of adventure and leadership, including team selection, choosing remote and meaningful areas, safety considerations, and maintaining affordability. John shares stories from his encounters with wild animals, interactions with global leaders like Haile Selassie, and lessons learned about courage and fear. Discover how his military experience evolved into inspiring young generations through Operation Drake, Rally International, and ongoing expeditions for environmental and social impact. Learn about practical tools like splash maps that aid exploration, and how to develop a mindset focused on adventure with purpose. Find inspiration in John’s five adventure habits: thoughtful team selection, choosing interesting areas, engaging meaningful tasks, prioritizing safety, and managing costs. Upcoming events: the 50th anniversary celebration of Operation Drake and Rally, and opportunities to meet John at the Armchair Adventure Festival 2026. Final takeaway: adventure is about exploration with a purpose—shaping resilient, compassionate individuals and contributing positively to the planet. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introducing John Blashford Snell and his adventuring legacy 00:36 - Early influences: family and scouting in New Zealand 01:21 - How adventuring became a career: military service and expeditions 02:22 - The transition from military expeditions to inspiring youth initiatives 03:14 - Stories of adventurous school runs by horseback in New Zealand 04:05 - John's military career and adventures in active service 05:26 - Leading overseas expeditions and inspiring future leaders 06:49 - From military expeditions to global environmental projects 07:29 - Operation Drake and Rally: empowering young explorers around the world 08:14 - The scale and impact of Operation Rally and its continuation 09:44 - Developing leadership and environmental awareness through expeditions 11:29 - Reflecting on John's legacy and his books—'Upmost East to Upmost West' 12:27 - Upcoming appearances and the Armchair Adventure Festival 14:21 - Recent projects in Costa Rica involving recycled plastic for environmental conservation 15:39 - Continuing adventures and upcoming expeditions 16:01 - Opportunities to join and support explorations through the Scientific Exploration Society 17:07 - Funding and grants for expeditions and the importance of exploration with purpose 18:16 - The Ecological focus of John’s expeditions and community involvement 19:16 - The importance of team selection, area choice, and adventure safety 20:22 - Handling the costs of expeditions and sponsorship considerations 21:00 - Recruitment: testing and selecting team members with adventurous qualities 23:00 - Developing courage through controlled exposure to fear and wild animals 24:51 - Fascinating animal encounters: snakes, gorillas, and lions 27:32 - The role of fear and courage in adventure – working with challenging situations 29:23 - Memorable stories from Ethiopia and interactions with royalty and wild animals 30:56 - Coming to the Armchair Adventure Festival and encouraging participation 31:39 - Summary of John’s five core adventure habits 32:00 - Using splash maps for exploration and environmental surveys 33:14 - John’s ongoing conservation work and how products like maps assist exploration 33:32 - Final farewell and encouragement for adventurers with purpose

Episode 36 - Nicky Chisholm

In this episode of Adventure Habits, David Overton sits down with open water swimmer, community leader, and ocean advocate Nicky Chisholm, better known as Pink Nicky. As the organiser of Brighton's Big Swim and a passionate campaigner for cleaner seas, Nicky shares how open water swimming has shaped her life, built powerful communities, and inspired thousands of people to embrace adventure while protecting the natural world. Together, they discuss cold water swimming, ocean safety, mental resilience, environmental activism, Surfers Against Sewage, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone. Nicky also reveals her five personal adventure habits- from building the right adventure community to developing the mindset needed to overcome challenges in some of the world's most extreme environments. Whether you're an experienced swimmer, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply looking for inspiration to start your own adventure, this conversation is packed with practical advice, unforgettable stories, and a genuine passion for the water and the wild places that connect us all. Nicky’s essential Links! Prefer your water without turd? Sign Surfers Against Sewage Petition   https://www.sas.org.uk/water-quality/our-water-quality-campaigns/dirty-business-petition/ [https://www.sas.org.uk/water-quality/our-water-quality-campaigns/dirty-business-petition/] Educate yourself on the scandal of our Water Industry, Watch Dirty Business Channel 4  [https://www.channel4.com/programmes/dirty-business?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19633109208&gbraid=0AAAAACqZr-BLwMsPjQPezWtGY7UYH00ji&gclid=CjwKCAjwu53SBhAhEiwAJzSLNjVbsddE3r1lhT4RL3idFX-cA1aErj8znr_nAdGkhkvTdDuuSf2mCBoCUAkQAvD_BwE] The Big Swim Impact Report  [https://pinknicky.com/tbs-2026-impact-report-2026] The Big Swim Collective  [https://pinknicky.com/the-big-swim-stories]

Episode 35 - Jonathan Thomas

Walking Through History: Jonathan Thomas's Journey to Hadrian’s Wall and Beyond In this episode, Jonathan Thomas shares his decade-long fascination with British history and his upcoming adventure walking the legendary Hadrian’s Wall. Discover how meticulous planning, training, and a genuine interest in history can turn a dream into a transformative experience and how preparation and mindset are key to every adventure. Key insights: ✔ The origin story of Angletopia and its role in connecting Americans with British culture ✔ Why long-distance walks like Hadrian’s Wall draw enthusiasts and how they prepare physically and mentally ✔ The importance of choosing engaging, meaningful projects to stay motivated ✔ Practical tips for adventure preparation, including mapping, gear, and footwear ✔ The positive health impacts of long-distance training and walking ✔ The role of accountability, social pressure, and non-negotiables in sticking with goals How history, landscape, and personal interest fuel the passion for adventure Insights into UK trail infrastructure and how American adventurers can navigate and plan their journeys The significance of proper gear, especially footwear, and the value of detailed mapping Jonathan’s links * Anglotopia [https://anglotopia.memberful.com/] * Anglotopia Podcast [https://podcast.anglotopia.net/] * Ordnance Survey SplashMaps [https://www.splash-maps.com]  * Hadrian’s Wall + SplashMaps’ NEW Challenge Series of Long Distance Trails  [https://www.splash-maps.com/product-category/destinations/?jsf=epro-archive-products&_s=Long%20Distance%20SplashMaps]

Episode 34 - Stave Chilton

In this episode of Adventure Habits, David Overton from Splash Maps sits down with renowned fell running author, coach, and historian Steve Chilton for a deep and inspiring conversation about endurance, resilience, adventure, and the spirit of the hills. From the origins of fell running in Northern England to legendary challenges such as the Bob Graham Round, the Three Peaks Race, and the Cuillin Ridge, Steve shares decades of experience exploring some of the toughest and most iconic landscapes in the UK. Together, they discuss:  * What makes fell running unique  * The culture and history behind the sport  * The importance of navigation, self-reliance, and community  * Stories from legendary runners and mountain athletes  * The evolution of women’s participation in endurance sports  * Adventure habits that apply far beyond running Steve also reflects on his journey as an author, researcher, and coach revealing the lessons learned through success, failure, ambition, and stepping outside of comfort zones. Whether you’re a runner, outdoor enthusiast, adventurer, or simply someone looking for motivation to pursue your own challenges, this conversation offers valuable insights and unforgettable stories from a lifetime spent exploring the hills. Resources & Links * Article in Cumbria magazine [https://itsahill.wordpress.com/] * Lake District Map- Bob Graham Round [https://www.splash-maps.com/shop/lake-district-bob-graham-round/] * 3 Peaks Yorkshire Dales OS Map [https://www.splash-maps.com/shop/3-peaks-yorkshire-dales-os-map/]

Episode 33 - Nick Goldsmith

In this episode, David Overton sits down with Nick Goldsmith former Royal Marine, author of Rewild Your Mind, founder of the Woodland Warrior programme, and a man whose journey has taken him from military operations and trauma to helping others rebuild resilience and purpose. Nick shares his path into the Royal Marines, his experiences in Afghanistan, the realities of living with PTSD, and how reconnecting with nature became a powerful tool for recovery and personal growth. The conversation explores leadership, resilience, adventure, mental health, and Nick’s five key “Adventure Habits” that can help anyone bring more purpose and challenge into everyday life. Resources & Links: * Hidden Valley Bushcraft [https://www.hiddenvalleybushcraft.co.uk/] * Woodland Warrior Programme [https://bluelightcardfoundation.org/woodland-warrior/] * Nick demonstrates essential navigation skills [https://youtu.be/cLgNN7y9xwI?si=xqsh6qfJAIoiBJAI] * Chew Valley & Mendips SplashMap [https://www.splash-maps.com/shop/map-maker/?centre=51.36620760795351,-2.6113128662109375&title=Chew%20Valley&scale=25k&style=OS&splashmap_product=SplashMap&searchtext=Chew%20Valley]