The Adventure Habits Podcast

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.

Episode 32 - Lee Plank, Longest Prison Break Run from Dartmoor

In this episode, we explore the extraordinary world of ultra running, featuring Lee Plank, who has run the furthest in the Dartmoor prison break challenge. Discover tactical insights, inspiring habits, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the top ultra marathoners. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just curious about pushing limits, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to elevate your adventure game. 00:00 - Introduction to Dartmoor Prison Break ultramarathon and episode overview 00:35 - Explaining the race concept: running from inside the prison walls and geography challenges 02:05 - Lee Plank's record-breaking 102 miles in 24 hours and route planning strategies 03:45 - Inside the prison setup and race dynamics, including the theme and logistics 04:50 - Strategies for route selection, terrain analysis, and staying on track 06:15 - Training the gut with real food like rice pudding and varied fueling methods 07:45 - Control what you can: gear testing, weather considerations, and kit preparation 09:10 - The importance of maps and navigation skills in ultra races 10:15 - Memorable moments on the route: support from strangers and overcoming low points 11:50 - Inspiration from top ultra athletes and reading adventure books 13:10 - Doing something that scares you, like upcoming 10k or new adventures 14:25 - Treats and rewards as motivation, with examples like McDonald's and milkshakes 15:50 - The importance of continuous mental and physical preparation and coaching 17:15 - Final thoughts: pushing limits, embracing the adventure, and race sign-up info

Episode 031 - Dermot Cosgrove

Joining the French Foreign Legion and Embracing Adventure: Dermot Cosgrove’s Journey & Habits In this episode, Dermot Cosgrove shares his extraordinary adventures—from joining the French Foreign Legion to walking across Iceland—highlighting the mindset and habits that keep him pushing boundaries. Discover how his experiences shape his approach to preparation, purpose, and resilience in challenging environments. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introducing Dermot Cosgrove: from Iceland to the French Foreign Legion 02:23 - Dermot’s military background and fascination with maps 04:45 - The impact of Dermot’s family and childhood outdoors enthusiasm 07:18 - Dealing with trauma and finding purpose through adventure 09:05 - Inspiration from Rob Steiner and joining the French Foreign Legion 11:14 - Understanding the spectrum of motivations among legionnaires 12:56 - Dermot’s regiment choices and role in the Legion 15:22 - Experiences in Djibouti, Somalia, and challenges of remote environments 18:39 - Transition from military skills to security work and mapping projects 20:36 - Dermot’s travel research and planning insights 23:49 - The deeper “why”: testing limits and managing ego 26:27 - The importance of having a clear purpose during adversity 28:37 - Training, gear familiarity, and self-rescue techniques 31:58 - Building habits: from physical training to route research 37:43 - The significance of proper kit and understanding environmental quirks 41:14 - The value of embracing failure as part of growth and adventure 43:27 - Launching Iceland map for adventure explorers 44:50 - Dermot’s commitment to charity and outdoor community

Episode 030 - Nick Taliadoros, Recapping Season 1

Join David and Nick as they reflect on the incredible stories and lessons from nearly 30 episodes of Adventure Habits. From rowing across oceans to mental resilience, discover the habits and mindsets that turn extreme adventures into life hacks. Timestamps: 00:00 - Season overview and diverse guest stories 00:40 - The importance of having a "why" that fuels challenge 02:40 - Dawn Smith’s Atlantic rowing record and her positive outlook 04:07 - The reality of adventure and perseverance in extreme environments 05:05 - Capturing irreplaceable moments and the value of authenticity 06:12 - Life lessons from extreme expeditions and hardships 07:40 - The significance of maps, navigation, and mental clarity in adventure 09:17 - Diverse adventurers including military responders and youth mentors 10:43 - Personal habits: routine in pursuit of consistency and growth 13:39 - The necessity of breaking routine for adventure and excitement 15:42 - The importance of a meaningful "why" beyond superficial goals 16:41 - Embracing neurodiversity and mental health challenges as strengths 20:06 - How goals and "why" evolve through the journey 24:59 - Living fully in the moment and celebrating the present 25:29 - The value of mindfulness during high-stakes experiences 28:37 - The significance of being present in performance and everyday life

Episode 029 - Dawn Smith: Conquering the Wave

Discover the extraordinary journey of Dawn Smith, a seasoned ocean rower who has traveled over 22,000 miles across the Atlantic, Pacific, and beyond. In this episode, she shares insights on resilience, meticulous preparation, and the importance of knowing your "why" in undertaking life's biggest challenges. Key Topics * Dawn's extensive background in maritime life, including police marine patrol and yacht master qualifications * How she transitioned from a maritime professional to Olympic-level ocean rower * The mental and physical challenges of solo versus team ocean rowing * Strategies for breaking down massive obstacles into manageable chunks * The importance of knowing your "why" and obsessively preparing for the journey * Building the right team and support network for solo or team ventures * Navigating unpredictable conditions like icebergs, fog, and rough seas * How adventure can inspire all ages, emphasizing continuous growth and resilience * The role of charity and mental health awareness in her missions Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Dawn Smith and her incredible ocean rowing feats 00:30 - Dawn's maritime background & transition to ocean rowing 01:42 - The maritime experience that prepared her for ocean adventures 02:18 - Dawn's police marine patrol tenure and its influence on her endurance 03:10 - The ocean boat-building industry in Burnham-on-Crouch 04:32 - Variations in ocean crossings & the toughest routes 05:20 - Dawn's record-breaking rowing accomplishments 06:14 - Upcoming Atlantic crossing from Canada to UK; weather challenges 07:43 - The toughest conditions: solo rowing and weather impacts 09:23 - Maintaining resilience when facing adversity at sea 10:51 - Building a support team & training others in maritime safety 12:04 - The purpose behind her voyages: charity work & mental health awareness 13:47 - Overcoming near capsizes and dangerous encounters 15:25 - The importance of preparation & the legend of Ben Fogle’s Atlantic crossing 16:53 - Handling emergency situations and unpredictable weather 18:30 - Dawn’s top adventure habits: knowing your "why", obsessive preparation, and breaking challenges down 21:15 - The significance of focusing on small, achievable goals during daunting endeavors 24:49 - Managing nutrition and calorie intake during long ocean crossings 26:23 - Learning from other adventurers’ experiences & mental toughness 28:42 - Building the right team and community support for solo ventures 33:01 - Continuing adventure at any age & inspiring others 36:41 - Dawn’s upcoming challenge and the impact of her work on mental health and veterans Resources & Links * Dawn Smith’s website [http://rowerora.co.uk/] for more information and donations * Phoenix Heroes [https://phoenixheroes.org.uk/]: Supporting veterans with mental health initiatives * Rannoch Adventure – boat builders in Burnham-on-Crouch