Welcome to series 2 of Adventure Habits Pod Cast Interviews! Updated every 2 weeks you’ll find inspiring stories from life-long Adventurers. Top-up your inspiration and develop the 5 hard-learned Adventure Habits that come FREE with each episode.
Not enough for you? There’s an adventurer for everyone in our Archive right HERE.
In this episode, Nick Goldsmith shares his remarkable journey from military service to personal growth and resilience. Discover insights on leadership, overcoming trauma, and embracing adventure as a path to healing and self-discovery.
Military, Resilience, Personal Growth, Adventure, PTSD, Leadership, Bushcraft, Transition, Mental Health, Self-Help
Starting from inside the walls of Dartmoor Prison – one of the UK’s most remote institutions – Lee followed a carefully planned route, evading wardens to make good on an escape that would break records.
The Dartmoor Prison Break Challenge goes beyond the normal arduous world of ultra events. SplashMaps is a proud sponsor as it’s the one ultra that favours the well planned map user. Just like the WW2 PoW escapees that inspired SplashMaps’ creation, Lee Plank’s, was an enormous feat – he has run the furthest from incarceration 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/ hiker 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
In this Special episode, Not only does Dermot Cosgrove share his extraordinary adventures—from joining the French Foreign Legion to walking across Iceland—BUT he honours us in launching a brand new SplashMap, Iceland! On the way he highlights the mindset and habits that keep him pushing boundaries, all inspiring YOU to Adventure more frequently and imrpove your life. Discover how his experiences shape his approach to preparation, purpose, and resilience in challenging environments.
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
At the end of an electric season, David and Nick (Adventure Habits would not be produced without him!) choose their best bits. We’ve met 29 extraordinary adventurers, with record breakers and people overcoming (almost) insurmountable odds. We’ve dealt with mental health, trauma, rescues, record breaking, near death experiences and hellish hikes with teenagers. When put on the spot, what were the best points and the strongest advice from this eclectic mix of adventurers. What can these guys’ adversity contribute to your life? Is your ‘why’ what you really think it is? Our pundits discuss adventure, the intensity of life and entrepreneurialism with a good dose of Rock and Roll. Enjoy! See you next season.
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