That's a wrap on Season Two! Thank you to you ALL for your support in this little passion project I love so much! Sarah x

That's a Wrap on Season Two! 

Liz Woodgate, Larapinta Trail 460KM FKT

Episode 59! Today's conversation is with a truly remarkable athlete and adventurer, Liz Woodgate. While Liz's athletic and adventure background is extensive, the focus of this conversation is around her setting the huge Larapinta Trail end-to-end-to-end Fastest Known Time in July this year, covering an incredible 460KM on the brutal Larapinta trail, in 5 days, 22hours, 43minutes and 10 seconds. <a href="https://fastestknowntime.com/fkt/elizabeth-woodgate-larapinta-trail-2024-07-23" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">You can see her FKT on the Fastest Known Website here.</a> We cover off a range of aspects of her amazing endurance accomplishment including, but not limited to(!):<ul><li>Liz's journey into endurance sports and trail running, from her beginnings in IRONMAN in the '80s to now, multiple time <a href="https://westmacsmonster.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">West Macs Monster</a> champion. In the intro I mention Liz racing 13 UTA 100s, and with that, I should say, the race now known as UTA 100 - given Liz raced the inaugural and subsequent North Face 100s long before it became Ultra Trail Australia.</li><li>Liz's relationship with the Larapinta Trail over the years, including winning the 230KM West Macs Monster and acting as Race Director last year while rehabbing a MTB injury</li><li>Training for and fuelling this FKT</li><li>Highs and lows across the FKT</li><li>Liz's support crew along the way, comprised primarily of her husband, Rhett plus the support of local runners including the Alice Springs "Dirt Divas"</li><li>Recovery, including multi-day hiking the <a href="https://nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/nitmiluk-national-park/nitmiluk-national-park-jatbula-trail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jatbula Trail </a>and sweeping for <a href="https://runlarapinta.rapidascent.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Run Larapinta</a> stage race not long after her finish!</li><li>Longevity in endurance sport, achieving these incredible endurance feats at 60, and sucking people into Liz's "vortex" !</li></ul> You can find Liz's run on her <a href="https://www.strava.com/athletes/1483895" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Strava feed</a>, and also find Liz on Instagram <a href="www.instagram.com/liz.woodgate" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@liz.woodgate</a> Thanks as always to the podcast Patreon supporters - you're amazing! You can help keep the podcast lights on and join the community here: <a href="https://open.acast.com/www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast</a> Or, if you've enjoyed this episode, I'd love if you'd <a href="https://ko-fi.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">consider buying me a virtual coffee, </a>to help me create the next podcast episode!! Season 2 intro vocals and music created and performed thanks to the very kind gift of Allie Geddes, Episode 28.

Liz Woodgate, on setting the Larapinta Trail 460KM end-to-end-to-end Fastest Known Time in sub 6 days, at 60 

Kerry-Lee Gockel, The Wingless Warrior 

Episode 58! Today's conversation is with the incredibly motivated, inspiring and humorous, Brisbane based endurance open water swimmer, born without arms, Kerry-Lee Gockel. We cover a whole raft of topics based around Kerry-Lee's journey into swimming and in the past five years or so, long-distance ocean swimming events, including:<ul><li>Kerry-Lee's birth story; being born - unexpectedly - without arms; and the sanctuary and support her family have provided over the years</li><li>Kerry-Lee's journey from self-proclaimed "the least sporty child" to a highly accomplished swimmer as an adult - initially as a competitor in the pool, before entering her first open water swim in 2004</li><li>The logistics and ins and outs of taking on mammoth 10KM++ ocean swims including training; fuelling and teamwork, "getting into cruising altitude", along with adaptations Kerry-Lee makes as a "wingless warrior" in ocean swells</li><li>Kerry-Lee's experience of the <a href="https://www.islandcharityswim.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Island Charity Swim</a> from Mudjimba to Moolooolaba on the Sunshine Coast and the connections she and her team have fostered with the Sunshine Coast Special Schools as a result.</li><li>Kerry-Lee's very positive experience of community through open water swimming and how anyone curious about open water swimming can give it a try</li><li>Holidaying with her husband Paul (also a swimmer and former Australian Paralympian) "<a href="https://www.oceanswimsafaris.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ocean Swim Safaris</a>" across the world</li><li>Kerry-Lee's goals and vision for the future, increasing mileage even further!</li></ul> We recorded this prior to Kerry-Lee taking on the <a href="https://swimaroundkeppel.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Swim Around Keppel</a> - a 20KM swim, as a team (and in future plans, solo!) Be sure to say hi to Kerry-Lee on Instagram <a href="www.instagram.com/thewinglesswarrior" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@thewinglesswarrior</a> Thanks as always to the podcast Patreon supporters - you're amazing! You can help keep the podcast lights on and join the community here: <a href="https://open.acast.com/www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast</a> Or, if you've enjoyed this episode, I'd love if you'd <a href="https://ko-fi.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">consider buying me a virtual coffee, </a>to help me create the next podcast episode!!

Kerry-Lee Gockel, "The Wingless Warrior" - on being "not armed... but still dangerous" and thriving in long-distance open water swimming 

Lottie Dodd

Episode 57! Today's conversation is with UK based adventurer Lottie Dodd. Currently based in the Wirrall, Lottie gives us a glimpse into life, career changes and travel - and in particular, shares with us stories of her HUGE first year of bikepacking while on a career break from her role as Senior Lecturer of Law at the University of Law in Manchester, including:<ul><li>Her journey into bikepacking over the past year&nbsp;</li><li>Conversation around the bikepacking trips she’s undertaken including her first mission on the Hebridean Way, Scotland. And during a career break - Tour Aotearoa, New Zealand. The East Coast Greenway, USA. Lotties shares with us highlights; challenges, and the contrasting nature of the different trips</li><li>Using "<a href="https://www.warmshowers.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Warm Showers</a>" as a means of accommodation while bikepacking in the USA</li><li>Plans for her upcoming trip in South Korea and Japan</li><li>How Lottie prepares (or doesn’t prepare!) for these multi day missions, and learnings from her first year and thousands of miles</li><li>How Lottie’s intuition and trust guides many of her choices, including when it comes to adventure&nbsp;</li></ul> If you want to check out posts Lottie has shared along the way on these adventures, you can find her on Instagram<a href="www.instagram.com/onyourbikelottie" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> @onyourbikelottie</a> Thanks as always to the podcast Patreon supporters - you're amazing! You can help keep the podcast lights on and join the community here: <a href="https://open.acast.com/www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast</a> Or, if you've enjoyed this episode, I'd love if you'd <a href="https://ko-fi.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">consider buying me a virtual coffee, </a>to help me create the next podcast episode!!

Lottie Dodd, on intuition, and a huge first year of bikepacking in Scotland, NZ, USA, South Korea & Japan

Lisa Blair, World Record Solo Sailor

Welcome to the third and final part of our Into the Wee hours Podcast x Gusty Girls Adventure Film Tour mini-series! A huge thanks to our first ever podcast sponsor – the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour!I've been thrilled to be partnering with Gutsy Girls, a celebration of adventurous women around the world and in Australia. If you haven't already purchased your tickets, head to <a href="www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au</a> - and if you've missed a screening or these aren't accessible to you, don't forget you can access past films via <a href="https://www.adventurereelstv.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adventure Reels TV.</a> Episode 56! My guest is none other than Lisa Blair, a remarkable world record-holding Aussie sailor. As you'll hear, Lisa has faced incredible challenges and achieved extraordinary feats on the open seas. Amongst this great conversation, we cover topics including:<ul><li>Lisa's background and journey to becoming a world record-holding sailor.</li><li>The realities of the behind the scenes fundraising hustle and planning for big campaigns </li><li>The most challenging moments of her career so far including facing the possibility of death on her first attempt to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica in 2017</li><li>How Lisa prepares mentally for her missions and the risk assessment involved </li><li>Her boat Climate Action Now, and the science and data capture projects Lisa has taken part in so far while out on her world breaking campaigns, including her latest world record breaking missions sailing solo to, and around NZ</li><li>Lisa’s next campaign to sail around the Arctic solo - and the huge environmental aspect of this mission</li></ul> Thanks Lisa for your time and we can't wait to follow along on your Arctic campaign. You can find Lisa on Instagram at <a href="www.instagram.com/lisablairsailstheworld" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@lisablairsailstheworld</a> and her website <a href="www.lisablairsailstheworld.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.lisablairsailstheworld.com</a> If you've enjoyed this episode and are enjoying listening to the podcast, you can join the Patreon community for as little as $2 a month - any contribution really helps to keep the lights on and would be enormously appreciated. <a href="https://open.acast.com/www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast</a> Thanks so much to the existing patrons! I appreciate you! Thank you for tuning in to this special episode. A huge thank you to our sponsor, Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour, and to my amazing guest, Lisa Blair, for sharing her incredible journey. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

Lisa Blair, World Record Sailor on a near-death experience circumnavigating Antarctica solo (twice); environmental advocacy and her next huge campaign - sailing solo, non-stop & unassisted around the Arctic.

Laura Waters, Travel Writer & Author

The second in our Gutsy Girls three part mini series is here! A huge thanks to Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour for sponsoring this series - make sure to check out the film festival and get tickets to a show near you at <a href="https://open.acast.com/www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au</a> Episode 55! Today's conversation is with Geelong based adventurer, travel writer and author, Laura Waters. Laura shares with us her metamorphosis from city living corporate 9-5er to adventurous travel writer and published author - a journey which was sparked during her 3000KM hike, the length of NZ, over a decade ago. Laura is this year's Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour Grant recipient and also shares with us her plans for kayaking over 2000KM from source to sea on the Murray River in October this year. We touch on many aspects of big life changes; hiking; travel writing and paddling including:<ul><li>the inspiration for Laura's book "Bewildered" - a life changing 3000KM through hike of the Te Araroa trail when it was a newly established trail</li><li>documenting the experience on the trail and the craft of storytelling</li><li>the process of writing a book with no prior knowledge, including literary speed dating events</li><li>the realities of a life as a travel writer</li><li>Planning for Laura's upcoming Murray River paddle </li></ul> Thanks Laura for your time and we can't wait to follow along on your Murray River adventure. You can find Laura on Instagram at: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurawaters_writer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@laurawaters_writer</a> and Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SoulTrekkers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Soul Trekkers</a> If you've enjoyed this episode and are enjoying listening to the podcast, you can join the Patreon community for as little as $2 a month - any contribution really helps to keep the lights on and would be enormously appreciated. <a href="https://open.acast.com/www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast</a> Thanks so much to the existing patrons! I appreciate you! And thanks too to the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour for supporting this three part mini series, celebrating Gusty Girls in the Aussie adventure space.<ul><li> </li></ul>

Laura Waters, Travel Writer and Author,  from corporate hustle to a life-changing 3000KM NZ hike and an upcoming Murray River 2300KM paddle

The first in our Gutsy Girls three part mini series is here! A huge thanks to Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour for sponsoring this series - make sure to check out the film festival and get tickets to a show near you at <a href="www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au</a> Episode 54! Today's conversation is with Canberra based bikepacker, Stephanie Skinner. After chasing a big goal of racing the Tour Divide in 2023, Steph had to make some serious decisions when struck by injuries which forced her to refocus and push out this enormous, iconic bikepacking challenge. In the meantime, Steph has had the opportunity to stay close to bikepacking in a different form by spending time building community events for women and locals, while rebuilding and navigating surgery and recovery. We cover all things bikes and bikepacking, including:<ul><li>Discovering a love for riding bikes thanks to a work commute</li><li>Rediscovering Canberra through the lens of riding bikes, on road and off-road</li><li>Discovering offroad riding and her Hunt 1000 experience</li><li>Fuelling your races and adventures</li><li>Injury, healing and refocusing - and the (somewhat begrudgingly done but essential!) physio exercises that are required to build overall physical strength and resilience for big goals</li><li>Mental strength in endurance environments</li><li>Creating a women's only bikepacking overnighter out of Canberra</li><li>Making bikepacking more accessible to a wider audience</li><li>Canberra winter solstice camp out and tips for winter bikepacking on a budget</li></ul> Steph also references "<a href="https://payhip.com/b/EmFN" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Touring with a Sense of Urgency</a>" - by legends Sarah Hammond and Jesse Carlsson. And, of course, we have a chat about dogs too, because, dogs! Thanks Steph for your time and all the best in your post surgery healing. You can find Steph on Instagram at: <a href="https://open.acast.com/www.instagram.com/steph_skinner" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@steph_skinner</a> If you've enjoyed this episode and are enjoying listening to the podcast, you can join the Patreon community for as little as $2 a month - any contribution really helps to keep the lights on. <a href="www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast</a> Thanks so much to the existing patrons! I appreciate you! And thanks too to the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour for supporting this three part mini series, celebrating Gusty Girls in the Aussie adventure space.

Stephanie Skinner, Canberra based bikepacker on navigating big ultra-endurance goals and building bikepacking community

Upcoming Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour collaboration

A less than ten minute check-in to let you know the latest in the land of the Into the Wee Hours Podcast, and to announce an exciting collaboration coming up thanks to the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour - <a href="www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au</a> . Listen in and make sure you're subscribed to receive the three part weekly series! Follow the podcast on Instagram <a href="www.instagram.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@intotheweehourspodcast </a> Thanks to the Patreon community for your support! <a href="www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast</a>

Quick pod update - the latest +  I2WH x Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour mini series dropping soon!

Ben Fallon, Bicycle Advocate

Episode 52! Today's conversation is with the super inspiring, Meanjin, Brisbane based bicycling advocate, Ben Fallon. Ben shares with us how his love for riding bikes has been so pivotal in his life, including:<ul><li>Adventuring with his two young children, taking them bikepacking from the ages of 2 and 4</li><li>Family bikepacking 1000km routes across Tasmania and in New Zealand and tips on choosing gear for bikepacking with children</li><li>Fat biking across the Simpson Desert on an adventure, following in the footsteps of Australian explorer, <a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/madigan-cecil-thomas-7455" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cecil Madigan</a></li><li>Stage Racing the <a href="http://desertchallenge.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Simpson Desert Bike Challenge</a> several times</li><li>His upcoming European adventure, riding 5000+KM from Norway to Spain along<a href="https://en.eurovelo.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> EuroVelo</a> 3</li></ul> If you're looking for tips on bikepacking with young children, or on riding across the Simpson Desert, or the multitude of other topics we touched on, Ben can be found on Instagram at <a href="www.instagram.com/benny_pacer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@benny_pacer</a> Thanks as always to the podcast Patreon supporters - you're amazing! You can help keep the podcast lights on and join the community here: <a href="https://open.acast.com/www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast</a>

Ben Fallon, Bicycle advocate on bikepacking 1000s of KMs with young children and fat bike racing and adventuring across the Simpson Desert

Elevating Everyday Adventurers

Elevating the voice of the everyday adventurer. All kinds of adventures. All kinds of people. Brought to you by Sarah (and Kristen in Season 1), Gubbi Gubbi Country, QLD, Australia.