Contributors

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Host

Chris Watson

I’m Chris Watson – the host of the Adventure Diaries Podcast.


I reside in Glasgow, Scotland, and I’m incredibly fortunate to have access to incredible wilderness, and waters and almost on my doorstep.


I spend a lot of time in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park and have quick access to the East & West Coasts of Scotland, which boasts some of the best Sea 

Kayaking and outdoor experiences in the world.


This podcast will serve to inspire and motivate you to get outdoors more often.

https://adventurediaries.com/about/

Guests

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Alice Morrison

Alice Morrison, dubbed the "Indiana Jones for girls," is a Scottish adventurer, author, and BBC presenter who has journeyed from her upbringing in Uganda to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. fluent in Arabic, Alice's connection with African and Middle Eastern cultures shapes her adventures.

She has cycled 12,500 kilometers from Cairo to Cape Town, raced through the Sahara in the Marathon des Sables, and trekked to Timbuktu, uncovering cultural treasures and navigating political challenges. Her books, including Dodging Elephants and Walking with Nomads, and her BBC series, Arabian Adventures: Secrets of the Nabataeans, captivate audiences with stories of resilience and exploration. Living among Morocco’s Amazigh community, Alice blends cultural immersion with advocacy, supporting initiatives like Salve Uganda for street children. Her life celebrates adventure, courage, and a deep respect for the world’s diverse traditions.


https://alicemorrison.co.uk/

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Anders Andersen

Anders Andersen, founder of The Wildtales Inc., is a Danish adventurer and jungle survival expert with extensive experience in the Amazon rainforest. Having spent nearly six years in the Rupununi region of Guyana, Anders collaborates with the Makushi Amerindians, integrating indigenous knowledge into immersive survival courses and expeditions.

He has led adventures across diverse terrains, including the Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Iceland, and contributed to numerous TV productions. Anders emphasizes sustainable exploration, cultural immersion, and preserving fragile ecosystems while fostering deep connections with nature.

Through The Wildtales Inc., Anders inspires participants to embrace the wild and gain valuable survival skills. 

https://thewildtales.com/

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Benedict Allen

Benedict Allen is one of the world’s most renowned explorers, known for his immersive approach to documenting the lives, traditions, and resilience of indigenous tribes in some of the planet’s most remote regions. From the Amazon rainforest to Papua New Guinea, Benedict has risked everything to learn from and honor the people whose environments he explores. He famously underwent the crocodile initiation ceremony with the Niara tribe, gaining scars that symbolize strength and survival. A celebrated author of 11 books and a pioneer of solo expedition filmmaking for the BBC, Benedict has shared firsthand accounts of life-threatening encounters, environmental challenges, and the profound wisdom of indigenous communities. His decades-spanning relationship with the Yaifo tribe, including a celebrated reunion after 27 years, reflects his deep respect for cultural preservation and human connection.

https://www.benedictallen.com/

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David Haze

David Haze, known as the Nomadic Paddler, is a world-record-setting adventurer who turned his life around through the power of paddleboarding and the great outdoors. After overcoming personal struggles and two prison sentences, David discovered paddleboarding as a path to redemption and purpose. His journey has seen him break records, including paddling the UK’s four longest lakes and crossing the English Channel. Passionate about the transformative power of adventure, David founded Freedom Through Adventure, a charity that helps at-risk youth and young offenders reconnect with nature and explore new opportunities.   David’s story is a powerful reminder that failure doesn’t define you—it fuels the potential for growth and change. Through his mantra, “Through adventure we live,” David inspires others to embrace life as a grand adventure.

https://www.instagram.com/nomadicpaddler

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Deon Barrett

Deon Barrett is an adventurer, military veteran, and founder of the True North Project, a mission to bring outdoor education into schools and make adventure accessible to all. Overcoming a turbulent childhood and near-prison sentence, Deon found purpose through the outdoors, channeling his experiences into inspiring the next generation. 

Now, he’s on a mission to become the first Black Englishman to summit Everest, followed by a solo ski expedition across Antarctica


Through storytelling, mentorship, and advocacy, Deon is breaking barriers and proving that adventure has the power to transform lives.


🌍 Follow Dion & True North Project: TrueNorthProject.co.uk | @TrueNorthProject

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Erin Ranney

Erin Ranney is a wildlife cinematographer, deep-sea explorer, and third-generation fisherwoman from Alaska. She’s filmed for National Geographic, BBC, Disney, and IMAX, and was a key cinematographer on Queens, the groundbreaking documentary highlighting matriarchal power in the animal kingdom. Erin’s work spans remote bear territories in Katmai, underwater missions aboard the Nautilus, and elephant-filled savannahs in Kenya. She’s co-founder of the Wildlife Cameramen Community and an ambassador for Girls Who Click, mentoring the next generation of female filmmakers. Her storytelling is driven by awe, respect for wild places, and a passion for capturing nature’s most powerful moments. 

https://www.erinranney.com/about

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Gerhard Czerner

Gerhard Czerner is a mountain biker, climber, and storyteller known for taking his bike where few dare to walk. From carrying 22kg of gear across Pakistan’s Karakoram glaciers to securing the first official permit to mountain bike down Kilimanjaro, his adventures blend extreme terrain with deep cultural connection. Gerhard’s unique approach combines alpinism with two wheels, turning every expedition into a human story—teaching porters to ride, sharing skills, and building lasting friendships across borders. His work has been featured in Sidetracked Magazine, films like Mountain of Greatness, and on stages across Europe. 

https://www.gerhardczerner.com/

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Justin Packshaw MBE

Justin Packshaw, MBE is a modern explorer, entrepreneur, and adventurer who has pushed human limits in some of the world’s most extreme environments. From summiting Everest to crossing Antarctica, racing around the world by sail, and trekking to the North and South Poles, his expeditions combine endurance, science, and leadership. Backed by NASA and the European Space Agency, his Antarctic journey, Chasing the Light, gathered groundbreaking data on human resilience, with insights that could shape future space travel. A former British Army officer, Justin’s experiences have forged his deep understanding of teamwork, mindset, and adaptability in high-risk situations. Passionate about climate action and inspiring the next generation, he believes that boldness, curiosity, and calculated risk unlock true human potential. When he’s not on expeditions, Justin co-leads Joro Experiences, a sustainable adventure travel company, guiding others into the wild. 

https://www.justinpackshaw.com/

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Lauren Roerick

Lauren Roerick is an adventurer, thru-hiker, and content creator best known for being the first North American woman to complete the 3,034 km Hexatrek across France. With a background in music, international travel, and film set design, Lauren’s journey into long-distance hiking was anything but conventional. After attempting the Pacific Crest Trail, she discovered a love for solo trekking, leading her to explore some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe. Through her YouTube channel, guidebooks, and social media, Lauren shares raw and insightful stories from the trail, inspiring others to embrace adventure. Passionate about self-sufficiency, outdoor challenges, and cultural immersion, she continues to explore the world on foot, proving that adventure is for everyone. Follow her journey at LaurenRoerick.com

https://LaurenRoerick.com

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Mark Agnew

Mark Agnew is a British adventurer, journalist, and record-setting explorer whose achievements highlight resilience and the power of human endurance. As a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Mark has undertaken groundbreaking expeditions, including kayaking the entire 2,000-mile Northwest Passage in 2023 as 1/4 of the Arctic Cowboys , a feat completed solely by human power and earning him the title of European Adventurer of the Year.

Previously, Mark faced challenges like two failed attempts to row the Atlantic, which he overcame by shifting his focus to intrinsic motivations and teamwork. His expeditions combine extreme physical endurance with a passion for exploring the world's most remote regions.

Mark also inspires others through storytelling, sharing insights on perseverance, redefining success, and the camaraderie found in shared challenges. His adventures continue to push boundaries, making him one of the most compelling voices in modern exploration.

https://adventureagnew.com/

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Matt Pycroft

Matt Pycroft is a British filmmaker, photographer, and storyteller specializing in remote and challenging environments. As the founder and Creative Director of Coldhouse, a content agency dedicated to authentic adventure narratives, he has collaborated with clients like Disney+, National Geographic, and Red Bull. 


With over a decade of experience, Matt has directed and photographed numerous world-class expeditions, working alongside renowned adventurers such as Alex Honnold.  He is also the host of The Adventure Podcast, where he delves into stories of exploration and human endurance. 


Matt's passion for untold stories and his expertise in expedition filmmaking have established him as a leading figure in adventure media

https://coldhousecollective.com

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Mitch Hutchcraft

Mitch Hutchcraft is a British adventurer and former Royal Marine renowned for his ambitious endurance challenges. His passion for exploration ignited at 16 when he solo-climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, followed by a visit to Everest Base Camp at 18. After serving six years in the Royal Marines, Mitch participated in a 3,000-mile Atlantic row and a 5,000-kilometer unsupported cycle across the United States. 


In 2024, he embarked on "Project Limitless," a 12,000-kilometer triathlon from the UK to Mount Everest's summit. The journey includes swimming the English Channel, cycling across Europe and Asia, and trekking to Everest's peak. This expedition supports SAVSIM, a charity aiding veterans and wildlife conservation. 


Mitch shares his experiences through speaking engagements and digital platforms, inspiring others to pursue their own adventures

https://www.12000kmtoeverest.com/

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Oli France

Oli France is a British adventurer, expedition leader, and motivational speaker specializing in guiding teams through some of the world's most remote and hostile environments. As a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a qualified Winter Mountain Leader with a degree in Outdoor Leadership, he has explored over 75 countries, leading expeditions across deserts, jungles, mountains, and conflict zones. 


Oli's notable adventures include a solo 8,000-mile winter journey from Hong Kong to Istanbul, traversing Asia's mountainous spine, and a 405-mile solo crossing of Siberia's frozen Lake Baikal, hauling a 60kg sled. 


Through his company, Wild Edge, Oli offers bespoke expeditions, sharing his passion for exploration and resilience. He is also a sought-after speaker, delivering insights on leadership, self-confidence, and overcoming adversity, inspired by his experiences in extreme environments. 


https://www.wildedge.co/

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Tom Williams

Tom Williams is an adventurer, entrepreneur, and survival expert, best known for winning Alone UK by surviving 35 days in the Canadian wilderness. From mapping coral reefs in Honduras to racing to the North Pole, Tom’s adventurous spirit has taken him to some of the world’s most extreme environments. He is the founder of Desert Island Survival, a company offering transformative wilderness experiences that combine bushcraft skills with personal growth. Tom’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and living closer to nature. Through his expeditions, public speaking, and writing, he inspires others to embrace challenges, reconnect with the natural world, and discover their own potential. Currently, he is working on a book exploring the profound physical and mental benefits of aligning with our evolutionary roots. Tom’s story is one of overcoming adversity, thriving in nature, and fostering purpose through adventure. 

https://www.instagram.com/tomwilliamsalone

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Valerie Gagne

Valérie Gagné, known as "The Running Panda," is a Canadian adventurer, elite athlete, and outdoor content creator. Based in Quebec, Valérie combines her background in cross-country skiing and rowing with a passion for exploration, embarking on daring expeditions across some of the world’s most extreme environments.

Her adventures include solo and guided journeys in the Canadian Arctic, Lake Baikal, and the Atacama Desert, as well as a 190-kilometer solo ski expedition around the Eye of Quebec. Valérie inspires others through her storytelling, emphasizing resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of the outdoors.

A collaborator with organizations like Impossible2Possible, she empowers individuals to embrace nature and challenge their limits. Follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok

https://www.instagram.com/_therunningpanda/

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