Oli France On Backyard Adventures, Local Impact & Living on the Wild Edge

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In this closing chapter of our conversation on SEASON 3 Episode 1 (LISTEN TO FULL EPISODE HERE)  I ask expedition leader Oli France to leave us with two things: a Call to Adventure and a Pay It Forward—traditions we close every episode with on Adventure Diaries.

Oli’s call? A challenge rooted in simplicity and discovery. Start where you are—literally. Find the lowest and highest points in your county, town, or landscape... and travel between them. On foot, by bike, whatever works. This micro-expedition, as Oli puts it, is about connecting with your own backyard in a new way. And if you do it—tag him. He wants to hear your story.

Then, we shift to a deeper current that’s run through much of Oli’s work: the power of traveling consciously. As someone who’s guided expeditions across continents, he shares the impact of choosing local—booking local guides, staying in community-run guesthouses, supporting small operators and underrepresented economies in remote regions. The message is clear: the way we spend our money while exploring the world matters. Great adventures can—and should—create meaningful impact.

We also talk about his company, Wild Edge, which runs challenging, immersive expeditions across some of the world’s wildest terrain. If you’re craving something beyond the usual, his trips might just be the push you need.

📍 Topics in this episode:

• Backyard micro-adventures
• Adventure travel and conscious tourism
• Supporting local communities on expedition
• How to plan meaningful, off-the-beaten-track trips
• Oli’s own adventures and reflections from the field

🎒 Follow Oli France:
Instagram: @oli_france
LinkedIn: Oli France
Join an expedition: Wild Edge

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never miss an episode—and if Oli’s micro-adventure challenge speaks to you, take it on and let us know.

Transcript

 Adventure Diaries. Season four is launching soon, and in a buildup to season four, we are revisiting the closing traditions from each of the guests in season three. So hopefully these give you some inspiration for your own adventures and wet your appetite for the upcoming launch of season four. Now let's get into it.

So. Two closing traditions that I've got on the show only. So one of which is a call to adventure, and the other is a paid forward suggestion. So an opportunity to raise awareness for any word, big projects or causes or something that may be important to you. But starting with the call to adventure, what would you suggest or recommend is a call to adventure for listeners of viewers?

Yeah, I had a think about this and I thought I could relate it to my challenge, which is going from the lowest point to the highest. So I thought maybe if people, if you want a challenge, something a little bit different in the town you are in or in the county you are in, find the lowest point in the highest point and come up with your own journey.

If you actually do that, let me know, because I think there's, there's endless opportunities there. But it could be a, an interesting way to just go and explore your own backyard. It might be on bike, it might be on foot, whatever works. But yeah, I think there's something in that. So if you actually do it, let me know.

I'd love to hear about it. Yeah, I, so yeah, if anyone does that, I'm look that I'll seek that out myself. Do that in then tag Oli on Instagram. Please do. Fantastic. And then finally I paid forward suggestion. Yeah. So again, I was having to think about this and over the years I've. Yeah, I have worked with lots of different charities and all kinds of different groups.

I think one of the big themes in my own travels, which you know, I'm always keen to push for, is to really think about when you are traveling, if you're going off on expeditions and things like that, really think about where you are putting your funds and. One of the great things for me guiding lots of groups, has been getting to meet lots of great local communities, supporting small local businesses, small guides, fixers, little hotels and things like that.

And yeah, it's just, I think if you can, and if you go into places where there's, there's a small tourist industry or going off the beaten track. Just have a real think about trying to put those funds into local communities, local projects, because it is in desperate need. And yeah, it's immensely great experience to really put some cash into much needed communities, wherever that might be.

And I would always advocate, yeah, just use, use great local guides and, and there are always links and things out there, rather than booking you, you know, everything just on Google. Do a bit of extra research and make sure the cash is going to the right people. Yeah. Fantastic. Yeah, keep it local and support the local adventure guides and expedition leaders and such companies.

Fantastic. Brilliant. Oli, thoroughly enjoyed this. It's been really engaging. Yeah, likewise Chris. And insightful. Yeah. Brilliant mate. So where can everybody follow along and Oli France and everything that you are doing adventure wise? Yeah, and also say thanks a lot, Chris, for the invitation. It's been a great conversation.

I've loved the level of research and actually I've shared a few stories on here, which I've not talked about for a long time, so it's been nice to get into those. Okay. People would like to follow along. It's at Oli France on Instagram. I'm also on LinkedIn. I'm doing bits and pieces on YouTube, and my company is Wild Edge.

If you want to join me on an adventure somewhere. Excellent. We'll get all that listed and publicized. Excellent. Awesome. Thank you all. Thanks very much, Chris. I loved it. Hi everyone. Chris here with just a wee reminder. If you've been enjoying these stories here on the Adventure buys, could you please take a moment to press that follow or subscribe button on Spotify or Apple Podcasts?

It's such a small thing, but it makes such a huge difference to the show. It helps the show reach more ears, bring more voices to the table, and really helps keep this adventure going. So if you're up for more wild stories, more adventures, and more thoughtful conversations, then please do hit that follow button on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

And I really thank you for listening today and spending time with us. It's really appreciated. So hit that follow button and I'll speak to you soon. Cheers.