THE WANDERLUSTERS MIND PODCAST

Abby Lewtas 4/9/18 Abby Lewtas 4/9/18

Finding adventure and adrenaline in the extreme with Kirsten Alexis.

Kirsten Alexis is an outdoor adventure and travel enthusiast who strives to explore the world and document her travels through content creation and media. She is the Founder of This Adventure Life, an online adventure community that strives to inspire people to get out and live their dreams. She is an avid traveler, high-altitude hiker, skydiver, paddleboarder and photographer.

Fuelled by travel, adventure and adrenaline, Kirsten now lives 'This Adventure Life' and inspires others to do the same.

About Kirsten

Kirsten has been travelling extensively since she graduated from UCLA back in 2010. She spent months travelling to different locations and then returned back for a moment to regroup before stepping out onto her next journey. Some of her travels have been months, some weeks, but she has been travelling the world for the past eight years.

“You get to the summit and you see how far you came, from your starting point. Its such a metaphor for life.”

— Kirsten Alexis

When coming home...

Emotions and changes Kirsten faced - Changes for herself in that she is more confident and will challenge herself, even more, she feels accomplished. Life is too short to not follow your passions and dreams. Say yes.
Biggest stress - Her finances and how to can I make more money so that I can have these experiences. Not knowing what to do outside of travel and adventure. Changes that she was faced with when coming home such as rising rent, increasing traffic and different quality of life.
How Kirsten used her mindset - Stay focused on your goals at the moment, if you don't you will stray from them. Keep putting on foot in front of the other. Stay positive and learn from your experiences.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

I am able to do whatever I set my mind to. Confidence and level up my mindset.
The world is a better place than we all think. Its full of opportunities and amazing people.
There is a lot more to life than just to pay bills and exist. The more people travel and adventure the more they realise this. You might not have as much (in material things) but you will have the experiences and the memories.

Advise to her 16-year-old self to - Follow your dream life, its ok to be you, its ok to have different dreams and goals to other people, its ok to live your athentic life even if others don't agree with yourself. Trust yourself and follow your heart. Happiness does take some work, beleie in yourself, beleive in your adventure and beleive in your purpose.

“I’m capable of making a quick decision and that things happen but as long as you are prepared you really don’t have to worry about them.”

— Kirsten Alexis

Mike Richardson - Adventure sports athlete cultivating unshakable self belief.

Mike spent a year in NZ at the age of 12 years old. He lived secluded in the forest and mountains with his Dad. Mike travelled solo for 2 months in the UK , has lived in Thailand and Vanuatu training as a scuba dive master/instructor and dived with tiger sharks in Florida. Mike had a near death experience on a skydiving trip to Europe and has been on expeditiones to Costa Rica living in mountain tops and in tiny houses.

Living remotely in New Zealand, skydiving through Europe, scuba diving in Thailand and Vanuatu and becoming a wing suit pilot.

About Mike

Mike spent a year in NZ at the age of 12 years old. He lived secluded in the forest and mountains with his Dad.

Mike travelled solo for 2 months in the UK , has lived in Thailand and Vanuatu training as a scuba dive master/instructor and dived with tiger sharks in Florida.

Mike had a near death experience on a skydiving trip to Europe and has been on expeditions to Costa Rica living in mountain tops and in tiny houses.

“We love to have steps (set out for us) in front of us...and a lot of us dont question them.”

— Mike Richardson

When coming home...

Emotions Mike faced - Rollercoaster of emotions, difficulty, struggles.
How Mike supported himself - Tapping back into support groups of close friends and family. Find the next project and adventure.
How did his mindset change - Go with the flow.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock.

Resilience.
To have an open perspective on life.
Believe in what you do and follow that relentlessly.

Advise to himself for returning home - Its ok to ask for help.

“I dont really believe in a plan B. I believe in relentlessly pursuing what you’re passionate about and there will always be detours but allow yourself to experience those detours.”

— Mike Richardson