Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast

Casey Hanisko

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Adventure Travel Trade Association

1. Ever stood at the edge of something terrifying—knowing the only way forward is to leap, but every cell in your body is screaming, Nope? That was me on a canyon swing in Interlaken. Spoiler: I needed a push.
2. You think making high-stakes decisions in business is tough? Try standing on the edge of a 300-foot drop, debating whether plummeting into the abyss is a good idea.
3. There's a moment in adventure—and in leadership—where hesitation creeps in. Your palms sweat. Your mind races. And sometimes, you need someone to give you that push.

I'd like to think I'm pretty fearless. I've hiked, biked, and paddled my way through some of the world's most stunning (and challenging) landscapes. But nothing—not rock climbing, not waterfall jumping, not even running a business—prepared me for the sheer terror of standing on the edge of a canyon swing in Interlaken.

Picture this: I'm perched on the platform, strapped in, heart pounding. My entire executive team—yes, the people I work with—are watching. The guy running the swing looks at me and asks, "Need a push?"

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

I sit there for two full minutes, locked in a battle with my own fear. Every rational thought in my brain says, Just do it. But my body? Oh, my body says, Are you out of your mind?!

Then, the guy places a hand on my back. Just enough pressure to remind me: I either take the leap myself, or I'm going anyway.

And that was it. I went. Terrified. Screaming. And, once I hit the swing… laughing.

That moment on the canyon swing? It's leadership in a nutshell.

• Leadership requires courage. Sometimes, you're at the edge of a big decision, knowing you need to move—but fear holds you back.
• Sometimes, you need support. That guiding hand (or well-placed nudge) from someone who sees your potential, even when you doubt yourself.
• And often, the thing you dread most? Turns out to be the most exhilarating experience of your life.

Whether it's taking the leap into a leadership role, starting that business, or stepping into unknown territory—you're going to feel fear. That's normal. The key is to recognize it, hold it, and move forward anyway.

The problem is, most people let fear stop them. They overthink. They hesitate. They tell themselves they need more time, more preparation, more certainty.

But here's the truth: the perfect moment? It doesn't exist.

Too many outdoor entrepreneurs and leaders stall out waiting for the "right time" to make their next move—whether that's scaling a business, stepping into leadership, or launching that dream trip.

That's why, in this episode of The Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, I sat down with Casey Esco—executive coach, adventure leader, and all-around expert on navigating uncertainty in business and the outdoors.

She shares exactly how adventure can teach us to embrace risk, push through hesitation, and build the courage to lead (even when you're scared out of your mind).

If fear has ever held you back from making a move—whether in your career, your business, or even your next adventure—you need to hear this episode.

Because courage isn't about being fearless, it's about taking the leap anyway.

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Today, Rick talks with Heather Physioc. Heather is a speaker, educator, trainer, and globally recognized leader in discoverability.

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Show Notes

WHAT HAPPENED: Ever planned the trip of a lifetime… only to have your wallet vanish before the adventure even begins?

Yeah. That was me.

I was in Peru, fresh off a 40-hour journey, jetlagged, under-caffeinated, and apparently running on "let's misplace everything" mode. Somewhere between airport security and the Lima coffee line, my wallet poofed into thin air.

Great start to a solo trip through the Andes, right?

But here's the wild part — losing that wallet wasn't the disaster it felt like. It became the perfect kick-in-the-hiking-boots reminder that adaptability isn't just an outdoor skill — it's a life skill. That week, I slept in tents outside of homes where I didn't speak the language, ate potatoes dug straight from the dirt, and learned how "risk" and "reward" share the same trail.

PRINCIPLE: What I learned — or remembered — was this: the outdoors doesn't wait for your plans to be perfect. And neither does life. You don't need permission, pristine conditions, or even a full wallet to step into something bigger than your comfort zone. You just need to go. And trust that you'll figure it out as you go.

TRANSITION: But here's where most of us get stuck — not because we lack the gear or the desire, but because we've been trained to wait for the right moment. The right job title. The right guide. The right, whatever. And in that waiting, we lose the chance to hear what nature — and our own gut — is trying to say.

THAT'S WHY: That's why I had Heather on the podcast. Because she gets it, she's blended a high-level marketing career with nature photography, conservation storytelling, and a serious dose of wild adventure. She talks about everything from leadership lessons in the backcountry to how observing owls in the city can rewire your creative brain.

If you've ever wondered whether the outdoors can really shift your mindset, your leadership style, or even your career — this episode is for you.

CALL TO ACTION: Feeling stuck in the scroll, burned out from the noise, and unsure where to begin? That's your sign. Stop waiting. Start small. And listen to this episode. It might just be the nudge your nervous system — and your soul — has been craving.

Follow up with Heather on her website: Heather Physioc, Speaker & Trainer

🎧 Listen here.

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Show Notes

Show Notes

Show Notes

WHAT HAPPENED:

I'll be honest—when I first started freelancing, I chased the big stuff. Wildfires out west. Epic storms. National parks everyone's heard of. And yeah, the views were killer, the access? Not so much. Crowds. Traffic. And trying to pitch a story that wasn't already told a hundred times by someone standing in the same exact spot? Near impossible.

Then I moved back to Cincinnati.

Yeah, the Midwest. You know, the place nobody writes about unless there's a flood or a football game.

But what I found? Holy hell. 5,000 acres of parks. National Water Trails. People pulling literal tons of tires out of rivers with their bare hands and busted backs. And stories—real ones. Raw. Personal. Uncovered.

One day, I'm chasing a moonbow in Kentucky. (Yes, that's a lunar rainbow, and yes, it's real.) Another, I'm writing about community gardens growing hope in the middle of urban food deserts. And all of it—every story—started right here in my own overlooked, underestimated backyard.

PRINCIPLE:

The best outdoor stories don't always come from the big, dramatic places. Sometimes, they're right under your nose—in the "boring" places, told by everyday folks doing extraordinary things. As outdoor storytellers, travelers, and advocates, we've got to stop thinking epic = better. Local can be just as powerful—if not more.

TRANSITION:

But here's the thing: too many creatives, writers, and adventurers are stuck in this belief that the only stories worth telling live out west or come with a plane ticket. That the Midwest, the South, or even your own neighborhood isn't "sexy" enough for an audience. So they scroll past, ignore it, and miss the magic right in front of them.

THAT'S WHY:

This episode with Jessica Erzen is so damn important. She reminds us that storytelling isn't about location—it's about perspective. It's about being curious enough to dig into the stories no one else is talking about. It's about realizing that a river full of tires can be just as compelling as a summit photo in the Rockies. Maybe more.

CALL TO ACTION:

Feeling like your outdoor stories aren't big enough to matter? You're not alone—most folks think if it's not wild, it's not worth it. But the truth? The stories that really move people are often right in their own backyard. Listen to Jessica's episode now—because the next great story might be just outside your front door.

Follow up with Jessica: [email protected]

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Show Notes

Principle: The truth is, the life you want isn't found in job boards or traditional paths—it's usually hiding in the stories of people who've already broken the mold. You don't need to have all the answers. You just need a glimpse of what's possible and the guts to say, "why not me?"

Transition: Most people get stuck right at that fork in the road. They're burned out, fed up with the 9-to-5 grind, and craving more than just two weeks of vacation. But they stay stuck because no one ever showed them what else is out there. They think they need more money, more skills, more permission.

That's why most people never leave Oklahoma City. (No offense, Oklahoma.)

That's Why: That's why this week's episode with Hugo Ortega is such a game-changer. We're not just talking about travel or yachting. We're talking about what happens when you stop waiting for the perfect moment—and just start chasing the life you actually want. Hugo lays it all out, and trust me, it's not what you think.

Call to Action: Tired of feeling trapped in a life that looks good on paper but feels like a slow death in khakis? This episode is your sign. Discover how one guy turned a pink slip into a passport to adventure—and how you can too. Listen now and start rewriting your own story.

Follow up with Hugo: [email protected]

Today, I'm talking with Nicole Blaser, an accomplished outdoor educator, adventurer, and co-founder of the Karuna Project. Nicole shares her inspiring journey guiding expeditions from Alaska's glaciers to Nepal's wild rivers, and reflects on the powerful role that compassion and connection play in outdoor leadership.

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Show Notes

WHAT HAPPENED:

I didn't expect a pre-dawn ski up a cold Crested Butte mountain to spark a worldwide mission—but that's exactly what happened.

There I was, skinning up the snow-covered slopes with my longtime friend and fellow guide, Seth, making conversation to keep our lungs from bursting in the thin air. At first, we were just training for a ski race, the Grand Traverse. But as we kept climbing—literally and figuratively—our chats turned into something more serious.

We talked about the world. About disconnection. About how outdoor adventure had shaped us both. And somewhere between breathless climbs and sunrise turns, Karuna Project was born.

We didn't have a 30-day course anymore or the luxury of long timelines. But we did have the skills, the scars (hello Giardia), and the belief that challenge, when shared with purpose, transforms people.

PRINCIPLE:

Adventure isn't just about adrenaline. It's about compassion. The outdoors has this sneaky way of stripping away the noise, leveling the playing field, and teaching you how to lead—not by shouting, but by showing up with empathy.

And that kind of leadership? It's not just for guides on a trail. It's what today's communities, classrooms, and even boardrooms need more than ever.

TRANSITION:

Here's the thing, though—most people never get that chance.

They're stuck thinking leadership means being the loudest. That change only happens through big platforms and politics. That real transformation only comes with a 30-day retreat or a plane ticket to Nepal.

But that's not true.

THAT'S WHY:

That's why this episode exists—to show you how meaningful growth doesn't require a mountaintop or a massive budget. Just the right environment, the right challenge, and people who know how to guide you through both.

Nicole's story isn't just inspiring—it's a blueprint for how we can all blend purpose with passion, right where we are.

CALL TO ACTION:

If you've ever felt stuck playing small, waiting for permission to lead or make a difference—stop. The world needs grounded, compassionate leaders now. And this episode? It'll remind you that your growth—and impact—can start with just one step into the wild. 🎧 Listen here.