Breaking Trail

Dr Kate Lemming, OAM is an expedition cyclist. She cycled more than twice the Earth's circumference, and completed journeys on all seven continents.   Kate has many incredible firsts and feats to her name:  She was the first woman to cycle across Russia unsupported, the first person to cycle an unbroken line from Africa's most westerly to its most easterly point, the first person to cycle the entire Namibian coastline.She's cycled around and across Australia and was the first woman to cycle the Canning Stock Route.   Kate's latest challenge, Breaking the Cycle South Pole, will result in the first bicycle crossing of the Antarctic continent via the South Pole (2023).   There's more to Kate's story than doing epic bike trips in far flung corners of the globe! Previously a teacher, Kate includes a humanitarian side to all of her expeditions and has established a platform called: Breaking the Cycle Education, which aims to help prepare our future leaders to make informed decisions to create a better world.  Earlier in the year, Kate was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to adventure sport and just a couple of weeks ago she received the Australian Geographic Society's Spirit of Adventure award.  Kate and I talk about growing up in rural WA, her first expedition across Russia, how she comes up with ideas for her expeditions, her humanitarian work, her recent cycle from East to West of Australia, how she funds and pulls these trips together and her advice for those with an adventurous soul.   Kate is nothing short of incredible. I loved getting to know her. And you will too! Follow Kate on Instagram @leeming_kate  Check out Kate's education work on her website breakingthecycle.education See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc is a mountain ultramarathon race, first held in 2003, that follows the route of the Tour du Mont Blanc. It has been regarded as the most competitive trail ultramarathon in the world. What is so captivating about UTMB? Is it the adventure into the unknown, the communal suffering, the quality of the field, the fans, running through three countries around one of the most striking mountain ranges on the planet?   In this episode, Milly follows the journeys of two of Australia's best ultrarunners Claire O'Brien Smith and Matt Dunn as they prepare for and race the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. As the race unfolds she tries to answer the question – what is so special about this one race?  Follow Matt @mattdunn63  Follow Claire @claireobriensmith  Follow Shane @run_robot_run  Follow Corrie @corrie.endurancecoach  Follow Dave @chossranger  Follow Doug @doog_in_chamonix  Buy Doug's Book on Amazon: The Race That Changed Running: The Inside Story of UTMB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How far would you go to protect something you love? For Dave Lennon, it was a really long way.   Just months after taking up trail running, Dave dreamed up the idea to run 300kms around takayna/Tarkine to raise awareness and funds to protect the area from mining and logging. What ensued was a beautiful display of the power of community.   Follow Dave on instagram @davidolennon  Follow takayna300 on instagram @takayna300  Follow The Bob Brown Foundation on instagram @bobbrownfoundation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the height of the COVID pandemic, Mike Zippel bought a sea kayak to escape the Victorian 5km radius restrictrions. 9 months and one Beau Miles documentary later, Mike and a band of merry men, the Strait Yakers, launched their boats at Tidal River and headed for Tassie.   Endless paddling, island camping, spear fishing, bocce playing,14 days stranded and one hairy shark encounter - this is a story of having a crack, even when others tell you you can't.   Mike Zippel on instagram @mzippa  Strait Yakers on instagram @straityakers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Tassie runner, Jessie Ling, first dreamed up the adventure to fast-pack the Great Himalayan Trail, it seemed like an enormous undertaking. In 2022, joined by her friend Samantha Gash, Jessie finally turned that dream into a reality. The duo set off to traverse the length of Nepal over 50 days. But, like all good adventures, things didn't go according to plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A severe health condition at a young age left Jack Gooch questioning the meaning of life. After drastically altering his approach to life, Jack has squeezed the lemon out of every second – climbing, competing in Australia Ninja Warrior and walking record-breaking highlines.   In this episode we talk to Jack about his near-death experience and how this changed his life trajectory, climbing as therapy and his adventure to WA's Stirling Range to rig and walk a record-breaking highline. Jack's instagram: @jack_gooch_coach  Slackline Perth: @slacklineperthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Majell Backhausen is an Australian ultrarunner and environmentalist. He's run many races in all corners of the globe but possibly his most important run ever was running to save a forest.    In this episode, we talk to Maj about his childhood, his journey to trail running, about following curiosity, being a good human and his epic 273km run across the proposed Great Forest National Park to stop native forest logging.   Footprints Running:   https://runfootprints.org/australia  takayna trail: https://takaynatrail2023.raisely.com/  Thank You For Not Chopping Here:  https://www.patagonia.com.au/pages/the-great-forest/  End to and End:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mhOsOGWs6g See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allie Pepper is an Australian alpinist and mountain guide. She is currently attempting to make history with a world record attempt to climb the world's 14 highest mountains (all the 8000m peaks) without oxygen.    In this episode, we talk about Allie's first forays into climbing, her life as a guide, 8000m peaks and how changing her mindset has led her tackle her biggest challenge yet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking Trail is a playful exploration of life outside. Join us for a yarn with athletes, artists, adventurers and explorers as we uncover what draws them to the wild and other big life questions.  From roots to routes, we share stories from climbers, mountaineers, trail runners, high-liners, skiers, bikers, paddlers and dirtbags. We explore motivations, training, expedition details, success and failure, joy and darkness. These stories will sweep you away and inspire you to quit your day job! Hosted by Aussie adventurer Milly Young. Episodes coming soon, hit follow on your podcast app to get every one as they are released.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.