“Let’s see if I can get to the top of this hill without being tired” is the game I play with myself to keep my exertion levels under control. I’m so wired to push that this default setting needs constant management and close concentration. It’s one of the paradoxes of this pursuit that effort can and will be detrimental to your desired outcome. To help with this, my internal narrative can often be heard to say, “Go slow Damian, ..... good.......now slower” -Listen along as Damian has a day of pe...
Jun 01, 2021•16 min•Season 2Ep. 21
14 and half hours of deep blissful sleep! I would never have guessed I could spend so long in a sleeping bag. That should help efforts to reboot the body post yesterday’s icefall climb. Shortly after Pingju arrived at my tent with some hot water for breakfast, I recognize some familiar voices from the comfort of my sleeping bag. My weary body is reluctant to rise until @climber_tenji sticks his head in to say hello. He and my ‘old’ team of Ryan, April & David are halfway through leg 1 of the...
May 31, 2021•17 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Taking steps on Everests famous ice-falls... Make sure to subscribe, so as not to miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become a patron by singing up here > https://www.patreon.com/DamianBrowne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 27, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Day 27 and 28 see's Damian hike to Pumori base camp for the third time in his journey. This followed by a trek into the icefall and on to camp 1. The start of ' Hard shit' in terms of climbing begins, but bright days are looking ahead. Make sure to subscribe, so as not to miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become a patron by singing up here > https://www.patreon.com/DamianBrowne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy ...
May 26, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 18
The last days of quarantine with eyes set back on the mountain. Make sure to subscribe, so as not to miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become a patron by singing up here > https://www.patreon.com/DamianBrowne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 25, 2021•16 min•Season 2Ep. 17
"These Covid symptoms can best be described as tidal. Waves of feeling a little bit better than a little bit worse..." Make sure to subscribe, so as not to miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become a patron by singing up here > https://www.patreon.com/DamianBrowne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 24, 2021•14 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Quite the change of view in 24hrs. Make sure to subscribe, so as not to miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become a patron by singing up here > https://www.patreon.com/DamianBrowne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 23, 2021•11 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Covid-19 had struck the mountain. Listen and follow Damian's story as he attempts to summit Mt Everest. Stepping over unexpected obstacles. Make sure to subscribe, so as not to miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become a patron by singing up here > https://www.patreon.com/DamianBrowne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 21, 2021•14 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Day 14: EBC to 5600m in the Khumbu Icefall - Day 15: EBC to Pumori BC (5740m) A storm has arrived at base camp. I don’t understand what is wrong with me. It’s never been this challenging before for me to acclimatise, not even close. I feel weak, drained, fatigued just moving around camp. It makes no sense. My appetite is good, in fact, after yesterday’s efforts, I made it my mission to consume loads of calories and water for recovery, and yet I still wake tired and weak...... Hosted on Acast. Se...
May 20, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 13
This morning is the first morning I’d venture to say I feel nearly “normal”. Definitely, I’m in a much better place than the last 3/4 mornings. Gone are all the momentary physical warning signs brought on by hastiness or overeagerness. Another good sign I’m moving in the right direction. Make sure to subscribe, so as not to miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become a patron by singing up here > https://www.patreon.com...
May 19, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 12
I laugh at how many times I’ve had this realisation and how it’s yet to take its place as a permanent reality in my mind, despite the many hours and days spent experiencing it over the last 3 years; mountain living is hard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 18, 2021•14 min•Season 2Ep. 11
It started with one of the worst nights of sleep I have ever experienced. The sweats, nausea, headaches, constant vivid nightmares (mad shit about guides, sherpas, mountain life, permits and not getting kicked off the mountain), diarrhea, and lastly, Cheyne - Stokes breathing. This is basically where you stop breathing momentarily mid-sleep. A disconcerting way to wake yourself up. A tough night on the mountain for Damian. Subscribe now, so as not to miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
May 14, 2021•12 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Today is Puja. Puja is a ‘right of passage’, one in which all climbers & Sherpas take part before our long & difficult journeys to the summit. The Puja Ceremony is performed to make contact with the divine Sagamartha or Mount Everest and to pray for a safe expedition. Make sure to subscribe, so as not to miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become a patron by singing up here > https://www.patreon.com/DamianBrown...
May 12, 2021•12 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Yesterday Anup and I arrived at Lobuche basecamp to finally unite me with my team. They themselves had just arrived back from Lobuche high-camp where their summit attempt was foiled by the overnight snow dump. And so it begins... Make sure to subscribe, so as not to miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become a patron by singing up here > https://www.patreon.com/DamianBrowne produced by baLORE Hosted on Acast. See acast...
May 07, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 8
One of the benefits of trekking alone as I catch up with my team is no roommate. No roommate equals one free bed, which in turn means two duvets, and believe me both are needed. Even with two duvets draped over me I’m still sleeping fully clothed. Welcome to day 7. The Story Continues... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 04, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Day 5: Debouche (3800m) - Pheriche (4200m) & Day 6: Pheriche (4200m) - Acclimatisation Hike (5100m) - Pheriche (4200m) Make sure to subscribe, so as not to miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become a patron by singing up here > https://www.patreon.com/DamianBrowne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 29, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 6
A day that can be divided straight down the middle into two contrasting halves. A rushed and bouncing concentration on non-negotiables that need to be done each morning before we start our hike leads to a disturbing and unfocused mental state for the first few hours of today’s journey from Namche to Debouche. To add to this unhelpful state, there were two elements of today’s route that frustrated me. Firstly, it lulled to into a false sense of comfort due to the flat bordering on a very mild inc...
Apr 28, 2021•16 min•Season 2Ep. 5
-As we reach the viewpoint I’m instantly blown away by what I see. Surrounded (literally) by 6, 7, and 8 thousand meter peaks, I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. One of the first thoughts to come up for me was, “everyone needs to witness this once in their lives”. Day 3, a good day in the scheme of life. Happy to be here. Onwards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 26, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 4
“Nah, there’s no way! How? A headache?!?! These were my first thoughts as I rose from a 2.5 hour sleep after arriving in Namche. I couldn’t believe it. I had felt so smooth and strong throughout the day, drank plenty of fluids and now after a deep and restorative sleep, I awake to this." Listen along as Damian recaps his second day towards Everest. Make sure to subscribe, so not miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod You can become ...
Apr 23, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 3
After landing in Lukla and meeting my guide Anup, we realised one of my bags hadn’t made the flight and would be coming on the next one in an hour or so. Nobody seemed to stressed about this so we found a tea house with a great view of the infamous runway and had some breakfast. Sure enough the duffle arrived as promised along with our porter who committed to carrying both my bags! If that wasn’t impressive enough I was soon to realise he carries them strapped to his forehead Anup & I were s...
Apr 21, 2021•14 min•Season 2Ep. 2
"The day dream just became a reality" Season 2 has arrived in true Damian Browne Fashion, with a story. After three years of preparation, training and a lifetime goal. On April 9th Damian landed in Nepal to begin his latest adventure. To climb Mt Everest. Listen in and follow Damian's footsteps live, as he takes you the listeners to the top of world's largest mountain. Make sure to subscribe, so not miss an episode. Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his instagram @Auldstock & @Deeproo...
Apr 19, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 1
The final chapter in an epic tale and to reflect the journey as a whole, it doesn't end without a challenge; How 2 fried satellite phones and a misplaced finishing procedure hand out nearly meant I 'missed' the island of Antigua Day 63 : 50 miles from Antigua; No personal diary made in 48 hours; Risking losing all my video diaries; 14% battery life and a dead charging cable finally; Loving the experience but ready for Antigua. Closing: The reason behind not making a daily diary video on 62; Note...
Mar 23, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In the last listener's questions episode, Damian answers questions on readjusting to life off the ocean and how quickly he put on weight again, when reality kicked in that he wasn't going to win and the importance of having a better understanding of the challenge before setting such goals versus having big aspirational goals; did he ever just shit himself in the dead of night; the issues around questioning everything over preparation and has he ever ended up injuring himself by pushing through t...
Mar 19, 2021•27 min
A toilet analogy to explain the subconscious signalling of why everything starts to hurt at the end of a challenge/expedition Day 59: Arse sores back with vengeance due to wet days; Rowing without a perch for a bit; Everything starting to hurt; Signalling to "give up"; A wild night - Squalls and bombs hitting the cabin; Crazy painkiller induced dreams? Intra days : A waterproof notebook and notes from each day; Day 59's precise takings; Surfing waves described and drinking directly for a 10L dru...
Mar 16, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 24
It's a long one! In this opening Damian explains why he finishes his episodes with the sentence, "Keep striving for more from yourself" and why he holds a philosophy/belief that "Life is a fight". Day 58 'Fight' : An attempt to describe the journey; The monster that is the Atlantic; Howling, bubbling and grumbling away; An incredible challenge, the one I wanted; The harder it gets the more I relish the adversity; The difficulty in the consistent drone; Eating the big challenges up; A great life ...
Mar 09, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 23
A synopsis of days 54 to 57, including a strange psychological phenomenon of having no pressure after the sleep of 53; conditions becoming "pretty crazy"; Perching falling, sores and fingers; letting a wave penetrate the beautiful dry cabin at 4am; The Compass versus the GPS; Deepening one's character through suffering and space; screening sat. phone calls; Worsening conditions; A crazy finish?; Sonic-booms and unseen squalls, A fist fight and some washing. Videos: Day 54: https://youtu.be/-53nV...
Mar 03, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Values & voids; A desire to be always better; Being an inconsistent rugby player due to lack of mental control; A huge output of energy over the last 5 years to fill in my void; A "body first" method of mental prep; Between stimulus & response you have the freedom to choose; 'Everybody has a plan until you're punched in the face' - Mike Tyson; Learning your mental game through lived physical experiences; 3 parts to my mental preparation; 1 "Internal" & 2 "External" elements to mental...
Feb 23, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 21
A panel in NUIG and a TedX Talk in Switzerland; An important practice in my life; Self-imposed barriers & untruthful perceptions; Discovering "false walls" on the Atlantic; Disturbing one's conditioning; A healthy, educational practice that does my head in at times; Why? Why? Why? Day 51: A good day, 45NM; Rowing 12hrs a day now seems easy; My daily rowing, fuelling and sleeping structure; Regain some time lost from the Northerlies? Is the water heavier sometime?? Intra days: Calm and contem...
Feb 16, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode Damian answer's listeners questions. Here's a favour of what you asked: Why was it not acceptable, even necessary to 'horse' 3 Mars Bars into yourself considering the energy demands of what you were doing every day? Would love to hear more about your exact diet on the ocean? How did you prepare for the loneliness of it all or was the physical and mental challenge so great that it took up all of your focus? How did you approach sponsorship? Did you have a 'Wilson' or version of hi...
Feb 12, 2021•20 min
'Welcome to the real world'; Living in an avenue of life with, purpose, discomfort and lack of choice; Seeing the world differently because of the reality of a rugby life; Broadening my map of how I see the world; Grateful having walked in the gate of Galwegians RFC; Nervous system feedback at 11; Breaking conditioning & perceptions through the demands of professional rugby; My need for growth; I am an Explorer; The squeeze of external and internal pressures; My supports on and off the ocean...
Feb 09, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 19
