#141 - Bjorn Lestrud's journey from corporate life to holistic healing has been nothing short of transformative. He shares his experiences with the Light Portal Ceremony, microdosing mushrooms, and the profound effects of sound healing, all while emphasizing the value of personal exploration and growth. • Bjorn discusses his struggles with anxiety and his background in corporate sales • Transitioning from the corporate world to explore spiritual avenues • The impact of microdosing mushrooms on h...
Jan 23, 2025•48 min•Ep. 141
Bonus 5 - Greg Bennick, a fascinating guest of this episode, has led a life as eclectic as it is inspiring. From his upbringing in a small Connecticut town with career renegade parents to his gritty move to Seattle where he immersed himself in the punk music scene, Greg’s journey underscores the beauty of living life on one's own terms. We explore his transition from aspiring rockstar to embracing roles in acting, music, and public speaking, along with his love for numismatics. His story is a te...
Jan 20, 2025•47 min
#140 - Have you ever found adventure to be the key to overcoming life's toughest challenges? Meet Thomas McPherson, a man whose life is a testament to living boldly and embracing each moment. From his early days growing up in Missouri to his courageous service in the Navy as a fleet Marine force corpsman, Thomas shares his intriguing story with us. Discover how he transitioned from military life to finding success in the real estate industry during the economic storm of 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona....
Jan 16, 2025•59 min•Ep. 140
#139 - Rhonda Parker Taylor's journey from small-town beginnings in Noblesville, Indiana, to becoming the author of the best-selling novel "Crossroads" is nothing short of inspiring. Rhonda reflects on her unique educational experiences and the challenges she faced growing up, which shaped her perspective and fueled her passion for storytelling. Her story is a testament to the power of living authentically and embracing each moment, whether you're in a mansion or a tent. Join us as we explore ho...
Jan 09, 2025•48 min•Ep. 139
#138 - Imagine a world where the timeless allure of the circus meets the nuanced journey of personal growth and recovery. This episode, we bring you the extraordinary life of Dave Letterfly, a man whose experiences range from training horses under the big top to penning books that inspire and heal. Raised in the Midwest, Dave's journey is a testament to creativity's transformative power. From tackling social anxiety and alcoholism with the help of a supportive circus community to becoming a soug...
Jan 02, 2025•43 min•Ep. 138
Bonus 4 - What happens when life throws unexpected challenges your way, and you're forced to confront deep-seated family dynamics and personal growth? In this bonus episode of Journey with Jake, I sit down with returning guest Ashleigh Renard to explore her extraordinary journey over the past two years, marked by a transformative divorce and a courageous estrangement from her family. Ashley candidly shares how these experiences have shaped her upcoming book, "Split: A Memoir in Pieces," offering...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 9 min
#137 - Becky Lukovic's wanderlust journey takes center stage as she shares how a brisk April morning in the Bay of Naples transformed her life and career. From her roots in Arkansas to adventures across Uganda and Patagonia, Becky's narrative is a vibrant tapestry of cultural curiosity and natural wonder. We explore how she broke free from traditional roles, embracing the challenges of exploration and the joys of familial relationships, while eventually planting roots in Atlanta after years in I...
Dec 26, 2024•50 min•Ep. 137
#136 - What happens when pageantry meets wanderlust? Join us for a captivating conversation with Kerry Damiano, known as Ms. World Traveler, as she shares her remarkable transformation from Miss Idaho 1983 to a globe-trotting fashion and travel aficionado. Kerry reveals how her pageant background uniquely influences her approach to travel blogging, combining elegance and adventure into her projects. Discover her intriguing Ms. World Traveler persona, a clever marketing twist that helps her stand...
Dec 19, 2024•43 min•Ep. 136
#135 - What if you could transform your life with just a few small resets? Join us as we sit down with the adventurous and inspiring Ingo Schulmeyer, who recounts his incredible journey from a successful career in the semiconductor industry to a life of exploration and fulfillment in Veracruz, Mexico. Ingo, an endurance athlete and life coach, shares how his passion for adventure developed during his youth and how it continues to shape his approach to life. Discover how stepping away from the co...
Dec 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 135
#134 - After years of managing a bustling family life with eight children, Kitty Robinson discovered the Appalachian Trail's transformative power. Her story unfolds as she balances motherhood, yoga teaching, and studying marriage and family therapy while embracing the trail's challenges. Join us as Kitty recounts her adventures and shares how nature, faith, and family support have become her pillars of resilience and personal growth. Unearth the profound impact of spirituality and community as K...
Dec 05, 2024•54 min•Ep. 134
#133 - From passionate adventurer to social media influencer, Luke Bosworth shares a journey that defies convention and embraces the unknown. Our conversation starts with Luke's roots in Orlando, Florida, where his adventurous spirit was nurtured by an inspiring father. That eagerness for exploration led him to an unexpected opportunity with the Sailing Zatara YouTube family, which, in turn, set the stage for a life lived out of a Toyota Tacoma, filled with thrilling moments and new friendships....
Nov 27, 2024•39 min•Ep. 133
#132 - Award-winning hairstylist and beauty influencer Danielle Keasling invites you on her exhilarating journey of beauty, travel, and wellness. Growing up in Minneapolis with a family connected to Northwest Airlines, Danielle developed a wanderlust early on, which eventually shaped her adventurous career path. She shares how the universe guided her from aspiring marine biologist to a celebrated hairstylist working with elite brands, all while making people feel their best. Her story is a testa...
Nov 21, 2024•51 min•Ep. 132
#131 - Join me as I embark on an exhilarating conversation with Jude Kriwald, an adventurous spirit whose bicycle has taken him from the bustling streets of London to the mysterious jungles of Liberia. Jude's tales are more than just stories of travel; they are lessons in resilience, cultural exchange, and the kindness of strangers. He shares how his youthful escapes from boarding school led to transformative journeys across Europe, Asia, and West Africa, including capturing his solo exploits in...
Nov 14, 2024•57 min•Ep. 131
Bonus - Achieving the extraordinary often starts with a simple conversation, and today, we celebrate Veterans Day with a truly inspiring one. My friend and running coach, Ryan Head, joins us to share his incredible achievement of completing two daunting 100-mile races—the Wasatch 100 and the Bear 100—just three weeks apart. Ryan's story is a testament to the power of determination, faith, and the unyielding support of a friendship that has been tested on the toughest trails. Ever wondered what i...
Nov 11, 2024•53 min
#130 - What if you could navigate the world of collegiate athletics without being tied to a university? Join us as we chat with Sara Diener, an incredible "unattached athlete," who competes at the NCAA level independently. Discover her inspiring journey from Draper, Utah, through her recent graduation from Utah Valley University with a marketing degree, and her adventurous plan to explore Europe for 90 days, immersing herself in diverse cultures and cuisines. Sarah's story highlights the power o...
Nov 07, 2024•57 min•Ep. 130
#129 - What inspires a combat arms officer to trade the grit of the battlefield for the serenity of the skies? Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of Kaity McKee, affectionately known as Pilot Kaity, whose passion for aviation was ignited by her father's legacy as a retired Air Force pilot. From her upbringing in Georgia to her current status as a beacon of inspiration on social media, Kaity opens up about the challenges and triumphs of her path to becoming a pilot. Her story is a test...
Oct 31, 2024•49 min•Ep. 129
#128 - What if you traded your traditional lifestyle for a life on the road? Join us as Michele DeVries, a seasoned overland traveler, unveils her journey from settling into an unconventional lifestyle to thriving in it. Originally sparked by discomfort, Michele's transition into full-time nomadism has blossomed into a life filled with personal growth and inspiring perspectives. At 43, Michele finds herself reveling in the unexpected joys and challenges that living in a camper truck and RV bring...
Oct 24, 2024•47 min•Ep. 128
#127 - What happens when you leave your 9-5 job behind and embark on an eight-month journey across 17 countries? Join us as we chat with Peter Cordova, affectionately known as Petey, who did just that. Growing up in the heavily polluted mining town of La Oroya, Peru, Petey transitioned to a career in IT sales in Denver, Colorado, and found his true passion in videography and travel. In this episode, Petey recounts his remarkable sabbatical, sharing vivid stories from scuba diving in Honduras to ...
Oct 17, 2024•51 min•Ep. 127
Bonus - Get ready to unlock the joy of reading and the wonders of American history with Valerie and Eric Woebkenberg, our inspiring mother-son duo. Valerie, a passionate former first-grade teacher from Cincinnati, teams up with her roller-coaster-loving son, Eric, to create the magical "Miles Across America" children's book series. This episode promises to take you on an exciting journey with a curious cat named Miles Standish who explores historical sites across the United States. If you're loo...
Oct 14, 2024•36 min
#123 - Beth Atencio didn't always love the outdoors, but a dark period in her life and a therapist's advice led her to find healing in nature. Her story of transformation from simple walks to epic hikes around Lake Tahoe is a testament to the power of stepping out of one's comfort zone. Discover how she took a leap during the COVID-19 pandemic by purchasing and converting a van, opening the door to the joys of life on the road. Join us as Beth shares the heartfelt support she received from her f...
Oct 10, 2024•46 min•Ep. 126
#125 - What if the path to fulfillment lies in choosing the most adventurous route? In this episode of Journey with Jake, we unravel the incredible life of Dan Mathews, better known as the Nomadic Outdoorsman. Inspired by a friend's advice to always seek adventure, Dan and his family left their conventional jobs behind to embrace a life of travel and exploration in an RV. From launching a successful RV renovation business to Samantha's courageous journey as a surrogate for two couples, their sto...
Oct 03, 2024•51 min•Ep. 125
#124 - What if overcoming immense personal and natural adversities could propel you to achieve your wildest athletic dreams? Discover the incredible story of triathlete Josh Vernon as he recounts his inspiring journey from the chaos of hurricanes Irma and Maria to finding sobriety, reclaiming his life, and reigniting his passion for sports. Growing up in Menden, Massachusetts, Josh’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and the pivotal role of supportive relationships. Jos...
Sep 26, 2024•49 min•Ep. 124
#123 - Experience the exhilarating life of Chris Cameron, a first responder pilot and wildlife guide with an insatiable thirst for adventure. Hear how Chris's unique upbringing in South Florida, balancing summers on cattle ranches and life on the Atlantic coast, shaped his path from playing college football at Mississippi State University to becoming an expert in both flying and guiding wildlife tours. Chris shares the captivating story of his first alligator dive at the age of 11, a moment that...
Sep 19, 2024•48 min•Ep. 123
#122 - From riding a rickshaw across Pakistan to navigating the treacherous routes of the Sahara on an iron ore train, Will Meara's adventures are nothing short of epic. This episode features the adrenaline-pumping stories of Will, an event organizer and adventure travel expert from Dublin, Ireland, whose passion for exploring unconventional destinations has led him to some of the world's most overlooked and misunderstood places. Hear firsthand accounts of his unique travels and how he balances ...
Sep 12, 2024•56 min•Ep. 122
#121 - Jennie Milton's story is a thrilling ride through the world of extreme sports, from her vibrant upbringing in her parents' sports store to becoming a pioneer in kite surfing and snow kiting. Jennie's early exposure to activities like windsurfing, sailing, and skiing laid the foundation for her adventurous spirit and resilience. Her journey is a testament to how embracing adventure can shape a positive outlook on life, even when faced with personal health challenges. Listen as Jennie, also...
Sep 05, 2024•59 min•Ep. 121
Bonus - What drives a man to exchange the picturesque mountains of Pennsylvania for the sun-soaked coastlines of Florida? Join us on this special Labor Day bonus episode of Journey with Jake, where we chat with Bob Gonzalez, the passionate author of "Flicker in the Water." Bob takes us on a nostalgic trip through his early fishing days, recounting the excitement of catching his first ocean fish at the tender age of 11 in New Jersey. Blending his love for the outdoors with his loyalty to the Tamp...
Sep 02, 2024•23 min
#120 - How does one find solace in the wilderness after facing the darkest of times? Mike Martin joins us to share his extraordinary journey from homelessness and depression to becoming a beacon of mindfulness and spiritual connection with nature. Mike's story is not just about overcoming adversity; it's about rediscovering the healing power of the outdoors through wilderness meditation. Tune in to hear how the principles of stoicism he gleaned from a podcast played a pivotal role in his transfo...
Aug 29, 2024•36 min•Ep. 120
#119 - Ever wondered how epic adventures can reshape your outlook on life? Join me as I sat down with Matt O'Neill, the inspiring host of the Good Mood Revolution podcast. Matt opens up about his remarkable journey from Michigan to Colorado and finally to the beach, sharing how setting goals for extraordinary adventures can break the routine and enrich our lives. He reveals the secret to maintaining a good mood and discovering happiness from within—a lesson that struck a deep chord with me durin...
Aug 22, 2024•53 min•Ep. 119
#118 - What would compel someone to leave the security of home for the uncertainty of the road? Adventurer Nicolai Dotter joins us to share the origin story of his daring spirit and the motivations behind Operation Brazil, his bold motorcycle expedition from California to Brazil. Influenced by his father's enthralling travel tales and an unconventional education in the Redwood Forest, Nicolai's passion for exploration has taken him across continents, from Europe and Asia to survivalist camping i...
Aug 15, 2024•45 min•Ep. 118
#117 - What happens when a seasoned adventurer shifts his focus to improving parent-preteen relationships? Meet Marcus Higgs, our extraordinary guest who brings a wealth of multicultural wisdom and global teaching experience to the table. Raised by a father from the Bahamas and a mother from the Philippines, Marcus has lived and taught in South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Spain. His insightful stories about his spiritual journey and dedication to enhancing mental health and communication ...
Aug 08, 2024•33 min•Ep. 117
