#1429 - Colin O'Brady
NaN minutesEpisode #1429
Colin O'Brady is a professional endurance athlete, motivational speaker and adventurer. His new book "The Impossible First" documents his adventure as the first person in the world to travel across Antarctica unassisted.
Episodes with Colin O'Brady
Watch the full episode of #1429 - Colin O'Brady.
Episode Timestamps
Colin and the Impossible First - Journey Across Antarctica
- Colin discusses his book 'The Impossible First' detailing his solo journey across Antarctica.
- He talks about the ups and downs of his expeditions and the inspiration behind them.
- A discussion on his upcoming expedition involving rowing a boat from South America to Antarctica.
Rowing Expedition - Challenges at Sea
- The treacherous journey rowing across Drake Passage, known for extreme conditions.
- Details on the logistics of the expedition including water desalination and food storage.
- Custom nutrition bars developed with optimized nutrition for the demanding rowing schedule.
Fionne's Ocean Rowing Proposal and Expedition Preparation
- Fionne, a renowned ocean rower with 30 world records, proposed a challenging expedition to cross uncharted ocean territory
- The logistics involved in the expedition to Antarctica were complex, requiring meticulous planning and paperwork
- Colin, after initial hesitation, accepted the challenge and collaborated with Fionne to prepare for the unique journey
The Misrepresentation of Antarctic Crossings and Borga Auslan's Achievement
- A comparison between Colin's solo crossing of Antarctica and Borga Auslan's historic expedition was inaccurately portrayed in a National Geographic article
- Colin highlighted the distinctions between unsupported and unassisted polar travel, underscoring Borga Auslan's remarkable achievement using a kite for propulsion
- The article failed to acknowledge Colin's admiration for Borga Auslan's groundbreaking Antarctic crossing, leading to a public request for a retraction due to factual inaccuracies
Antarctica Expedition: A Solo Journey Across the Ice
- Completing a 54-day solo journey across Antarctica, pulling a 375-pound sled was a physically demanding feat
- Encountering challenging moments, including freezing tears and feeling tested to the limits
- Facing discrepancies in how National Geographic depicted the expedition compared to other similar feats, like Auslan's kite-assisted journey
From Fire to Ice: Reflecting on Antarctica and Personal Journey
- Reflecting on memories and experiences during the solitude of Antarctica, triggering vivid recollections from the past
- Discussing the writing process of the book 'From Fire to Ice,' intertwining personal life events and expeditions
- Exploring the profound impact of revisiting past memories while on the journey in Antarctica
Controversy Over Colin's Antarctica Journey
- Colin faces accusations of being called a liar in a misleading article
- Misunderstanding arises regarding the details of Colin's journey compared to Auslan's
- Debunking of claims made about Colin's Antarctica trek and the misinterpretation of his route
Deceptive Claims about Colin's Unassisted Journey
- Discussion on the false portrayal of Colin's journey as being on a road, when it was actually through harsh ice and snow
- Challenges the misconception by providing insights into the treacherous conditions faced
- Controversy prompts a reevaluation of the definitions and rules within the polar community
Legal Battle with National Geographic
- Author discusses defamation case against National Geographic.
- 16-page document sent to editor detailing defamation.
- Response awaited from National Geographic on the matter.
Rowing Across Drake Passage
- Drake Passage had never been rowed fully before.
- Legendary explorer Ned Gillette's attempted journey.
- Challenges faced due to treacherous weather conditions.
Antarctica Crossing - Battling Cold and Wet Conditions
- Experiencing extreme cold with temperatures in the low thirties and being constantly splashed by icy water and surrounded by icebergs
- Innovative custom-made dry suits were crucial in keeping the team dry and functional, allowing mobility for rowing
- Living conditions on the boat were grimy and wet, but the safety measures like being clipped in and the self-righting boat prevented major disasters
Physical Preparation with Coach Mike McHassel
- Unique training methods including dexterity exercises while enduring extreme conditions like solving Lego puzzles with feet in ice buckets
- Prepared for the Drake Passage row with unstable surface training on Bosu balls combined with rowing to simulate ocean movements
- Intensive training sessions at unexpected times, such as being woken up in the middle of the night for rigorous training with ice water
Training with Mike and Chris Wojta
- Received physical training with Mike focusing on stabilization, balance, and specific rowing techniques
- Worked with Chris Wojta, champion rower, to learn the purity of rowing motion on the Willamette River
- Discovered the complexity of rowing as a full-body coordinated motion, different from ocean rowing and requiring specific skills
Ocean Rowing Experience with Fionne and Team Dynamics
- Adopted a strategy of 90 minutes on, 90 minutes off for rowing shifts to maintain endurance
- Managed ocean rowing experience with sleep deprivation and delirium
- Built strong team dynamics with diverse members, led by Andrew's facilitation of open, honest conversations and intention setting
Discovery Channel Collaboration for Antarctica Expedition
- Fion proposed the idea for the project, involving Antarctic tourism regulations and environmental concerns
- Needed an Iado certified boat for compliance with Antarctic Treaty
- Collaborated with Discovery for filming and sharing the expedition with 600,000 school kids
Filming and Sharing the Antarctic Expedition
- Invested in satellite technology with Iridium for real-time social media updates
- Combined vision of Discovery and team for satellite coverage during the expedition
- Upcoming feature-length documentary by Discovery capturing the entire journey
Colin's Journey through Pain to Ultimate Growth
- Colin pushes himself for 32 hours without stopping, embracing the mandatory pain in challenges.
- He emphasizes the importance of stepping out of the comfort zone to grow and inspire others.
- Quoting Thoreau, Colin discusses how necessary difficult experiences are to appreciate comfort and peace.
Setting Goals and Climbing Mountains: Colin's Next Chapter
- Colin talks about his previous mountaineering project, the Explorers Grand Slam, climbing tall mountains across continents.
- Discussing his wife's Everest goal, he highlights the importance of inspiring young people to aim high in life.
- Colin and his wife plan to climb Mount Everest together, showcasing their commitment to pushing personal limits.