For this episode of The All-Around Adventure Podcast, I'm joined by my good friend Collin Cottrell. This time, however, we're doing something a little different. Collin steps into the role of interviewer as he turns the tables and asks me the questions.

In this conversation, we dive into why I've decided to step away from the podcast, at least for the time being, as we wrap up Season 5. We explore what led to this decision, the importance of recognizing when it's time to shift direction, and how taking a step back can sometimes be the best move forward. Along the way, we talk about the value of surrounding yourself with like-minded people who support your growth, challenge your thinking, and help keep you aligned with your purpose.

We also get into some more personal reflections, including my relationship and the broader idea that anything meaningful in life requires continuous effort. Whether it's relationships, personal development, or pursuing a goal, there's no point where you simply arrive and coast. Growth requires ongoing intention, discipline, and work. Finally, we discuss what's next during this production break. I share more about my plans to write a children's book and build a business as a copywriter, along with the mindset I'm bringing into this next chapter.

To watch the video of our conversation, head over to the All-Around Adventure YouTube channel!

www.collincottrell.com
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Thank you for listening! To hear more great episodes like this one, click HERE! Also, don't forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a good rating and review! You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify and iHeartRadio.

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And until next time; be safe, happy travels, and always move forward!

We often feel pressure to keep pushing forward in the same direction forever. Build more. Achieve more. Stay on the same path. But life rarely unfolds as one long, uninterrupted storyline. Instead, it moves in chapters. Some chapters are about challenge and discipline. Others are about service, exploration, or personal growth. And eventually, every chapter gives way to the next.

In this episode, I reflect on the idea that life is made up of different chapters, each with its own purpose and lessons. From my time in the Marine Corps, to serving in the Peace Corps, to studying abroad and pursuing new adventures, I talk about how these chapters have shaped who I am today. This episode is about recognizing when one chapter is coming to a close, appreciating what it taught you, and having the courage to turn the page toward whatever comes next.

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Thank you for listening! To hear more great episodes like this one, click HERE! Also, don't forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a good rating and review! You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify and iHeartRadio.

And don't forget to follow All-Around Adventure on these social media platforms:
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And until next time; be safe, happy travels, and always move forward!

For this episode of The All-Around Adventure Podcast, I'm joined by Marine Corps veteran, writer, and unconventional strength athlete, Matt Hayes.

Matt is a former Marine Corps machine gunner and combat veteran. Since leaving the military, he has transitioned into a life built around discipline, creativity, and functional strength. Outside of his service, Matt has developed a strong following on Instagram through his outdoor and unconventional training style. Most of his training takes place on his own property. It focuses on strongman-style movements, functional patterns, and real-world physical preparedness. In addition to training, Matt is also a writer. He uses fiction as a creative outlet and as a way to process experience and explore deeper themes.

In this episode, we talk about Matt's journey through the Marine Corps. This includes what it was like to go through boot camp and serve as a machine gunner on deployment. We also dive into functional fitness and why training for real life matters. More specifically, we discuss how it builds resilience, confidence, and the ability to better serve others. Finally, we explore Matt's creative side. We talk about his writing, the role creativity plays in personal growth, and how physical training and creative expression work together to build a well-rounded life.

To watch the video of our conversation, head over to the All-Around Adventure YouTube channel!

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Thank you for listening! To hear more great episodes like this one, click HERE! Also, don't forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a good rating and review! You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify and iHeartRadio.

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And until next time; be safe, happy travels, and always move forward!

Many people believe that once they reach a certain level of success, life is supposed to get easier. That if they achieve enough, earn enough, or accomplish the right things, the hard parts will finally stop. But that's not how life works. Challenges don't disappear, they change. Stress, obstacles, and difficult seasons are part of the human experience, no matter how far you go.

In this episode, I reflect on the idea that life is made up of ongoing battles, not a smooth climb from one peak to the next. Drawing from personal experience, I talk about why adversity never fully goes away and why learning to prepare for it matters more than trying to avoid it. I also share three foundations that help navigate life's battles: a strong body, a solid tribe, and a sharp, resilient mind. This episode is about building the strength, perspective, and readiness to handle life as it actually is, not as we wish it would be.

Condition One Bars: Use discount code ADVENTURE for 10% off your order!

Thank you for listening! To hear more great episodes like this one, click HERE! Also, don't forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a good rating and review! You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify and iHeartRadio.

And don't forget to follow All-Around Adventure on these social media platforms:
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And until next time; be safe, happy travels, and always move forward!

We're often told to look for the easiest, fastest, or most comfortable option in life. Take the shortcut. Choose convenience. Avoid discomfort. But more often than not, those choices lead to stagnation, frustration, and regret rather than growth.

In this episode, I reflect on the value of choosing the harder path. From enlisting in the Marine Corps, to serving overseas in the Peace Corps, to making small but uncomfortable daily choices that move life forward. I explore how choosing difficulty on purpose builds discipline, confidence, and long-term fulfillment. This episode is about why the harder path often leads to a stronger body, a clearer mind, a more meaningful life, and why comfort is rarely the option that truly pays off in the end.

Condition One Bars: Use discount code ADVENTURE for 10% off your order!

Thank you for listening! To hear more great episodes like this one, click HERE! Also, don't forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a good rating and review! You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify and iHeartRadio.

And don't forget to follow All-Around Adventure on these social media platforms:
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And until next time; be safe, happy travels, and always move forward!

For this episode of The All-Around Adventure Podcast, I'm joined once again by Brie Burgett. Brie is a Marine Corps officer, world traveler, mountaineer, and the creator of the travel blog, The Brie Adventure. This marks her second appearance on the show, and she's back with some major milestones to share.

Brie has spent years pushing herself through some of the most demanding environments on Earth. From military leadership to high-altitude mountaineering, her life is built around discipline, resilience, and curiosity. She's currently working toward climbing the Seven Summits, and has already stood atop five of the world's highest peaks. Most recently, she summited Vinson Massif in Antarctica, her fifth summit and seventh continent, officially checking off one of the rarest accomplishments in adventure travel.

In this episode, Brie and I dive into two of her most recent ascents. We talk about what it felt like to stand on those summits, the physical and mental challenges she faced, and how those experiences shaped her growth as both an adventurer and a person. We also reflect on the unique coincidence of both of us being on the ground in Antarctica at the same time, albeit on different parts of the continent. Furthermore, Brie shares practical insights for anyone looking to pursue big adventures of their own, including how to approach the financial realities of doing so.

To watch the video of our conversation, head over to the All-Around Adventure YouTube channel!

www.thebrieadventure.com
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Thank you for listening! To hear more great episodes like this one, click HERE! Also, don't forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a good rating and review! You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify and iHeartRadio.

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And until next time; be safe, happy travels, and always move forward!

We often hear that setting goals is the key to changing our lives. Lose the weight. Run the race. Take the trip. Build the business. But what most people overlook is that goals don't work in isolation. Without a shift in identity, goals tend to fade the moment motivation drops or life gets inconvenient.

In this episode, I talk about the idea that we don't rise to our goals, we fall to our identity. Whether it's fitness, travel, adventure, or personal growth, lasting change happens when your habits align with who you believe you are. This is a reflection on why becoming the type of person who trains, explores, plans, and takes action matters more than any single outcome. If you want this year to be different, it starts by deciding who you're becoming, and then living in alignment with that identity every day.

Condition One Bars: Use discount code ADVENTURE for 10% off your order!

Thank you for listening! To hear more great episodes like this one, click HERE! Also, don't forget to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a good rating and review! You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify and iHeartRadio.

And don't forget to follow All-Around Adventure on these social media platforms:
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And until next time; be safe, happy travels, and always move forward!