Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

Kush Khandelwal

Uncensored and deep conversations with extraordinary rock climbers, runners, surfers, alpinists, kayakers and skiers et al. Tap into their journey to peak performance, revealing stories, hidden strategies, and the mindset that defies aging and other limits.
Get educated and inspired to chase your own dreams. Come for the stories, leave with tools, tips, and motivation! Hosted by Kush Khandelwal.

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Top 10 Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

#61 Chris Bertish Is All In: Paddling the Atlantic Solo, and Fear, Failure & Finding Strength in the Unknown

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

02/18/25 • 75 min

At 50, Chris Bertish has built his life on pushing the boundaries of human endurance. From conquering Mavericks with no sleep and borrowed gear to paddling 4,600 miles across the Atlantic solo, his story is proof that commitment, mindset, and resilience can rewrite what we think is possible.

In this storytelling episode, Chris takes us inside his biggest challenges—the brutal storms, the mental battles, and the moments of absolute clarity that only come from pushing beyond fear.

🔥 In this episode, we cover:
✅ What it’s really like to paddle across an ocean alone for 93 days—the exhaustion, the fear, and the breakthroughs.
✅ A masterclass on visualization—how Chris mentally “blueprints” success before it happens.
✅ The fine line between courage and recklessness—and how to know when to push forward or step back.
✅ How fear is actually a guidepost, not a roadblock.
✅ The “all in” philosophy—what it means to truly commit to something bigger than yourself.

📚 Learn More About His Journey

Chris has shared his life and lessons through books and films that capture his record-breaking expeditions. The've been a huge inspiration to me!

📖 All In – Chris’s latest book, revealing the mindset, discipline, and commitment that fueled his Atlantic crossing.

🎥 Ocean Driven – A powerful documentary about Chris’s journey to winning Mavericks, overcoming self-doubt, and proving the impossible is possible.

🎥 Last Known Coordinates – A behind-the-scenes look at his solo Atlantic crossing, capturing the grit, solitude, and triumph of one of the most daring expeditions ever attempted.

🎙️ Connect with Chris Bertish

🌎 Website: ChrisBertish.co
📸 Instagram: @ChrisBertish
📘 Facebook: Official Chris Bertish
🎥 YouTube: Chris Bertish Official

If you want to support Chris’s future expeditions or bring his powerful message to your event, visit ChrisBertish.com or reach out directly at [email protected].

Physivantage offers supplements designed by outdoor athletes for recovery, hydration, and peak performance. If you're serious about reaching your goals, use code AGELESS15 at checkout for a special discount!
https://physivantage.com/?ref=AGELESS15

If you've enjoyed the show, please hit 5 🌟 on Spotify or Apple or wherever you can leave a rating. It helps keep the show coming to you for free! 💜
🟢 Spotify
🎵Apple Music
▶️ YouTube
📸Instagram
💧Substack Blog

#43 Lynn Hill - “IT GOES, BOYS!” – Rewriting History, Mentoring is the Greatest Gift, Thoughts On Olympics, And Why You Need To Dream BIG!

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

10/15/24 • 124 min

Imagine standing at the base of El Capitan in the early 1990s. The Nose, one of the most famous and daunting climbing routes in the world, stretches nearly 3,000 feet above you. At this time, no one—not even the best climbers in the world—has free climbed it. Enter Lynn Hill. In 1993, she not only becomes the first person to free climb *The Nose*, but she does it in a single day, a feat that redefined what was possible in climbing. This wasn’t just a physical achievement; it was a moment that shattered gender barriers, set new standards, and echoed throughout the entire world of outdoor sports.

In this episode, we take you into that pivotal moment and beyond. We’ll relive Lynn’s historic ascent and explore what it meant to be at the cutting edge of climbing during a time when sponsorship was rare, the sport was still developing in the U.S., and women in climbing were a minority. Lynn didn’t just ascend rock faces—she broke through cultural and gender barriers in a male-dominated sport.

But this conversation isn’t just about Lynn’s remarkable climbs. As we dig deeper, we uncover the mindset, the discipline, and the sheer determination that made her one of the most influential climbers of all time. Lynn shares what it was like to grow up in the sport, what kept her pushing limits when others might have doubted her, and how she still maintains that passion 50 years into her climbing career.
Lynn has made a fantastic 'Fundamentals of Climbing' video series for beginners and experienced climbers alike! Highly recommended. Find it here: Fundamentals of Climbing with Lynn Hill' 🙌🏽
CALL TO ACTION:

Lynn is deeply involved in giving back to the climbing community and protecting the outdoor spaces she loves. If you’d like to contribute to her ongoing efforts at creating a community in Hueco Tanks, TX, you can reach out to her via [email protected] for more info. The Hueco Tanks project will support climbing initiatives, environmental conservation, and mentorship programs for young climbers.
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More on Lynn at:
https://lynnhillclimbing.com/
https://www.instagram.com/_linacolina_/

#15 Wayne Willoughby - From Severe Disability to Big Wall Summits, a Rock Climber's Transformative Story

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

04/02/24 • 83 min

"Anything worth doing, is worth doing well"
Meet Wayne Willoughby- an adaptive rock climber who defied incredible odds and has climbed El Cap, not once, or twice, but a mind-boggling 26 times. 🧗‍♂️🏔️ From battling polio and disabilities since infancy, to suffering terrible injuries, Wayne overcame obstacle after obstacle. 99% of us will never climb El Cap. Wayne has done it not once, or twice, but a record 26 times. 💪
He also became the first adaptive climber to reach the summits of famous, grueling climbs like El Capitan and The Diamond in under 24 hours. ⚡
In this wondrous conversation, and with his infectious yet humble demeanor, Wayne opens up about how he developed the grit, creative problem-solving, and deep gratitude for life's simple gifts that empowered him to defy limitations. 💎
His stoke for the outdoors and sheer refusal to be held back, despite the punishing toll on his body, is straight-up inspiring. 🔥 Whether you're a crusty trad dad or just someone looking for an awesome story of perseverance to get pumped on, buckle up!
🚀 This convo with a real-life superhero still defying the odds well into his 70s will challenge your perspective on what it means to be an elite athlete.

More about Wayne:

Credits extended to:
1. Paradox Sports: https://paradoxsports.org/
2. Blue Water Ropes: https://www.bluewaterropes.com/

#24 Jeremiah Bishop - Gravel Racing, Impossible Routes, Crafting a Life You Love

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

06/07/24 • 98 min

“ You know, you talk about my successes, I'll show you my thousand failures. ” 🚴🏼‍♂️

Nestled in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, we are joined by Jeremiah Bishop, who has earned the title of the ‘the most-winning US Mountain Bike Stage Racer,’ 🏆. He’s a 16-time member of the USA Cycling National Team, a Pan American Games Gold Medalist 🥇, a two-time US National Champion 🇺🇸, and winner of some of the world's most challenging stage races, including the TransAlp Challenge and the Simonsburg Contour 🌍. He's been racing at the highest level for decades.

Jeremiah has a knack for bringing his experiences to life with vivid detail and genuine passion. Whether he's describing the grueling climbs of a mountain race, the awe-inspiring landscapes he's encountered, or the mental struggles he's overcome, he draws you in and makes you feel like you're right there with him.

Announcing a great giveaway! Simple steps to win a gift bag from Good Detour, gourmet Indian backpacking meals! Vegan/Plant-based, and Woman-owned. To win, simply:

Follow @gooddetour, @jeremiahbishop, @agelessathletepodcast
Share this episode on your feed
Finally just send me a DM with your trip where you’ll use this backpacking meal!

Send your entry by June 20th to win 🎁
Get a 20% discount via on Good Detour via this link https://thegooddetour.com/AGELESSATHLETE

References:

Jeremiah’s website: https://www.jeremiahbishop.com/
"The Impossible Routes" Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W1Y7T8F2sQ&list=PL5C45E402B658114A
PGAMM Cycling: https://pjammcycling.com/
My Sports Science: https://www.instagram.com/scienceforsport/
National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA): https://www.nationalmtb.org/

#mountainbiking #mountainbikelove #mtblife #agelessathlete #enduranceathlete #adventurelife #outdoors #traillife #bikelife #exploremore #getoutside #nevergiveup #inspiration #motivation #fitnessjourney #healthandwellness #mountainbikerace #cyclinglife #bikelover #activelifestyle

#67 Jerry Moffatt’s Revelations: Dangerous Free Soloing Before It Was Cool, The Power of Obsession, Letting Go at Your Peak, and His Surprising Key to Success

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

04/01/25 • 96 min

Dangerous Free Soloing Before It Was Cool, The Power of Obsession, and Letting Go at Your Peak

In this episode of Ageless Athlete, host Kush Khandelwal sits down with one of climbing’s most iconic and introspective figures—Jerry Moffatt.

Long before climbing hit the Olympics or Netflix, before Honnold and El Cap, Jerry was free soloing bold routes in Britain, training with a laser-sharp mindset, and pioneering the life of a professional climber. By the age of 20, he’d conquered the hardest routes in the UK and the US—sometimes onsighting what took others days to figure out.

But what truly sets him apart?
He chose to walk away at his peak.

🎙️ What We Cover in This Episode:

Jerry’s early free solo ascents before anyone called it “free soloing”
His unique mental training approach—using visualization and “pessimistic thinking” to perform under pressure
How obsession helped him reach the top—and when it became a burden
Why he stepped away from professional climbing at 40, still at the top of his game
The tools he now uses to stay grounded, sharp, and fulfilled—including meditation
What his journey teaches all of us about chasing goals, managing ego, and aging with intention

🧠 Top Takeaways:

Mental rehearsal is a trainable skill—visualizing every move helps reduce stress and improve execution
“Pessimistic thinking” can be a powerful tool—preparing for failure sharpens your readiness
You can step away at the top—if your identity isn’t solely tied to performance
Joy > grades—Jerry found deeper meaning in the experience of climbing, not just the results

📚 Want to Dive Deeper into Jerry’s Story?

Check out his two acclaimed books:

📘 Revelations: Jerry Moffatt – his brutally honest and inspiring autobiography
Buy on Amazon
📗 Mastermind: Mental Training for Climbers – a practical guide to the mindset strategies that helped him excel
Buy on Amazon

💌 Join the Ageless Athlete Newsletter

Want more stories like this—plus insights, tools, and behind-the-scenes drops?
Sign up here: agelessathlete.co

#58 Beyond Limits: Steve McClure’s Unorthodox Methods, Peak Performance at 54, What Causes Decline, (and, the Best Fixes for Long-Term Success)

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

01/28/25 • 106 min

Steve McClure is one of Britain’s most accomplished rock climbers, and at 54, still continuing to climb at an elite level, defying the notion that performance inevitably drops with age. We dive into his unconventional training philosophy, how he balances pushing his physical limits with enjoying family life (and even the occasional late-night party), and why he believes that loving the process of climbing is the best key to long-term success.

About Steve McClure

British Climbing Icon: Known for first ascents of some of the UK’s hardest sport routes, including “Rainman” (Malham Cove).
Lifetime of Experience: Began climbing at age two or three with his parents, leading to an all-round approach—sport, trad, bouldering, and big walls.
Author of Beyond Limits: Details his philosophies, early expeditions, and the mindset shifts that helped him exceed every boundary he believed he had. This is one of my all time favorite books! Buy it here!
Family Man & Mentor: Balances fatherhood, route-setting, and coaching, all while still climbing at the highest levels.

What You’ll Learn

Why “Failing” Can Be a Good Thing
Steve explains how falling off a project is a chance to “get more attempts,” keeping the process fun rather than frustrating.
Unstructured Training for Older Climbers
While he’s never stuck to rigid periodized programs, Steve’s focus on real-world climbing, targeted strength work, and plenty of active recovery has kept him sending hard.
Embracing the Three Pillars
Steve breaks down how technique, mental game, and strength are equally crucial. Older athletes often excel in technique and mindset, so bridging minor strength gaps can keep performance levels high.
The Power of Good Habits (Even Quirky Ones!)
From his no-milk, chocolate-in-granola breakfast to dancing past midnight, Steve’s lifestyle reflects a balance between discipline and enjoyment—he does what keeps him energized without sacrificing fun.
Balancing Family and Epic Goals
Steve shares how climbing with his kids or taking on smaller outdoor adventures keeps the spark alive. He believes maintaining varied styles and intensities of climbing can help avoid burnout.
What Really Causes Performance Drop-Offs
Tune in for Steve’s insights on why many climbers plateau—often due to too much focus on one aspect of training (e. g., pure strength) and neglect of mental or technical skills.
Practical Fixes for Staying on Your Game
Discover actionable tips—like identifying your weakest link (finger strength? dynamic movement? fear of falling?)—and systematically addressing it in short, focused sessions.

#52 Endless Summer: Behind The Scenes from a Surfing Classic, and Wingnut's Proven Formula for Staying Active, Balanced, and Stoked at Any Age

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

12/17/24 • 99 min

Robert "Wingnut" Weaver, is the star of Endless Summer II and one of surfing’s most iconic longboarders. Wingnut takes us behind the scenes of the movie that shaped surf culture and shares timeless lessons on living a balanced, joyful, and active life.

Whether you’re a surfer or simply someone seeking inspiration, this conversation is packed with practical tips and stories that will leave you feeling energized and ready to ride the waves of life—no board required!

🌊 Stories from Endless Summer II

Behind-the-scenes moments from one of surfing’s most beloved films.
Wingnut’s most memorable (and hilarious) adventures on the road.

🧘 Wingnut’s Proven Longevity Formula

The flexibility routines that keep him agile and strong in his 50s.
Why he prioritizes eating local and seasonal foods while traveling.
His approach to maintaining a balanced mindset and staying stoked through the decades.

🌎 Lessons from Surfing Greats

What Wingnut has learned from icons like Jerry Lopez and Laird Hamilton.
How their philosophies on health, longevity, and resilience have shaped his life.

🤔 Practical Takeaways for Listeners

Why focusing on small daily habits, like stretching, can make a huge impact over time.
How to cultivate joy and resilience, even if you’ve never surfed.
The surprising connection between surfing and mindfulness.

References Mentioned in the Episode

Endless Summer II – The iconic movie that made Wingnut a household name in the surfing world. Go see it now!
Jerry Lopez and Laird Hamilton – Surfing legends whose philosophies have inspired Wingnut’s approach to life.
Surfline Forecasts – A tool Wingnut occasionally uses but still values discovering waves the old-school way.

Connect with Wingnut

Instagram: @thewingnut
Website: WingnutSurf.com

#44 Five Commandments for Lifelong Performance: Lessons From Athletes for Longevity in Sport and Life

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

10/23/24 • 24 min

Today's episode is a bit different. We dive into the 5 Commandments that athletes follow to achieve lasting success and performance in their sports. Drawing wisdom from legends like Craig DeMartino, Juliet Starrett, Marshall Ulrich, Hazel Findlay, and more, these principles aren't just about physical endurance—they're about mindset, learning, and self-advocacy.

Key Takeaways:

Find Your Why: Learn how knowing your deeper purpose can carry you through the toughest challenges, like Craig DeMartino’s journey after a 100-foot fall.
Embrace the Learning Process: Hear how Lionel Conacher tackled Mavericks at 58 by staying humble and open to learning.
Prioritize the Fundamentals: Juliet Starrett and Diana Fitzpatrick emphasize mastering the basics—recovery, sleep, and nutrition—for long-term success.
Move Your Body Every Day: Oympian Tinker Juarez’s daily bike rides prove that consistency in movement leads to longevity.
Be Your Own Advocate: Ultra-endurance gravel champ Jeremiah Bishop shows us the power of taking charge of your own health and recovery.

These commandments aren’t just for athletes—they’re life lessons for anyone striving to stay active, healthy, and thriving as the years go by.

Catch the full stories behind these commandments and learn how you can apply them in your own life!

#62 One Mile at a Time: The Healing Power of Movement and How Adventure Can Fight Alzheimer’s

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

02/25/25 • 106 min

“Get people outside. Let them walk, let them move. And if they can’t, do it in a wheelchair. Fresh air and movement—at any level—still have the power to bring joy, connection, and even a little bit of who they once were.”

In this episode of The Ageless Athlete Podcast, I sit down with ultra-endurance athlete, coach, and bestselling author Travis Macy to explore one of the most powerful and personal lessons from his life: how movement, the outdoors, and adventure are helping his father, Mark Macy, live well despite an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Travis has competed in some of the toughest endurance races on the planet, including The Eco-Challenge—where he and his father raced together in Fiji, pushing past limits that most would have thought impossible. But now, he’s applying that same endurance mindset to something even more profound: keeping his father active, engaged, and thriving for as long as possible.

Through this conversation, we uncover why exercise isn’t just about performance—it’s about healthspan, and how movement, human connection, and time spent outside can be game-changers for those facing cognitive decline.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

🏃‍♂️ How movement and outdoor activity have helped extend his father’s healthspan despite Alzheimer’s

"Has being active outside enhanced his healthspan? Hell yeah. Number one is human connection, and number two is moving outside."

🧠 Why exercise can temporarily boost cognition, even in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s

“When my dad exercises, you can see his cognition go up. He remembers more, cracks jokes—it brings something back.”

🌲 The power of nature to bring back connection and identity

“Even as Alzheimer’s progresses, the essence of who someone is can still come out. When we get out hiking, even if it’s slow, even if I have to hold his hand, you see the spark—it’s still there.”

🚀 Why pushing boundaries—whether in adventure or illness—matters more than ever

“For the last six years, we’ve been pushing up against the boundaries of what’s possible, finding ways for him to stay active and engaged.”

References Mentioned in the Episode

📖 Books by Travis Macy:

The Ultra Mindset: An Endurance Champion’s 8 Core Principles for Success in Business, Sports, and Life
A Mile at a Time (with Mark Macy)

🎧 The Travis Macy Show

📺 Eco-Challenge: The World’s Toughest Race → Watch on Amazon Prime

#3 Kevin Starr -First to Surf Mavericks AND Climb El Cap, Running a Foundation that Combats Worldwide Poverty

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

01/12/24 • 80 min

Rare privilege of meeting with Dr Kevin Starr, accomplished rock climber, big wave surfer and social enterprise CEO. Growing up in San Diego, Kevin fell in love with both the mountains and the ocean, started hiking and climbing around California, and went on to accomplish daring alpine ascents in the Karakorams, Peru and beyond. Moving to San Francisco, Kevin found a good mentor and also started learning how to tackle big waves like the Mavericks outside Half Moon Bay. Along the way he left a perfectly good medical career to grow the Mulago foundation that helps global social entrepreneurs design for impact at scale. Listen in for how Kevin juggles a career as the CEO of Mulago, along with continuing to excel in the outdoors, all while keeping his mind and body in great shape. (And did I just invent the term 'jugglery')

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FAQ

How many episodes does Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends have?

Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends currently has 70 episodes available.

What topics does Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends cover?

The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Climbing, Surfing, Athlete, Performance, Running, Aging, Fitness, Nature, Outdoors, Podcasts, Sports, Health, Wilderness, Cycling and Longevity.

What is the most popular episode on Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends?

The episode title '#5 Ari Tulla - Endurance Sports for Longevity vs Intensity, Water Fasting, Tracking Sleep and Personalized Supplements for All' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends?

The average episode length on Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends is 84 minutes.

How often are episodes of Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends released?

Episodes of Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends?

The first episode of Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends was released on Jan 11, 2024.

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Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

Kush Khandelwal

Top 10 Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends have?

What topics does Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends cover?

What is the most popular episode on Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends?

What is the average episode length on Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends?

How often are episodes of Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends released?

When was the first episode of Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends?

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