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Seize Your Adventure

Seize Your Adventure

Adventure sports, travel and outdoor living with epilepsy

Seize Your Adventure is a multi-tool: a great adventure podcast that is also an epilepsy podcast. From long-distance hikes in Europe to skiing in snowstorms, the storytelling episodes share life-changing journeys and the smaller moments spent between seizures. The ‘chats’ with guests dive into the deeper stuff, the hidden aspects of taking on adventures with epilepsy - from carrying medication in a backpack, to assessing seizure risks in the wilderness and recognising limitations. Plus we investigate the perceptions of epilepsy in society and the adventure community. Hosted by Fran Turauskis Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network.
seizeyouradventure.substack.com
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Top 10 Seize Your Adventure Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Seize Your Adventure episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Seize Your Adventure 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 Seize Your Adventure episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

It is important to acknowledge when we do impressive things. Not just because a sense of pride won’t do us any harm. But because it makes our stories more realistic to that person who is scared that it’s too hard for them. In a strange way, if we acknowledge that something is hard for us, it makes it more attainable to everyone else.

Joe Stevenson reached a personal peak when he reached the top of Ben Nevis. In episode 3, he told us how this adventure came about. The conversation in this episode lets you hear a little bit more about:

  • Joe’s everyday life as a hiker with epilepsy
  • How Joe was diagnosed with epilepsy
  • His 7 year period of depression and how he overcame it
  • The side effects of the medication
  • His difficulty finding work due to epilepsy
  • And we find out where he’s aiming his sights next, now he knows what he is capable of...

I’d like to thank Joe for speaking to me so honestly. Some of the subjects he mentioned aren’t easy, but my hope it that us talking about it makes it better. If you’ve been affected by anything discussed, Epilepsy Action is a charity that provides support and expert advice for people with epilepsy. You can speak to them about all elements of living with epilepsy or if you are interested in taking on your own challenge for Epilepsy Action.

If you have depression, or would like to talk to someone about your mental health and how you feel, you can contact Mind for information and support.

Find out more about Joe:

https://epilepticman.com/

Related articles:

https://seizeyouradventure.com/2018/06/03/charity-hiking-101-raising-money/

https://seizeyouradventure.com/2018/07/08/hiking-snowdon-now-and-then/

Music:

From Folk Guitar Music Track by Dvideoguy under the Creative Commons License.

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com
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Seize Your Adventure - Season One Trailer: Adventure and Epilepsy
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10/05/18 • 4 min

Start gearing up for the Seize Your Adventure podcast: this is where the adventure community and the epilepsy community meet. This podcast will share intimate stories and conversations from people with epilepsy who enjoy the adventure lifestyle. For those of you who have no contact with epilepsy, these stories will let you connect with the people behind the diagnosis and will give you an idea of how the condition fits into our lives. For those with epilepsy, I hope it will encourage you and give you confidence to get out there at bit more. For all of us, it will bring a little bit more adventure and inspiration into our lives.

Head to seizeyouradventure.com for the full story.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Become a patron to support the podcast and continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure. Find out more and sign up at patreon.com/seizeyouradventure.

READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT AT seizeyouradventure.com/transcripts

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com
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Jake Quigley is the executive director of the non profit Outdoor Mindset. The organisation’s mission is to unite and inspire people affected by neurological challenges through a common passion of the outdoors. It is a free membership-based community. When he is not working, Jake can be found adventuring outdoors with his wife, Jeanie, by foot, bike, or ski.

If you haven’t listen to Jake’s story, be sure to head back to Part One so that you make the most of our conversation!

We talked about:

His epilepsy diagnosis at 11 years old

How adventure can increase confidence, positivity and the ability to deal with challenge

The path to brain surgery

How to dispel the fear and stigma around epilepsy

What is telemark skiing?

How altitude might affect epilepsy

What he could teach me in mountain biking!

Getting support from Diane Van Deren

What you CAN control when you are diagnosed

How exercise can help your brain

The influence of the outdoors on depression and anxiety

The changes in attitude towards epilepsy

His next big adventure

Terminology:

Grand mal: a generalised seizure where a person loses consciousness and convulses. Also known as a tonic-clonic (more modern term).

Aura: a change in brain activity that causes some strange sensations. Often a warning of a seizure.

More about Outdoor Mindset:

https://www.outdoormindset.org/

Follow Outdoor Mindset:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorMindset/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoormindset/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OutdoorMindset

Music:

Lonely Lake by Kev Rowe | License: Creative Commons

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Become a patron to support the podcast and continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure. Find out more and sign up at patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. You can also make a one-off donation at https://www.paypal.me/seizeyouradventure.

TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE at seizeyouradventure.com/transcripts

Follow Seize Your Adventure:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SYAdventurers/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/syadventurers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syadve

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com
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Seize Your Adventure - Joe Stevenson: Finding My Inner Peak
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01/07/19 • 14 min

This podcast takes you to one of the most remote parts of the UK, an area renowned as the last wilderness of Britain. Even the most touristic areas take some effort to get to. Welcome to the Scottish highlands.

Joe Stevenson tells us about a charity hike he did a couple of years ago. Charity events are a great way of becoming a little bit more adventurous. The challenges are organised for you, the group leaders have plenty of experience with people of all finesses and of course, you can raise some money for a good cause at the same time. The hike that Joe decided to do was the Ben Nevis Challenge for Epilepsy Action.

Joe hadn’t climbed a mountain before his trip to Scotland, but he decided to take on the highest peak in the UK.

Epilepsy Action is a charity that provides support and expert advice, raises awareness and advocates for people with epilepsy. You can speak to them about all elements of living with epilepsy or if you are interested in taking on a challenge for Epilepsy Action. If you have depression, or would like some help with your mental health, you can contact Mind for information and support.

Find out more about Joe: https://epilepticman.com/

Music:

GuitarDandCWithLONGERFade.wav by Kevin Boucher

Folk Guitar Music Track by Dvideoguy

Tick Tick Tick by k2tr

Head to seizeyouradventure.com for the full story.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Become a patron to support the podcast and continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure. Find out more and sign up at patreon.com/seizeyouradventure.

READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT AT seizeyouradventure.com/transcripts

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com
bookmark
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Seize Your Adventure - Fran Turauskis: The Camino

Fran Turauskis: The Camino

Seize Your Adventure

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02/04/19 • 21 min

Let me take you on a very intimate journey from my first seizure to walking the Norte and Primitivo Caminos. With music recorded whilst I was walking, this will give you an insight into my experience of The Way. On a post-referendum quest to discover more of Europe, I decided to take a five-hundred mile walk across Spain. In the summer of 2017, I set out to walk the Camino de Santiago. I expected sore feet, time to think and intimate talks with strangers (mainly about blisters). I didn’t expect my epilepsy to be such a focus of conversation and source of admiration.

As you listen to my story, I hope that fellow pilgrims recognise themselves. It might push aspiring pilgrims to buy a guidebook. And if you want to know more about me and my epilepsy, this is your chance.

And you get to hear me sing...

Related articles:

https://seizeyouradventure.com/2018/02/14/the-camino-diaries/

https://seizeyouradventure.com/2018/07/08/hiking-snowdon-now-and-then/

Music:

Fiesta recorded on the Camino

Acoustic Venezuelan Cuatro by iluppai | License: Creative Commons 0 via Freesound.org

Didgeridoo recorded on the Camino

Buskers in Bilbao recorded on the Camino

Tom Paget recorded and sung by me on a path in Surrey

Fiesta in Santiago recorded on the Camino

Buen Camino!

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com
bookmark
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Seize Your Adventure - Jordan Wylie: 20ish Questions

Jordan Wylie: 20ish Questions

Seize Your Adventure

play

03/26/19 • 34 min

Adventurer. Soldier. Author. Jordan Wylie is known for his challenges at the extreme end of the adventure spectrum. Described by Sir Ranulph Fiennes as “A determined, fearless adventurer and an inspiring man”, Jordan has run races in Iraq, Afghansistan and Somalia, he has written a book about his time tackling pirates off the coast of Africa, and he has hiked Kilimajaro... barefoot. But Jordan is also known for his passion for helping others in his role as an ambassador, trustee and campaigner for various international charities, including Frontline Children and Epilepsy Action. He was diagnosed with epilepsy himself after he contracted dengue fever whilst in Djibouti. But rather than letting it slow him down, Jordan took on the role of an epilepsy ambassador, and continues to push the boundaries of extreme adventure. We talked about:

  • His most difficult challenge so far
  • How he was diagnosed with epilepsy
  • What an Extreme Adventurer does when they’re not adventuring -
  • Who makes him starstruck
  • His must-visit travel destinations
  • How to limit epilepsy risk
  • Swimming with crocodiles!
  • And more...

Donate to Rowing Dangerously: https://www.givepenny.com/rowingdangerously

Follow the Rowing Dangerously Challenge on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RowDangerously

Find out more about Jordan: https://www.jordanwylie.org/

Jordan’s Recommendations:

Declassified Podcast

Citadel by Jordan Wylie

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Become a patron to support the podcast and continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure. Find out more and sign up at patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. You can also make a one-off donation at https://www.paypal.me/seizeyouradventure.

Get bonus content on Patreon

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com
bookmark
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Seize Your Adventure - Adventurers Talk Epilepsy

Adventurers Talk Epilepsy

Seize Your Adventure

play

06/11/19 • 21 min

We’ve heard from people with epilepsy how they seize adventure. Now it’s time to put some adventurers on the spot. I talk to three people who work within the adventure field to find out what they know about epilepsy, what they don’t, and how we can get more people with epilepsy in adventure.
We mention:

-These three adventure professionals’ first aid and epilepsy experience

-How they handle risk assessments

-The different types of seizure

-Basic epilepsy first aid

-How to encourage people with epilepsy to take part in adventure

-What adventure means to them

-Where to go to learn more about epilepsy

THE ADVENTURERS:

Jago Hartland (Outdoor Pursuits Guide)

David Willis (Bushcraft Instructor)

Nicki Bass (Resilience Consultant)

LEARN ABOUT EPILEPSY:

https://seizeyouradventure.com/learn-about-epilepsy/

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com
bookmark
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Seize Your Adventure - Jake Quigley: Mind Over Mountains
play

04/08/19 • 24 min

For Jake Quigley, adventure is more than just a past time, or even a passion. Adventure is a lifestyle, and one he built up around his epilepsy. Jake was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was eleven years old. Rather than being scared by the condition, those around him encouraged and supported Jake to try adventurous things. But having carved out his adventure lifestyle, Jake’s seizures began to evolve when he was an adult, and they started to impact on his quality of life. Eventually, medication wasn’t working, and Jake was left with one last option. Brain surgery.
TERMINOLOGY

Medically refractory epilepsy - Epilepsy that is never fully controlled by medication. Generalised seizure - a seizure that affects the entire brain
Focal point - A place in the brain the seizure starts
Grand mal - a generalised seizure where a person loses consciousness and convulses. Also known as a tonic-clonic (more modern term).

More about Outdoor Mindset: https://www.outdoormindset.org/

MUSIC:

Groovy Guitar - LOOP by joshuaempyre | License: Attribution
Extract of "wrapped in dreams" by Frankum & Frankumjay | License: Creative Commons.
Lonely Lake by Kev Rowe | License: Creative Commons
git2016_4.WAV by Hoerspielwerkstatt_HEF | License: Attribution
BR_094_Himalaya_Buddhistmonks.mp3 by kevp888 | License: Attribution
Groovy Guitar 2 - LOOP.wav by joshuaempyre | License: Attribution
Explosion and Ski sound effects from Zapsplat | License: Creative Commons

READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT AT seizeyouradventure.com/transcripts

Outdoor Mindset
An Outdoor-Focused Community For People Affected By Neurological Challenges
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com
bookmark
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Seize Your Adventure - Can I Do Adventure Sports with Epilepsy?
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10/07/19 • 9 min

I get a lot of people contacting me. People who have adventurous souls and lived and breathed their sports before they started having seizures and were diagnosed with epilepsy. And the question I get asked most by people in this situation is “can I do this sport with epilepsy?”.

And no matter what the sport is, my answer always has to be the same: “I cannot say”.

I talk about a very valuable resource from the International League Against Epilepsy or ILAE that was recently shared with with. And I wish that I’d known about this sooner because it’s two tables that clearly lay out some guidelines for taking part in sports with epilepsy.

One table is labelled ‘Seizure risk level in sport’

The second table is labelled ‘Recommended sport participation by seizure’.

Listen to me talk about some of the sports on these tables, and advice on doing sports with epilepsy by the ILAE.

You can find the tables by ILAE here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/epi.13261

DISCLAIMER: All information presented in this podcast is for your information. I have not contributed to the classing of sports. I take no responsibility for individual decisions made with regards to adventure sports or medical conditions. Risks will be different based on the sport and individual. Always speak to your neurology team.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Become a patron to support the podcast and continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure. Find out more and sign up at patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. You can also make a one-off donation at https://www.paypal.me/seizeyouradventure.

TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE at seizeyouradventure.com/transcripts

FOLLOW SEIZE YOUR ADVENTURE:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SYAdventurers/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/syadventurers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syadventurers/

And tag when you listen, share, subscribe!

Get bonus content on Patreon

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com
bookmark
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Seize Your Adventure - Martin: Venturing Out Alone

Martin: Venturing Out Alone

Seize Your Adventure

play

05/31/21 • 19 min

This is the second Articles episode!

Martin had his first tonic-clonic seizure when he was 10 years old, whilst playing a recorder in a music lesson. Since then, he has lived with epilepsy and seizures. In secondary school, he was told he could not go on a ski-trip because of this epilepsy - not once but twice.

But when Martin left school, a friend at work suggested that they should start travelling together. Now he had a travel-buddy, Martin could travel safely with epilepsy, and they went to Australia, Iceland and more. And Martin was excited to book a trip together to his dream destination - America!

But when his travel companion had to drop out of the trip, Martin had to decide - could he travel alone with epilepsy?

This article first appeared on Martin's blog:

https://epilepsytraveller.home.blog/

Frankie and I discuss the story from 9:25mins:

Fran and Frankie catch up and discuss the article

What they loved about the article

Admitting when something is difficult

Martin's great advice for travelling with epilepsy

How lovely Martin's friendship with his colleague was

Why encouragement from others makes all the difference

Why it's nice to hear a longer story from an Instagram persona!

How Fran has improved her epilepsy routine over the years

I had also had a short chat with Martin about his adventures with epilepsy, and travelling to American alone . The Q&A will be out in 2 week's time.

Follow Martin on Instagram @EpilepsyTraveller

https://www.instagram.com/epilepsytraveller/

Disclaimer: All stories on Seize Your Adventure are personal experience. We take no responsibility for individual decisions made with regards to adventure sports or medical conditions.

MUSIC:

Kev Rowe on Soundcloud| Creative Commons Attribution License
Additional sounds from Zapsplat

THE FULL TRANSCRIPT IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE:

https://www.seizeyouradventure.com/transcripts

This podcast is an independent production - costs of the show are covered by me (Fran) with the support of patrons. If you want to help support the show financially, head to patreon.com/seizeyouradventure. This will help me to continue telling stories of epilepsy in adventure.
Or, support the show for free by sharing it on socials! Find us on Instagram @seizeyouradventurepod.
Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seizeyouradventure.substack.com
bookmark
plus icon
share episode

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FAQ

How many episodes does Seize Your Adventure have?

Seize Your Adventure currently has 47 episodes available.

What topics does Seize Your Adventure cover?

The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Podcasts, Sports and Wilderness.

What is the most popular episode on Seize Your Adventure?

The episode title 'It's Purple Day! Here's some stuff from the cutting room floor' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Seize Your Adventure?

The average episode length on Seize Your Adventure is 25 minutes.

How often are episodes of Seize Your Adventure released?

Episodes of Seize Your Adventure are typically released every 20 days, 13 hours.

When was the first episode of Seize Your Adventure?

The first episode of Seize Your Adventure was released on Oct 5, 2018.

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