Gavin McClurg on Risk Taking
Gavin McClurg is no stranger to adventure and exploration. He is a 2015 National Geographic “Adventurer of the Year” for his unpowered paragliding expedition across the Canadian Rockies (documented in the Red Bull Media House feature film “The Rockies Traverse”). He became the first person to traverse the full length of the Alaska Range by foot and paraglider (unsupported) in 2016 (documented in the Red Bull Media House feature film “North of Known”). He is the owner, founder and Captain of “Offshore Odysseys”, a global kitesurfing/surfing/sailing expedition. He has twice circumnavigated the world by sail, living at sea for 13 straight years, including short-handed roundings of both notorious capes (Horn and Good Hope). Gavin holds the former North American record for foot launched cross-country paragliding, a flight of 240 miles deep into Montana from his hometown of Sun Valley, Idaho. Gavin is the first American (and only 3rd non-European) to complete the “toughest adventure race on Earth”, the Red Bull X-Alps a paragliding / foot race across the Alps from Salzburg to Monaco. In ten days, Gavin flew 1560 kilometers, walked 498 (12+ marathons) and scaled 52,000 meters of vertical ascent on foot (Everest 5 times). Gavin competed again in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
Some more of Gavin’s career highlights include: 2015 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year; 8th place Red Bull X-Alps and the first American to reach goal in Monaco in the race’s history; Former World Mountain Distance record holder in paragliding (387 kilometers, 240 miles); 2 X circumnavigations by sail, including short-handed rounding of both Capes (Horn and Good hope). 160,000 total miles; Created, founded, captained and current CEO of Offshore Odysseys, an ocean-based expedition company based around kitesurfing, surfing and paragliding; Former US Alpine Ski Team member; Several first descents (kayaking) in Central America (class VI); Published author, countless magazine features
Gavin had a number of amazing insights during our conversation. Some of them include:
“He was an explorer in terms of his entrepreneurial spirit. He was always trying stuff that was 10 years too far in the future” (21:30).
“Most people go to security when they have that kind of background, and for me it was the opposite” (22:25).
“For whatever reason, I’ve always been drawn to speed and risk” (23:40).
“When you’re letting your subconscious do the work and you’re so embedded in the moment, then all of this frivolous stuff that drives life, that’s distracting and stressful and sometimes painful, goes away” (24:50).
“It’s a battle against your own mind” (27:35).
“The risks are enormous, and I think eventually for everybody the luck’s going to run out” (30:25).
“Until that day, I hadn’t understood death” (33:00).
“Death is a fascinating animal” (36:15).
“I feel celebratory, in a sense, towards the concept of death. To me, it’s a driver. It’s kind of like fear. Fear is a really good thing; it keeps you alive” (36:30).
“The inevitability of death is a really good thing because it reminds me every day of how important and how precious every day is” (36:50).
“We’ve all got to figure out how to replace that rush with something else” (40:30).
“That’s what I want to do. I want to have the most fun” (41:55).
“The more we separate ourselves from attainment, and the more we can be present, then we’re winning” (42:20).
“Just being who you are is good enough” (42:35).
“Sometimes, you have to be dumb enough to launch. Otherwise, life is pretty gray” (44:00).
“If you’re not falling, you’re not pushing hard enough” (44:25).
“That’s my New Year’s resolution every year: to be more present, to be here, and to be grateful and thankful for that” (46:00).
“That’s what my daughter has taught me: to be more curious” (49:15).
“Wow we are lucky. Wow we are fortunate” (52:45).
Make sure to follow Gavin on Instagram and Facebook. Additionally, you can purchase Gavin’s book, "Advanced Paragliding,” wherever books are sold. Gavin has also written hundreds of magazine articles and been part of many films. Lastly, you can find Gavin’s recent TedXTalk here!
Thank you so much to Gavin for coming on the podcast!
Lastly, if you liked this episode and/or any others, please follow me on Twitter: @brianlevenson or Instagram: @Intentional_Performers.
Thanks for listening.
-Brian
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