E125 - Ash Dykes: How to survive and thrive - lessons from near-death.

Extreme athlete and adventurer Ash Dykes is a three-time world-first record holder and motivational speaker. Ash was the first person to hike the entire length of the longest river in the world - the Yangtze River, which took a year to complete, the first to walk the entire length of Madagascar and the first to hike across Mongolia.

Ash has an unbelievably infectious passion for adventure and an incredible ability to inspire. A self-taught explorer, this podcast celebrates his 'can-do' attitude and brings out the key lessons he's learnt from surviving in some of the most extreme locations on earth and multiple near-death experiences.

This episode truly celebrates resilience, the power of the human mind and what we are all capable of.

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### Section 1: Introduction to Ash Dykes and the Podcast's Theme

* Ash Dykes is an extreme athlete, adventurer, and motivational speaker.
* He holds three world records for his remarkable feats, including being the first person to hike the entire length of the Yangtze River, walk across Madagascar, and hike across Mongolia.
* The podcast celebrates Ash's "can-do" attitude and highlights the lessons he's learned from surviving in extreme locations and facing near-death experiences.
* The episode focuses on resilience, the power of the human mind, and the potential within each individual.

### Section 2: Ash's Journey and the Importance of Embracing Challenges

* Ash emphasizes the transformative power of embracing challenges and pushing oneself beyond perceived limits.
* He shares an anecdote where he found himself in a life-threatening situation during an expedition, contemplating the possibility of death.
* To overcome his negative mindset, Ash focused on the four days he believed he could survive and visualized himself walking to the nearest community for assistance.
* He highlights the importance of setting achievable goals and breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps.

### Section 3: The Significance of the Journey over the Destination

* Ash emphasizes that the journey itself holds more value than the destination.
* He reflects on his previous expeditions and notes that crossing the finish line is not the most memorable aspect.
* The highlights often come from the experiences, challenges, and connections made along the way.

### Section 4: Preparing for the Unexpected and Anticipating Worst-case Scenarios

* Ash stresses the importance of preparing for the worst-case scenario to minimize surprises and maintain a proactive mindset.
* He believes that anticipating potential challenges allows him to approach them calmly and strategically rather than reacting out of fear or panic.

### Section 5: Ash's Unconventional Path to Adventure and Self-Discovery

* Ash shares his decision to not attend university or pursue a traditional job.
* He explains that he wanted to save money, travel the world, and gain life experiences to discover his true passion.
* Ash emphasizes the value of real-world experiences in shaping one's path and finding fulfillment.

### Section 6: The Five Stages of the Dream: A Framework for Analyzing Ash's Adventures

* The podcast introduces the five stages of the dream model by Joseph Campbell: the dream stage, the leap stage, the fight stage, the climb stage, and the arrival stage.
* Ash's Yangtze River expedition is used as an example to illustrate each stage.

### Section 7: The Dream Stage: The Initial Inspiration for the Yangtze River Expedition

* Ash explains how his early adventurous spirit and desire to explore the world led him to conceive the idea of hiking the Yangtze River.
* He highlights the fascination he felt towards natural wonders and his drive to experience them firsthand.

### Section 8: The Leap Stage: Taking the First Step towards the Expedition

* Ash describes the extensive planning and preparation required for the Yangtze River expedition, including securing permits, visas, and assembling a team.
* He emphasizes the daunting nature of the challenge, given the river's length, altitude, and potential dangers.
* Ash shares his experience of a failed attempt to reach the source of the river, which delayed the expedition by two and a half months.

### Section 9: The Fight Stage: Overcoming Obstacles and Maintaining Belief

* Ash discusses the difficulties he faced during the expedition, including extreme weather conditions, challenging terrain, and health concerns.
* He highlights the importance of mental resilience and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
* Ash emphasizes the role of self-belief and confidence in overcoming obstacles, drawing from his previous experiences and meticulous preparation.

### Section 10: The Climb Stage: Progress and Building Momentum

* Ash describes the gradual progress he made during the expedition, despite the challenges he encountered.
* He highlights the importance of setting achievable goals and celebrating small victories along the way.
* Ash emphasizes the significance of teamwork and the support he received from his team members.

### Section 11: The Arrival Stage: Achieving the Goal and Reflecting on the Journey

* Ash reflects on the sense of accomplishment he felt upon completing the Yangtze River expedition.
* He highlights the importance of acknowledging and celebrating achievements, both big and small.
* Ash emphasizes the value of learning from the journey and using the experience to grow and develop as an individual.

### Section 12: The Power of Failure and the Importance of Self-Talk

* Ash discusses the role of failure in his journey, emphasizing that mistakes and setbacks are opportunities for learning and growth.
* He highlights the importance of embracing a positive mindset and avoiding self-doubt.
* Ash shares tips for managing negative self-talk and cultivating a more positive and empowering inner dialogue.

# Podcast Episode Summary:

## Introduction:
- Ash Dykes, an extreme athlete and adventurer, shares his insights on resilience, the power of the human mind, and the boundless capabilities within us.

## The Three Stages of an Expedition:
1. **The Preparation Stage:**
- Breaking down goals into manageable steps.
- Managing expectations to avoid overwhelming setbacks.

2. **The Messy Middle Stage:**
- Dealing with moments of doubt and fear.
- Focusing on what's possible and breaking down goals into smaller, achievable steps.

3. **The Arrival Stage:**
- Avoiding an outcome-based mindset and cherishing the process.
- Planning ahead while absorbing lessons from current experiences.

## Overcoming Adversity:
- Ash Dykes recounts his harrowing experience in the Gobi Desert, where dehydration and hallucinations led him to the brink of death.
- He emphasizes the importance of staying disciplined, maintaining a routine, and focusing on short-term goals during challenging times.

## The Power of Visualization:
- Ash Dykes advocates for visualization as a tool to prepare for and overcome obstacles.
- He suggests visualizing the challenges and hardships that may arise to mentally prepare for them.

## Coping with Loneliness:
- Ash Dykes highlights the importance of routine in combating loneliness.
- He recommends setting a daily routine, including physical activity, healthy eating, and personal goals, to maintain a sense of purpose and well-being.

## The Risks of an Outcome-Based Mindset:
- Ash Dykes cautions against living solely for the outcome, emphasizing the value of cherishing the journey and the experiences along the way.
- He encourages focusing on the process rather than solely on the end result.

## Planning Future Adventures:
- Ash Dykes reveals his approach to planning future adventures while still engaged in current ones.
- He explains how this approach motivates and pushes him to complete his current expedition.

## The Challenge of Securing Funding:
- Ash Dykes discusses the difficulties of securing funding for his expeditions.
- He mentions that he often self-funds his adventures due to the lack of financial support.

## Overcoming Funding Challenges:
- Ash Dykes emphasizes the importance of resilience and persistence in overcoming funding challenges.
- He shares an anecdote about announcing his Yangtze River expedition to the world without having the necessary visa, permits, or funding, as a way to motivate his team and gain support.

## Conclusion:
- Ash Dykes' podcast episode serves as an inspiring reminder of the resilience, determination, and mental fortitude required to overcome challenges and achieve extraordinary feats.

# Podcast Episode Summary: Achieving High Performance through Resilience and Optimism

**Guest:** Ash Dykes, Three-time World-Record Holder and Motivational Speaker

**Key Points:**

1. **Embrace Optimism:** Dykes emphasizes the power of optimism in overcoming challenges and achieving goals. He believes that focusing on the positive aspects and solutions can significantly impact one's mindset and actions.

2. **Break Down Daunting Tasks:** Dykes suggests breaking down large and daunting tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This approach helps individuals focus on achievable goals and maintain motivation throughout the process.

3. **Cultivate Enthusiasm, Kindness, and Loyalty:** Dykes highlights the importance of enthusiasm, kindness, and loyalty in building strong teams and fostering a positive work environment. He believes that these qualities create a supportive atmosphere where individuals can thrive and achieve their full potential.

4. **Embrace Your Legacy:** Dykes encourages individuals to consider the legacy they want to leave behind. He believes that focusing on making a positive impact and helping others can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment to one's life.

5. **Enjoy the Process and Stay Disciplined:** Dykes emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey towards achieving goals while maintaining discipline and determination. He believes that embracing the process and staying committed to the grind can lead to eventual success.

6. **Use Quick-Fire Questions for Self-Reflection:** Dykes recommends using quick-fire questions to reflect on one's actions and motivations. These questions can help individuals stay focused, make informed decisions, and overcome challenges.

7. **Prioritize Family and Personal Well-being:** A listener named Sadie shares how the podcast helped her refocus on her priorities, including family time and her own well-being. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and making time for self-care to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy balance in life.

8. **The Power of Positive Thinking:** Nim's story, featured in Episode 32 of the podcast, exemplifies the impact of positive thinking. Despite facing adversity, Nim maintained a positive outlook and turned a negative situation into an opportunity for growth.

**Overall Message:**
The podcast highlights the importance of resilience, optimism, and a positive mindset in achieving high performance. It emphasizes the value of breaking down challenges, cultivating positive qualities, embracing the journey, and prioritizing personal well-being. The episode also showcases the transformative power of positive thinking and the impact it can have on individuals and teams.