The 9 Best TED Talks by Explorers and Adventurers (That We Can All Learn From)
Chris Hadfield
Open with being blasted into space, close with David Bowie. That’s a presentation I’ll watch every day. In this TED Talk, astronaut Chris Hadfield recounts the high-stakes preparation and anticipation of a space shuttle launch. Excitement, terror— everything that comes with embarking on such a perilous journey. He shares his personal experience of going blind during a spacewalk and how meticulous training and a focus on actual risks versus perceived dangers allowed him to stay calm and continue his mission. I love the parallels he draws between conquering fears of space and everyday anxieties. How do we differentiate our real and imagined dangers? My advice: listen to Chris.
Sarah Marquis
If someone had circumnavigated the planet on foot, would you listen. Lucky for us, explorer Sarah Marquis shares her experiences from over 23 years of doing just that. She recounts various challenges, including surviving in hostile environments, dealing with dangerous encounters, and the critical role of meticulous planning and preparation. Marquis highlights how these journeys have taught her the significance of understanding and managing her mental and physical states, the value of solitude and reflection, and the profound respect for nature and simplicity. Above all, no matter who you are, she will inspire you to embrace your own inner explorer.
Ben Saunders
Explorer Ben Saunders reflects on his extensive experience leading polar expeditions, particularly his recent ambitious journey with teammate Tarka L'Herpiniere, which involved a grueling 1,800-mile round trip from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back. Saunders candidly discusses the physical and mental challenges they faced, such as severe weather, exhaustion, hypothermia, and the difficult decision to call for a resupply plane. Despite achieving a historic milestone by completing the longest human-powered polar journey, Saunders emphasizes the profound lessons learned about the importance of the journey itself, the value of perseverance, and the realization that happiness and contentment must be found in the present moment rather than at the finish line. His experience underscores the themes of ambition, resilience, and the continuous pursuit of personal growth amidst life's ongoing challenges.
Tim Jarvis
While explorer Tim Jarvis reflects on Ernest Shackleton's legendary Antarctic expedition to draw parallels with tackling climate change today, the metaphor is apt for daily life as well. Here, Jarvis emphasizes the importance of breaking down monumental challenges into manageable steps and adapting strategies as conditions evolve. He also shares how Shackleton achieved success through understanding individual motivations and fostering unified teamwork. Meaning, if we want to make change (climate or other), we have to move beyond fear and guilt, and to leverage diverse, positive motivations for collective action. doing something—anything—we can make a significant difference.
Kelvin Murray
While Kelvin opens his talk with tales of historic resilience in exploration, you quickly see the experience he brings to this remarkable talk. He’s led expeditions all over the world including the deepest manned submersible dives in numerous seas plus exploration of the world’s two deepest known shipwrecks, the fabled USS Johnston, which rests at 6,460 metres, and a year later discovery of USS Samuel B. Roberts at 6,895 metres. He is also the Head of Expeditions for EYOS. I love his take on resilience, finding that kindness has actually played as significant a role in the toughest exploration situations that he and those historic explorers endured.
Steph Davis @ TEDxBoulder
What is the difference between endurance and resilience? Rock climber and BASE jumper Steph Davis has learned. Standing on a mountain top, preparing for flight, is a blend of exhilaration and fear, much like the journey of life itself. At 18, Steph Davis discovered rock climbing. The sport became a passion that led her from law school to living out of my car and pursuing the unknown. Despite losing many things along the way—friends, a job, her health, and even her husband Mario, a BASE jumper—these experiences taught me the difference between mere endurance and true resilience. After the tragic loss of my husband Mario, a fellow BASE jumper, I learned that while enduring can keep you going, resilience brings back the joy. On New Year's Eve, standing on the edge of a canyon, I chose to fly again, feeling the rush of freedom, wonder, and joy. Life is inherently risky, but the real danger lies in not daring to embrace its full potential. This talk will show you why she chose to fly, and why you should too.
Jessie Allen TEDxLander
Multifaceted. Multitalented. Just, multi. Jessie Allen’s talk takes us to the intersection of seemingly contradictory roles: yoga teacher, hunting guide, rancher, rock climber, feminist, and former Miss America contestant. Sharing personal stories of guiding wilderness expeditions without makeup and meditating at 3 a.m. before hunting trips, she reveals her journey of learning to balance femininity and toughness. Through her experiences, she discovers that true strength lies in resilience, not just endurance. I especially love how Jessie encourages embracing one’s anomalies and vulnerabilities as powerful tools for connection and growth, urging everyone to explore their curiosities and build a more inclusive, diverse world.
Ken Kamler
Ken Kamler was the only doctor on Mount Everest during the tragedy of 1996. Here, he takes us through the harrowing experience of surviving the mountain’s worst disaster. As I’ve done in this post, Kamler focuses part of the talk on Beck Weathers, who, despite being in a hypothermic state for nearly two days, drew on powerful mental images of his family to generate the willpower needed to get up and find his way back to camp. This remarkable feat illustrates the immense power of mental strength and how willpower can help to overcome even the most dire physical circumstances.
Richard Pyle
At 19, a near-fatal diving accident left Richard Pyle temporarily paralyzed. In this captivating talk, he shares a transformative personal journey, which led to a lifelong passion for exploring deep coral reefs. He delves into the intricacies of scuba diving and reveals the wonders and dangers of deep-sea exploration. The talk concludes with a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between pursuing joy and ensuring survival. Essentially, respect the risks, but live life to the fullest—above or below the waterline.
What have I missed? Which TED Talks by explorers and adventurers do you love?
Let me know.