Episode #38 An Interview With Jason Lewis - Human Powered World Adventurer

Structural Performance Podcast

In this episode, I interview Jason Lewis, Author and the first person to circumnavigate the globe by human power. We discuss topics ranging from his ocean crossings, cycling through Europe, rollerblading through America, and Pedaling through the Pacific.

Jason’s Bio:

“Arguably, the most remarkable adventurer in the world today.”

—THE DAILY MAIL

Jason Lewis is an award-winning author, adventurer and sustainability campaigner specializing in human-powered expeditions. He is recognized by Guinness World Records as the first person to circumnavigate the Earth without using motors or sails[1]: walking, cycling, and inline skating five continents, and kayaking, swimming, rowing, and pedalling a boat across the rivers, seas, and oceans. Taking thirteen years to complete, the 46,505-mile journey was hailed “the last great first for circumnavigation” by the London Sunday Times.

RECORDS?Jason has set three additional records: the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean from mainland Europe to North America by human power (February 1995, Lewis and Smith); first crossing of North America on inline skates (September 1996, Lewis); and first crossing of the Pacific Ocean by pedal power (August 2000, Lewis).

MEDIA & HONOURS?He was nominated The Times inGear Man of the Year (2007), the Land Rover Toughest Sportsperson of the Year, and featured as one of Sport Magazine’s Athletes of the Year. A Fellow of London University, the Royal Geographical Society, and The Explorers Club, he has appeared on numerous television and talk shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC), CBS This Morning, and Long Way Down with actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman.

CAUSE?Being an adventurer is about much more than just records or firsts for Jason. Visiting more than 900 schools in 37 countries to date, involving thousands of students in a variety of programmes in conjunction with UNESCO’s Associated Schools Program Network, he uses human-powered journeys and his profile as an adventurer to promote world citizenship, zero carbon emission travel, and awareness of individual lifestyle choices on the health of the planet. In addition, tens of thousands of dollars have been raised through his 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for humanitarian causes — orphanages such as The Hope Orphanage in East Timor, and hospices for people living with HIV and AIDS (Rumah Solehah, Kuala Lumpur; Father Joe’s Mercy Centre, Bangkok).

BOOKS & AWARDS?A frequent contributor to outdoor magazines (Men’s Fitness, Sports Illustrated, Outside Magazine, Geographical) and travel books (Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul, HCI, 2002; Flightless, Incredible Journeys Without Leaving the Ground, Lonely Planet, 2008; The Modern Explorers, Thames & Hudson, 2013), Jason is the author of The Expedition trilogy (BillyFish Books, 2012/3): Dark Waters*, The Seed Buried Deep, and To The Brink.

* WINNER of the 2013 Benjamin Franklin Award, Eric Hoffer Award, National Indie Excellence Award & 2012 ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year.

Jason Lewis- resources

Jason’s book page:

http://www.billyfishbooks.com/Books.html

Jason’s Website:

http://www.jasonexplorer.com

Expedition 360 website- website of The Expedition- with video of The Expedition

http://www.expedition360.com/