From Death’s Door to Solo Kayaking 1,000 Miles Through the Canadian Arctic with Stephan Kesting

Zero To Travel Podcast

Why does it take a brush with death for some of us to finally do the things we’ve dreamed of?

Stephan Kesting is an accomplished martial artist, firefighter, wilderness explorer, and the author of Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic. You might know him from his popular jiu-jitsu videos and teachings at Grapplearts, but Stephan’s story goes far beyond the mat. After surviving a life-threatening kidney disease and receiving a transplant from his brother, Stephan set out on a 1,000-mile solo canoe expedition through Canada’s remote Subarctic - a journey that became both an epic adventure and a profound exploration of mortality, identity, and what it means to truly live.

In this episode, Stephan and I dig into what it takes physically, mentally, and emotionally to embark on a solo wilderness journey in the face of mortality and grief.

Stephan’s story will inspire you to rethink your own limits. You’ll hear how he navigated a rare kidney disease that threatened his identity as a martial artist and outdoorsman, and how facing death up close became the push he needed to tackle a dream he’d been putting off for years. From his raw reflections on loss and resilience to his honest look at fear, self-doubt, and satisfaction versus happiness, Stephan’s insights will stick with you long after you’ve listened.

Whether your version of adventure is paddling 1,000 miles alone or just stepping outside your comfort zone, this conversation might just give you that nudge to get started.

When was the last time you answered your own call to adventure? What did it teach you about yourself? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

• Why Stephan walked away from a career in physics and ended up studying botany in the Arctic
• How growing up with a foot in the city and a foot in the wilderness shaped his love of the outdoors
• The surprising overlap between martial arts and wilderness survival
• How polycystic kidney disease forced Stephan to confront his mortality and identity
• How he planned and trained for a 1,000-mile solo canoe expedition after a transplant
• What it’s like to be alone in the Subarctic for weeks, battling harsh weather and self-doubt
• Why he believes satisfaction matters more than happiness when it comes to big goals
• How the wilderness has helped him process grief and loss
• Practical advice for anyone who wants to dip their toes into solo outdoor adventures safely
• And so much more

Resources:

• Sign up for our FREE newsletter
• Stephan’s website
• Essential Wilderness YouTube
• Instagram
• Perserverence book

Want More?

• The Power of Death in Life with Gentle Rebel Bronnie Ware
• Beyond the Summit: Climbing Mt. Everest, Filming at 29,000 Feet, a Cultural Journey through Nepal, and Taking Your Childhood Dreams to Heart with Alex Harz
• Cross Country Canoeing: 7,500 Miles Into the Soul of America + an Unconventional Life of Travel With Neal Moore

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