How young is too young to envision and plan out a professional life full of adventure? Could you do it as a young teenager? Realistically, is that even a worthwhile endeavour? Would you stick to your plans? Would you succumb to life's superficial distractions? Whilst planning an ideal future as an adolescent sounds a tad quixotic, I've interviewed many people who have demonstrated that embarking on such an endeavour and realising the resultant goals is an outcome within your grasp. This episode's guest is no different.
Enter Michael Atkinson, an epic adventurer and film maker. At age 13, Michael, or 'Outback Mike', planned to travel the world, join the military as a pilot, become a survival expert, and then make adventure films. He's achieved every step of his plan and isn't slowing down.
Recently, Mike embarked on an epic adventure wherein he crafted a dugout canoe from a single four-tonne log, launched it from Townsville and sailed around Cape York. He survived off what the land and seas offered him, which at times wasn't much. He also had to navigate rough seas and, occasionally, the dangerous wildlife.
During his journey, he interacted with several tradition owners and Indigenous Australian communities, and enjoyed learning from their traditional way of life which is harmonious with the environment.
We talk about all of this and more during this episode.

I hope you enjoy the conversation, and come to see, like I did, how good this human really is.