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Zero To Travel Podcast

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

Zero To Travel Podcast

Jason Moore

Places & Travel, Entrepreneurship, Business, Society & Culture

4.6866 Ratings

🗓️ 1 July 2025

⏱️ 77 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Apple Card - Earn 3% back on the Apple products and services you love with Apple Card.  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Oh, that's my prime delivery.

0:01.6

What, already?

0:02.7

Only one thing can match the buzz of Prime's fast delivery.

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And that's the buzz of Prime's entertainment.

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What are we watching?

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Heads of state, that new action comedy with Idris Elber as the Prime Minister,

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John Sina as the president, and Prianka Chopra Jonas,

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as their only hope.

0:17.0

It looks like a blast.

0:18.2

From fast delivery to explosive entertainment, it's on Prime.

0:22.6

For only 899 a month, join now.

0:24.6

Content includes limited ads, subscription or to renews.

0:27.6

For more information, go to Amazon.co.

0:28.6

com.

0:29.6

U.K.

0:30.6

slash Prime.

0:31.6

I had polycystic kidney disease, which is a genetic disease where basically your kidney function degrades pretty

0:39.4

severely over time. And 50 years ago, I'd be dead. A hundred years ago, I'd be dead. A thousand

0:45.8

years ago, I'd be dead. Almost dying and looking death in the face really does change your

0:52.0

relationship with your life goals. It really does help

0:54.6

focus your mind wonderfully about what do you really want to do before A, you die, or B, you become

1:02.6

too incapacitated to do the things that you've always wanted to do. That is today's guest, Stefan Kesting,

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