An awesome outdoorsy special, with inspirational outdoor specialist, Rick Petersen. Rick featured in Season 2 of Alone Australia, and quickly became a fan fave (especially for Hame), with his unwavering positivity in the face of huge adversity and very little food!

Beyond trying to stay alive on Alone, using his skills as an ex-soldier and expedition leader in the NT, Rick currently runs weekend camps for people looking to reconnect with the outdoors, including a special focus on dads and sons. As you’ll find out, the deeper purpose beyond learning to build shelters and start a fire is Rick’s passion to bring people together and foster powerful intergenerational connections, and Rick is a master at this.  

We were lucky enough to experience this with Rick! He invited us up to QLD (or maybe we invited ourselves?) and we took the kids out bush for a few days, and it was just magic. His love and deep knowledge of nature, his calmness, his equanimity… It was amazing to witness the effect on our kids. 

But we also eventually remembered we were there to record an episode, and wow… are we glad we did. Rick is so full of quiet, thoughtful wisdom, often hard earned and we just know so many people are going to get a lot from this chat. Rick, with amazing courage, also reflected on his childhood and revealed that tragically it involved him being the victim of child sexual abuse, so just a heads up that does come up in this episode. (support services listed below)

Rick’s openness and kindness is just so inspiring. The way he’s made his life about giving back to the community, the beautiful relationship he has with his wife and two sons… it was a real privilege to spend time with him, and we reckon you’ll feel the same way after listening to this.

Sincere thanks to Rick. What a legend. And if you’re interested in joining Rick for a weekend like this, go to rickjpetersen.com - We literally can’t recommend it enough.

PS - You can find heaps of awesome Rick TikTok content HERE and follow him on Insta HERE.

PPS - if you wanna see just how full on the cliffs were on Tasman island where Rick spent the first few years of his life… Have a look HERE.  Crazy!

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SUPPORT SERVICES

Information relating to child safety and protection may bring up strong feelings for some people. Remember, you are not alone. If you need assistance or support, contact details for dedicated support services are below.

You can get support for you or anyone you know that has been affected by child sexual abuse at Bravehearts.org.au or Free Call 1800 272 831 - an organisation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of Child Sexual abuse that also offers counciling and education. 

You can also go to www.childsafety.gov.au/get-support to see a wide range of support services.

If you or a child are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

Information on reporting child safety concerns can be found on the Child Safety Make a report page.

And Life Line is available 24 hours a day on 13 11 14

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Big thanks to HERTZ for helping make this special outdoorsy episode happen.  We used a couple of top-notch, brand new HERTZ 4WD’s to lug all our gear and kids into the bush to camp with Rick, and of course the service was amazing, the kid’s car seats were pre-fitted, the cars were sparkling clean (not by the end!) and the pick-up and drop-off experience was a breeze. HERTZ - It’s car rental made extra special.

Head to hertz.com.au/hodd to access an exclusive 25% off the base day rate for your next adventure.  T&Cs and exclusions apply. Not all Hertz Locations offer this special discount rate.