The inspiration for this show came after I saw a very well-produced documentary series called “Everest: Beyond The Limits” that’s available on Amazon Prime. 

This extremely well-produced account covers numerous Mt. Everest guided expeditions over three seasons, and the cinematography is so beautiful that it makes you feel like you are right there on the mountain with the climbers. One of the most entertaining and emotion-stirring aspects of the show is watching the astonishing idiocy of ego-driven extreme competitors, who seemingly will stop at nothing to achieve their obsession of standing on the highest point on earth. 

As I made my way through the episodes, I would often shout at the screen with exasperation at the behaviors and comments of the main protagonists. My need to vent results in a podcast episode that steps outside my usual content themes. However, I think there is some relevance here: it’s important to reflect on how our competitive instincts and goal-oriented mentalities can easily spin out of control to our detriment. In the case of Everest, overdoing it or doing it wrong can cost climbers their lives. Witness how 80% of deaths occur on the descent from the summit, because climbers extend past their limits and forget that getting to the top is only part of the challenge. 

In this podcast episode, I throw down, and break down, five key aspects of extreme high altitude mountaineer that deserve scrutiny and perhaps recalibration. It seems these days that we are over-glorifying achievements—represented by ostentatious displays of wealth, physiques, power, and fame, and incredible athletic performances—performances that often transcend common sense and conflict with perceived honor the participant is trying to earn. Is your life void so large that you are willing to accept a 5% death rate on the mountain (310 overall deaths, 6,000+ summiteers…although death rate is slowing in recent as technology and safety measures improve.) If it’s just you on a wild ride (like the vagabond motorcyclist character in Season 1) to live for the moment, okay man go for it. If you have family back home, wow this is a tough endeavor to rationalize - unless you exhibit impeccable preparation, restraint, and strategy. That “personal summit” ideal just doesn’t seem to be enough for many folks. 

I look forward to fielding your comments by email on podcast@bradventures.com. Keep in mind I’m a huge fan of high altitude mountaineering and the incredible adventurous spirit of people who are called to great challenges like visiting the most inhospitable places on earth. I just have to call BS on stuff like doing so with an oxygen tank on your face, being less than impeccably prepared, or soldiering on with a broken down body and putting yourself and others at peril. 



TIMESTAMPS:

After viewing a series on Mt. Everest, Brad comments on the stupidity of some of the participants on the climb. [01:51]

The incredible human spirit and the camaraderie of those climbers is amazing but the prioritizing of the end result over sensible concerns for safety can be compared with some aspects of the lives of elite athletes. [03:22]

You have a 5 percent chance of dying on your route to the summit. Above 24,000 feet bodies of the deceased, cannot be rescued [06:59]

The use of bottled oxygen is cheating, according to Brad. The used steel tanks of oxygen bottles are left on the mountain as litter. [13:39]

If you are going to attempt something so challenging, train and get in shape. [24:42]

Many of these inexperienced climbers put their own personal goals ahead of the safety of others on the mountain. [29:44]

The correct goal of high-altitude mountaineering is not to just get to the summit, but to the summit and back down safely. [33:03]

Appreciate the economic aspects of the whole thing. Many Sherpas have lost their lives helping westerners try to summit. [37:20]



LINKS:
Brad Kearns.com
Brad’s Shopping page
Everest Beyond the Limit.
Into Thin Air
Traffic jam on Everest



Join Brad for more fun on: 

Instagram: @bradkearns1

Facebook: @bradkearnsjumphigh

Twitter: @bradleykearns

YouTube: @brad.kearns

TikTok: @bradkearns



We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!

Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, Brad won’t promote anything he doesn’t absolutely love and use in daily life.
Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount!
NutriSense: Continuous glucose monitor and 1:1 expert support to help optimize diet choices and lifestyle behaviors. $30 B.rad discount!
Marek Health: Comprehensive lab testing and expert tele-health support for peak performance. Use code “BRAD” for 10% discount!
Plunge: Sensational custom-designed home cold plunge with filtered, circulating water, custom temperature setting, and sleek design. Save $150 with code BRAD
LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix: Tasty, sugar-free, scientifically formulated electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Free sample pack, just click the link!
B.rad Whey + Creatine Superfuel: Premium quality, all-natural supplement for peak performance, recovery, and longevity
Male Optimization Formula with Organs (MOFO): Optimize testosterone naturally with 100% grassfed animal organ supplement
Brad’s Macadamia Masterpiece: Mind-blowing, life-changing nut butter blend
Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience

Check out the my Favorites page for discounts on other great products!

The inspiration for this show came after I saw a very well-produced documentary series called “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Summit-Dreams/dp/B079SLCQ6Z/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Q32FXLBQPZOS&amp;keywords=everest+beyond+the+limit&amp;qid=1669251587&amp;sprefix=everest+beyond+the+limit%2Caps%2C147&amp;sr=8-1">Everest: Beyond The Limits</a>” that’s available on Amazon Prime. 
This extremely well-produced account covers numerous Mt. Everest guided expeditions over three seasons, and the cinematography is so beautiful that it makes you feel like you are right there on the mountain with the climbers. One of the most entertaining and emotion-stirring aspects of the show is watching the astonishing idiocy of ego-driven extreme competitors, who seemingly will stop at nothing to achieve their obsession of standing on the highest point on earth. 
As I made my way through the episodes, I would often shout at the screen with exasperation at the behaviors and comments of the main protagonists. My need to vent results in a podcast episode that steps outside my usual content themes. However, I think there is some relevance here: it’s important to reflect on how our competitive instincts and goal-oriented mentalities can easily spin out of control to our detriment. In the case of Everest, overdoing it or doing it wrong can cost climbers their lives. Witness how 80% of deaths occur on the descent from the summit, because climbers extend past their limits and forget that getting to the top is only part of the challenge. 
In this podcast episode, I throw down, and break down, five key aspects of extreme high altitude mountaineer that deserve scrutiny and perhaps recalibration. It seems these days that we are over-glorifying achievements—represented by ostentatious displays of wealth, physiques, power, and fame, and incredible athletic performances—performances that often transcend common sense and conflict with perceived honor the participant is trying to earn. Is your life void so large that you are willing to accept a 5% death rate on the mountain (310 overall deaths, 6,000+ summiteers…although death rate is slowing in recent as technology and safety measures improve.) If it’s just you on a wild ride (like the vagabond motorcyclist character in Season 1) to live for the moment, okay man go for it. If you have family back home, wow this is a tough endeavor to rationalize - unless you exhibit impeccable preparation, restraint, and strategy. That “personal summit” ideal just doesn’t seem to be enough for many folks. 
I look forward to fielding your comments by email on podcast@bradventures.com. Keep in mind I’m a huge fan of high altitude mountaineering and the incredible adventurous spirit of people who are called to great challenges like visiting the most inhospitable places on earth. I just have to call BS on stuff like doing so with an oxygen tank on your face, being less than impeccably prepared, or soldiering on with a broken down body and putting yourself and others at peril. 
 
TIMESTAMPS:
After viewing a series on Mt. Everest, Brad comments on the stupidity of some of the participants on the climb. [01:51]
The incredible human spirit and the camaraderie of those climbers is amazing but the prioritizing of the end result over sensible concerns for safety can be compared with some aspects of the lives of elite athletes. [03:22]
You have a 5 percent chance of dying on your route to the summit. Above 24,000 feet bodies of the deceased, cannot be rescued [06:59]
The use of bottled oxygen is cheating, according to Brad. The used steel tanks of oxygen bottles are left on the mountain as litter. [13:39]
If you are going to attempt something so challenging, train and get in shape. [24:42]
Many of these inexperienced climbers put their own personal goals ahead of the safety of others on the mountain. [29:44]
The correct goal of high-altitude mountaineering is not to just get to the summit, but to the summit and back down safely. [33:03]
Appreciate the economic aspects of the whole thing. Many Sherpas have lost their lives helping westerners try to summit. [37:20]
 
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/">Brad Kearns.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bradkearns.com/shop/">Brad’s Shopping page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Everest-Beyond-the-Limit/dp/B079SLCQ6Z/ref=atv_pr_sw_sc">Everest Beyond the Limit.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Into-Thin-Air-Personal-Disaster/dp/0385494785/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1678917433&amp;sr=8-1">Into Thin Air</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/everest-season-deaths-controversy-crowding-perpetual-planet">Traffic jam on Everest</a></li>
</ul>
 
Join Brad for more fun on: 
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bradkearns1/">@bradkearns1</a>
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bradkearnsjumphigh">@bradkearnsjumphigh</a>
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/bradleykearns">@bradleykearns</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4XXEoULD0AiiuPHdRw-Efg">@brad.kearns</a>
TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bradkearns">@bradkearns</a>
 
We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&amp;A shows, emailed to <a href="mailto:getoveryourselfpodcast@gmail.com">podcast@bradventures.com</a>. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!
Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, Brad won’t promote anything he doesn’t absolutely love and use in daily life.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mitoredlight.com" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.mitoredlight.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1670784308464000&amp;usg=AOvVaw29pWkTXUYp7Rg1ax_ytaJA">Mito Red Light: </a>Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. <a href="mailto:podcast@bradventures.com"></a>Use code BRAD for 5% discount!</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nutrisense.io/?code=BRAD25" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nutrisense.io/?code%3DBRAD25&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1670784308464000&amp;usg=AOvVaw205oe9vzeCdEtLIjJZfS6O">NutriSense:</a> Continuous glucose monitor and 1:1 expert support to help optimize diet choices and lifestyle behaviors. $30 B.rad discount!</li>
<li><a href="http://marekhealth.com/brad" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://marekhealth.com/brad&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1670784308464000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1uuV_P3vQC3hCsaDoD5LsT">Marek Health:</a> Comprehensive lab testing and expert tele-health support for peak performance. Use code “BRAD” for 10% discount!</li>
<li><a href="https://thecoldplunge.com/?irclickid=QJ0Vy7V-3xyIRUjQQMwkGTlIUkAyzjzlQ1DeTY0&amp;irgwc=1&amp;utm_source=impact&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=bb_affiliate&amp;utm_content=Online%20Tracking%20Link&amp;utm_term=3616965_Bradventures">Plunge:</a> Sensational custom-designed home cold plunge with filtered, circulating water, custom temperature setting, and sleek design. Save $150 with code BRAD</li>
<li><a href="https://drinklmnt.com/products/lmnt-recharge-electrolyte-drink?rfsn=6798633.c0a533&amp;utm_medium=sponsor&amp;utm_source=bradkearns&amp;utm_campaign=agwp&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=&amp;variant=16358367199266" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://drinklmnt.com/products/lmnt-recharge-electrolyte-drink?rfsn%3D6798633.c0a533%26utm_medium%3Dsponsor%26utm_source%3Dbradkearns%26utm_campaign%3Dagwp%26utm_content%3D%26utm_term%3D%26variant%3D16358367199266&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1670784308464000&amp;usg=AOvVaw35LiZX7WpKjxihBnypQAUf">LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix:</a> Tasty, sugar-free, scientifically formulated electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Free sample pack, just click the link!</li>
<li><a href="http://bradnutrition.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bradnutrition.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1670784308464000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3PAiAtJqOz4Q5BBBEjhISn">B.rad Whey + Creatine Superfuel</a>: Premium quality, all-natural supplement for peak performance, recovery, and longevity</li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/mofo/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradkearns.com/mofo/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1670784308464000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0n-Lt5oY6uhkAzSQV0c6tR">Male Optimization Formula with Organs (MOFO):</a> Optimize testosterone naturally with 100% grassfed animal organ supplement</li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/macademia-masterpiece/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradkearns.com/macademia-masterpiece/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1670784308464000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3B88Ys_qUUidGZcCu8FVG-">Brad’s Macadamia Masterpiece: </a>Mind-blowing, life-changing nut butter blend</li>
<li><a href="https://bradventures.thinkific.com/collections" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradventures.thinkific.com/collections&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1670784308464000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1cEUH1rIYcgawotpNmWxGx">Online educational courses:</a> Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience</li>
</ul>
Check out the my <a href="https://bradkearns.com/favorites/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradkearns.com/favorites/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1670784308464000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2JRemiqRnQoKcvAMupdFVo">Favorites</a> page for discounts on other great products!

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author and champion triathlete, Speedgolfer, and masters high jumper, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Enjoy memorable insights from leading experts on diet, fitness, peak performance, personal growth, relationships, happiness, and longevity. Brad’s “Breather” shows provide step-by-step tips you can implement right away to improve your life. Let’s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It’s time to B.rad!

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author and champion triathlete, Speedgolfer, and masters high jumper, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Enjoy memorable insights from leading experts on diet, fitness, peak performance, personal growth, relationships, happiness, and longevity. Brad’s “Breather” shows provide step-by-step tips you can implement right away to improve your life. Let’s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It’s time to B.rad!

Brad Kearns, NY Times bestselling author and Guinness World Record athlete,  offers a fun and diverse mix of interviews with leading authors and health experts, and "Breather" shows for peak performance and personal growth

The B.rad Podcast

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author and champion triathlete, speedgolfer, and masters high jumper, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life, without taking ourselves too seriously! You'll learn from experts on diet, fitness, peak performance, and personal growth, and enjoy Brad's brief "Breather” shows where you get simple, actionable tips to improve your life right away. Let’s explore beyond hype, hacks, shortcuts, and sciency talk to laugh, have fun, and appreciate the journey. It’s time to B.rad!

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author and champion triathlete, speedgolfer, and masters high jumper, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life, without taking ourselves too seriously! You'll learn from experts on diet, fitness, peak performance, and personal growth, and enjoy Brad's brief "Breather” shows where you get simple, actionable tips to improve your life right away. Let’s explore beyond hype, hacks, shortcuts, and sciency talk to laugh, have fun, and appreciate the journey. It’s time to B.rad!

Advertisement