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What does it actually feel like to sleep alone in a West African rainforest — the noise, the insects, the pitch-dark uncertainty? In this Season 5 opener, Chris sits down with Jude Kriwald, adventure filmmaker and cyclist, to unpack Alone Across Gola — Jude’s solo ride across West Africa, including a remote jungle crossing in Liberia/Sierra Leone’s Gola region.

Connect with Jude

Book Jude For Your Next Event: https://JudeKriwald.com/Speaking
Follow On Insta: https://www.instagram.com/judekriwald
Need Mentoring? AdventureMentor.org

Alongside the on-the-ground stories (heat, hydration, kit failures, and a few genuinely sketchy moments), Jude shares a thoughtful take on neurodivergence (autism + ADHD), why “analogue adventures” matter, and how we can build a life that’s more honest to who we are.

What You’ll Learn

What jungle nights are really like — and why the soundscape is unforgettable
How Jude manages risk when travelling solo (and what satellite SOS can’t solve)
Why ADHD/autism traits can be powerful outdoors: hyperfocus, pattern-spotting, rapid problem-solving
The “stepping stone” approach to confidence and route planning
Why rest days aren’t optional on long bike trips

Chapters:

00:00 Exploring the Unknown: A Journey into the African Rainforest
01:45 The Call of Adventure: Jude's Formative Years
06:49 The First Big Expedition: Cycling to India
11:58 Navigating Life's Gaps: The Lost Decade
17:34 Harnessing Neurodivergence: ADHD and Autism as Superpowers
22:45 Adventure Mentoring: Leveling the Playing Field
28:26 West Africa: A New Frontier for Exploration
29:44 Exploring the Unknown: Journey to West Africa
31:19 First Night in the Jungle: A Personal Experience
34:59 Planning and Preparation: The Adventurer's Mindset
36:30 Camping and Rest: Balancing Adventure and Recovery
38:05 The Trusty Bike: A Companion on the Journey
41:29 Hydration and Health: Navigating the Jungle's Challenges
43:46 Self-Reliance and Communication: The Importance of Preparedness
47:16 Cultural Interactions: Bridging the Gap
51:19 Understanding Poverty: A Lesson in Empathy
54:29 The Gola Rainforest: An Adventurer's Discovery
57:25 Navigating the Unknown: The Adventure of Exploration
58:37 The Art of Filmmaking: A Journey into Storytelling
01:02:54 Reflections on Courage: The Impact of Adventure
01:05:31 Creating a Platform: The Power of Sharing Stories
01:08:14 Paying It Forward: Supporting Future Adventurers
01:12:25 Embracing Analog Adventures: A Call to Disconnect
01:19:51 Connecting with Jude: Where to Find More Adventures

Guest Bio

Jude Kriwald is an adventure filmmaker and cyclist whose documentary Alone Across Gola follows a solo expedition across West Africa and into remote rainforest terrain. Jude also founded Adventure Mentor, offering one-to-one mentoring support to help more people access adventure, particularly those underrepresented in the space.

Resources & Mentions

Alone Across Gola (film on YouTube)
Adventure Mentor (free 1:1 mentoring)
https://www.britis

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The Adventure Diaries Podcast also covers a broad spectrum OF topics withIN the fields of Adventure, Exploration, Micro-adventure, Survival, Mental Resilience, Conservation, Scotland, Hiking, Solo Travel, Cycling, Nature, Storytelling, Mountaineering