Editors Picks: Books, podcasts and videos to help you ignore the Coronavirus Pandemic
Here’s a list of our editors’ favourite adventure and fitness related media to help you escape isolation without leaving your home.
Right now, we face an unprecedented period of social isolation due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Its all too easy to scroll through your phone and fall into a mind-numbing sinkhole of bad news and unnecessary twitter spats.
What better time now to appreciate the value of quality podcasts, films and books.
Podcasts
Rich Roll Podcast: A Pandemic of Possibility with Zach Bush
Rich Roll is an ultra-runner and bestselling author with the publication of his critically acclaimed book Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself.
His podcast features a diverse range of guests allowing him to cover topics from fitness to art and spirituality.
In this episode, Rich talks with physician Zach Bush about the current pandemic, while giving an optimistic take on the situation.
Terra Incognita Episode 026: Mount Roraima – The Lost World
Terra Incognita - The Adventure Podcast is a series of long form conversations with adventurers, mountaineers and scientists.
This episode is part of a series following a British expedition as they traverse the Amazon Rainforest to reach Mount Roraima, in Guyana. It’s a unique way of podcasting because we’re given the chance to listen in as they talk about their current experiences whilst walking in the rainforest. Adventurer Waldo Etherington talks first-hand about his jungle expedition.
We fully recommend this podcast, a great way to learn about the trials and tribulations of mountaineering, taking part in an expedition and more.
Joe Rogan Experience #1109 - Matthew Walker
Matthew Walker is a neuroscientist who’s focused his research on the impact of sleep on human health and disease.
This current disruption has wreaked havoc on many people’s routines, causing unregular sleeping hours. Mathew’s calm words should hopefully convince you how important sleep is for our general health and fitness.
Joe Rogan Experience #1410 - Ash Dykes
Ash Dykes is a Welsh adventurer and extreme athlete. Ash became the first person to walk along the full 4,000-mile (6,437km) course of the Yangtze, the longest river in Asia. His trek across China makes for a fascinating listen.
Books
A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols
A Voyage for Madman is a book depicting the ultimate adventure. In 1968, nine fearless sailors set voyage in hope of becoming the first ever sailor to single-handily circumnavigate the globe. It is an immersive story that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring why and how these audacious, though some would say demented, individuals battled the seven seas.
Nine men who were willing to put everything on the line to reach glory. Not all souls make it back to the finishing line. A striking tale for the history books draped in adventure, it will surely inspire you to plan expeditions of your own!
Outrunning the Demons: Lives Transformed Through Running by Phil Hewitt
This book offers a collection of stories on how running can transform people’s lives for the better. Featuring memoirs from a diverse range of individuals, it serves as anecdotal evidence of how running can benefit the mind as well as the body. Many of these runners have managed to bend adversity and cope through hard times with their running.
Netflix
The Least Expected Day: Inside the Movistar Team 2019
This is a new series following Spanish road racing giants Movistar during their 2019 season. A great insight into how a UCI World Tour team functions and the drama that unfolds in a season.
Youtube
Kraig Adams: Hiking the Mardi Himal Trek in Nepal
Kraig is an American YouTuber, minimalist and hiker who creates stunning videos of his numerous adventures around the world. Steering away from the standard hyperactive and clickbait style of many YouTube vloggers, Kraig’s videos run at a gentle pace with minimal dialogue. This gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the journey. Wear Headphones.
Beau Miles: A Mile an Hour - Running a different kind of marathon
Beau is a kayaker, ultra-runner and all-round eccentric outdoorsman based in Australia. From paddling around Southern Africa to running 650+ km of the Australian Alps, Beau has a real knack for creating great feature films and documentaries following his adventures.
In this short film, Beau takes up the challenge of running a different type of Marathon. By running a one mile lap an hour for 24 hours, he hopes to fill the rest of the time with odd jobs and fixing things.
Livecams
Something a little different - Explore.org
This website offers viewers the chance to watch livestreams from all over the world.
With many iconic beaches, parks and popular destinations currently off limits to the public, this site is an online portal giving you a chance to feel a little less claustrophobic while at home.