Having created the television Boundless in 2012 with my friend, director Josh Eady, I’ve now had three seasons to travel the globe in search of the toughest, and most gruelling ultra endurance races out there. As we close in on the premiere of our third season on April 12th on the Esquire Network, I can’t help but reminisce on the past three years of adventure. Here are a few lessons I’ve pulled out of the 30 episodes and experiences that I try to apply to all aspect of life, but especially my athletic adventures off-camera:
BOUNDLESS — “Sisimiut,Greendland” — Pictured: (l-r) Guest — (Photo by: HLP and Partners
Adventures are better with friends: The Boundless crew is like a family. When racing, Turbo and I deal with a lot of ups and downs, and our friends are there to film it. No matter how tough or successful our race, we always manage to have some good laughs along the way, and always leave with a story or two to share when we get home. Having that connection makes the experience richer for all of us, and gives us strength to rise to the challenge and be our best.
The Boundless Iceberg: What people see on television is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the filming experience. When we go to these races, there are numerous logistical hurdles to be cleared in order to capture enough good footage to create a television show. Since the bulk of the experience is hidden from view, it is easy to forget there is more to the story. Don’t forget about this part – these are the details, the organization, planning, and execution of everything that can make the adventure great, or a disaster.
Bigger is not always better: We’ve raced in events of all shapes, sizes, and distances and I can honestly say that bigger is not always better. Some of the best races have been the smallest ones where there was a level of intimacy reached amongst the competitors and organizers which allowed the group to forge strong and lasting relationships. It’s much harder to make these connections and friendships in the larger events. For this reason, If a race has survived its inaugural year and looks cool – I’ll give it a serious look.
Make it count: Because of the nature of television and ratings, we never know year to year whether or not the show will be renewed, so we spend a bit of time in limbo, and somewhat on pins and needles after each season. Because of that, we’ve learned to appreciate the experience in the moment, and to embrace both the highs and lows along the way. Staying grateful for every experience helps us appreciate how lucky we are to be able to live out our dreams and to be in a position to inspire others to do so as well.
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