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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

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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