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From a turbulent childhood to nearly facing prison, Deon Barrett found purpose through outdoor adventure, the military, and the True North Project—his initiative to bring outdoor education into schools and make adventure accessible to all. In this episode, Dion shares his powerful journey, the impact of adventure on mental health, and his ambitious plans to summit Everest and ski solo across Antarctica.

We explore:
✔️ How adventure helped Deon overcome trauma and find purpose.
✔️ The True North Project and its mission to transform outdoor education.
✔️ Barriers preventing young people from accessing adventure.
✔️ The mental and physical challenges of preparing for Everest & Antarctica.
✔️ How outdoor learning builds resilience, confidence, and leadership.

Deon’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and paying it forward. If you're passionate about adventure, outdoor education, or personal growth, this episode is for you.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Deon Barrett is the founder of the True North Project, an advocate for youth outdoor education, and an aspiring high-altitude mountaineer. His journey from a troubled youth to a champion for adventure education is as inspiring as it is impactful.

Follow Dion & The True North Project:
🌍 Website: TrueNorthProject.co.uk
📸 Instagram: @TrueNorthProject

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

🔹 True North Project – Outdoor education initiative
🔹 Everest & Antarctica Expeditions – Deon’s upcoming challenges
🔹 Youth Outdoor Education Reform – Advocating for adventure in schools
🔹 Black Girls Hike – Encouraging diversity in the outdoors
🔹 National Outdoor Expo – Where Dion and Chris first met

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>> The Link You Need

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks For Listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment and subscribe for more exciting content.

Follow us https://linktr.ee/adventurediaries for updates.

Have a topic suggestion? Email us at ideas@adventurediaries.com.

AdventureDiaries.com

#AdventureDiaries #AdventureStories #NationalGeographic #Discovery #NaturalWorld

Please make sure to click the 'Follow' the show - it really helps surface the show to a wider audience (which i thank you for!)

Join Chris Watson on the Adventure Diaries podcast as he welcomes Tom Williams, adventurer, entrepreneur, and winner of Alone UK. From surviving 35 days in the Canadian wilderness to founding Desert Island Survival, Tom shares how he turned life’s challenges into transformative adventures. Learn about his journey from city life to thriving in nature, his insights on evolutionary health, bushcraft, and the profound benefits of living simply.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Tom overcame adversity to become an adventurer and survival expert.
• The concept of evolutionary mismatch and its impact on modern health.
• What it takes to survive and thrive in extreme wilderness conditions.
• Behind-the-scenes insights from Alone UK and the realities of bushcraft.
• The transformative power of living closer to nature.
• Tips for micro-adventures, resilience, and embracing challenges.

Key Highlights:

• Survival & Growth: Tom shares how stepping outside his comfort zone, from polar expeditions to survival in Canada, fueled his personal growth.
• Bushcraft Skills: Hear about primitive techniques like friction fire, fishing, and crafting tools that enhance resilience and adaptability.
• Desert Island Survival: Discover how Tom’s passion for nature led to founding a company that offers immersive wilderness experiences.
• Mental & Physical Benefits: Learn how living aligned with hunter-gatherer principles can improve health, reduce anxiety, and boost happiness.
• Adventure Inspiration: Tom provides practical ideas for micro-adventures, such as kayaking and cycling, to reconnect with nature.

Tom’s Recommendations:

• Read Ikigai to align passion and purpose.
• Explore An Island to Oneself for inspiring wilderness stories.
• Try kayaking or survival courses for a taste of adventure.
• Check out GiveDirectly.org for impactful charitable giving.

Call to Adventure:
Tom encourages listeners to embrace challenges, try micro-adventures, and reconnect with nature for personal growth and mental clarity.

Pay It Forward:
Support GiveDirectly, a charity delivering funds directly to families in need, fostering impactful change.

Connect with Tom Williams:

• Website: Desert Island Survival
• Instagram: @TomWilliamsAlone

Join the Adventure:
Visit AdventureDiaries.com/podcast for show notes and inspiration to plan your next adventure. Keep exploring, keep thriving, and keep paying it forward!

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks For Listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment and subscribe for more exciting content.

Follow us https://linktr.ee/adventurediaries for updates.

Have a topic suggestion? Email us at ideas@adventurediaries.com.

AdventureDiaries.com

#AdventureDiaries #AdventureStories #NationalGeographic #Discovery #NaturalWorld