In this episode we explore the remarkable journey of Michelle McLean, whose rise from Miss Universe 1992 to Namibia's Goodwill Ambassador has defined a life of purpose and lasting impact. Michelle's dedication to children's rights, women's empowerment, and conservation has led her to become a visionary leader on the global stage, championing causes that uplift communities and inspire change worldwide.

Michelle's story is deeply rooted in the landscapes and people of Namibia, where she founded the Michelle McLean Children Trust in 1992. Over the years, her tireless advocacy has raised millions, launched hundreds of projects, and empowered generations of Namibian youth through education, scholarships, and community development. Her legacy is evident in her partnerships with global icons, landmark initiatives, and her commitment to advancing gender and wealth equality.

Join us as we delve into Michelle's extraordinary life as a philanthropist, entrepreneur, mother, and grandmother. Discover how her unwavering vision and leadership continue to shape conversations on social justice and sustainable development, positioning Namibia as a beacon of progress and hope. Michelle McLean's journey is an inspiring testament to what it means to live a life in full—creating waves of positive change for generations to come.

From Swiss Banking to Indian Orphanages—One Woman's Relentless Pursuit of Justice. What does it take to dismantle systems of injustice while building hope—one child, one case, one project at a time? Meet Noëlle Demole, born in Geneva, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree who juggles fighting white-collar crime at Julius Baer Bank, running a groundbreaking NGO for India's most vulnerable youth, and pursuing a PhD in criminology at Cambridge. Her secret? Relentless planning, radical self-organization, and a vision that ties every facet of her life together.

Noëlle's journey began at 18, when a single month volunteering in an Indian orphanage gave her life new meaning and ignited her mission to uplift children cast aside by society. That spark grew into Shere Khan Youth Protection—an NGO now supporting over 500 young people to break cycles of poverty and crime through education. But Noëlle didn't stop there. She's also tackling period poverty with her start-up Egidays, producing eye-opening documentaries, and speaking on global stages from TEDx to the Forbes Money Summit.

How does she keep all the plates spinning? And what drives her to tackle some of the world's most urgent humanitarian and financial challenges—often at the same time? Tune in for an exclusive conversation where Noëlle reveals her strategies for managing multiple lives in one, her insight on the interconnectedness of social impact and compliance, and her advice for anyone daring to live their purpose at full throttle.

Don't miss this episode of "Living a Life in Full"—where purpose meets action, and one woman's story just might inspire your own.

(NOTE regarding this episode: Ben and I both live in semi-remote areas with not the best internet connectivity, and this shows here-and-there in this episode with some audio-oddities. I am very sorry about that, but nevertheless, listeners can contextually understand Ben's points when the hiccup periodically occurs.)

Dr. Ben Mattingly along with his wife, Jennifer Mattingly, PA-C, founded and own Wild Med Adventures. He is also the Founder and former Director of the Wilderness Medicine Fellowship Program at Baystate Medical Center, and former Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School's Department of Emergency Medicine.

Ben has a passion for the wilderness and has traveled throughout the world, including a year working in a small ER in New Zealand. With his father he's summited Mt. Ranier, Denali, and Vinson Massif in Antarctica. In 2023, he summited Everest, and completed his goal of tackling the Seven Summits.

He has taught wilderness medicine while climbing the highest mountain in Mexico, and in Guatemala, he summited the highest peak in Central America. In addition to mountaineering, Ben rock climbs, scuba dives, backpacks, and is a triathlete, skier, and off-road and extreme sports enthusiast.

He served as the Team Doctor for an American Hockey League team, and has been active in wilderness medicine and medical education throughout his career. Ben was twice awarded the Outstanding Teacher of the Year by his emergency medicine residents, and he has taught wilderness medicine in over 10 countries.

Boy, talk about living your life in full, Ben is the poster boy for doing so, and in service of others. We started things off with his origin story, what drew him to medicine, to specialize in emergency medicine, and then subspecialize in wilderness medicine. Don't miss this inspiring and engaging conversation with one of the greats.

#wildernessmedicine #emergencymedicine #medicaleducation #entrepreneurship #mountaineering #adventuretravel #alpinism

Bribe, Inc., a documentary film exposing a significant bribery scandal within the global oil industry, focusing on the Unaoil company and the Ahsani family. It highlights the collaborative efforts of an anonymous whistleblower, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, prosecutor Tom Martin, and anti-corruption activist Alexandra Wrage to reveal the extent of the crimes. The film positions bribery not as a victimless offense but as a harmful practice with far-reaching consequences, emphasizing its connection to other illicit activities and its detrimental impact on democracy.

This film is a real-life political thriller that exposes one of the largest corporate bribery scandals in modern history. Told through the lens of whistleblowers, investigators and journalists, the film uncovers a trillion-dollar corruption network stretching from oil fields in Iraq to boardrooms in Monaco—and all the way to the halls of power in Washington. Directed by Emmy Award-winner Peter Klein and co-produced by investigative journalist Calyn Shaw, Bribe, Inc. reveals how corporations, politicians and regulators conspire to protect a global system built on secrecy and profit. Described by The Guardian as "cloak-and-dagger," and praised by Variety for its "explosive" revelations, the film challenges audiences to follow the money—and confront the cost of complicity. As global enforcement of anti-bribery laws weakens and trust in institutions collapses, Bribe, Inc. emerges as a cinematic gut-punch—an urgent demand for accountability in a world where corruption is routine. It's an incredible story (and backstory).

As one third of the legendary rap group Run-DMC, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels—aka Legendary MC, The Devastating Mic Controller, and the King of Rock—had it all: talent, money, fame, prestige. While hitting #1 on the Billboard charts was exhilarating, the group's success soon became overwhelming. A creative who enjoyed being at home alone or with his family, DMC turned to alcohol to numb himself, a retreat that became an addiction. For years, he went through the motions. But when intoxication could no longer keep the pain at bay, he plunged into severe depression and became suicidal. He wasn't alone. During the same period, suicide became the number three leading cause of death among black people—a health crisis that continues to this day.

In this episode, we explore the challenges and subsequent psychological growth, resilience, and the deeper human story behind Darryl McDaniels' public persona. We explore themes of identity, mental health, family, creativity, and personal transformation - all central to his life story and his evolution as an artist, advocate, humanitarian and community leader, and he is an inspiration to help us all to live our life in full.

I know that many listeners of my podcast, Living a Life in Full, are athletes, and many of them are runners – from 5ks to ultras and everything else in between. I also know that a lot of my audience members are travelers – local, global, adventure – you name it. Imagine if those interests overlapped like a Vinn Diagram where that confluence would be running a marathon, on each continent, in 7 days. Impossible?

Well, no.

But how would you even manage the logistics of such a challenge?

That's where Dr. David Kelly, MD, comes in. David is the Founder and Race Director of The Great World Race, an event in which participants attempt to complete a marathon on each of the 7 continents over a 7-day period.

It's been said that The Great World Race not only tests the physical and mental fortitude of its participants but also promotes cultural exchange and global unity, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to share in the spirit of competition and cooperation.

David is a wonderful example of living his life in full, and he creates amazing experiences that have been life changing for many in their journey to living their lives in full.

#Running #marathon #adventure #adventuretravel #endurance #enduranceevents #GuinnessWorldRecords #Guinness #Guinness #WorldRecords

What if I told you that the traits you need to get ahead are the exact opposite of what you've been told most of your life? What if instead, I told you that in order to be successful you need to be Weird, Selfish, Shameless, Obsessed, Nosy, Manipulative, Brutal, Reckless, and Bossy?

Well, that's what former Google leader and top career coach, Jenny Wood recommends. Jenny counters conventional wisdom about achieving your goals, and she gives us permission to ditch our fear and chase after what we want - unapologetically. But to do so, takes courage – what Jenny calls, Wild Courage, and that's the basis of her New York Times Bestseller Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It.

Jenny's journey is fascinating, from rising through the ranks at a global behemoth like Google to empowering others to take bold ownership of their careers with her work and her new book.

Imagine logging 50,000 miles of solo sailing adventures, including a non-stop circumnavigation of the globe, and a 7800 km paddling journey across Canada from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Or, maybe you're more interested in entrepreneurship and making an impact in the lives of others using technology and artificial intelligence? Or, perhaps you have a desire to be an author? If so, you're in luck, because in this episode I'm talking with a person who has done all that, and more, the remarkable polymath, Bert terHart.

Bert's certainly living his life in full, so much so it was hard to know where to begin our conversation. He blends exploration with science, and entrepreneurship with adventure, in a variety of unique ways. He shared how all this came about and what inspired him in his pursues. This is a not-to-be-missed episode.

#Adventure #livingalifeinfull #sailing #entrepreneurship #ai #artificialintelligence #technology #exploration #climate #oceanography #circumnavigation #Canada #science #citizenscience