- October 2007
October 2, 2007
Warren Macdonald's Unlimited Adventure Newsletter
When you change the way you see the world, you change the world...
October 2007 News!
To say we live in "interesting times" has become a cliché over the years,
but right now is an understatement of ginormous proportions. Watching the
housing crisis unfold across the US has been like watching a truck bearing
down on a deer in the middle of the road; with the deer not striking the
“deer in the headlights” pose until it was too late. Without getting
into the politics, history or ramifications of what is happening, let me
say this.I speak to thousands of people each year about how we create our own
reality; through choices and decisions we make each and every day. Some
people misread what I’m saying and liken it to “The Secret’s” law
of attraction, whereby all of our dreams are manifested simply by directing
our attention to what we want. In part, that is true; but only in part. The
universe also requires us to take action, and that’s where our choices
and decisions come in. When we opt to turn the very roofs over our heads
into a speculative stock market; we’re playing a very dangerous game, a
game in which there have to be losers. Part of accepting our own reality is
making a separation between what we feel; whether it feels right or wrong,
and what is being sold to us in a mass hallucination. The old adage “if
it seems too good to be true” comes to mind. I’m not saying you need to
be a total skeptic; I am saying it’s in your best interest to question
everything… Don’t forget only a few years back Greenspan was telling us
variable rate mortgages were a good idea…Something else to think about.
The western world is facing a huge affordability crisis in relation to
housing. We wonder how our kids, let alone grandkids will ever be able to
afford their own home. At the same time, we proudly one-up each other over
cocktails at the dinner party on how much we made with the summer house out
in Canmore; the one that sat empty 50 weeks of the year while the local
schoolteacher faces having to move out of town if she ever wants to own her
own place, so inflated are the prices these days. Its not rocket science;
with every action there is a reaction. I’m not saying making money is
bad; far from it. Being wealthy puts us in a greater position to change our
current course, but we need to really think about where our money comes
from and goes. money is simply a form of energy, and we need to accept
responsibility for whether we’re breathing life into, or condemning to
death, that which we give our attention to.Have a think about it; what kind of a world are you creating with the
decisions you’re making? If you answer, “I’m just doing what everyone
else is doing”, or “I don’t know”. That doesn’t cut it. That’s
what they said in Rwanda, and in Germany, and we know how those two
situations ended up…Two resources I’ve found that not only helped me grasp what’s going on
here, but offer solutions on what we can do about it are:[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802142494?ie=UTF8&tag=warrenmacdona-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802142494]
The Long Emergency (James Howard Kustler). Available online at Amazon[http://www.solari.com/] www.solari.com Catherine Austin Fitts’s
background includes: Wall Street: Managing Director and member of the
Board, Dillon Read & Co. Inc.; Government: Assistant Secretary of Housing -
Federal Housing Commissioner; Entrepreneur: President and founder of
Hamilton Securities investment bank. Catherine has designed and closed over
$25 billion of transactions and investments to-date and has led portfolio
strategy for $300 billion of financial assets and liabilities. Her mission
is to teach you how money works, and how you can use your money to create
true wealth; for yourself, your family, your community, your planet.Star of Hope Award
[http://www.cirec.org/indexEnglish.html] CIREC, a leading non profit
organization dedicated to rehabilitation of persons with physical
disabilities in Colombia has awarded me the Star of Hope Award in the
international category for providing inspiration to people worldwide living
with a disability.Since 1993, the Star of Hope Prize (Premio Estrella de la Esperanza) has
been awarded to persons with disabilities that have overcome their
situation and have involved themselves actively in their social
environment. Furthermore, the prize highlights the valuable work of
persons, institutions and communication media that have, through their
support, permitted these integrated rehabilitation processes to culminate.The award will be presented by the president of Colombia Álvaro Uribe
Vélez in a ceremony which Margo and I will attend in Bogota, Colombia on
October 18th. Last year the award was given to Mr. Jerry White, President
of Landmine Survivors Network.Warren Featured in TWO New Books!
[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1894765915?ie=UTF8&tag=warrenmacdona-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1894765915]
Adventurous Dreams, Adventurous Lives (Jason Schoonover)In Adventurous Dreams, Adventurous Lives, 120 outstanding individuals
representing a who’s who of international exploration recall the
indelible moment in their youth when the dream that launched their
remarkable lives was born. Included are Meave and Louise Leakey, Buzz
Aldrin, Robert Ballard, balloonists Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones, Sir
Ranulph Fiennes, Lucy discoverer Don Johanson, Jack Horner, Sue
Hendrickson, Jean-Michel Cousteau, the Ra s Capt. Norman Baker, George
Bass, Eugenie Clark, Richard Fisher, Trieste s Don Walsh and Nobel laureate
Charles H. Townes. Canadians include; Survivorman Les Stroud; Sea Hunter
Jim Delgado; National Geographic explorer-in-residence Wade Davis; veteran
climber Pat Morrow; circumnavigators-by-human-power-alone Colin Angus and
Julie Wafaei and photographers Pat and Rosemarie Keough. Oh yeah; I’m in
there too…[http://www.imadeapromise.com.au/] I Made a Promise (Danny Smith)
Fifty Inspirational Australian Stories, put together by Danny, of
Australians who have motivated and inspired others through their
achievements and contributions. Yep, I’m in this one too, with a recount
of my 1998 Federation Peak climb first published in
[http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/] Australian GeographicWarren's Blog
It had to happen eventually... I'm finding myself relying on blogs these
days to get up to date reliable information. Whilst I don't want to
overwhelm your in box with newsletter updates with everything I come across
that I think might help you out on your own journey, I can now at least
post it to the blog and have you peruse it at your leisure. One of the best
tools I've found to keep track of blogs is
[http://www.google.com/reader/view/] Google Reader. This handy tool puts
you in control of what you want to be updated on, and more importantly,
when. You'll find my blog [http://www.warren-macdonald.typepad.com/] HERE.
Please do go ahead and subscribe; I'd love to have you onboard!YouTube Channel
Something else I've been working on for a while now... Wondering why the
kids aren't watching TV anymore? Too boring, YouTube is where it's at. I've
set up my own channel with an aim to bring you some of the best content on
the planet in relation to what's possible in regard to creating our own
reality. Again, its easy to subscribe so I can keep you automatically
updated when postings are added. You'll find my YouTube channel
[http://www.youtube.com/warrenmacdonald] HERE.Copyright 2007 Warren Macdonald Unlimited Inc.
- August 2007
Hope the summer is treating you well, or winter if you're down under. This is an exciting newsletter for me as I get to fill you in on a few projects I've been working on, all aimed at making it easy for me to share information with you. I don't know about you, but everywhere I look I see people stressed out to the max at the ever increasing pace of life and the demands placed on us. Anything we can do, any tools we can use to help us navigate this world we live in in a more sustainable way, I'm out to share with you. Some of those tools I've discovered to share information with you are below. Before you read on, if my comments about stress strike a cord with you, let's take a moment to remember who is in charge here. We all create our own reality through every decision we make. I want to see us living in a better world, one without war, poisoned water or kids being driven to school in Hummers. Each and every dollar we spend is a vote on which way this goes, on the kind of world we create. What are you creating with your decisions? What kind of world do you want to create?
New Website!Everyone needs an extreme makeover now and then and I was way overdue... Check out the new website HERE.
Vancouver SlideshowSome good news if you happen to be in Vancouver, or plan to be August 8th. Margo and I, in combination with Trek Escapes, will be doing a slideshow showcasing some of our adventures in Antarctica. Of course were hoping you'll be suitably inspired to come and join us down south in November (more on that below). We'll also have some swag from Outdoor Research; should be a fun night.
DETAILS:
Wednesday August 8th
Show starts at: 7:30pm
Trek Escapes Office
1847 W 4th Ave, Vancouver
Click HERE to register.
Antarctica UnlimitedAre you ready for an UNLIMITED ADVENTURE? Join Margo and I this November for the ultimate 20 day voyage aboard the Akademik Ioffe as we venture expedition style to South Georgia & the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Click HERE for more info.
Warren's Blog
It had to happen eventually... I'm finding myself relying on blogs these days to get up to date reliable information. Whilst I don't want to overwhelm your in box with newsletter updates with everything I come across that I think might help you out on your own journey, I can now at lest post it to the blog and have you peruse it at your leisure. One of the best tools I've found to keep track of blogs is Google Reader. This handy tool puts you in control of what you want to be updated on, and more importantly, when. You'll find my blog HERE. Please do go ahead and subscribe; I'd love to have you onboard!
YouTube Channel
Something else I've been working on for a while now... Wondering why the kids aren't watching TV anymore? Too boring, youtubes is where its at. I've set up my own channel with an aim to bring you some of the best content on the planet in relation to what's possible in regard to creating our own reality. Again, its easy to subscribe so I can keep you automatically updated when postings are added. You'll find my YouTube channel HERE.
- May 2007
Let's cut to the chase here. Pour yourself a fresh coffee, martini, or beverage of choice (how do I know what time it is in your part of the world right now, and what's wrong with breakfast martinis?). Seriously though, I have some big news that I can't wait to share with you. This November, Margo and I will be setting sail on ANTARCTICA UNLIMITED, the ultimate Antarctic voyage, and you're invited to join us! There's more information below, but I couldn't wait until you read that far, and if you can't wait to find out more, you can proceed immediately to www.warren-macdonald.com/antarctica.html for details. In the meantime, here's what we have this month.
* LIMITS OF PERCEPTION
* ANTARCTICA UNLIMITED
* NO BARRIERS 2007
* SECOND STEP DVD NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZONEnjoy!
LIMITS OF PERCEPTION
I talk a lot about perception these days; about reality. People often ask me; Is it really that easy? Of course the answer is yes, and no& it all depends on your perception.
Let me share a story with you. In 1991 I spent six months traveling through Africa, ending up in the northern part of Uganda on the outskirts of a national park. I learned that the best way to travel here was to hire a bicycle. I found a man who would rent me a bike, mounted it with my heavy pack, and began what was supposed to be a 35km ride. I'd covered the best part of 15 kilometers before a sinking feeling came over me as I noticed I was no longer riding on a rubber encased cushion of air but on the steel rim supporting it. I stopped and dismounted, realizing that I hadnt even thought to ask about a puncture kit, although I did have a pump.
After standing there for a few minutes I heard a commotion coming from the trees behind me and turned to see three kids, the eldest being about twelve years old. Their faces lit up like the moon as they ran around excitedly chanting Mzungu! Mzungu!: Swahili for white man. The oldest kid was staring at my front tire. He said, mostly through sign language, that he could fix my tire, to which I promptly replied: No you cant, I dont have any patches. He insisted with more confidence than I had ever witnessed in a child his age, and I had nothing to loose, so I agreed to let him try.
First he produced a couple of sticks, and proceeded to lever the tire off of the rim. I was impressed as he pulled the tube out from under the tire, and ran it through his fingers until he found a fairly significant hole. He set the tube down, shot me a look that said Ill be back in a minute, and took off into the trees. He was back in less than a minute, rolling between his hands what looked like strands of grass until they took the form of a length of twine. He basically made a piece of string right there on the side of the road. Satisfied with his work, he picked up the tube again, found the hole, and proceeded to tie one piece of twine around the tube. He looked up at me with a sparkle in his eyes, took the other piece of twine, and tied this in a knot on the other side of the hole, effectively isolating it from the rest of the inner tube.
I let the master continue as he used the pump to inflate the tire, and I stood there with a look of bewilderment mixed with intense admiration. Id been riding a bike since I was younger than any of these kids. Up until that point, I would have told you that I pretty much knew all there was to know about bikes. It had never occurred to me that I could fix a flat tire with a piece of string. It simply did not exist in my reality. Isnt it amazing what necessity can create? That kid had learned how to do that because he grew up in a culture that necessitated resourcefulness. I thought I did as well, but he had taken this concept to a deeper level.
Could it be that we dont understand how we create our own reality because we are surrounded by a reality of somebody elses design that has made it so easy to exist we dont even have to think? Are we simply seeing the world in the way we have been conditioned to see it? Have we sat back and accepted the problems in our lives just as I had accepted that I would be pushing my bike for the next 20 km with a flat tire? What would it mean if we could see things in a new way? What if we could see a desired outcome in our minds eye and watch ourselves moving toward it intending it to become a reality? What if we focused on what could be, and then worked backwards to bring that reality about? What if we asked ourselves: What do I need to do today in order to move toward my desired reality? What would I have to give up, what would I have to do differently?
Sometimes the solution can be so simple: I had to live through 28 years on this planet before discovering that I could tie two pieces of string around a tube to fix a flat tire. That kid changed the way I see the world. You can change the way you see the world. And if you can change the way you see the world, whether you're ready to believe it or not, you change the world...
ANTARCTICA UNLIMITED
Are You Ready for an Unlimited Adventure?Join Warren and partner Margo Talbot aboard the Akademik Ioffe for the ultimate Antarctic voyage this November.
In conjunction with The Adventure Fleet, this once in a lifetime voyage is the most complete and varied Antarctic adventure available. An unforgettable experience, well journey to the bottom of the world to the extraordinary Falkland Islands and diverse sub-Antarctic islands before sailing further south to the remarkable Antarctic Peninsula.
Well be traveling in comfort, style even; but not luxury. If your ideal cruise entails tanning on the deck beside a man with a blackberry clipped to his speedo, then this voyage is not for you. If youre looking for an onboard casino, or dress codes demanding formal attire for the evening meal; again, youre out of luck. If youre looking for Adventure, youve hit the jackpot.
Well be traveling onboard the Akademik Ioffe, a Scandinavian built, ice-strengthened vessel designed for Polar travel. Our days will be filled with zodiac cruising (looking for whales, seals, icebergs etc), onshore hikes (to suit all activity levels), and educational lectures in the ships presentation room. We can keep you as busy or as relaxed as you choose, but one thing is certain: Nobody comes back unchanged from a trip to Antarctica. Many have described their visit as a life-altering experience.
Combining the effect that such a vast wilderness has on our psyche with the lessons Warren and Margo have to share, you will have an experience that will literally change the way you see the world, and your place in it.
Speaking in front of tens of thousands each year, Warren spreads a message of finding opportunity in change. Antarctica, the last great wilderness, provides a looking-glass into the changes taking place on the planet. There is simply no better place to reflect on change as a constant, and our role in finding opportunities to create the kind of world we want to live in.
Margo Talbot is a World Class Ice Climber who has guided expeditions to the South Pole as well as to the summit of Antarcticas highest peak, Mt Vinson.
ANTARCTICA UNLIMITED. Beyond the convention; beyond the theory, beyond everyday life. This is the real deal and you're invited!
When:
22nd Nov 11th Dec 2007
(20 Days/19 Nights)Where:
Antarctica, The Falklands & South Georgia.
Departing from Ushuaia, Argentina.How Much does the trip cost?
From US$7800 (ex Ushuaia)
Click HERE for more info!
NO BARRIERS 2007Squaw Valley , CA
June 28- July 2, 2007In 2005, I travelled to Cortina, Italy, to take place in an event called No Barriers. This year marks the events first year in the United States, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever. I will be presenting 'The Second Step' at the inaugural Film Festival in the Plaza on Sunday night, July 1st along with Mark Wellmans Crank It Up! The White Rim Adventure. No Barriers seeks to share the techniques and technologies which enable people with challenges to live their dreams.
Squaw Valley offers a beautiful natural environment for what promises to be an amazing festival. Come and join us!
Click HERE for more info!
'The Second Step' DVD now available on Amazon!This is something I've been working on for some time, to give you the ability to save on some postage and pick up a copy of 'The Second Step' along with that book or DVD you've been meaning to order from Amazon because you can't find it in a bookstore. Now you can have them delivered in the one box. Enjoy!
That's it from me for now. Until next month; I wish you all the best in everything you set out to do.
Sincerely,
Warren Macdonald
- April 2007
Is it just me, or is this year flying by at an even faster rate than
last year? Once again, I'm afraid I have to keep this ultra brief, but
I did want to let you know about the Australian screening of 'I
Shouldn't be Alive". Details are below. I also wanted to let you know
that in the next few weeks I'll be announcing details of a project I've
been working on for some time now. For now; I can say this much:
Antarctica. 20 days/ 19 nights. November 22nd- December 11th. It's
going to be the trip of a lifetime; details coming soon...**********************************************************************
'I Shouldn't be Alive' screening in Canada and Australia.
**********************************************************************
Following on from its Canadian premiere, my episode of 'I Shouldn't be
Alive' titled 'Trapped by a Boulder' will be screening over one more
weekend at the following times: Note: Times are EST.Fri, May 4, 2007 at 9:00 PM
Sat, May 5, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Sat, May 5, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Sun, May 6, 2007 at 3:00 AMI'm also happy to announce that after screening on Discovery in Aus
last year, that Channel Nine has picked it up and 'Trapped under a
Boulder' will be screening across Australia at:9.35pm on May 1st (Tuesday).
**********************************************************************
I Shouldn't be Alive now available on DVD
**********************************************************************
Lots of people have been asking me 'where can I get a copy of 'I
Shouldn't be Alive' on DVD'. I'm happy to let you know the entire first
season is now available on DVD; including my episode plus:Kidnap In The Killing Fields
Escape From The Amazon
Lost In The Snow
Alaskan Avalanche
Lost At Seaand more...
Just click on the link below.click here
**********************************************************************
That's it from me for now. Until next month; I wish you all the best in
everything you set out to do.Sincerely,
Warren Macdonald
- March 2007
Wow; almost the end of March already...
Is it just me or is this year just flying by? Now, unless you've just
subscribed, you'll notice the new format for the newsletter. I have to
put out a disclaimer here right upfront and tell you it's still in the
beta phase, but I have some news I couldn't wait to share (especially
if you're in Canada); more on that below.
The second disclaimer I need to put out is that this particular
newsletter isn't really a newsletter; more of an announcement. The
newsletter is on it's way, but I first I wanted to let you know about:
**********************************************************************
'I Shouldn't be Alive' screening on Discovery Canada APRIL 1st aT 9pm.**********************************************************************
It's been a long time coming for you Canadians, but I'm happy to
announce that Discovery has finally seen the light and will be
screening the 'Trapped by a Boulder' episode of it's hit series 'I
Shouldn't be Alive'. The episode is a reenactment of myself and
Geerts epic ordeal on Australia's Hinchinbrook Island almost ten years
ago in which I lost both legs. Made by the same people who produced
'Touching the Void', the show vividly captures what we went through
using both reenactments and emotional interview footage.
Please be sure to confirm screening times in your area by clicking on
the link below.
Click here for details**********************************************************************
I Shouldn't be Alive now available on DVD**********************************************************************
For those not in Canada who may or may not have seen the 'I Shouldn't
be Alive' episode when it screened in the US and Australia last year,
I'm also happy to let you know the entire first season is now
available on DVD; including my episode plus:
Kidnap In The Killing Fields
Escape From The Amazon
Lost In The Snow
Alaskan Avalanche
Lost At Sea
and more...
Just click on the link below.
click here**********************************************************************
March 23rd- 25th- Red Rock Rendezvous, Las Vegas, Nevada**********************************************************************
For those of you that keep asking me: 'When are you coming to speak in
Vegas?' I have some good news for you. For those of you that also keep
asking me; 'When can I come climbing with you?' I have even better
news. This coming weekend I'll be in Red Rocks Canyon, just outside
Vegas, taking part in the Red Rocks Rendezvous. Not only do I get to
do the Friday night slideshow; I get to spend the weekend climbing, so
if you're going to be in the area be sure to drop in and say 'Hi'.
Details are below.
click here for details**********************************************************************
March 27th- University of Southern Indiana**********************************************************************
And for those in Indiana I'm pleased to advise I'll be speaking at the
University of Southern Indiana in Evansville March 27th at 7pm. Click
on the link below for more details.
**********************************************************************
April 13th- Cancervive Gala, Calgary, Alberta**********************************************************************
Cancervive is a benefit to raise awareness and support for Canadian
Cancer Survivors and their families. With that in mind, this fall more
than 30 bicycling enthusiasts will participate in the third annual
charity bike ride from Calgary to Austin. This year's goal is to
raise more than $400,000.
Please join me at the Cancervive Gala in the Palomino Room at the
Calgary Round-up Centre April 13th where I have been chosen as the
events Keynote Speaker. Click on the link below for tickets and more
information.
click here for details**********************************************************************
The Secret**********************************************************************
Question:
Do you know The Secret?
Do you know what I'm talking about when I mention The Secret?
The link below will take you to the most talked about, most
downloaded, most successful film ever to have not hit the screen. See
it for yourself and make up your own mind. While I truly believe we do
create our own reality, I'm not sure we should be using our powers of
creation to put a new Lamborghini in the driveway...
At least not
until we've used those same powers to do something about peace,
equality and fairness in the world. That being said, I truly believe
the information contained in 'The Secret' will change the way you see
the world, and your place in it. Check it out and let me know what you
think.
click here**********************************************************************
'The Secret' Hardcover Book**********************************************************************
Once you've seen the film, I've got a feeling you're going to want to
read the book. Let me make it easy for you...
Buy Now**********************************************************************
That's it from me for now. Until next month; I wish you all the best
in everything you set out to do.
Sincerely,
Warren Macdonald
- August 2006
INSPIRATIONAL ADVENTURER NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2006
----------------------------------
* FINDING INSPIRATION
* OPRAH AUS SCREENING
* ALIVE UK SCREENING ON CHANNEL 4
* EVENTS
* AFFILIATES PROGRAM
----------------------------------Welcome to the August (yes, August... there goes 2006) newsletter. As I've said before, if you're not careful, life can very quickly just pass you by; something I'm painfully aware of as I watch the summer on the wane here in Vancouver. This month I want to touch on a subject I know I've covered before, but I get asked this question a lot, and I want to give you a recent example of my response to the question: 'Where do you find your inspiration?', which is: 'absolutely everywhere I look for it, and sometimes even when I'm not looking.'
===========================
*** FINDING INSPIRATION ***
===========================A few weeks back I was in Orlando, Florida speaking at an event for the World Financial Group. To say it was an important event for me would be an understatement, in that this would be my biggest audience to date; in excess of 3000 people. The morning before I'm due to speak found me going over my notes in a quiet corner of the hotel, when I noticed a small framed woman in her mid 60's I would guess, making her way towards me wiping down tables. Now, I'm going to 'out' myself here, and this may come as a surprise coming from someone who makes his living as a 'speaker', but I'm not great in making conversation on a one to one basis. Sure, put me up in front of 3000 people, and I'm good to go, but I realised immediately as this woman made her way towards me that I was beginning to feel uncomfortable. As I realised this, I thought 'That's it; I have to make an effort to talk to this woman'. Now it didn't escape me that a woman wiping down tables in the Marriott is not likely to be engaged in a conversation with guests all that often, being that often people involved in any kind of service like that are invisible to the guests. It also doesn't escape me that the more expensive the hotel, the less it appears they pay their staff; evident in the way many seem to bear the weight of having their own fortune held up against that of the average Marriott guest in terms of material worth. It's almost like, or appears to be, having salt rubbed into their wounds for their lot in life. So, I decided not just to notice this woman, but to have a conversation with her. She told me that she had come from Laos more than 30 years ago. She didn't need to tell me that Laos is one of the poorest countries on the planet. She proceeded to then tell me about her four children, all of whom she'd put through university, her eldest daughter in the throes of finishing her PHD. I was stunned. Here she was wiping tables at the Marriott, and she'd put four children through college! She explained that although her kids helped her out financially, she still needed to work (which answered my question before I could ask it) because working was the only way she could be covered by medical insurance, and she was worried that if something should happen to herself or her husband, they would never be able to pay without insurance. Now, without getting into a debate about the health system, because that is a whole other topic unto itself, the thing that stunned me was this:
All of us come up with excuses as to why we can't do this or why we can't do that, and half the time it comes down to money. We can't afford it. And yet, we have to have that plasma screen TV (well, everyone else has one?), or the plethora of other things we 'have' to have. When we break it down to what we need, and what we could do if we focussed on what we want; just imagine what we could do. Well, don't just imagine; look at it this way. Here's a woman on absolute minimum wage, who's come from one of the poorest countries on earth, who has managed to put four kids though university! I was absolutely blown away. Here I am about to get up onstage the next day to talk about 'creating our own reality' and I'm thinking, 'Wow, what about her story. She should be up there tomorrow!'. Talk about doing more with less! That meeting, that conversation absolutely inspired me as to what we can do when we set our minds to it; when we set out to create a reality for ourselves and those around us rather than being dictated to by our circumstances.It made me realise something that is continuously reinforced for me time and time again these days, something that I'd like to pass on to you:
It's not what you see, but how you see the world that determines your reality, or your outcome. Forget the old saying 'what you see is what you get.' Everybody 'see's' differently. Where one person 'sees' an obstacle, another 'sees' an opportunity. What you see doesn't really mean anything; it's 'how' you see that determines your 'lot in life'.
'How you see is what you get.'
Keep that in mind next time you're browsing through the bookstore, trying to find some kind of inspiration, something to inspire you to move forward. Inspiration is absolutely anywhere, and everywhere we choose to find it.
===========================
*** OPRAH AUS SCREENING ***
===========================My apologies to all of you in Australia that had asked me, 'When are we going to see the Oprah episode down here?' I had put the feelers out to try and find out, but as is often the case with television, trying to find that one person who can actually tell you is virtually impossible (a word I don't often use). Sure enough, the emails started rolling in yesterday (August 28), to tell me that it had indeed aired, and of course nobody had let me know which made it pretty hard for me to let you know. I'm working on a system whereby I can sent out country specific alerts, as I know I led some of you astray with my last email thinking that the Oprah was airing in Aus whereas the dates I gave you were for North America only. I'll try and be more specific in future, and of course when I get this country specific thing worked out that will lessen the confusion somewhat.
===========================================
*** 'I SHOULDN'T BE ALIVE' NOW ON DVD ***
===========================================<a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/email-2273719-10364309?url=http%3A%2F%2Fshopping.discovery.com%2Fproduct-64665.html&cjsku=764001" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.discoverystore.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;">
I Shouldn't Be Alive DVD Set</a>
<img src="http://www.awltovhc.com/image-2273719-10364309" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>=========================================
**** EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR ****
=========================================Canada:
September 9th, Vancouver BC
If you haven't yet heard the Dalai Lama speak (I'm talking in person here, not on TV or the radio), and you're going to be anywhere near Vancouver on September 9th, do yourself a favour and check him out. The man simply oozes peace and tranquility and will leave you feeling there may be hope for the world yet...September 16th, Halifax NS
Warren will be speaking at the 'Healthy You show' @ 3pm.
For details, go to: http://www.healthyyoushow.ca/index.html
In the UK:September 3rd:
The British version of Discovery's 'I Shouldn't be Alive', titled simply 'Alive' goes to air on Channel 4 September 3rd (Sunday) @ 8pm. Follow this link for more details: http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/A/alive/programmes_5.html or for a sneak preview: www.warren-macdonald.com/video/shouldntbealive.wmv
===========================
*** AFFILIATES PROGRAM ***
===========================I'm in the process of experimenting with an affiliates program. This is me putting the feelers out and gauging interest. Basically, I'm looking for people with websites that could benefit from having my books and videos available through their site. The best part, if that's you, you don't have to do anything other than post an ad on your site. The purchaser is redirected to my site, where the sale happens, I do the shipping and everything else, and you get a commission. It helps me to spread the word, adds variety to your site, and each month you get paid for any sales that have come from you. Drop me an email ( ) to find out more. I'm looking to set up similar arrangements with other like minded authors/ producers, so as to include more resources on my own site. The web makes it easy. Everyone's a winner!
=====================
*** TELL A FRIEND ***
=====================If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else you think may enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their way.
http://www.myonlineshoppingcart.com/app/tellafriend.asp?merchantID=60719
DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS&
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to add
to your 'Safe List'. (In Outlook, under the dropdown 'actions' menu, you will see 'Junk E-Mail'. From here you can select to add
sender to your safe list. I'm sure similar feature exists in other programs). This ensures I dont get filtered out on the journey to your inbox.Yours in Adventure,
Warren Macdonald--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Macdonald is an Adventurer, Author and Professional Speaker. His mission
is to help us all reach out FULL potential.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2006 Warren Macdonald Unlimited Inc.
Feel free to reprint any of this content wherever you like.
All I ask in return is you credit it to me, with a link to my website.Warren Macdonald Unlimited Inc
2602- 1009 Expo Blvd
Vancouver BC V6Z 2V9 Canada
1 604 205 5066 or 1 800 678 4428
www.warren-macdonald.com
- July 2006
INSPIRATIONAL ADVENTURER NEWSLETTER
JULY 2006
---------------------------------------
* CREATING REALITY- WHO'S JOB IS IT?
* OPRAH REVISITED
* I SHOULDN'T BE ALIVE
* EVENTS
* AFFILIATES PROGRAM
---------------------------------------<$firstname$>
Welcome to the July newsletter. Yes, July. In just over a week, we'll be halfway through 2006, steaming toward 2007... It's a sobering thought when we take a moment to reflect on just how quickly time flies, and how quickly our lives can pass us by. It's made all the more sobering for me when I take stock of the loss of two friends recently on Alaska's Mt Foraker, and the seven people I now know of who are battling cancer... I've said this before and I'll say it again: I'm open to the idea that there might be something for us on the other side, or that when we're done here there's a chance we'll be back for another round (be it as a groundhog, someone important 'like an actor', or a bicycle seat...), but until someone can give me indisputable proof that this is the case, I'm playing this as a one shot deal. That to me gives the saying 'make of it what you will' a whole new perspective...
==========================================
*** CREATING REALITY- WHO'S JOB IS IT? ***
==========================================Creating our own reality; what does that mean? A big question for me over the years, that only seems to keep getting bigger, is 'just how much influence do we have in creating our own reality?' I've come to the point where I accept that everything happens for a reason, to the extent that I accept what happened to me in 1997 as a lesson I needed to learn. Accepting that has been huge, and I didn't get there overnight, but I now realise that if I could turn the clock back and not have to go through the experience of losing my legs, I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't change a thing. I've learnt too much about myself, and grown in directions I never could have grown to ever want to go back... The most important lesson by far being the extent to which we create our own reality.
When I lost my legs in 1997, it wasn't in my reality for a guy with no legs to be out climbing mountains. I doubt it was in yours either. I set out to create that reality based on a belief that it 'might' be possible. I emphasize the word 'might' because whenever we break out of a mindset, whenever we break new ground and change the way we think, we are inevitably going into uncharted waters. There has to be a degree of uncertainty, otherwise whatever it is we set out to create will have already been done. The road would already be paved. Which is great if we just want to do what everyone else does; but where does that leave your individual hopes and dreams? We can't afford to wait for others to fulfill them; time is passing way too quickly for that. If you haven't done it already I urge you to take some time to figure out exactly what it is you want to do, and make a start towards creating that reality. It is inconceivable just how far you can go when you accept this level of responsibility but one thing is for sure: You go nowhere until you take that first step.
Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at Idea City, an event hosted in Toronto by Moses Znaimer (co-founder of City TV among others). For three days we sat in a theatre as 50 presenters (of which I was one) gave their thoughts or ideas over to the audience. It was quite an inspiring three days full of lots of insights that often came unexpectedly. One in particular came to me whilst Steven Rechtschaffner, former creative director of EA Sports (HUGE video game company) presented us with some video footage of one of his recent games, this one based around snowboarding. While Steve explained imagining up all of these super-human tricks (and that's what they are, 'superhuman'. It's a game remember) it occurred to me that in a few years, or maybe ten, these tricks will be physically possible. They will be physically possible in a similar way that running a four minute mile became possible for so many people once Roger Bannister re-created reality and made it so. Video games didn't exist in Rogers day of course, but now that they do and people can get a sense of what it 'feels like' to 'do' something seemingly 'impossible', we come one step closer to somebody asking themselves the question: 'Why not?'. Now, I know I'm going to open up a hole can of worms here with the issue of violence in games, and I'm not even going to go there except to say I've always been dead against games. In a sense I can't imagine a bigger waste of time, but hey; being human is about asking questions, and Steve's presentation brought up a few for me.
When I got the chance to speak with Steve afterwards, and told him my theory, his eyes lit up as he explained excitedly: 'It's already happened! Some of those tricks we came up with out of our wildest imagination have already been done by kids that saw them in the video game, and asked the question: Why not?'
I think you have to see this game to fully comprehend this, but what we are talking about here are guys getting what looks like a couple of hundred feet of air, boarding down impossibly steep slopes...
I know some of you might see this as kids being incredibly reckless, or even gaming companies being incredibly irresponsible, but you have to admit that when someone has the courage and the vision to seek an answer to that age old question: 'Why not?', possibilities can open up before us that we never dreamed existed. Being inspired by a video game is one aspect of that. What would it mean if we applied this kind of thinking and approach to our own lives? What if we all accepted the responsibility of creating our own reality and all that thatentails? Imagine what kind of world we could create?
So, my questions for you are:
What kind of reality do you live in?
Are you happy with it?
If not, what are you going to do about it?=======================
*** OPRAH REVISITED ***
=======================Back in May, I had the amazing experience of appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show along with Geert van Keulen, my hiking partner on Hinchinbrook Island. This was the first time Geert and I had appeared together in an interview, and it was quite an emotional experience to say the least. As it turned out, the show aired the very next day after we filmed it, which gave me very little time to let you know about it. This time I can give you a bit more notice. The show is being repeated on August 11 (check your guide for details) in case you missed it the first time. Enjoy!
============================
*** I SHOULDN'T BE ALIVE ***
============================'I Shouldn't be Alive- Trapped by a Boulder'. A dramatic recreation of my accident, based on interviews with myself, Geert van Keulen (my hiking partner on Hinchinbrook Island) and Dr Chip Jaffurs (the paramedic who kept me alive throughout the rescue). The program was made by the same company (Darlow Smithson) that produced 'Touching the Void'. If the latteer doesn't mean anything to you, do yourself a favour and rent it, you won't be disappointed...
Screens July 13th on Foxtel throughout Australia.The British version, etitled simply 'Alive', goes to air on BBC Channel 4 August 28th. See your program guide for details.
For a sneak preview, click on the following link:www.warren-macdonald.com/video/shouldntbealive.wmv
(if you have any problems with the link, try copying into your web browsers address window)
=========================================
**** EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR ****
=========================================Canada and the USA:
For those of you that missed it the first time, the Oprah Winfrey episode myself and Geert van Keulen appeared on will be airing again on August 11th.
Details:OPRAH
August 11thIn the USA:
O&P Extremity Games
July 28- 30th
Orlando, FloridaThe first ever 'extreme' games for amputees; featuring rock climbing, skateboarding, and wakeboarding competitions. I'll be there competing in the climbing competition. For more info go to:
www.extremitygames.com
In the UK:The British version of Discovery's 'I Shouldn't be Alive', titled simply 'Alive' goes to air on BBC Channel 4 August 28th. See your program guide for details.
In Australia:Foxtel are re-screening 'I Shouldn't be Alive- Trapped by a Boulder' on Thursday July 13th. See your program guide for details.
(Screening dates for Canada have not yet been announced)===========================
*** AFFILIATES PROGRAM ***
===========================I'm in the process of experimenting with an affiliates program. This is me putting the feelers out and gauging interest. Basically, I'm looking for people with websites that could benefit from having my books and videos available through their site. The best part, if that's you, you don't have to do anything other than post an ad on your site. The purchaser is redirected to my site, where the sale happens, I do the shipping and everything else, and you get a commission. It helps me to spread the word, adds variety to your site, and each month you get paid for any sales that have come from you. Drop me an email
( ) to find out more. I'm looking to set up similar arrangements with other like minded authors/ producers, so as to include more resources on my own site. The web makes it easy.
Everyone's a winner!=====================
*** TELL A FRIEND ***
=====================If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else you think may enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their way.
http://www.myonlineshoppingcart.com/app/tellafriend.asp?merchantID=60719
DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS&
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to add to your 'Safe List'. (In Outlook, under the drop down 'actions' menu, you will see 'Junk E-Mail'. From here you can select to add sender to your safe list. I'm sure similar feature exists in other programs). This ensures I dont get filtered out on the journey to your inbox.
Yours in Adventure,
Warren Macdonald--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Warren Macdonald is an Adventurer, Author and Professional Speaker. His mission is to help us all reach out FULL potential.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2006 Warren Macdonald Unlimited Inc.
Feel free to reprint any of this content wherever you like.
All I ask in return is you credit it to me, with a link to my website.Warren Macdonald Unlimited Inc
2602- 1009 Expo Blvd
Vancouver BC V6Z 2V9 Canada
1 604 205 5066 or 1 800 678 4428
www.warren-macdonald.com
- May 2006
Firstly, my apologies if you received this yesterday and I'm repeating myself, but I'm having all sorts of weird thigs go on with my newsletter server...
Now I know this is incredibly short notice, but hey, it came together so fast I'm still spinning...
I am in Chicago right now having just done a guest appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show. At first it looked like the show would air in September, but I found out last night it airs tomorrow! (FRIDAY MAY 19).
This was the first interview that Geert van Keulen (who went through the ordeal on Hinchinbrook Island with me) and I have done together. It was, in a word (or two), an incredible experience...
Hope you get a chance to watch it. Enjoy!
ps
For those of you that haven't heard, Kiwi double below knee amputee Mark Inglis summited Mt Everest a few days ago, an incredible achievement that shows once again that the word 'impossible' holds little weight when we dare to face our fears and believe in ourselves...pps
More on this later, but my new DVD, which for the first time has all three films (The Second Step, Part Animal, Part Machine & Kroykees!) on the one disc is now ready to ship (at last!). Go to: www.warren-macdonald.com for details.ppps
Please do pass this on to anyone you feel will be interested in catching the show.Warren Macdonald
www.warren-macdonald.com
- April 2006
INSPIRATIONAL ADVENTURER NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2006===========================================
*** NEWSFLASH- LARRY KING THIS THURSDAY ***
===========================================<$firstname$>
All things being equal, that is, if we don't get bumped, myself and two other survivors whose stories featured in the recent 'I Shouldn't be Alive' series on Discovery (only in the US so far, see below for Australian screening dates) will be guests on the LARRY KING LIVE show this Thursday night (April 27th). Deborah Scaling Kiley's story is featured in the 'Shark Survivor' episode, and Yossi Ginsberg in 'Escape from the Amazon'.LARRY KING LIVE goes to air on CNN across North America at the following times:
6pm Pacific
7pm Mountain
8pm Central
9pm Easternand may be repeated again later the same evening. On the west coast, Larry screens again at 9pm and midnight. Best bet is to check your local program guide.
From what I also understand, the show screens in Australia the following evening, ie Friday 28th. Again, best to check the local program guide, as with the time difference he could well screen the same day.
To see a preview of the Discovery 'I Shouldn't be Alive' episode featuring my story (Trapped by a Boulder), go to:
(If you have any problems with the link, try copying it into your web browsers address window)
Enjoy the show!
=====================================================
**** 'I SHOULDN'T BE ALIVE' AUSTRALIAN SCREENING ****
=====================================================For those in Australia, 'I Shouldn't be Alive- Trapped by a Boulder' screens on Foxtell's Discovery Channel on May 11th. Check your program guide for details.
===========================
*** AFFILIATES PROGRAM ***
===========================I'm in the process of experimenting with an affiliates program. This is me putting the feelers out and gauging interest. Basically, I'm looking for people with websites that could benefit from having my books and videos available through their site. The best part, if that's you, you don't have to do anything other than post an ad on your site. The purchaser is redirected to my site, where the sale happens, I do the shipping and everything else, and you get a commission. It helps me to spread the word, adds variety to your site, and each month you get paid for any sales that have come from you. Drop me an email
( ) to find out more. I'm looking to set up similar arrangements with other like minded authors/ producers, so as to include more resources on my own site. The web makes it easy.
Everyone's a winner!=====================
*** TELL A FRIEND ***
=====================If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else you think may enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their way.
DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS...
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to add to your 'Safe List'. (In Outlook, under the drop down 'actions' menu, you will see 'Junk E-Mail'. From here you can select to add sender to your safe list. Am sure similar feature exists in other programs). This ensures I don't get filtered out on the journey to your inbox.
Yours in Adventure,
Warren Macdonald------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Macdonald is an Adventurer, Author and Professional Speaker. His mission is to help us all reach out FULL potential.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------© 2006 Warren Macdonald
Feel free to reprint any of this content wherever you like.
All I ask in return is you credit it to me, with a link to my website.Warren Macdonald Unlimited Ent
2602- 1009 Expo Blvd
Vancouver BC V6Z 2V9 Canada
1 604 205 5066 or 1 800 678 4428
www.warren-macdonald.com
- March 2006
INSPIRATIONAL ADVENTURER NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2006---------------------------------------
* Inconspicuous Gurus
* Discovery Reminder
* Book of the month
* Events
* Affiliates Program
---------------------------------------<$firstname$>
Spring has pretty much sprung in my part of the world (Vancouver BC). I'm keeping this intro short and sweet so I can get out and enjoy the sunshine. Maybe after reading this, you might want to do the same.
Enjoy.===========================
*** INCONSPICUOUS GURUS ***
===========================A year of so ago, I wrote an article for this newsletter about inspiration. It was based on a question I get asked a lot, which is 'where do you find your inspiration?' On reflection, I realised I found it pretty much anywhere I looked for it, with actually 'looking' being the key. I'm still continually amazed at where inspiration, or in this case, a pearl of wisdom, might come from. Going through the newspaper last week, turning page after page after page of Olympics this, Olympics that; who the new hero's are, who disgraced their country, who disgraced one country by wining gold for another; it just went on and on, until halfway down the page, one sentence caught my eye that said more to me about Olympic spirit than anything else I'd read, and it came from a 12 year old girl.
In response to the question 'Who is your favorite athlete?' 12 year old soccer player Frances Clayton replied 'I don't really have a favorite. I'd rather play sport than watch it.'
Why is it that we are so keen to live vicarioulsy through others? Because it's easier maybe? So that we can share the glory of victory with little to zero effort, or the agony of defeat without really being defeated? Since when have become so disengaged from being active participants in our own lives, rather than the lives of others. Right now some of you are thinking, 'Wow, this guys really doesn't like sport. That's not very Australian, or Canadian...' I'm not just talking about sport. I'm talking about getting lost in other peoples lives, while at the same time not doing anything about all those things you'd love to do. You know, the things at the top of your list that you:
Can't afford...
Haven't got time for...
Are not good enough to do...
Don't deserve...The things to which none of these excuses could stand in the way of if you found out you only had six months to live...
Our lives are happening right now.
Thank you Frances for reminding us of that. I think you could be the first of a new feature: Our guru of the month.
==========================
*** DISCOVERY REMINDER ***
==========================For those in the USA, a reminder about the Discovery screening of 'I Shouldn't be Alive- Trapped by a Boulder' on March 10th. A dramatic recreation of my accident, based on interviews with myself, Geert van Keulen (my hiking partner on Hinchinbrook Island) and Dr Chip Jaffurs (the paramedic who kept me alive throughout the rescue), the program was made by the same people who produced 'Touching the Void'. If that doesn't mean anything to you, do yourself a favour and rent it, you won't be let down...
Screening throughout the USA (with dates for Canada and Australia to be announced).Friday March 10th @ 9pm.
For a sneak preview, click on the following link:
www.warren-macdonald.com/video/shouldntbealive.wmv
(if you have any problems with the link, try copying into your web browsers address window)
=========================
*** BOOK OF THE MONTH ***
========================='Shantaram' by Gregory David Roberts.
I mentioned this book a few months ago, and have to say at the time I Didn't really know how I could write more about it and still do the story justice. In saying that, I'm not really any closer to a solution now, but here goes...
If you're like me, and you sometimes need some convincing that there might be some good, however deeply it is hidden, in all people, you have to read Shantaram.
Gregory David Roberts, although I didn't know his name at the time, was a guy I remember reading about in the newspapers as a kid growing up in Melbourne, Australia. He was known as the 'gentleman bandit', a guy who held up banks, at gunpoint, with a pistol, but was always quite pleasant as he did so, and always asked for the money nicely... He was eventually captured and sent to prison, from which he promptly escaped in a daring broad daylight flight for freedom. Shantaram is the story of the amazing path his life followed from that point on. He winds up in India, where whilst living as the only westerner in one of Delhi's many slums, he finds himself running a free medical clinic as a result of his first aid training. He also gets involved with the Indian mafia. Gregory's story, apart from being one of an almost inconceivable well of pure life experience, delving further into humanity's dark side than many of us would care to imagine, let alone live through, in the end is a story of love. The love he discovers in the Indian people for one another, the love of a woman, but more importantly the capacity for love within a heart that would seem, to all outside appearances incapable of entertaining the concept. If you ever needed any evidence that a human being can change; that there could be good in the darkest of characters, you have to read this book...Here; I'll make it easy for you (click below or paste into your web browser).
=========================================
**** EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR ****
=========================================In the USA:
Sawtooth Mountain Film Festival in Boise, ID screening:
'The Second Step- Warren Macdonald's Epic Journey to Federation Peak'
7.30pm Friday March 3rd
http://rec.boisestate.edu/sawtoothmountainfilmfest/ for details.Discovery Screening of 'I Shouldn't be Alive- Trapped by a Boulder' throughout USA.
March 10th at 9.00pm.
(Screening dates for Canada and Australia will be announced as soon as I have them).In Australia:
Presented by Australian Geographic and Hardie Grant Books, Warren will be presenting: 'Kilimanjaro, the hard way' in Perth Thursday April 20th:
Wesley Mission Perth Auditorium
2nd Floor Wesley Arcade
Cnr of William and Hay Streets
Contact Australian Geographic on 1300 555 176 for details and tickets.
=========================
*** AFFILIATES PROGRAM ***
=========================I'm in the process of experimenting with an affiliates program. This is me putting the feelers out and gauging interest. Basically, I'm looking for people with websites that could benefit from having my books and videos available through their site. The best part, if that's you, you don't have to do anything other than post an ad on your site. The purchaser is redirected to my site, where the sale happens, I do the shipping and everything else, and you get a commission. It helps me to spread the word, adds variety to your site, and each month you get paid for any sales that have come from you. Drop me an email
( ) to find out more. I'm looking to set up similar arrangements with other like minded authors/ producers, so as to include more resources on my own site. The web makes it easy.
Everyone's a winner!===================
*** TELL A FRIEND ***
===================If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else you think may enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their way.
DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS&
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to add to your 'Safe List'. (In Outlook, under the drop down 'actions' menu, you will see 'Junk E-Mail'. From here you can select to add sender to your safe list. Am sure similar feature exists in other programs). This ensures I dont get filtered out on the journey to your inbox.
Yours in Adventure,
Warren Macdonald-------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Macdonald is an Adventurer, Author and Professional Speaker. His mission is to help us all reach out FULL potential.
-------------------------------------------------------------------© 2006 Warren Macdonald
Feel free to reprint any of this content wherever you like.
All I ask in return is you credit it to me, with a link to my website.Warren Macdonald Unlimited Ent
2602- 1009 Expo Blvd
Vancouver BC V6Z 2V9 Canada
1 604 205 5066 or 1 800 678 4428
www.warren-macdonald.com
- February 2006
INSPIRATIONAL ADVENTURER NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2006---------------------------------------
* Diamond to Dust Mt Kenya Expedition!
* Documentary on Discovery Network
* This months EVENTS
* More News
* Affiliates Program
---------------------------------------<$firstname$>
Some big news for you this month, beginning with the announcement of 'Diamond to Dust', my first major expedition since 2003's climb of Kilimanjaro. Details are below. Also big news (for me anyway) is the screening on Discovery throughout North America of 'I shouldn't be alive'. More details on that one below also. While this particular newsletter is leaning more towards actual news that philosophical ramblings, I have the following for you to ponder. It came to me from Australian Antarctic explorer Damian Gildea upon his return to Aus following his Omega Foundation expedition to accurately measure some of Antarctica's tallest peaks. Always interested in everything Antarctic, my interest has been especially keen over the past few months as I've been left to fend to myself while Margo has been down there guiding. Happy to report that she once again reached the South Pole, and summited Mt Vinson (Antarctica's tallest peak: (4897m / 16067ft) for the first time. As Dean from Qantas so aptly commented; 'what a woman!' Anyway, this is Damien's reply to being asked: 'was climbing those peaks hard?'...
Going to Antarctica and doing what we do is a privilege, a joy, and we're incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to do it. There are plenty of people around the world, fighting just to survive the day, doing it hard right now, but we're not among them. We get to walk across the roof of the planet's wildest continent, we see the peaks change in the sunlight and the storms, we push ourselves physically while practicing our craft in a magnificent arena and we learn more every week about one of the most beautiful and unknown places on earth.
Hard? Hardly...
Damien Gildea
Omega FoundationWhen we are doing what we love to do, 'hard' becomes irrelevant...
==================================
*** DIAMOND TO DUST EXPEDITION ***
==================================For the past few years, following my Kilimanjaro climb, I have been reluctant to organise another 'big' expedition. Reasons for this will be obvious when you get a chance to read the tentatively titled 'Day Fourteen' (due for release this October), in which I describe the rollercoaster ride my life became in getting that expedition off the ground. At the same time, lurking in the back of my mind has been an ambition to have a go at a 'real' mountain.
The mountain I have chosen is Mt Kenya (5199m). There will be more information to follow shortly, via this newsletter and on the website, but in short a team of five of us will begin climbing in the second week of August, aiming to summit by end of month. Kilimanjaro, although the highest peak in Africa, is really only a walk that keeps going up. Not so Mt Kenya... The route we have chosen: The Diamond Couloir, a route that until very recently has been deemed un-climbable due to glacial retreat... In climbing the Diamond we want to focus attention on the reality of global warming, moving beyond fear to action. We all need to take a step back, look at the reality of our situation (ie we are pretty well trapped on the only planet known to sustain life as we know it. If there is another one we can just hop across too when this ones done, we have yet to find wither it or a way to get to it...) and have a think about steps we can take to do out part. In December the expedition was awarded one of the annual Polartec Challenge awards, which gives us a great kick-off. We'd also love to hear from anyone interested in partnering up with us. This will be a great opportunity for like minded companies, with a vision towards a sustainable future, to get in on the action! Shoot me an email at: for details.
========================================
*** DOCUMENTARY ON DISCOVERY NETWORK ***
========================================Last November, in a studio in North Vancouver, I spent 8 1/2 solid hours being grilled by director Nic Copus in an interview that forms the basis of an episode of 'I shouldn't be Alive', a ten part series of one hour episodes featuring extraordinary tales of survival. Don't let the title fool you; the series is produced by Darlow Smithson out of the UK, who did a phenomenal job with Joe Simpson's story 'Touching the void' a few years ago. I haven't seen the episode yet, but everyone who has gives it 'Two thumbs, way up!'.
Screening date for Canada and the USA is:
March 10th on Discovery (time TBA).It will also screen in the UK at some point on Chanel 4. No plans as yet for an Australian screening, but hey, if enough people write or phone Discovery...
=========================================
**** EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR ****
=========================================In Canada:
Kroykees! Look at the size of that one! (Timmy O'Neill's film of Warren's El Capitan ascent) will be screening at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival between February 17th and 26th. Check www.vimff.org for details.
In the US:
This coming Thursday (February 2nd) @ 7pm Warren will be screening Will Gadd's film 'Part Animal, Part Machine' (shot on the Weeping Wall in the Canadian Rockies), along with spinning some tales of adventure at:
Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
Chesterfield Towne Center
11500 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, VAIn Australia:
Presented by Australian Geographic and Hardie Grant Books, Warren will be presenting 'Kilimanjaro, the hard way' in Perth Thursday April 20th at a venue to be announced. Contact Australian Geographic on 1300 555 176 for details and tickets.
===================
**** MORE NEWS ****
===================Keep a lookout for news in May of New Zealander Mark Inglis and his attempt at being the first double below knee amputee to summit Mt Everest. Mark already has one 8000 metre peak under his belt; Cho Oyu in 2004. I've read reports that suggest Mark was the first to accomplish such a 'feat', but my information tells me British climber Norman Crowcher beat him too it some time ago. Speaking of Cho Oyu, at the same time that Mark is on Everest, my friend Nawang Sherpa will be out to climb his second 8000 metre peak after, technically, becoming the first below knee amputee to summit Everest in 2004. (Tom Whitaker summited in
1998, but Tom's tibula/ fibula are not actually amputated; he lost his foot through the ankle). This may seem trivial and clutching at straws, but when you look into the mechanics of not just removing one or two joints from a limb, but also the length of stump the amputee has to use as a lever to ambulate; take it from someone who knows: every centimetre counts...=========================
*** AFFILIATES PROGRAM ***
=========================I'm in the process of experimenting with an affiliates program. This is me putting the feelers out and gauging interest. Basically, I'm looking for people with websites that could benefit from having my books and videos available through their site. The best part, if that's you, you don't have to do anything other than post an ad on your site. The purchaser is redirected to my site, where the sale happens, I do the shipping and everything else, and you get a commission. It helps me to spread the word, adds variety to your site, and each month you get paid for any sales that have come from you. Drop me an email ( ) to find out more. I'm looking to set up similar arrangements with other like minded authors/ producers, so as to include more resources on my own site.
The web makes it easy.
Everyone's a winner!===================
*** TELL A FRIEND ***
===================If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else you think may enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their way.
DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS&
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to add to your 'Safe List'. (In Outlook, under the drop down 'actions' menu, you will see 'Junk E-Mail'. From here you can select to add sender to your safe list. Am sure similar feature exists in other programs). This ensures I dont get filtered out on the journey to your inbox.
Yours in Adventure,
Warren Macdonald-------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Macdonald is an Adventurer, Author and Professional Speaker. His mission is to help us all reach out FULL potential.
-------------------------------------------------------------------© 2006 Warren Macdonald
Feel free to reprint any of this content wherever you like.
All I ask in return is you credit it to me, with a link to my website.Part Animal, Part Machine
2602- 1009 Expo Blvd
Vancouver BC V6Z 2V9 Canada
1 604 205 5066 or 1 800 678 4428
www.warren-macdonald.com
- December 2005
INSPIRATIONAL ADVENTURER NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2005----------------------------------------------------------------
* A Fully Realised Life
* Book of the Month
* Christmas Fire Sale- 20% off everything, including NEW stuff!
* Affiliates Program
-----------------------------------------------------------------<$firstname$>
Wow, another year just about to bite the dust! Where did it go? As someonerecently said (it could have been me), if you're not careful, your whole life could
quite easily slip you by...
Merry Christmas to you, and health and happiness to you and yours in 2006.
==========================
*** A FULLY REALISED LIFE ***
==========================How many of get to fully realise our lives, and for those of us that don't, what is
stopping us from doing so? This question came to whilst reading what is sure to
become a classic, and I'll cover it in a future 'Book of the Month', Gregory David
Roberts 'Shantaram'. I'm not even going to try to explain here, but believe me, if
the term 'he's led quite a life' belongs to anyone... Find out more at:
http://www.shantaram.com It first jumped out at me in his description of an
Afghani warlord he'd just come face to face with 'the esteem he commanded with
nothing more, or less, than his bearing and the sheer force of his fully realised life'.
It got me thinking about how we live our lives, going about our day to day
activities, being 'busy'; rarely stopping to ask 'Am I on track? Is this what I want to
be doing with my life?'
Back in March, Margo (my partner) and I worked onboard the Akademik SergeiVavilov, a Russian research vessel now chartered to run adventure cruises in
Antarctica (as well as the Arctic). We'd just finished a 10 day cruise (I was the
guest lecturer onboard, Margo a guide) and were saying goodbye to the
passengers at the gangway in Ushuaia, when a woman confided to Margo 'You
know, if I had the courage to live my dream life, I would want to live it like you
have'. I was stunned. The honesty in that statement alone was one thing, but it's
real implication was known only to the two of us, Margo and I. Let's just say at
that point that I was glad I had my sunglasses on, as Margo has led 'quite the life',
which someday she might tell you about. (As I write this, she is again in Antarctica,
this time living in a tent at the base of Mt Vinson, alone). What this woman's
heartfelt confession told me was two things.
First, it's not about where we are right now; it's about how far we've come, and
probably more importantly, how far we intend to go.
Second, there's only one thing that holds us back, and that is fear. Fear is what
stops us fully realising our lives. It paralyzes us. It crushes the spirit out of us. If we
are ever going to truly reach our full potential, we have to fight it. It's as simple, and
yet as difficult as that... Start with the small things; things that make you feel
uncomfortable rather than terrified. Each day, starting today, do something that
takes you just a little outside your comfort zone; something you've been scared to
do. C'mon, what have you got to loose, except the rest of your life...
'Nothing is impossible when we dare to face our fears, and believe in ourselves'=========================
*** BOOK OF THE MONTH ***
=========================Big Fat Lies- Jack Revens
From a friend of mine in Melbourne comes a timely book; one that could change
your life, if you're up for it... I say 'timely', as seeing we're staring down the barrel
of Christmas yet again, some of us are going to get spat out the other side
wondering what happened. Wondering how one extra serving of potatoes means
come January, you can't do up your pants... For those of you who, like me, have
struggled with your weight your whole lives, Big Fat Lies may seem a bitter pill to
swallow. Let me explain. We as a culture are obsessed with an 'easy fix'. We're
constantly searching for the latest 'miracle diet', where we can eat whatever we
want and loose weight while watching TV. Let me beat Jack to the punch here:
Dream on. It ain't gonna happen, and Jack explains why. Staying in shape requires
discipline, and it requires work. He doesn't call his studio 'Sweat' for nothing. Let
me share this with you. Twelve months before heading to Africa to climb
Kilimanjaro, I started training with Jack in his studio in Melbourne's Middle Park. I
can tell you right now that in all my years of training, of thinking I knew how to eat,
Jack taught me more in six months that I'd learnt over a lifetime, and it's by
following what he taught me that I manage to stay in shape today. The good news
(for those I can hear saying 'but I live in Winnipeg!') is that you don't have to
physically be there to train with Jack to learn what he has to teach, although if you
live in Melbourne I'd highly recommend you do (www.sweat.com.au). Everything
you need to know, no more, no less, is right here in Big Fat Lies.
I'll make it easy for you. Grab a copy here:
www.amazon.comAlso, while on the subject of books, if you, like I have recently, have joined the
ipod revolution, you might be interested in this. Audible (www.audible.com), in a
similar fashion to itunes, provide audio books that you can download directly to
your ipod. You can either pay per book, or sign up on a subscription basis that
let's you download two books per month. They have virtually every book that is
available in audio, and as I have discovered, being able to 'listen' to a book while
driving, working out, whatever, adds a whole new dimension to your ipod. Check
it out at www.audible.com
=====================================
**** CHRISTMAS SHOPPING MADE EASY ****
=====================================I've got a deal for those of you stuck for ideas on Christmas presents. For three
days only (Dec 7, 8 & 9), I'm offering 20% off all orders received before midnight
Friday (Dec 9th). Included are two brand new, hot off the press, plaque mounted
prints that will look fantastic in any office, gym, study; you name it. The quality of
the finish on these is outstanding; almost elegant I'd go as far to say.
Now, not just are the posters new. For quite a while now you've all been asking
me; 'When can we buy the ice climbing film?' 'When can we buy the film on El
Capitan?' I know, it's been a long time coming, but the wait is over. Rather than
release the films on a separate DVD, I've decided to include ALL THREE films on
the one DVD. For $29.95 you get:
'The Second Step'
'Part Animal, Part Machine' &
'Kroykees!'The discs will be coming off the press early January, so, although they are not
going to be ready for Christmas, if you get your order in now you'll get the 20% off
which means you'll be getting all three films for under $24!
Just in case that's not enough to convince you, with each order received this week(till midnight Dec 9th) I'm including a 'Part Animal, Part Machine' Coolmax Cap at
no additional cost. How's that for a deal?
Offer is only available via the link below. (If link is inactive, copy and paste the
following into your browser):
Please note: at this stage, the mounted posters are only available to those inCanada and the USA.
=========================
*** AFFILIATES PROGRAM ***
=========================I'm in the process of experimenting with an affiliates program. This is me putting the
feelers out and gauging interest. Basically, I'm looking for people with websites that
could benefit from having my books and videos available through their site. The
best part, if that's you, you don't have to do anything other than post an ad on your
site. The purchaser is redirected to my site, where the sale happens, I do the
shipping and everything else, and you get a commission. It helps me to spread the
word, adds variety to your site, and each month you get paid for any sales that
have come from you. Drop me an email
( ) to find out more. I'm looking to set up similararrangements with other like minded authors/ producers, so as to include more
resources on my own site. The web makes it easy.
Everyone's a winner!===================
*** TELL A FRIEND ***
===================If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else you think may
enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their way.
DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS&
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to add
to your 'Safe List'. (In Outlook, under the
drop down 'actions' menu, you will see 'Junk E-Mail'. From here you can select to
add sender to your safe list. Am sure similar feature exists in other programs). This
ensures I dont get filtered out on the journey to your inbox.
Yours in Adventure,
Warren Macdonald-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Macdonald Unlimited: Inspiring Action; Empowering Potential
-----------------------------------------------------------------------© 2005 Warren Macdonald
Feel free to reprint any of this content wherever you like.
All I ask in return is you credit it to me, with a link to my website.Warren Macdonald Unlimited Ent
2602- 1009 Expo Blvd
Vancouver BC V6Z 2V9 Canada
1 604 205 5066 or 1 800 678 4428
www.warren-macdonald.com
- September 2005
INSPIRATIONAL ADVENTURER NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2005-------------------------------------
* Believe it or Not
* Book of the month
* This months EVENTS
* Affiliates Program
-------------------------------------<$firstname$>
Ok. This month, we're taking off on a journey. I'm hoping all of you
will join me, but know already some of you might not be up for it...
Why? Because I want to challenge the way you think. Actually, I want
to do more than that. I am going to ask you to question your beliefs.
Why? Because Ive just had the way I think challenged, have had to
question my own beliefs, and I truly believe its the only way we
grow. And, because whats good for me, is good for you. In the end, as
I have finally realized, we are after all, one&=======================
*** BELIEVE IT OR NOT ***
=======================I have a confession to make. Until fairly recently, I truly believed
that the world, the human race, was pretty much doomed. As far as I
was concerned, this amazing planet we live on was wasted on humanity;
we simply didnt deserve it. People were weak, greedy, and above all
else, blindingly unconcious. As my partner so aptly put it, its
embarrassing to have to share this world with these people . I agreed.
Arrogant? Maybe. Elitist? Probably. But thats the way I felt.
Somebody show me some examples to convince me
otherwise, please! I screamed, on the inside of course&From the guy I watched flick his cigarette butt over the seawall in
Vancouvers Stanley Park, to the guy driving the Hummer who figures
Im paying for the gas, whats YOUR problem? , I struggled to figure
out just where we went
wrong, and what had caused some people to become so disconnected from
their environment that they would litter one of the most beautiful
city parks in the world, or drive a vehicle that screamed out are you
sure we cant invade
Nigeria yet; my gas tank is getting kinda low&If I had have listened to Margo (my long suffering partner) in the
beginning, when she suggested its not the environment theyre
disconnected from; they are disconnected from themselves. I might
have figured this out earlier. But hey, we can only see when we are
ready to see&I got to the point where I was ready to see when I realized that Id
sold out. I realized that at some point after my accident, Id shifted
from expressing my beliefs to expressing my physical prowess;
expressing my will. Look what I can do, even after losing my legs!
Will and Belief are two different tings. Its easy to express your
will; just set your mind to something and do it. Its not hard,
although it takes some work. Expressing your beliefs sometimes upsets
people, and I didnt like upsetting people.I thought it was enough just to take responsibility for my own
actions; that if I made conscious decisions about what I supported and
what I didnt (for example: buying organic food whenever possible, or
refusing to buy even a coffee from McDonalds because of the way
theyve almost single-handedly created our junk food culture), then I
was doing the best I could and that was that. And I wasnt upsetting
anybody.I was acting as if separate from everyone else. I was disconnected. By
being separate, I was just like everybody else. I was part of the
problem, rather than part of the solution.By speaking up inline with our beliefs, rather than what were been
conditioned to believe, we can truly have a positive impact on those
around us. If we can have a positive impact on those around us, we can
literally start
to change the world. Think about these scenarios alone:If Id stopped the guy on the seawall and asked him why hed thrown
his butt over the side, instead of acting as Id been programmed to in
theorizing that it really wasnt any of my business, Id have forced
him to think twice before doing it again. Then again, he mightnt have
cared less, but if there is someone there to pull him up every time he
does it, Id like to think hell get the message, eventually&If I spoke up more readily on my beliefs, maybe Id ask the next
Hummer driver I meet whether theyre happy that we are now engaged in
a war so as to secure a few more years supply of gas. I mean, hes
happy to pay for it. Is he as equally happy that we are killing for it
on his behalf? We all use gas. Are we happy that our countries have
invaded another to make sure we have enough of it, or should we maybe
take a look at cutting down on how much of it we use? Sorry, Ive gone
all political all of a sudden. I forgot for a moment
that were really over there to liberate all those poor repressed
Iraqis&And before you write me suggesting you didn't ask for my political
views, please understand, I don't care whether you support the war or
not. The question is, do you believe deep down that you ae being told
the truth? Is someone elses 'truth' good enough for you to adopt as
one of your beliefs?Questioning our beliefs leads us to take responsibility for our
actions, and if we can each take responsibility for our own actions,
as well as encouraging others to take responsibility for theirs, weve
taken a step towards
connectedness. Were all in this together, remember? I want to live in
a world where we dont have to go to war over our addictions (to oil).
I want to live in a world where I dont have to be disgusted looking
at all the crap floating by and washed up on the beach at English Bay
(or Antarctica or the Arctic for that matter, and yeah, it's there)
because some people think its just a cigarette butt . Ive finally
realized though, I cant do it alone. Youve got to help me. Weve got
to help each other. We can start by believing in ourselves, and our
ability to change the world.=========================
*** BOOK OF THE MONTH ***
=========================Here's one that's going to turn a few heads...
'The New Revelations: A Conversation with God'
Neale Donald WalschI'm not going to say anything other than quote from the back cover:
There are five things you can choose now if changing the world, and
the self-destructive direction in which it is moving, is what you wish
to achieve.1. You can choose to acknowledge that some of your old beliefs about
God and about Life are no longer working.2. You can choose to acknowledge that there is something you do not
understand about God and about Life, the understanding of which will
change everything.3. You can choose to be willing for a new understanding of God and
Life to now be bought forth, an understanding that could produce a new
way of life on our planet.4. You can choose to be courageous enough to explore and examine this
new understanding, and, if it aligns with your inner truth and
knowing, to alter your belief system to include it.5. You can choose to live your life as demonstrations of your highest
and grandest beliefs, rather than as denials of them.I don't care whether you're an atheist, a Satanist, or a Christian
fundamentalist; if you can read this book with an honest and open
mind, it may just change your life...Here's a head start for you: www.amazon.com
=========================================
**** EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR ****
========================================='Part Animal, Part Machine' (Will Gadd's film of me ice climbing) will
be screening at the following festivals:In the US:
Saturday October 8 between 1.30 and 3.30pm
NOLS 40th Anniversary Film Festival
Grand Theatre
250 W. Main St.
Lander WY
http://www.nols.edu/alumni/events/reunions/internationalreunion.shtml
Saturday October 15 @ 7.30pm
Julien J. Studley Theater
SUNY (State College of New York at New Paltz)
New Paltz, NY
http://www.chestnutmtnproductions.com/newpaltz/npevents.htmAlso, for those of you in Canada:
Saturday October 15 @ ... (sorry, you'll have to contact Jon for beta)
Kelowna BC
Contact Jonathan at: (250) 763-4802 or for details.Sunday October 30 @ 1.30pm
4th Montreal International Adventure Film Festival
Marie-Gérin-Lajoie Hall (UQAM)
405 Ste-Catherine East (corner St-Denis and Ste-Catherine)
Metro level, Metro Berri-UQAM
Montreal QB
http://www.espaces.qc.ca/fifam/html_eng/programmation.shtml#dimanche=========================
*** AFFILIATES PROGRAM ***
=========================I'm in the process of experimenting with an affiliates program.
This is me putting the feelers out and gauging interest.
Basically, I'm looking for people with websites that could benefit
from having my books and videos available through their site. The best
part, if that's you, you don't have to do anything other than post an
ad on your site. The purchaser is redirected to my site, where the
sale happens, I do the shipping and everything else, and you get a
comMission. It helps me to spread the word, adds variety to your site,
and each month you get paid for any sales that have come from you.
Drop me an email ( ) to find out more. I'm
looking to set up similar arrangements with other like minded authors/
producers, so as to include more resources on my own site. The web
makes it easy. Everyone's a winner!===================
*** TELL A FRIEND ***
===================If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else you
think may enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their way.DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS&
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to add
to your 'Safe List'.(In Outlook, under the drop down 'actions' menu, you will see 'Junk
E-Mail'. From here you can select to add sender to your safe list. Am
sure similar feature exists in other programs).This ensures I dont get filtered out on the journey to your inbox.
Yours in Adventure,
Warren Macdonald-------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Macdonald is an Adventurer, Author and Speaker.
His mission is to help us all reach out FULL potential.
-------------------------------------------------------------------© 2005 Warren Macdonald
Feel free to reprint any of this content wherever you like.
All I ask in return is you credit it to me, with a link to my website.Part Animal, Part Machine
2602- 1009 Expo Blvd
Vancouver BC V6Z 2V9 Canada
1 604 205 5066 or 1 800 678 4428
www.warren-macdonald.com
- July 2005
Wanted to let you know that I will be appearing on Shaw TVs Urban Rush on Thursday (July 21st).
Ill be talking about my recent trip to the Dolomites, as well as an upcoming trip to the Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland).
Show goes to air at: 5pm, 7pm, 11pm, and then again the following day at: 1am (for all of you night owls), 7am and noon.
Cheers for now,
Warren
Details again:
· Shaw TVs Urban Rush
· Thursday July 21st
· 5pm, 7pm, 11pm, then again following day at 1am, 7am and noon
- April 2005
INSPIRATIONAL ADVENTURER NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2005In this Issue:
-------------------------------------
* Defining your Reality
* Book of the month
* This months EVENTS
* Affiliates Program
-------------------------------------<$firstname$>
Wow, so much has happened since the last newsletter I don't know
where to start, so I guess I'll just, start...============================
*** DEFINING YOUR REALITY ***
============================In the last newsletter you might remember I mentioned heading to Cortina, Italy to take part in 'No Barriers Dolomiti', an event aimed at getting together those involved in the technology, and those just involved, associated with adaptive equipment. Specifically, equipment that enables those of us with a disability to lead full lives. It's also an awesome vehicle to showcase people focusing on their ability, not their disability. Now, I've been around the disability scene for a while now, and in some ways I've probably become a bit jaded, but boy, did I get a jolt in Cortina! Apart from getting to hang out with some of the people who've inspired me since joining the ranks, guys like Hugh Herr (double amputee climber), Mark Wellman (paraplegic climber) and Erik Weihenmayer (blind climber), I also had a chance to soak up the huge buzz that has embraced so called 'disabled sports'. We have reached a point now where it's not just the technology moving things forward at a rapid rate, but a growing conciousness that screams out 'Why the hell not!' There simply isn't any reason any more to believe that something isn't possible. I watched in awe as two blind guys climbed together. Years ago that might have been the beginning of a bad joke (maybe in some circles it still is), but we're talking about two guys, one of whom has summited Everest, that met halfway up a 1000ft rockface! (Erik Weihenmayer and Austrian Andy Holzer).
I get back to Vancouver to learn that Brad Zdanivsky (quadriplegic) has been successful in his odyssey to climb the Stawamus Chief in Squamish, British Columbia (www.verticalchallenge.org). Way to go Brad! And they USED to say quads couldn't rock climb...
'Can'ts' are rapidly becoming an endangered species! And not just here in the west. In the news today we learnt that Sergei Burlakov, a quadruple amputee (yep, both arms and legs) has flown a motorized hang glider! We are being forced to redefine our reality every day, and it's got nothing to do with reality TV...
No sooner had I got back from Cortina, and it was time to pack the bags again, this time as a lecturer onboard the Academic Sergey Vavilov cruising the Scandinavian arctic with Peregrine Adventures. Watching a polar bear swimming into the sunset (well, it was more a sun-dip) before bounding effortlessly up onto an ice flow was quite an ethereal experience, but I was taken by suprise at what really struck me about the arctic. I have to admit, I'm not a huge bird watcher. Five minutes of watching Glaucus Gulls is usually enough for me. Its about then that thoughts such as 'if we were back in Australia we'd be throwing them chips' start creeping in... But steaming our way across the Northern Atlantic between Svalbard and the East Greenland coast, something fairly less conspicuous than a bear caught my attention. Birds.
Thousands of them. Swimming. Swimming, with intent, towards the nearest land mass that lay, conservatively, 150 miles west... Little Auks and Guillemots, fresh out of the nest, not yet able to fly, on a swimming migration that would take 5- 6 weeks to complete. Can you imagine, jumping off the side of a cliff into the almost freezing arctic water, urged on by your dad, who then suggests you start swimming, to Greenland. There's something in this that to me has to do with intent, and focus. It also tells me that all too often we're not swimming, we're just bobbing along with the tide, with no idea of where we're going, or why. Maybe it's because we've lost our connection with the planet. Maybe it's because we just have it plain too easy these days. Or maybe it's because we've simply lost our spirit of adventure. I don't claim to
have all the answers, but I can offer this.The world is truly an amazing place, despite all the madness going on right now. Two blind guys climbing together define their own reality, as does a quadriplegic on The Chief. Birds the size of pigeons jumping off a cliff and swimming hundreds of miles across the Atlantic define their own reality. They jump in, and they swim.
How do you define your reality, and if you're not happy with it, what are you going to do to change it?
=========================
*** BOOK OF THE MONTH ***
=========================Sorry; no book of the month this time. You'd think being on a ship for a month I would have had a chance to read... No such chance, too much going on. Stay tuned though for next month.
=================================================
**** SOME EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR ****
=================================================For those in the UK, here's your chance to see Gary Caganoff's 'The Second Step: Warren Macdonald's journey to Federation Peak'. The film that has won FIVE international awards so far, including the Grand Prize at Banff Mountain Film, and screens across the UK on National Geographics Adventure One next month on the following dates/ times:
September 13th @ 10.30am, 2.30pm and 6.30pm
September 19th @ 12.30, 4.30 and 8.30pm=========================
*** AFFILIATES PROGRAM ***
=========================I'm in the process of experimenting with an affiliates program. This is me putting the feelers out and gauging interest. Basically, I'm looking for people with websites that could benefit from having my books and videos available through their site. The best part, if that's you, you don't have to do anything other than post an ad on your site. The purchaser is redirected to my site, where the sale happens, I do the shipping and everything else, and you get a comission. It helps me to spread the word, adds variety to your site, and each month you get paid for any sales that have come from you. Drop me an email
( ) to find out more. I'm looking to set up similar arrangements with other like minded authors/ producers, so as to include more resources on my own site. The web makes it easy.
Everyones a winner!===================================================
*** TELL A FRIEND ***
===================================================If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else you think may enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their way.
DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS&
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to add to your 'Safe List'. (In Outlook, under the drop down 'actions' menu, you will see 'Junk E-Mail'. From here you can select to add sender to your safe list. Am sure similar feature exists in other programs). This ensures I dont get filtered out on the journey to your inbox.
Yours in Adventure,
Warren Macdonald--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Macdonald is an Adventurer, Author and Speaker. His mission is to help us all reach out FULL potential.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------© 2005 Warren Macdonald
Feel free to reprint any of this content wherever you like.
All I ask in return is you credit it to me, with a link to my website.Part Animal, Part Machine
2602- 1009 Expo Blvd
Vancouver BC V6Z 2V9 Canada
1 604 205 5066 or 1 800 678 4428
www.warren-macdonald.com
- March 2005
INSPIRATIONAL ADVENTURER NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2005In this Issue:
-------------------------------------
* Deserving of Respect
* Book of the month
* This months EVENTS (Denver/ Seattle/ Australia)
* New DVD's and Caps
-------------------------------------<$firstname$>
This months newsletter is coming to you a little earlier than usual for anumber of reasons. Firstly, I wanted it to reach those of you in Denver
in time for tomorrow nights slideshow at REI (see below). Secondly,
as of this weekend, I'm on board a Russian icebreaker for 10 days
cruising the Antarctic Penisula. I'm not certain, but something tells me
email accecss may not be a given down there... From there I head
straight to Australia for a series of shows with Australian Geographic
as part of the Australian launch of 'A Test of Will'. On top of that, I've
just spent the last month on the road, so with this one it's a case of now
or never. Last week I had one of those moments that conjured up a
thought that comes to me now and then, a thought that I knew meant
something, but I just hadn't really stopped to think about. It has to do
with respect, and the responsibility that comes with it.
===========================
*** DESERVING OF RESPECT ***
===========================Seeing ****** this morning with a cigar hanging out his mouth at
6.50am got me thinking a little about respect. Respect for our bodies,
respect for ourselves, respect for each other. Why would someone light
up a cigar for breakfast? Why do some of us accuse people that look
after themselves as being 'health freaks'? Where does the term 'health
freak' even come from anyway? Are we so far gone as a species that
we had to come up with a derogatory name for someone that, rather than
follow the same old line of accepting everything thats shoved down
our throats (like sugar coated frosties), actually thought about the effect
of what we choose to put into our bodies?
We talk about kids having no respect these days. When you stop and
think about it, why should they? Look at the example we set them. Look
at what we do to our bodies, each other, our environment. Look at the
television we make for ourselves, like 'the weakest link', and 'whos
your daddy'. Its all about lying and cheating and whos got the whitest
teeth. We still smoke, when weve known for god knows how many
decades now that its killing us. We eat too much; with a growing
proportion of us being diagnosed as obese. We dont know when to
step away from the buffet table, and yet we expect our kids, and other
peoples kids, to respect us.
Age doesnt give us the right to deserve respect. We live in such a
pampered society these days anyone can wait it out, stumble through
life unconsciously, protected all the way by a culture that promotes a
lack of responsibility. If something bad happens, the first thing we do is
sue somebody. If we want to be respected simply because of our age,
maybe we ought to show that weve actually learnt something along the
way, and by that I don't just mean personally, but as a culture, as a
species. When it comes to respect, it has to be earned. Until then, kids
will show us exactly the amount of respect we deserve, because if
theres one thing kids are good at before they turn into adults, its being
honest. Really honest.
Lets all see if we can get through a day without supporting ourweaknesses, so that at the end of that day we can look at ourselves in
the mirror with respect. If we can do that, maybe we can inspire our
kids to look at us in the same way, to show us some real respect other
that that which we demand of them. Lets demand it of ourselves first.
===================================================
*** BOOK OF THE MONTH ***
==================================================='BLINK- The Power of thinking without thinking' by Malcolm
Gladwell.
If you enjoyed 'The Tipping Point', you're going to love this. Gladwell
has a knack for analyzing and interpreting those aspects of our phsyche
that, although at use constantly throughout our lives, if not providing the
very direction of our lives, we seldom pay much thought or attention to.
From Amazon.com:
How do we make decisionsgood and badand why are some people
so much better at it than others? Thats the question Malcolm Gladwell
asks and answers in the follow-up to his huge bestseller, The Tipping
Point. Utilizing case studies as diverse as speed dating, pop music, and
the shooting of Amadou Diallo, Gladwell reveals that what we think of
as decisions made in the blink of an eye are much more complicated
than assumed. Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience and psychology,
he shows how the difference between good decision-making and bad
has nothing to do with how much information we can process quickly,
but on the few particular details on which we focus. Leaping boldly
from example to example, displaying all of the brilliance that made The
Tipping Point a classic, Gladwell reveals how we can become better
decision makersin our homes, our offices, and in everyday life. The
result is a book that is surprising and transforming. Never again will
you think about thinking the same way.
Do yourself a favour. Grab a copy. I've made it easy for you; here is the
link.
http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1586217615/qid%3D11090
49194/sr%3D2-3/ref%3Dsr%5F2%5F3%5F3//702-4384431-4018449
=================================================
**** SOME EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR ****
=================================================For those of you in the United States...
-------------------------------------------------
'A Test of Will'- Readings and Slideshows
-------------------------------------------------Tuesday Feb 22 @ 7pm
REI Denver
1416 Platte St
Denver, CO Tel: (303) 756-3100Thursday Feb 24 @ 7pm
REI Seattle
222 Yale Ave N
Seattle, WA Tel: (206) 223 1944For those in Australia...
-------------------------------------------------------
'A Test of Will'- Australian Geographic Lectures
-------------------------------------------------------March 21- Melbourne
March 22- Canberra
March 23- Sydney
March 24- Brisbane
March 25- AdelaideContact: 1300 555 176 or www.australiangeographic.com.au for
details.
===================================================
*** NEW DVD's AND CAPS ***
===================================================Don't forget the new DVD's are now available online. The El Cap/
Weeping Wall combo, 'Challenging the Limits', the 'live onstage'
presentation DVD, as well as the new Coolmax Caps. Go to
www.warren-macdonald.com/booksvideos.html to check out the goods.
===================================================
*** TELL A FRIEND ***
===================================================If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else you
think may enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their way.
=60719
DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS&
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to add
to your 'Safe List'. (In Outlook,
under the drop down 'actions' menu, you will see 'Junk E-Mail'. From
here you can select to add sender to your safe list. Am sure similar
feature exists in other programs). This ensures I dont get filtered out on
the journey to your inbox.
Yours in Adventure,
Warren Macdonald--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Macdonald is an Adventurer, Author and Speaker. His missionis to help us all reach out FULL potential.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------© 2005 Warren Macdonald
Feel free to reprint any of this content wherever you like.
All I ask in return is you credit it to me, with a link to my website.Part Animal, Part Machine
2602- 1009 Ex
- January 2005
Firstly, you may have noticed the heading above has changed.
I figured it's a new year, and it's time for a change.
From now on I'm calling this the 'Inspirational Adventurer
Newsletter'.
I've put the 'Part Animal, Part Machine Newsletter' title to
bed, though rest assured the content will still be the same.
Something to keep in mind when looking for 'junk mail' to
delete; if it's got 'Inspirational Adventurer' in the heading,
it's from me!In this Issue:
-------------------------------------
* Rediscovering Beauty
* Book of the month
* This months EVENTS
* New DVD's and Caps
-------------------------------------After totally putting down actors and actresses in last month's
newsletter, I feel like I have a confession to make. I'm not
totally against movies and TV at all. I see most of it as
mindless garbage, but that's OK, that's not where the problem
lies. My problem is how some of us use TV as an alternative to
living out their own lives and dreams. I've been blown away by
the performances of lots of actors and actresses, and the way
they've given emotion and depth to what is at the end of the day
a character in a story.But for the most part, the majority of films we see are really
about escapism, they allow us to escape into some kind of
fantasy land, if only for an hour and a half.Every now and then a film comes along that gets us to think and
ask questions.===================================================
*** REDISCOVERING BEAUTY ***
===================================================
Have you seen the film American Beauty? What did you think of
it? I've talked to people that thought it was 'weird', and
others that thought it was simply a movie about Kevin Spacey's
character Lester ruining his life by fantasizing about his
teenage daughter Jane's best friend Angela. Of course, you
wouldn't be alone; one film review site described the plot as:'A man tells his tale of how he turned his miserable life around
and turned everyone else's upside down as a result.'A lot of people saw American Beauty as a film about a guy who
lost the plot. I saw it as film about a guy that woke up. He
woke up the fact he was living a lie; that he was going through
life almost as if sleepwalking.He snapped out of it and yeah, things changed. They had to; it
would have been insane to carry on with things the way they
were, and yet that's what most of us do.We don't like change, so we do anything but rock the boat.
What about the kid Ricky in the film; what did you think about
him? You know the one, his Dad's the ex military, ultra homophobic
nutcase. A weirdo? A potential axe murderer who turned out to be
a drug dealer?What about someone who used the camera to reach out to people,
who dealt drugs as a form of rebellion against his father.I may be giving too much away here, but I don't know if I've
ever been so moved by a scene in a film like I was when Ricky
took Jane into his room to show her the most beautiful thing
he'd ever filmed. Do you remember that part? Do you remember
what he said, the psycho boy, axe murderer? Let me remind you:As the two of them watched the plastic bag he'd filmed,
'dancing' in the wind in a small courtyard, he explained how it
had been 'just a minute away from snowing, and you could almost
feel the electricity in the air'. Then he says.'Thats the day I realized that there was his entire life behind
things. And this incredibly benevolent force wanted me to know
that there was no reason to be afraid. Ever.
Video is a poor excuse, I know, but it helps me to remember. I
need to remember.Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I
can't take it.'How much beauty do you see in the world?
Are you so caught up in the crap of everyday life (and I'm with
you; there is a lot of crap in this world), that you can't see
the beauty anymore?It's a whole New Year stretched out in front of us now.
Let's make it a year of waking up to what's really happening
around us, of reclaiming our power so as to achieve our FULL
potential. And above all else, let's open our eyes to the beauty
that is all around us.===================================================
*** BOOK OF THE MONTH ***
==================================================='THE WAR OF ART- Break through the blocks and win your inner
creative battles' by Steven Pressfield.Looking back at my first selection for book of the month, I
couldn't believe how lightly I'd tooted this books horn. Which
is why I'm running it again. My first reaction on reading this,
apart from scurrying to the computer and writing relentlessly
every time I picked it up, was to buy a copy for everyone I
know. I then came to my senses, and decided instead to at least
tell everybody about it.From the closing page:
'Are you a born writer? Were you put on earth to be a painter, a
scientist, an apostle of peace? In the end the question can only
be answered by action. Do it or don't do it... Creative work is
not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the
actor. It's a gift to the world and every being in it. Don't
cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got.'Do yourself a favour. Grab a copy. I've made it easy for you;
here is the link.www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446691437/warrenmacdo01-20
=================================================
**** SOME EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR ****
=================================================For those of you in the United States...
-------------------------------------------------
Ouray Ice Festival- Deomstration Climb
-------------------------------------------------Jan 16 (Sunday) at noon.
I will be at the worlds premiere ice climbing festival again
this year in Ouray, CO.
I'll be doing a miked 'demo' climb Sunday afternoon with Malcolm
Daly, a fellow amputee.
Promises to be a lot of fun if you can make it!-------------------------------------------------
'A Test of Will'- Readings and Slideshows
-------------------------------------------------Jan 21- Telluride, CO (TBA)
Feb 1- Berkley, CA (REI)
Feb 2- Corte Madera, CA (The Book Passage)
Feb 3- Saratoga (REI)
Feb 4- Capitola, CA (Capitola Book Cafe)
Feb 22- Denver, CO (REI)
Feb 24- Seattle, WA (REI)Email: for details on all events.
===================================================
*** NEW DVD's AND CAPS ***
===================================================Wow, where do I start... I have a whole swag of new stuff for
you on the website, from the long awaited DVD release
of both Will Gadd's 'Part Animal, Part Machine' (shot on
Alberta's 500ft Weeping Wall last year) and Timmy O'Neill's
'Kroykees! Look at the size of that one!' shot on the Daddy of
all BIg Walls, El Capitan! We've combined them both onto one DVD
for you, and although not 'technically' due out till April,
advance copies are avalilable. Please note that at this stage
it's only available on NTSC (American format), but those in
Australia should check their DVD players as most will be able to
play multi region discs.Also available for the first time is 'Challenging the Limits!'.
Many of you have asked 'when are you coming to my town so we can
see you speak?'. The good news is; the wait is over. You don't
need to wait for me to get to you, as this DVD (also NTSC only
right now) captures a live presentation I did here in Vancouver
a few months ago. The next best thing to being there!I've just realised there is more new stuff on the website now
than you could poke a stick at, so to avoid turning this into an
info-mercial, I suggest you take a look for yoursef. Go to
www.warren-macdonald.com/booksvideos.html to check out the
goods.===================================================
*** TELL A FRIEND ***
===================================================If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else
you think may enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their
way.DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS&
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to
add to your 'Safe List'. (In
Outlook, under the drop down 'actions' menu, you will see 'Junk
E-Mail'. From here you can select to add sender to your safe
list. Am sure similar feature exists in other programs). This
ensures I dont get filtered out on the journey to your inbox.Yours in Adventure,
Warren Macdonald--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Macdonald is an Adventurer, Author and Speaker. His
mission is
to help us all reach out FULL potential.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2005 Warren Macdonald
Feel free to reprint any of this content wherever you like.
All I ask in return is you credit it to me, with a link to my
website.Part Animal, Part Machine
2602- 1009 Expo Blvd
Vancouver BC V6Z 2V9 Canada
1 604 205 5066 or 1 800 678 4428
www.warren-macdonald.com
- December 2004
PART ANIMAL PART MACHINE NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2004In this Issue:
-------------------------------------------
* Shifting back towards REALITY
* Book of the month
* This months events
* Christmas Deal
* Help spread the word
-------------------------------------------Welcome <$firstname$>
Here we are with the December newsletter already. Is it just me, or does everyone feel like this year just sort of, disappeared?Talking about disappearing, I want to share some thoughts with you on something I thought was in danger of vanishing into the ether&
*** REALITY ***
Over the years Ive watched a plethora of so-called Reality TV shows come and go. I say watched, but I really mean have been aware of their existence. I decided after seeing one episode of Survivor that I wouldnt watch another until they let someone die. Not that Id want to see that really, but at least Id know Id be watching something real rather than some choreographed pantomime in which were lead to believe peoples live are actually endangered.
Thinking about the emergence of these shows got me thinking about where we are at as a species, as the human race. You see, theres something about our culture I never quite understood. We like to put people on TV up on a pedestal. Its true, a decent actor is far more popular and respected than any of our politicians (which is of course understandable, but we wont go down that track). We know far more about them, thanks to being inundated with gossip magazines and gossip TV, than we do of some of our relatives, Im sure.
At the end of the day, have you ever stopped to think about what they are good at?
They are good at pretending.
Pretending they are someone else.
Thats it&
How did we ever get to the point, with so many amazing people in this world doing so many incredibly good things, that we revere those of us that are good at pretending to be someone else?
Two words:
1/ Denial
2/ UnconsciousnessIm going to leave denial for another newsletter, except to say that for me denial is something you best be able to put yourself into if youre planning on doing much flying. Every time I get on a plane, I sit there reading a magazine, having a glass of red wine; all in total denial of the fact that Im sitting in an aluminum tube traveling at 500 miles an hour, 30,000ft above the ground without a parachute& And they say us climbers are nuts! If I couldnt put myself into a state of denial, I wouldnt do it&
More and more with each day, Im hearing more and more references to our collective state of consciousness, which to me, means were getting closer and closer to rediscovering reality. As a speaker, the number one trend in the speaking industry right now is a shift away from presenters who are overly polished and slick, which is great news for me as Ive never been accused of being either one of those& People want to hear from people who are real. Finally! Amen.
Recently Ive discovered an incredibly gifted woman (she calls herself a medical intuitive, and I have to fess up, Margo discovered her, not me. Margo, by the way, is right now in Antarctica ready to begin a trek in which she will guide 5 clients to the South Pole. I am extremely jealous, and facing the reality of being alone for the next 7 week, but I digress&) by the name of Caroline Myss. She believes there are two types of people in this world right now; those who are present in the here and now, and those who are unconscious. She also believes, and I have to say I tend to agree with her, that most of the problems the world faces today, have come about through a general state of unconsciousness. Weve been so busy having our thoughts shaped by what we see on TV, by what we see others pretending is important, that we havent bothered asking some really, really important questions.
Theres a million different directions we could head of into from this point, none of which we have time to explore right here and now (I can tell you though Im working on a book right now on the subject that will be available early next year), but I can tell you this:
Theres a revolution happening, and as predicted by Gil Scott Herron back in 1974, it aint gonna be televised. Its up to each and every one of us to reclaim our minds; to question everything we do and why we do it and who its going to affect.
Turn off the TV, or at least question everything you see on it. Take some time to investigate alternative media. Just because it got shoved down your throat on CNN doesnt necessarily mean its gospel& There is a groundswell of movement towards becoming more conscious. Dont get left behind&
*** BOOK OF THE MONTH ***
Yep, Im going all Oprah on you. Each month Ill bring to the table a new book Ive discovered that will change the way you think. First cab of the rank is a gem by Steven Pressfield called
THE WAR OF ART- Break through the blocks and win your inner creative battles (Warner books).
Not to be confused with the art of war. Quote from Esquire A vital gem& a kick in the ass. Enough said.
*** SOME EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR ***
For those of you in Australia (or more specifically, Melbourne)&
PART ANIMAL, PART MACHINE SCREENING IN MELBOURNE AS PART OF THE OTHER FILM FESTIVAL.
For those that missed the Melbourne screening a few months ago as part of the Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour, Will Gadds film of our (myself, my partner Margo Talbot and Michael ODonnell) ice climb in the Canadian Rockies is on the big screen again. Details are:
Sunday December 5th (yes, thats this Sunday) at 8pm (session 10)
The Age Theatre, Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson Street, Carlton.
Tickets are $7 plus $2 booking fee per booking.
Booking is essential!
www.otherfilmfestival.com for details.For reasons that will become obvious, I wont be able to make it to the film festival, as on the same day, here in Canada&
A TEST OF WILL- READING AND SLIDESHOW
Sunday December 5th at 7pm
Bolen Books, 111-1644 Hillside Ave, Victoria BC
Phone (250) 595-4232*** A DEAL FOR THOSE IN NORTH AMERICA ***
Seeing as Christmas is looming, I have a deal for those of you struggling with gift ideas. For a limited time, you can grab a copy of both A Test of Will and The Second Step (DVD) for just $40 instead of (let me do the math&. $52.90). Those are Australian $s, but I need to point out that this offer is limited to those of you in Canada and the USA. The Australian edition of A Test of Will is due for release in March, so not long to wait!
Now, the only way to take up this offer (I havent even had a chance to put it on the website) is by clicking on this link: Once again, North America only (sorry&)*** TELL A FRIEND ***
If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, and know someone else you think may enjoy it too, use the link below to send it their way.
*** A PROPOSITION ***For those of you with a website, I have something for you. If youve enjoyed reading A Test of Will or viewing The Second Step, and have recommended either of them to your friends, howd you like to make a commission on any sales that come from your recommendation? Ive set up a new affiliate program where you can do just that. Please email for details, or sign up now at:
*** DODGING THE SPAM FILTERS ***
To ensure you keep receiving my newsletter, you might want to add to your Safe List. (In Outlook, under the drop down actions menu, you will see Junk E-Mail. From here you can select to add sender to your safe list. Am sure similar feature exists in other programs). This ensures I dont filter out on the journey to your inbox.
Stay safe, and have a great Christmas and New Year!
Warren Macdonald
------------------------Warren Macdonald is an Adventurer, Author and Speaker. His mission is to help us all reach out FULL potential.
© 2004 Part Animal, Part Machine
2602- 1009 Expo Blvd
Vancouver BC V6Z 2V9 Canada
1 604 205 5066 or 1 800 678 4428
www.warren-macdonald.com
See also: