EP02: Risk & Outdoor Adventure - A 12 Year Old Perspective

12-year-old Rose Gadd, climber, gymnast, and skier, is wise beyond her years. She knows that understanding risk isn't about avoiding life's adventures; it's about knowing how to navigate them more safely. Today on The Avid Adventurer, we explore this profound insight with Rose and her father, Will Gadd, an extreme athlete and renowned outdoor educator. Together, they delve into the critical importance of risk assessment, not only in the exhilarating world of outdoor sports but also in the everyday decisions that shape our lives. Through their unique lens, we're introduced to a simple yet effective method for evaluating potential dangers, categorizing risks into three levels: Bumps and Bruises, Hospital, and Death. This approach, born from their shared experiences, provides listeners with a practical framework for making informed choices, whether facing the challenges of crossing a busy highway, ensuring safety at the airport, or enjoying family hiking trips.

 

The conversation with Rose and Will emphasizes the significance of not just identifying what could go wrong, but understanding why it might happen, empowering listeners with the knowledge to mitigate risks proactively. Will explains that teaching risk-awareness is less about instilling fear and more about equipping young adventurers with the necessary tools for independent and confident decision-making. This philosophy turns the concept of risk into a source of comfort rather than anxiety, showcasing the empowering impact of preparation and knowledge.

 

Rose's insights extend to overcoming 'embarrassment injury' and the broader implications of facing fear head-on, a stance supported by Will's belief that engaging with fear is the key to diminishing its power. Their dialogue offers invaluable lessons for listeners of all backgrounds, providing a fresh perspective on managing fear and risk in pursuit of adventure and fulfillment.

 

Join us for this enlightening episode of The Avid Adventurer, where the wisdom of a young athlete and the expertise of an extreme sports veteran converge to offer guidance on navigating life's risks with confidence and savvy.

Quotes:

• “Basically, when you’re outside or doing anything that requires a risk, I pause to think and say, ‘If I get hurt in this situation, or if something goes wrong, would it fall into the bumps and bruises category, the hospital category, or the death category.’ And then I assess from there.”(4:36 | Rose Gadd) 
• “Sometimes, I get very focused because I do so many things in the outdoors, but risk is something that goes across every aspect of life, including social aspects as well. You can have some of the same categories there.” (5:57 | David Secunda)
• “I’ve always asked questions when we’re out doing anything, from being in the city–Rose mentioned that, the busy road with the death potential, but just asking questions. ‘What’s going on here? Are we good, or do we need to do something different?’ I think from a very early age we’ve done that and I’ve encouraged the kids to be involved in that, and they really are.” (11:13 | Will Gadd) 
• “The goal is not to scare Rose, the goal is to give her tools so she feels she can make the right decisions.” (12:14 | Will Gadd)
• “I guess you could even classify this to a social standard. Embarrassment injury. Something as simple as raising your hand in class to an answer you might not even know, that might be an example of a risk you could take with the worst possibility being embarrassment.”  (16:31 | Rose Gadd) 

Links

Connect with Rose and Will Gadd:

Website: willgadd.com 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/realwillgadd/