The Space Between Breaths: Everest, Whitewater, and Aging Boldly — at 56, Erik Still Trusts the Outdoors as His Greatest Teacher

What does it take to climb into the unknown — when you can’t see the way forward?

Erik Weihenmayer is one of the most accomplished adventure athletes of our time. The first blind person to summit Mount Everest, he has since climbed the Seven Summits, led expeditions around the world, and kayaked the full 277 miles of the Grand Canyon. Now 56, Erik continues to seek awe and discomfort — from the storm-battered granite towers of the Bugaboos to the whitewater chaos of the Colorado River.

But this episode isn’t about past headlines. It’s about fire. About why Erik calls the outdoors “the greatest laboratory for learning.” About how aging reshapes goals without dimming curiosity. About the difference between fear that paralyzes and fear that sharpens. And about the daily experiments in trust, grit, and reinvention that make a life feel ageless.

If you’ve ever felt like your best adventures are behind you, Erik’s story is a reminder: the summit isn’t a peak on a map. It’s the choice to keep moving into uncertainty, one step, one breath at a time.

In This Episode:

• What the Bugaboos taught Erik about patience, fire, and partnership
• From hating hiking as a teen to discovering the outdoors as a lifelong teacher
• How he climbs by feel and trust — and the most intense “unknown” he’s faced on a wall
• The reality of kayaking blind through Class V rapids in the Grand Canyon
• How aging has shifted his goals and risk calculus at 56
• Life outside the mountains: family, home, and the small rituals that keep him grounded
• What fulfillment means now: summits vs. unlocking others’ potential
• Why “No Barriers” is more than a slogan — it’s a mindset for every season of life

References & Resources

Erik’s book: No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon — Amazon link

Erik’s organization: No Barriers USA
Erik’s website: erikweihenmayer.com

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