Off Course, On Purpose: How Sailing with Phoenix Is Capturing Hearts and Leaving Swell Enough Alone

On today’s Up+Adam, we spotlight the incredible voyage of Oliver Widger (aka Sailing with Phoenix), a 29-year-old from Oregon who left his corporate job, bought a used boat, and set sail - solo - to Hawaii. Diagnosed with a rare spinal condition that could one day leave him paralyzed, Oliver decided to stop waiting and start moving. With no offshore experience and only his cat Phoenix for company, he’s now capturing the hearts of thousands online as he documents every challenge, every sunrise, and every brutally honest moment from the open ocean.

Have you heard about this guy? He’s awkward, he’s honest, and he’s doing something most of us only dream about. You can track his progress in real time, drop into his Instagram updates, or support the mission on GoFundMe. This isn’t just about sailing—it’s about bravery, vulnerability, and what it looks like to stop waiting for perfect conditions and just go.

Links:

• Instagram: @sailing_with_phoenix
• PredictWind Tracker: Live GPS Map
• MarineTraffic: AIS Vessel Info
• GoFundMe: Help Make a Dream Come True

Articles:

• Statesman Journal
• KGW News

Today’s Interview: What does it mean to build a dynasty…and what does it cost to keep one? On today’s Up+Adam, Adam chats with former ESPN NBA reporter and Dub Dynasty host Israel Gutierrez to unpack the real story behind the Golden State Warriors. Yeah, we talk Steph, Draymond, Kerr, and Durant, buuuuut this convo isn’t just for the basketball heads. It’s for anyone who’s ever been curious about what makes greatness stick.

Even if you haven’t caught a single game this postseason (same), this is one of those stories that cuts deeper than sports. It’s about culture, ego, evolution—and how a franchise known for splash plays quietly became a masterclass in leadership and loyalty. We also dig into LeBron’s late-stage legacy, Luka’s rise, and yes… the weirdest legal take you’ll ever hear about free throws.

Listen to Dub Dynasty →.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}