What's The Rusch

In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca welcomes explorer-author Craig Childs, a man whose life is spent listening deeply to the land. Known for tracing ancient migration routes, following water across vast deserts, flying through curtains of Virga, and biking into the darkest sky in America, Craig’s work reveals a world still full of mystery for those willing to pay attention.This conversation moves through ghost-lit writing rooms, ritual landscapes, long bike journeys, serendipity, and the internal shifts that only happen when we slow down enough to let the world permeate us. Together Craig and Rebecca explore why immersion, not arrival, is what transforms us.Show Notes: Immersion as the Pathway to TruthWhy Craig must be in a place—feeling the ground, light, wind—for the story to reveal itselfHow walking ancient routes or biking across deserts becomes a form of listeningThe difference between reading landscape through photographs vs. letting it enter your bodyHemingway’s House & the Ghost of InfluenceCraig’s three-week writing residency in Ernest Hemingway’s preserved home in IdahoThe strange, creative tension of living where Hemingway lived—and even feeling watchedHow inhabiting another writer’s space reshaped Craig’s awareness of language and simplicityEnergy, Memory & Mystery in the Natural WorldThe ineffable sensations some landscapes hold—ritual sites, ancient paths, places marked by lossHow intention sharpens awareness of what we cannot explainRebecca’s story of biking 1,200 miles along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to reach her father’s crash site, and the unexpected peace found thereThe Wild Dark: Riding Into the NightCraig’s decision to bike—not hike or drive—from the brightest sky (Las Vegas) to the darkest sky in NevadaUnderstanding the Bortle Scale, and how each night revealed an entirely different skyWhat humanity loses when we stop looking upward—and the questions the night sky asks of usCreative Curiosity & How Stories Choose UsHow Craig selects each new book subject: serendipity, timing, emotional bandwidth, personal readinessWhy some stories (such as those rooted in trauma) demand discernment, and why he sometimes says noMoving from archaeology, to animals, to geology, and now to mountain lionsInternal Exploration & the Dialogue WithinThe constant internal conversations that unfold when moving across landscapes

In this episode, Rebecca welcomes her friend, author, and legendary peak-performance researcher Steven Kotler for a conversation that weaves together science, sport, creativity, and the deeper human quest for what’s possible. Steven has spent decades decoding flow, the neurobiological state where we feel our best and perform our best, but this conversation goes far beyond definitions.Together, Rebecca and Steven explore why flow is accessible to everyone, what happens when you chase it too hard, and why recovery is a form of grit. Steven also opens up about the period of his life when Lyme disease left him bedridden, suicidal, and stripped of his identity, and how an unexpected moment in the ocean became the spark that rebuilt everything.This is a conversation about curiosity, resilience, and how the smallest actions, walking the dog, doodling on a page, stepping outside, can literally help us find our way back to ourselves.Show NotesIn this episode, Rebecca and Steven explore:Understanding Flow & Peak PerformanceWhat flow actually is from a neurobiological perspectiveWhy flow follows focus—and the 28 triggers that bring us into the present momentThe different forms of flow: individual, interpersonal, group, and communitasWhy flow operates on a four-stage cycle (and why you can’t be in flow all the time)Chasing Flow vs. Working With ItThe danger of using risk as a flow triggerHow novelty and creativity create safer, more sustainable pathways into flowWhy action sports athletes often “break things” chasing that feelingHow micro-changes—like interpreting terrain creatively—can upgrade performance without increasing dangerRecovery, Afterglow & the Science of the Come-DownWhat happens in the brain after a massive flow stateWhy a big flow day almost guarantees a low-performance day right afterThe neurochemical crash that mimics the comedown of recreational drugsHow to use healthy recovery habits to shorten the “cost of flow”Steven's Journey Through IllnessSteven recounts the years when Lyme disease left him unable to walk across a roomThe suicidal moment when he believed he’d become a lifelong burdenThe friend who insisted he go surfing—and the wave that triggered a full-blown, mystical macro-flow stateHow repeated exposure to flow helped reboot his immune system and rebuild his lifeWhat neuro-immunology reveals about the connection between flow, healing, and homeostasisFlow, Longevity & Life DesignWhy immersion in nature is one of the most potent flow triggersThe role of action sports and outdoor movement in mental health and agingWhy walking—even slowly—is medicine for the nervous system and the brainHow Steven teaches older adults to park-ski using creativity instead of riskTransformative InsightsFlow is trainable. With the right structure, most people can increase flow by 70–80% within eight weeks.Recovery is a grit skill. High performers burn out not from doing too much—but from never shutting down.Creativity microdosing between tasks keeps you in flow and prevents ego spikes that knock you out of it.Tragedy can be a teleportation chamber. Sometimes the hardest experiences become the doorway to the life we wanted but couldn’t reach on our own.Movement + nature = neurobiological reset. Just 20 minutes outdoors begins to flush stress hormones and restore baseline...

This conversation with Cam Wurf is a deep dive into the mindset, curiosity, and longevity of one of the most relentlessly adaptable athletes on the planet. Instead of simply talking results, Cam opens the door to the many evolutions of his career, from Olympic rowing to WorldTour cycling to Ironman racing, and the mindset that’s allowed him to thrive for decades. What emerges is a portrait of someone who never stops learning, never stops playing, and never stops believing there’s always another layer to uncover.We explore how setbacks nudged him toward new paths, why versatility keeps him alive in sport, and what it really takes to keep showing up at the highest level in your 40s with joy, grit, and childlike enthusiasm. It’s a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and refusing to stay in any lane someone else draws for you.Show NotesIn this episode, Rebecca and Cam explore:Growing up in Tasmania and the importance of showing younger athletes what’s possible when you come from a small placeThe mentorship moments that shaped his Olympic debut — including the mindset shift that changed everythingHow injuries became directional markers rather than derailmentsThe surprising twists from rowing → pro cycling → finance → back to cycling → IronmanWhy variety has been the secret weapon behind his longevityThe psychology of coming back stronger after disappointmentWhat it takes to recover from one World Championship and qualify for Kona two weeks laterHis love of training, playfulness, and why he still feels lucky every day he gets to moveTransformative Insights:Longevity isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about changing stimulus. Cam attributes his decades of elite performance to switching disciplines before burnout ever set in.Your physiology stays; your ability to use it evolves. Cam’s VO₂ max hasn’t changed in 20+ years, but how he optimizes it has.Belief is a skill. Cam shares how early wins cemented a lifelong ability to trust his capacity to come back from anything.Transitions often follow hard moments. But instead of retreating, Cam uses setbacks as invitations to grow.Curiosity is a performance multiplier. Training with boxers, triathletes, and cyclists expands what he thinks is possible.Vulnerable Moments:Reflecting on not being fully present before the World Championship in Nice, and how family stress impacted performanceOpening up about the emotional weight of disappointing results and the phone calls that followDiscussing fatherhood, the shift in priorities, and what “winning” looks like at homeHis young son’s broken collarbone — and how watching his resilience mirrored Cam’s own approach to setbacksPractical Wisdom:“If you’re going to beat me, you’re going to work for it.” The mantra that carried him through a brutal qualification raceWhy technique, mobility, and efficiency now matter more than simply training harderHow to recover fast enough to race again within 14 daysThe importance of believing in your coach and your process — otherwise the work doesn’t matterA reminder that positivity costs nothing, but negativity costs everythingPersonal Growth Themes:The shift from doing three sports to mastering the details within eachLearning to chip away the unnecessary — using Michelangelo’s “David” as a metaphor for athletic evolutionBuilding a life outside of endurance identity: partnership, fatherhood, stabilityFinding joy again through play, humor, community, and mentorshipSeeing possibility in every next chapter —...

In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca dives into the deep currents of creativity, purpose, and healing with legendary kayaker, filmmaker, and musician Rush Sturges. From first descents on the world’s most powerful rivers to producing award-winning films like The River Runner (on Netflix), Chasing Niagara, and Edge of the Unknown (on Disney+), Rush has lived his life on the edge of adventure and artistry. Together, he and Rebecca explore how nature, trauma, and creativity intertwine—and how slowing down can be the most radical act of all.Rush shares his journey from world champion athlete to filmmaker and mentor, the lessons learned from loss and risk, and how a devastating earthquake in Nepal reshaped his understanding of fear, nervous system health, and what it really means to live fully. This is a conversation about flow, healing, and the art of coming home to yourself.Show NotesIn this episode, Rebecca and Rush explore:Growing up at his parents’ kayak school, Otter Bar, and discovering a lifelong calling on the Grand Canyon at age 14The parallels between rivers and life—how chaos, calm, and flow teach us who we areWhat expedition kayaking reveals about presence, teamwork, and vulnerabilityThe evolution from athlete to filmmaker to musician, and the importance of building creative “teams” off the riverThe transformative impact of mentoring Indigenous youth through Ríos to Rivers and the Paddle Tribal Waters project during the historic Klamath River dam removalLessons from loss—processing death, danger, and risk in the adventure communityRush’s experience with PTSD after surviving a deadly Nepal earthquake and how it forced him to confront the limits of enduranceThe healing power of therapy, meditation, and slowing downWhy true mastery is learning to move—and to rest—with intentionTransformative InsightsThe river as teacher: Its turbulence and stillness mirror the flow of life.Healing the nervous system: How mindfulness, breathwork, and community restore balance after trauma.Creativity as connection: Music, film, and art as extensions of nature’s flow.Redefining performance: Moving from risk and recognition toward service, purpose, and self-awareness.Vulnerable MomentsRush recounts surviving a catastrophic earthquake in Nepal that triggered years of tremors and insomnia.He opens up about witnessing loss in the kayaking community and how grief shaped his view of risk.Rebecca shares her own recovery from brain injury and how both learned the power of stillness and surrender.Practical WisdomSmall shifts—like walking more slowly or unplugging from your phone—can reset the nervous system.True strength comes from knowing when to stop pushing and start listening.Building “teams” in life, art, and healing creates the support needed for real transformation.Personal GrowthFrom adrenaline and ego to empathy and awareness—Rush’s evolution as a creator and human being.How service projects like Paddle Tribal Waters reconnect purpose to passion.The practice of slowing down as a daily meditation—one mindful step, one quiet breath at a time.Helpful...

In this illuminating conversation, Rebecca reconnects with one of her most influential mentors and longtime collaborators, Dr. Andy Walshe — a pioneering performance scientist, surfer, father, and Chief Performance Officer at Liminal Collective. Known for his groundbreaking work with Red Bull, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team, and elite performers across sport, military, art, and business, Andy has spent his career studying what drives human potential. Together, Rebecca and Andy explore how true performance isn’t about doing more — it’s about understanding ourselves more deeply.They dive into the paradox of progress, the intersection of technology and humanity, and why the best tools for mastery are often the simplest: movement, stillness, curiosity, and connection.In this episode, Rebecca and Andy explore:How Red Bull’s human performance program redefined the boundaries of elite trainingThe creation of Andy’s holistic Human Performance Model — integrating physiology, creativity, spirituality, and characterWhy partnership, not prescription, is the key to unlocking potentialHow discomfort and uncertainty build resilienceThe role of curiosity and purpose in sustaining long-term growthThe evolving relationship between humans and technology — and what it really means to “make humans more human”The importance of community as the ultimate performance enhancerTransformative InsightsThe Power of Purpose: Every high performer shares one trait — a purpose greater than themselves.Curiosity as a Practice: The best in any field stay in “beginner’s mind,” constantly challenging assumptions.Partnership Over Perfection: The most effective coaching is built on collaboration and curiosity, not control.Embracing the Unknown: Performance breakthroughs often come when certainty is stripped away.The Future of Performance: Technology can enhance insight, but only human connection creates meaning.Vulnerable MomentsRebecca shares the identity crisis following her concussion and how she rediscovered herself through stillness and movement.Andy opens up about leaving Red Bull and navigating his own professional transition.Together they reflect on the power of community, purpose, and humility in times of change.Andy reveals why his favorite experiments at Red Bull weren’t about numbers or metrics — but about what happens when the plan falls apart.Practical WisdomTrue mastery is not about doing more — it’s about being more aware.The most valuable recovery tools are ancient: movement, time in nature, and intentional rest.Technology should free us to connect more deeply, not distract us from it.Building resilience starts with small, consistent practices that strengthen body, mind, and spirit.Create pauses in your day — the stillness is where insight lives.Personal GrowthRebecca’s “Athlete Operating System” reframes sport as a framework for life — a daily practice of curiosity, connection, and self-awareness.Andy’s mission through Liminal Collective is to democratize human performance, bringing world-class tools to everyday people.Both explore how to carry the lessons of high performance into the rest of life — from the mountains to the boardroom to the dinner table.Helpful LinksAndy Walshe 🔗 Website 🔗

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