What's The Rusch

• Living Your Legacy: Corey Rich on Storytelling, Purpose, and Community | EP12

  In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch connects with her longtime friend, world-renowned photographer and filmmaker Corey Rich. Known for hanging off cliffs with a camera in one hand and a story in the other, Corey reflects on a life built around capturing raw, authentic moments—in sport, in nature, and in the human spirit.Their conversation is a journey through decades of friendship and creative partnerships from adventure races in the jungles of Borneo to documenting Rebecca’s earliest endurance cycling records. But it’s also a reflection on how we build something that lasts— a creative business and a meaningful legacy through work, family, and community.Corey opens up about the evolution of his career, the pressure of running a production company, and the deeper questions that come with success: What are we really building? Who are we building it for? And how do we stay aligned with our values along the way?This is a conversation about how we evolve, how storytelling changes us, and how slowing down can illuminate what really matters. Corey shares intimate reflections on burnout, parenthood, vulnerability, and why showing up with curiosity and care might be the most radical act of all.Whether you’re a creative, an entrepreneur, an athlete, or someone navigating your next chapter, this episode will leave you thinking differently about presence, pressure, and purpose.Transformative Insights:Authenticity Over Aesthetics: Why Corey values honest, photojournalistic images that capture real emotion over curated perfection.Evolving the Craft: From dirtbag climber to commercial director, Corey shares how staying curious and committed to his values has shaped his path.Presence Is the Point: “We design our lives”—Corey discusses how meaningful moments often emerge when we stop chasing and start savoring.Legacy Through Story: From his daughter to his community park project, Corey explores what it means to create impact beyond accolades.Vulnerable Moments:Corey opens up about questioning his purpose during high-pressure projects and dreams of simpler lives during times of stress.He talks about showing his photos to his mom as a personal litmus test for emotional truth—and the rarity of images that truly “move the needle.”Rebecca and Corey reflect on aging out of peak performance and how identity shifts can feel both liberating and confusing.Practical Wisdom:“Work really hard. Be easy to work with.” Corey’s no-nonsense creative philosophy for success in high-stakes environments.The Importance of Community: Building a local bouldering park and bar wasn't just a lifestyle choice—it was about building culture and connection.Storytelling as a Family Practice: How nightly story circles at the dinner table are shaping the next generation of creators.Business with Heart: Why mission-driven brands and intentional culture matter more now than ever in creative work.Personal Growth:Corey discusses designing a life rooted in curiosity, play, and contribution—not just productivity.His shift from documenting others’ stories to helping the next generation shape their own.Letting go of external validation to find satisfaction in impact, intimacy, and shared experience.Links:Corey Rich | WebsiteThe Story Behind the Images | Book

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• Cultivating Performance Culture and Community with Allen Lim | EP11

  In this deeply insightful episode of What's the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with Dr. Allen Lim, renowned sports scientist, entrepreneur, coach, and founder of Skratch Labs. Allen’s journey from a young, curious cyclist to one of the most influential figures in human performance is a testament to the power of curiosity, connection, and care. Through a raw and heartfelt conversation, Allen and Rebecca explore the intersection of science and emotion, performance and play, and the relentless pursuit of meaning in sport and life.Dr. Allen Lim’s journey is one of contrasts; balancing external validation with self-acceptance. Growing up as a latchkey kid in LA, cycling became both an escape and a calling, leading him from city streets to the Olympic stage. His early kitchen experiments fueled his passion for performance science and led to the creation of Skratch Labs. Inspired by the 1984 Olympics, he believes sport is a unifying force and now focuses on "creating luck" and fostering environments where athletes thrive. Through personal loss, including the tragic passing of Moriah Wilson, he’s learned that connection and play are just as vital as performance. As he prepares for the 2028 LA Olympics, his message is clear: the Games won’t change athletes’ lives, but their impact can inspire the world.Transformative Insights:Being Seen vs. Being Enough – The shift from seeking external validation to embracing self-worth.The Importance of Connection – How relationships, mentorship, and community shape success and well-being.Lessons from the Kitchen – How meal prep, family dinners, and cooking for others became foundational to Allen’s philosophy on life.Balancing Ambition with Acceptance – The tension between striving for greatness and realizing that what we have is already enough.Vulnerable Moments:Allen opens up about his childhood experience of exclusion and how it shaped his commitment to building bridges.He shares the trauma of losing Moriah Wilson and the simple human need for comfort and companionship in grief.Rebecca and Allen reflect on the pressure of high achievement and learning to let go of the fear of not being “enough.”Allen talks about the weight of responsibility in leadership and business and how he learned to trust his team.Practical Wisdom:The "Making Luck" Philosophy – Why success isn’t just about hard work, but about creating environments where people can thrive.How to Build a Vision of Greatness – The importance of articulating your purpose to stay aligned in moments of doubt.Tools for Play & Performance – How bringing joy and competition together leads to better outcomes in sport and life.The Dinner Table Rule – Why tracking who you share meals with can be a more meaningful measure of success than work achievements.Personal Growth:Allen’s transition from scientist and coach to nurturer and community builder.The realization that true leadership is about care, not control.Learning to embrace contradictions—beauty and terror, ambition and stillness, winning and losing.Finding freedom in play, laughter, and human connection.LinksThe 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership – A guide to leading with authenticity and awareness.Zingerman’s Guide to Building a...

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• The Modern Mobilizer: Maureen Kolenyo’s Path to Global Impact | EP10

  In this heartfelt episode of What’s the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with Maureen Kolenyo, Regional Director of East Africa for World Bicycle Relief, transformational leader, and mother of five. Maureen shares her incredible journey from corporate powerhouse to purpose-driven changemaker, revealing how a simple bicycle can unlock safety, education, and opportunity for girls across Africa.Together, Maureen and Rebecca explore the deep inequities in education access, the overlooked power of community-based solutions, and what it really means to redefine success later in life. From navigating male-dominated boardrooms to rising before dawn to prioritize wellness, Maureen’s story is one of grace, grit, and lasting impact.As a powerful advocate for gender equity and rural development, Maureen is proving that leadership is not just about what you achieve, but about what you lift in others. Her voice is a rallying call to rethink our legacy, reimagine retirement, and move through life with purpose, connection, and heart.Transformative InsightsThe bicycle is a tool for mobility that is transforming access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity across rural Africa.Why Maureen left a 26-year corporate career to pursue lasting community impact.Redefining success after 50 by letting go of the pressure to win and embracing a more holistic, human-centered definition of achievement.Why relationships—not just results—are the currency of sustainable leadership.Vulnerable MomentsMaureen opens up about being unaware of rural poverty in her own country until witnessing it firsthand during COVID.She shares the emotional story of a mother whose daughter’s new bicycle meant she could finally sleep peacefully at night.Rebecca and Maureen dive into the pressure women face to choose between motherhood and ambition—and how to build a life that honors both.Maureen reflects on hitting burnout, and how learning to rest became her ultimate act of strength.Practical WisdomHow to lead with empathy, clarity, and shared purpose.Engaging men, communities, and families to champion girls’ education and create cultural change from the ground up.Wellness is a part of wholistic leadership practice including the role of movement, morning routines, and boundaries in staying grounded.Why trust and generosity are the foundation of lasting influence.Personal GrowthMaureen’s evolution from task-driven corporate leader to holistic, impact-centered changemaker.Embracing health and stillness as core values—not luxuries—in a high-demand life.Leading by example for her children, showing that failure, like not finishing a marathon, can still be a proud win.Maureen’s reflections on legacy and how she’s shaping a retirement defined by service and joy.LinksWorld Bicycle Relief Be Good Foundation – Rebecca’s NonprofitRebecca’s Kilimanjaro Ride for WBR (Video)Follow Maureen Kolenyo on LinkedInSponsors – GU Energy Labs &

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• Beyond the Lens and Into the Light with Chris Burkard | EP9

  In this deeply introspective episode of What's the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with world-renowned photographer, explorer, and endurance athlete, Chris Burkard. Known for capturing some of the most remote and untamed places on Earth, Chris reveals the deeper motivations behind his relentless pursuit of adventure.Chris shares his journey from being a self-taught photographer living out of his car to becoming a globally recognized storyteller. But beyond the accolades, he opens up about the emotional and personal costs of chasing the extreme—from burnout to the challenges of balancing ambition with family life.The conversation takes a profound turn as Chris recounts his experiences in endurance cycling, including his grueling Tour Divide ride, the life-changing winter fat bike expedition across Iceland with Rebecca, and his recent darkness retreat, where he confronted himself in total isolation. He reflects on the lessons of stillness, the importance of asking for help, and how he's learning to embrace a new kind of adventure—one that prioritizes presence over achievement.This episode is a raw and real look at the internal and external landscapes we must navigate to find true fulfillment.Transformative InsightsHow extreme environments expose the rawest versions of ourselves.The power of endurance sports in stripping away emotional armor.Learning to let go of external validation and redefine success.The role of stillness and self-reflection in preventing burnout.Vulnerable MomentsChris opens up about his struggles with burnout and the pressure to constantly achieve.His raw reflections during the Tour Divide, where he questioned why he was racing for validation instead of presence.His unexpected realization during the darkness retreat—where he found answers to questions he hadn’t even thought to ask.The internal conflict of being both a devoted father and an explorer constantly drawn to the wild.Practical WisdomHow to embrace discomfort as a tool for growth—without losing yourself in the process.Strategies for balancing high-performance goals with personal well-being.The importance of asking for help, even when it feels unnatural.How to cultivate presence in everyday life—not just in extreme environments.Personal GrowthChris’ shift from chasing validation to finding joy in the process.The realization that the most powerful stories aren’t about conquering landscapes, but about personal transformation.Learning to replace achievement-driven identity with a sense of internal fulfillment.The ongoing challenge of balancing ambition, creativity, and family life.LinksChris Burkard - Official WebsiteChris Burkard on InstagramChris Burkard on YouTubeSky Cave Darkness RetreatSupport What's the Rusch: Love the show? Write us a review!Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Ted Talk

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• Healing Through Nature & Heartbreak with Florence Williams | EP8

  In this deeply insightful episode of What’s the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with acclaimed science writer and nature advocate Florence Williams. Known for her groundbreaking books The Nature Fix and Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey, Florence explores the profound ways that nature heals both the body and mind.Florence opens up about her personal journey of heartbreak following the end of her 25-year marriage and how she turned to science, self-experimentation, and nature to navigate grief, trauma, and transformation. She and Rebecca dive into the neuroscience of emotional pain, the healing power of awe, and the importance of reconnecting with the natural world in our increasingly digital lives.This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, vulnerability, and self-discovery, offering practical wisdom for anyone seeking to heal, grow, and embrace life’s inevitable changes.Transformative InsightsHow nature impacts our physiology and mental healthWhy awe and beauty are essential for resilience and healingThe unexpected power of psychedelic-assisted therapy in emotional recoveryHow to embrace uncertainty and redefine personal successVulnerable MomentsFlorence’s struggle with loneliness after divorce and how it impacted her healthThe physical toll of heartbreak—how stress manifests in our bodiesHer transformative solo wilderness journey and why it didn’t lead to immediate healingLetting go of perfectionism and learning to embrace imperfection in relationships and workPractical WisdomHow micro-dosing nature can improve daily mental well-beingSimple ways to cultivate awe, even in urban environmentsThe role of authentic connection in healing and happinessWhy midlife is a powerful time for reinvention and self-discoveryPersonal GrowthFlorence’s shift from seeking control to embracing the unknownLearning to prioritize rest, play, and joy over constant achievementThe importance of accepting personal flaws and modeling that for othersLinks & ResourcesWebsite https://florencewilliams.com/Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey – Florence Williams' Website The Nature Fix – Read More HereOutside Online podcast episode with Florence & Rebecca: Support What's the Rusch: Love the show? Write us a review!Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Ted Talk Be Good Foundation Social Media LinksInstagram Facebook LinkedIn Substack

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