#213 Stephan Kesting: Surviving the Wild – Perseverance, Problem-Solving & Mental Strength

Today’s guest is Stephan Kesting, who is an adventurer, firefighter, and lifelong martial artist who thrives in high-pressure situations. Whether navigating the remote Arctic, making split-second decisions as a firefighter, or battling on the mats as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, he has spent his life mastering the art of resilience.

You can review the show-notes at: TBC

For over 40 years, Stephan has crisscrossed the Canadian North, leading wilderness expeditions and completing solo journeys into the Arctic’s most unforgiving landscapes. With an honours BSc in Biology from McGill University and an MSc in Arctic Botany specializing in climate change from the University of British Columbia, his deep connection to the natural world is both academic and personal. His seven years as a field biologist further sharpened his understanding of survival, adaptation, and perseverance.

A martial artist since the age of 12, Stephan has been a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for nearly two decades, helping tens of thousands of practitioners worldwide through his books, courses, and YouTube channel. In the fire service, he serves as a captain, and in 2001, he was awarded the National Medal of Bravery for saving two trapped firefighters from a burning warehouse.

His latest book, Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic, chronicles his grueling 1,000-mile solo journey through the Canadian wilderness following a life-threatening illness. Facing storms, bears, and his own self-doubt, he rediscovered the strength to endure in the raw solitude of the North. Part survival epic, part personal transformation, Perseverance is a gripping and deeply human story of pushing past limits, embracing uncertainty, and finding the will to keep going.

#newbook #author #transplant #health #bjj #grappling #grapplearts #stephankesting #perseverance #1000miletrip #grit #bravery #mentalstrength #survival #adaptation #perseverance #nature #artic #firefighter

#212 Spencer Hoffman: Unlocking Nature’s Secrets – The Hidden World of Insects, Wildlife & YouTube!

Today's guest is: Spencer Hoffman-Edminster! Today's topic is 'MyWildBackyard: Uncovering Nature’s Hidden World'!

The show-notes (and other goodies) can be found at: https://www.nextlevelguy.com/spencerhoffman212/

Welcome to MyWildBackyard, where Spencer explores the secret lives of the tiny creatures living all around us! From the hidden corners of your yard to the most overlooked spaces in your home, an entire world of fascinating insects and spiders is waiting to be discovered.

Join biologist Spencer Hoffman from North Carolina as he takes you on wild adventures to reveal the strange and incredible creatures that share our planet. Whether it's up-close encounters with amazing arachnids or deep dives into the world of bugs, snakes and so much more, MyWildBackyard brings you nature like you've never seen before. Subscribe to his YouTube and let Spencer show you how your backyard is wilder than you think!

In this video, you will learn a lot about wildlife, and also creating a career on YouTube by making videos and so much more! This one is a real deep dive and masterclass on building a YouTube channel based on your passions that will change your life as much as the wonders you can find in your backyard!

#spencerhoffman #insects #spiders #wildlife #mywildbackyard #nature #youtube #arachnids #podcast #nextlevelguypodcast #contentcreation #bugs #snakes #venom #poison #poisonous #venomous #weirdplanet #strangeworld

#211 Rosie Miller (@rosierollz) on how to express yourself through BJJ!

Today’s guest is Rosie Miller, @rosierollz, a BJJ Brown Belt and a Performance & Mindset Coach

You can listen and view the show-notes at: https://www.nextlevelguy.com/rosiemiller211/

Rosie Miller is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt under Andre Galvao, a seasoned competitor, and a dedicated performance coach with over a decade of experience in both training and competition. She has worked with some of the biggest names in the sport, including Atos, IBJJF, and FloGrappling, as a writer and content creator. Her Instagram is a gold mine of free techniques and helpful prompts that will help you level up your game!

Beyond competing, Rosie has taught kids' classes, developed training curriculums, and led nutrition and strength camps for athletes striving to reach their peak performance.

But Rosie’s expertise extends far beyond the mats. Before BJJ, she spent two decades as a competitive dancer and pursued a graduate degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition—a background that shaped her holistic approach to athletic development. Over the past 15 years, she has helped countless individuals build strength, improve nutrition, and achieve their goals—whether that’s a competition podium, a stronger mindset, or simply becoming the best version of themselves.

Rosie believes that success in any pursuit isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart. Her philosophy blends discipline with adaptability, guiding athletes to find the balance between pushing forward and knowing when to pause. Whether it’s on the mats, in the gym, or in life, she teaches her students how to develop the resilience, confidence, and mindset needed to truly transform.

At the heart of Rosie’s coaching is a simple truth: real change happens off the mat. And she’s here to help you make that change.

In this interview, we discuss how to find yourself through BJJ training, and how you can use your training to express and develop yourself, your identity and work on areas of yourself you want to develop.

#BJJ #mentalhealth #rosierollz #rosiemiller #bjjtraining #bjjcompeting #worksmartnothard #ibjjf #flograppling #atosbjj #peakperformance #improveyourself #improveyourskillset #competeatbjj