Episode 32: Epic Adventures and Life Lessons with Skip Schweiss

On Adventure

In this episode of the On Adventure podcast, I sit down with Skip Schweiss, a seasoned executive in the financial services industry and a passionate adventurer. Known for his years of leadership at TD Ameritrade, Skip has seamlessly woven his professional life with a personal quest to push physical and mental boundaries in the great outdoors. We dive into Skip's career journey, from his work in advisor advocacy to how he's now dedicating more time to his love of the wilderness.

But Skip isn’t just about hiking the occasional trail—he organizes an annual group hike called "Excellent Adventures," attracting dozens of people to tackle challenging hikes across some of the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S. From the majestic peaks of Colorado’s 14ers to this year’s adventure in Telluride, Skip shares his motivation for doing hard things, the camaraderie that comes from shared suffering, and why he believes that testing our limits makes us better.

Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or someone looking for inspiration to push past your comfort zone, Skip's stories will encourage you to set bigger goals, embrace the challenge, and find joy in the journey.

Episode Highlights:

[2:42] - Skip’s journey in the financial industry, his role at TD Ameritrade, and how his love for adventure began.

[7:00] - How the Rockies ignited Skip’s passion for hiking, leading him to complete all 54 of Colorado’s 14ers.

[12:15] - The origin of Skip’s “Excellent Adventures” group hikes, which have now grown to include 70 people, and the importance of camaraderie in adventure.

[29:00] - Handling adversity on the trail: The lessons Skip has learned about staying calm when things go wrong, and how to apply that mindset to life.

[40:30] - A recap of the most recent “Excellent Adventure” in Telluride, where Skip led a group on a brutal 26-mile hike with 8,000 feet of elevation gain.

[52:00] - What’s next for Skip and the group? A sneak peek into next year’s adventure to Zion National Park and some of the epic hikes planned.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about “Excellent Adventures” and past trips on the Tiburon Advisors website: Skip & Chip's Excellent Adventures
• Book Recommendation: Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why by Laurence Gonzales

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