Sep 25, 2017
On this episode we have Erik Douds. Erik is a fascinating guy
who has a degree in environmental studies and sustainability, and
he’s even worked as a research assistant for NASA. His passion for
the environment has fueled a number of adventures around the world
in search of ways to make in impact. Erik has been involved in
oceanography work and has even helped design a national park in
Ethiopia.
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 16, Erik was
raised in the suburbs of NYC. He recalls the many positive
influences of big city life and what he describes as growing up
with all the 'hope and possibilities that allows people to work
towards all their dreams’.
As we get into the conversation, Erik also shares his
grandfather’s lifelong experiences with type 1. Amazingly, his
grandfather was diagnosed in 1940, and he ultimately lived to the
age of 83 years old. It was clear through our talk that his
grandfather was a significant influence in Erik’s survivor and
adventurer mindset.
Erik then describes his own diagnosis as his calling card to
take on challenges in life. In addition to venturing out on world
travel adventures and marathons, Erik recently set out on a 4500
mile cross country bike trip on the Trans America Trail, he hiked
the North Coast Trail with a team of type 1s, and is prepping to
now bike down the west coast of the US, and then head back home to
the east coast. If you put that all together, that’s biking the
entire perimeter of the United States, all while documenting his
journey and seeing how he can make an impact along the way.
This is a really interesting conversation of travel,
adventure, environmentalism, and making a positive impact on self
as well as the world.