S2 E3 210 Days Alone On the Ocean - Circumnavigator Jessica Watson Artwork

Real Risk

Richard Harris SC OAM, 2019 Joint Australian of the Year talks about risk with real, live, risk takers. How can one person BASE jump from a bridge when another gets dizzy at the top of the stairs? Why might you fear going into an elevator when I love to explore flooded caves? Real Risk gets into the weeds with the people we all think are crazy, to find that mostly, they aren’t at all. They just have a different view of the world around them, often driven by curiosity or a need to test themselves. I guarantee you’ll be inspired to push yourself a little harder. Contact me on admin@speleopix.com.au

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Real Risk

S2 E3 210 Days Alone On the Ocean - Circumnavigator Jessica Watson

September 16, 2020 • Richard Harris • Season 2 • Episode 3

At the age of 16, I wasn't thinking about achieving something incredible. My thoughts were firmly on the pursuit of the opposite sex, of SCUBA diving and the freedom of a driver's licence! Lucky for the human race some youngsters have a loftier agenda. Jessica Watson was one such girl, who with the influence of her family's love of adventure, dreamt of testing herself on the open ocean in a small boat. At the age of 16, she finally made that dream a reality when she became the youngest person to ever circumnavigate alone and unassisted.

Her quest was never easy, was always risky, and was a magnet for criticism from nay sayers who felt it was nigh on irresponsible for her adult mentors to allow the voyage, let alone encourage it. Yet she emerged stronger, more confident and a symbol of the capacity of the youngest generation to achieve their goals. With people like Jess around, I can't help thinking the planet is in safe hands.

Pick up a copy of her books "True Spirit" and "Indigo Blue" and learn more about Jess HERE