REI presents Wild Ideas Worth Living, a podcast that shares stories of adventure and beyond. On each show, host and adventure journalist Shelby Stanger interviews world-class explorers, scientists, athletes, adventurers, and entrepreneurs about how they’ve taken their own wild ideas and made them a reality, so you can too. From people who have climbed the tallest peaks, to people who have started new businesses, broken records, surfed giant waves, sailed across the Pacific, travelled to every country in the world, or just stood up for something they believed in, some of the wildest ideas often lead to the most rewarding adventures. Previous guests include Climber Chris Sharma, Surfer Bethany Hamilton, Skier Caroline Gleich, Filmmaker Cyrus Sutton, Runner Dean Karnazes, Sailor Liz Clark, Snowboarder Kelly Clark, Freediver Kimi Werner, Minimalist and Activist Rob Greenfield, Photographer Chris Burkard, Author Chris McDougall, November Project Founder Brogan Graham, fasting expert Alan Goldhamer, Triathlete Brendan Brazier, Paralympian Alana Nichols, Comedian JP Sears, and more.Read more »
REI presents Wild Ideas Worth Living, a podcast that shares stories of adventure and beyond. On each show, host and adventure journalist Shelby Stanger interviews world-class explorers, scientists, athletes, adventurers, and entrepreneurs about how they’ve taken their own wild ideas and made them a reality, so you can too. From people who have climbed the tallest peaks, to people who have started new businesses, broken records, surfed giant waves, sailed across the Pacific, travelled to every country in the world, or just stood up for something they believed in, some of the wildest ideas often lead to the most rewarding adventures. Previous guests include Climber Chris Sharma, Surfer Bethany Hamilton, Skier Caroline Gleich, Filmmaker Cyrus Sutton, Runner Dean Karnazes, Sailor Liz Clark, Snowboarder Kelly Clark, Freediver Kimi Werner, Minimalist and Activist Rob Greenfield, Photographer Chris Burkard, Author Chris McDougall, November Project Founder Brogan Graham, fasting expert Alan Goldhamer, Triathlete Brendan Brazier, Paralympian Alana Nichols, Comedian JP Sears, and more.Read Less
Shannon’s Wild Idea: To work for NASA and spend months aboard the international space station.
Shannon Walker first dreamed of becoming an astronaut in the 1960s. After getting her undergraduate degree in physics and her Masters of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in Space Physics, she got her start with the Rockwell Space Operations Company at the Johnson Space Center in 1987 as a robotics flight controller for the space shuttle program. In 2004, she was selected to be a part of NASA, and six years later she served as a flight engineer for a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. Not only did Shannon need to know how to work a spacecraft, but she had to know how to do it in Russian.
In addition to spending time far above the earth, she has also spent time below sea level as an aquanaut on the NEEMO, an underwater space station. She also loves the outdoors and has seen earth from a rare perspective so I was excited to get her thoughts on how the planet and the environment are changing.
Shannon and I discussed how she became an astronaut (which I think most people dream about as kids) and she shared her advice for anyone who wants to work at NASA or who wants to go to outer space. We also talked about overcoming rejection, the excitement that comes from actually learning about science, and how there is so much to explore here on earth.
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For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/91