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Discover the secret to thriving outside your comfort zone with Ginger Naylor, CEO of Outward Bound USA.
In this inspiring conversation, Ginger shares how wilderness adventures help kids and adults build resilience, face discomfort, and uncover their true potential. Learn why stepping into the unknown fosters personal growth, how Outward Bound uses outdoor challenges to teach life-changing lessons, and the transformative power of “threshold moments.” Whether you’re an outdoors enthusiast or seeking ways to stretch your limits, this video will motivate you to embrace discomfort and grow stronger.
We are particularly excited about joining Ginger for The Reset, happening on January 24th and led by Outward Bound. This is a nationwide invitation to step away from screens and schedules, get outside, move your body, and reconnect with the kind of challenge and perspective that only nature can provide. No apps, no optimization, no performance metrics. Just time outdoors, intentional discomfort, and the chance to reset your nervous system in the most human way possible.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why resilience doesn’t come from comfort — but from manageable challenge How outdoor education helps kids discover identity, confidence, and capability What “threshold moments” are — and why they drive real growth Why reflection matters as much as the experience itself How wilderness exposure shapes empathy, leadership, and perseverance Why being alone without distraction is increasingly rare — and powerful Key Highlights:00:00 – Intro
00:31 – Wilderness Awareness and Why It’s Fading
07:48 – What Outward Bound Really Is (And Isn’t)
11:16 – Threshold Moments and Why Growth Starts at the Edge of your Comfort Zone
14:25 – Discomfort as a Skill, Not a Side Effect
19:08 – The Cultural Shift Away from Wilderness
23:04 – The Solo Experience: Being Alone With Yourself
28:38 – What Happens After Students Leave Outward Bound
32:10 – Why Reflection Turns Experience Into Growth
36:45 – Technology, Childhood, and Rebalancing Attention
41:22 – Wilderness as a Gateway to Conservation
46:08 – Parenting, Protection, and Letting Kids Struggle
51:14 – Resilience as a Life Skill, Not an Adventure Skill
56:02 – Why These Experiences Matter More Than Ever
1:01:10 – Final Reflections on Growth, Identity, and Independence
Connect with Ginger and Outward Bound
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Take The Reset Pledge with us!
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