"Walk towards what makes you uncomfortable"

The podcast features a discussion on Adam Skolnick's new novel, Rich Roll's travel experiences including a major family challenge with his mother's dementia, and a recap of athletic achievements and upcoming Netflix adventure specials.

• Adam Skolnick is releasing his first novel, 'American Tiger,' a deeply personal fictional work.

• Rich Roll's mother has been moved into memory care, highlighting the emotional challenges of dementia.

• Netflix is investing in live adventure specials, featuring Alex Honnold and Colin O'Brady in high-profile events.

Adam Skolnick unveils his debut novel, 'American Tiger,' a fictional work rooted in Southern California's ecosystem, marking a new chapter in his writing career after intense work during the pandemic. Rich Roll shares his recent travels, highlighted by an impactful trip to Tokyo for the World Track and Field Championships and a deeply personal account of moving his mother into memory care due to worsening dementia. The conversation also celebrates the success of Norwegian triathletes and discusses upcoming Netflix projects featuring Alex Honnold and Colin O'Brady, showcasing a shift towards live events and high-profile adventures on streaming platforms.

Adam Skolnick's Novel

• 00:06:25 Adam Skolnick announces his debut novel, 'American Tiger,' set to be released on December 2nd. This project, which has been 20 years in the making but intensely developed since the pandemic, represents his foray into fiction, a goal he's held since beginning his writing career. The novel's narrative centers on a game warden and his daughter amidst rumors of a tiger in suburban Los Angeles, drawing inspiration from a true story Skolnick reported in 2005, and is deeply rooted in the Southern California chaparral ecosystem.

On Running's Global Expansion

• 00:12:48 Rich Roll recounts his trip to Tokyo for the World Track and Field Championships, highlighting On Running's significant market expansion into Japan. The brand opened a massive two-story 'Onlabs' experience in Shibuya and a new store in Ginza, coinciding with 68 On athletes competing, nearly double their previous championship count. Roll also witnessed On athletes George Beeish and Da secure the brand's first two gold medals in the steeple chase and 100-meter hurdles, respectively, marking a pivotal moment in the company's growth in elite performance.

Lightyear Shoe Innovation

• 00:30:30 Rich Roll describes On Running's 'Lightyear' shoe, an innovative product still in early development not yet available for retail, but worn by some elite athletes in competition. The technology involves a robot arm that creates a shoe upper in three minutes using only one microfiber ingredient, adhering it to the sole without glues. This method significantly reduces the carbon footprint and revolutionizes the supply chain by eliminating the need for numerous parts and extensive shipping, allowing for localized production via robots worldwide.

Mother's Dementia Journey

• 00:28:46 Rich Roll shares his challenging personal experience of helping his father move his mother, who suffers from dementia, into a memory care unit. The situation, which had become dangerous due to her wandering and combative behavior, required a difficult intervention. Roll reflects on the sadness and emotional toll, but ultimately views it as a necessary step and a 'gift' to his father, enabling him to reclaim some independence after years of silently suffering and managing his wife's escalating condition.

High School Reunion & Healing

• 00:56:26 Roll recounts his unexpected attendance at his 40th high school reunion, which fortuitously coincided with his trip to Washington D.C. to address his mother's care. Despite an initial mishap of walking into the wrong reunion, the experience proved to be surprisingly healing. It allowed him to reconcile with past narratives and realize the enduring connection and shared experience with former classmates, reinforcing the idea of 'showing up' and walking towards discomfort for personal growth and connection.

Netflix Adventure Specials

• 01:21:48 Netflix is venturing into live events and adventure specials, with Alex Honnold set to free solo climb the 101-story Taipei 101 skyscraper, an event planned for global live streaming. Additionally, fellow adventurer Colin O'Brady will star in a new Netflix series documenting his fourth expedition across Antarctica, this time attempting a 'sea-to-sea' crossing. These high-profile projects signify a strategic move by Netflix to attract new subscribers and advertising revenue in the competitive streaming landscape, particularly by embracing live sports and extreme events.