PEAK PODCAST WITH BEN SANFORD - EPISODE 7 - LEE & BEN COSSEYIn this episode of the Peak Podcast, I sit down with Australian climbing legends Lee and Ben Cossey. Brothers, physiotherapists, and some of the strongest climbers in the country.We dive into their climbing journey, some first ascents of Australia’s hardest climbs.Their approach to training, risk, and injury prevention and how being physiotherapists informs their climbing.The unique brotherhood and dynamic that fuels their projects and pushes them to new limits.Exploring hidden climbing spots, epic adventures, and the mentality required to send hard routes.Whether you’re a climber, adventure enthusiast, or just love hearing stories of grit, focus, and passion, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and climbing tales.HUGE THANKS TO: Brecon Littleford: https://www.rumblrfilms.com.au@rumblrfilms Kamil Sustiak: https://www.kamilsustiak.comSimon Carter: https://www.onsight.com.au @SimonCarterNoFilter for supplying footage and images of the brothers. Follow Ben Sanford's Journey:https://www.bensanfordmedia.com / bensanfordmedia / peakpodcastau / bensanfordmedia / peakpodcastau / bensanfordmedia Get 15% OFF Radix Protein and Freeze Dried Meals (lightweight yet dense nutrition, no preservatives).USE LINK: https://radixnutrition.com.au/SANFORD15 or CODE: SANFORD15Check Out My Equipment Recommendations:https://amzn.to/4akGasc00:00:00 – Intro & Finding Climbing00:05:20 – Early Adventures & Learning the Craft 00:08:55 – The Off-Route Bungonia Story00:11:32 – Deliberately Seeking Adventure (Wooden Chocks Story) 00:16:14 – Iconic Routes, Risk & Motivation 00:17:44 – Soloing, Headpointing & Managing Fear 00:21:39 – Big Grades, Training & Patagonia Prep 00:23:53 – Patagonia Expedition (Capsule Style, Nine Days on the Wall) 00:33:08 – Yosemite Baptism by Fire 00:48:59 – Physiotherapy Journey & Move Clinic00:55:00 – Training Methods & Preferences01:05:13 – External Pressure to Perform01:12:15 – Purpose, Identity & Motivation Over Time01:22:31 – Weekly Training Structure & Life Balance 01:31:22 – Movement, Style & Long-Term Progression 01:35:20 – AI, Creativity & Adaptation 01:36:51 – Closing & Sign-offSong: Crucial - JMPSCR :KLRCWSZC8DNKC51Z
PEAK PODCAST WITH BEN SANFORD - EPISODE 5 - JOSH SAUNDERSI lost $30,000 in a scam. In this raw, no-holds-barred episode, I sit down with Josh Saunders, one of Australia’s top heavyweight jiu-jitsu athletes, to talk about mindset, resilience, failure, and doing the hard things that truly matter.If you’ve ever felt stuck, burnt out, or like life has knocked you down — this one’s for you.What does it take to become Australia’s best heavyweight jiu-jitsu athlete in just four years? Josh is both brains and brawn. Learn how he’s built an unbeatable mindset through tough lessons, powerful habits, candid conversations about performance-enhancing substances, and more.Follow Josh's Journey: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkpajYT3Rh_1WGDwoAnvkLg https://www.youtube.com/@UCJ9PrL_6gn7uzA7EpURykfw https://www.instagram.com/hpucoaching/https://open.spotify.com/show/2dOofHs1HTocmFk3SUKbjQ?si=a5873840d7934421HPU Athletic: https://hpuathletic.com/passwordFollow Ben Sanford's Journey:https://www.bensanfordmedia.comhttps://www.instagram.com/bensanfordmedia/https://www.instagram.com/peakpodcastau/https://www.tiktok.com/@bensanfordmediahttps://www.tiktok.com/@peakpodcastauhttps://www.facebook.com/bensanfordmedia/Get 15% OFF Radix Protein and Freeze Dried Meals (lightweight yet dense nutrition, no preservatives.)USE LINK: https://radixnutrition.com.au/SANFORD15 or CODE: SANFORD15%Check Out My Equipment Recommendations:https://amzn.to/4akGasc00:00 - $30k Scam & MMA Street Fight Story02:15 - What would you do if money wasn't a factor?04:10 - How Ben got scammed & lost everything08:00 - Starting a business at 20 and losing it fast10:00 - I would've self-destructed with too much money12:00 - Alan Watts, determinism & chasing meaning15:00 - Why failure is essential (Post Malone story)18:30 - YouTube, embarrassment, and taking a swing22:00 - Starting a podcast, and confidence from doing26:00 - Josh on rugby league, dreams & broken windows29:00 - Living the dream... and letting it go31:30 - Rediscovering purpose through jiu-jitsu34:00 - What separates great coaches from average ones38:30 - Mentorship & work ethic stories42:00 - What drives Josh's mindset (and others who inspire him)46:00 - The day that changed everything50:00 - Josh’s biggest fears and how he faced them53:00 - Jiu-jitsu explained for total beginners56:30 - Why jiu-jitsu gives calm, confidence & resilience01:01:00 - Training through injury, and dealing with ego01:05:00 - Starting from nothing and proving yourself01:10:00 - Josh’s real mission: changing lives, not chasing status01:14:00 - From rugby glory to gym wisdom01:18:00 - How success can come from unexpected places01:21:00 - Struggling with failure, addiction & distraction01:26:00 - The influencers who shaped Josh’s journey01:30:00 - The viral speech that changed everything01:34:00 - Performance-enhancing drugs & sports pressure01:38:00 - Deep dive: steroids, peptides & medical risks01:44:00 - Placebo, pain, and why shortcuts aren’t worth it01:49:00 - Should you take PEDs? The balanced truth01:54:00 - Final take: purpose, risk, and making your move02:00:00 - Josh’s advice for anyone who’s stuck02:05:00 - How mindset changes everything02:10:00 - Wrap up & how to support the podcast
PEAK PODCAST WITH BEN SANFORD - EPISODE 4 - BRUCE CAMERONFires, Floods, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Cyclones, you name it, he's seen it. We explore the Fire & Rescue career of Bruce Cameron's 42 years working for FRNSW. Follow Ben Sanford's Journey:https://www.bensanfordmedia.comhttps://www.instagram.com/bensanfordmedia/https://www.instagram.com/peakpodcastau/https://www.tiktok.com/@bensanfordmediahttps://www.tiktok.com/@peakpodcastauhttps://www.facebook.com/bensanfordmedia/Get 15% OFF Radix Protein and Freeze Dried Meals (lightweight yet dense nutrition, no preservatives.)USE LINK: https://radixnutrition.com.au/SANFORD15 or CODE: SANFORD15%Check Out My Equipment Recommendations:https://amzn.to/4akGasc
PEAK PODCAST WITH BEN SANFORD - EPISODE 3 - PAUL THOMSONPaul’s story is remarkable, aside from just being generally impressive academically and his rock climbing achievements, he has done all this while managing a degenerative eye condition and a couple of brutal accidents of late. Thank you for joining us—this is an inspiring episode you won’t want to miss!Paul's Book The Shadow Chasers: https://amzn.to/42oZtyahttps://youtube.com/@paulthomson9986https://www.instagram.com/frothy.thomson/Follow Ben Sanford's Journey:https://www.bensanfordmedia.comhttps://www.instagram.com/bensanfordmedia/https://www.instagram.com/peakpodcastau/https://www.tiktok.com/@bensanfordmediahttps://www.tiktok.com/@peakpodcastauhttps://www.facebook.com/bensanfordmedia/Get 15% OFF Radix Protein and Freeze Dried Meals (lightweight yet dense nutrition, no preservatives.)USE LINK: https://radixnutrition.com.au/SANFORD15 or CODE: SANFORD15%Check Out My Equipment Recommendations:https://amzn.to/4akGasc
PEAK PODCAST WITH BEN SANFORD - EPISODE 2 - SAM VENNAn insight into the life of Surf Photographer Sam Venn.Follow Sam Venn's Journey: https://www.instagram.com/samvennphotography/https://www.instagram.com/studioahwa/https://www.studioahwa.com.au/Follow Ben Sanford's Journey:https://www.bensanfordmedia.comhttps://www.instagram.com/bensanfordmedia/https://www.instagram.com/peakpodcastau/https://www.tiktok.com/@bensanfordmediahttps://www.facebook.com/bensanfordmedia/ @bensanfordmedia Get 15% OFF Radix Protein and Freeze Dried Meals (lightweight yet dense nutrition, no preservatives.)USE LINK: https://radixnutrition.com.au/SANFORD15 or CODE: SANFORD15%Check Out My Equipment Recommendations:https://amzn.to/4akGasc00:00 Intro – Near blackouts & wipeouts 00:23 Meet Sam Venn – Surf photographer & creative founder 03:42 Getting started in photography & going full-time 09:17 Mentorship & one email that changed everything 13:05 Wildest surf moments & photography dangers 22:07 Climbing, skiing, and adventure shoot struggles 30:55 Favorite coastlines & close calls in a kayak 34:22 Support network & family behind the lens 37:08 Shooting surf, cars, and building a 4WD life 47:10 Long-term goals, AI tools, and creative evolution
Glen Fisher’s life reads like fiction—but it’s all real. In this powerful episode of the Peak Podcast, Glen opens up about surviving childhood abuse, homelessness, heroin addiction, and over a dozen overdoses.From being dismissed as a “walking dead” teenager to founding The Leg Up charity and writing a book, Glen’s story is one of brutal truth, deep pain, and incredible resilience.This is an unfiltered conversation about trauma, recovery, faith, and the power of giving back.Support Glen here: Leg Up Website: Book: https://amzn.to/43yjaUXTikTok: / tiger4life66 Instagram: / tiger4life66 Youtube: @Tiger4life666 Facebook: / the-legup-project-61553560995744 DONATE:THE LEGUP PROJECT AUSTRALIA PTY LTDGlen Fisher P.O. Box. 125. Blaxland NSW. 2774BSB 112879Account 205 273 934Soon to receive charity status and all donations are tax refundable, receipts will be sent as soon as possible.Follow Ben Sanford's Journey:https://www.bensanfordmedia.com / bensanfordmedia / peakpodcastau / peakpodcastau / bensanfordmedia 00:00 Glen’s early life – trauma, violence, and survival 01:00 Childhood abuse, neglect, and life on the streets 05:00 Turning to drugs and sleeping in clothing bins 10:00 Addiction, prison, and a moment that changed everything 20:00 Confronting his abusers and deciding to write a book 30:00 Getting off heroin & rebuilding from rock bottom 35:00 Homelessness: what people don’t see 45:00 Reconnecting with faith & starting The Leg Up charity 60:00 How to actually help someone on the streets 70:00 Final reflections, values, and choosing a better path
In this premiere episode of the Peak Podcast, host Ben Sanford sits down with Adam Darragh, an IFMGA certified mountain guide, outdoor educator, and Antarctic field trainer with decades of experience in high-risk, high-reward environments. In this deep and wide-ranging conversation, Adam shares stories of a terrifying near-death avalanche in Pakistan to a solo first ascent of Cholatse a 6,400m Himalayan peak, Adam shares raw and gripping stories of survival, mentorship, and the search for meaning through risk. This conversation blends epic adventure with deep reflection on the personal cost and lasting reward of a life spent chasing purpose in wild places.Follow Ben Sanford's Journey:https://www.bensanfordmedia.comhttps://www.instagram.com/bensanfordmedia/https://www.instagram.com/peakpodcastau/https://www.tiktok.com/@peakpodcastauhttps://www.facebook.com/bensanfordmedia/Get 15% OFF Radix Protein and Freeze Dried Meals (lightweight yet dense nutrition, no preservatives.)USE LINK: https://radixnutrition.com.au/SANFORD15 or CODE: SANFORD15%Check Out My Equipment Recommendations:https://amzn.to/4akGasc00:00 Avalanche near-death experience & Antarctic storm 05:00 Mentoring young climbers & early teaching stories 10:00 Surviving a 2000m cliff avalanche & 9/11 reflections 20:00 Decision-making, risk, and learning from close calls 30:00 Guiding in Antarctica & the role of science in exploration 40:00 Spiritual beauty of the mountains & climbing with purpose 50:00 Soloing Cholatse & the mindset of high-risk ascents 60:00 The IFMGA path – sacrifices, growth, and grit 75:00 Climate change, Indigenous wisdom & legacy in guiding 90:00 Final thoughts on meaning, gratitude, and moving forward