Episode 127: Survival Along the Great Barrier Reef with “Outback” Mike Atkinson

“When you talk about survival, people naturally think about hardship. What I’m after is a glimpse into how indigenous people used to live. ”

— “Outback” Mike Atkinson

In this episode, we're accompanied by "Outback" Mike Atkinson, who recounts his two-month survival journey aboard a dugout canoe along the Great Barrier Reef. Mike, known for his recent participation in the survival reality show Alone Australia, boasts a diverse background as an adventure filmmaker, former military pilot, and the author of the newly released book, Modern Day Castaway. Mike also discusses:

2:30 - His adventure along the Great Barrier Reef
5:10 - His dugout canoe and the process of creating it
8:10 - His attention to detail
12:15 - How his test run prepared him for his journey
14:50 - What he experienced during his adventure
19:00 - How he developed his adventure spirit over the years
25:45 - His connection to the Aboriginal people
31:45 - A journey to experience empathy
32:30 - How emotion showed up for him on this adventure
37:20 - Mental toughness in survival situations
40:00 - No time for superstition
43:00 - Alone Australia and how different that experience was compared to the Great Barrier Reef
46:15 - How adventure fits into his family life
52:00 - Top survival skills people should learn
54:15 - How to learn more about his adventures
55:00 - Who is going to play him in a Hollywood movie about his adventure

You can learn more about Mike and his adventures by following him on Instagram @outback_mike, Facebook @outbackmike, YouTube @outbackmike, or on his website outbackmike.com.

Be sure to check out his book, Modern Day Castaway on Amazon.

See below for photos Mike shared from his adventures.