Episode 141: Parenting Adventurous Kids with Joe Evermore

“For us, climbing is not a personal sport. It really is a family sport. It’s how we bond and share, and love each other. ”

— Joe Evermore

This week's episode is all about parenting adventurous kids, and we're literally taking the conversation to new heights. Our guest, Joe Evermore, is the father of three incredibly adventurous children, including his oldest, Sam, who at age 8, became the youngest person to ascend El Capitan, the iconic 3,000-foot rock face in Yosemite National Park.

Sam’s remarkable climb has garnered media attention worldwide, with features on the Today Show, Fox, and CNN, among others. Joe and his wife Ann have a unique philosophy on raising strong and courageous kids, and they truly practice what they preach alongside their children. This is an eye-opening story that challenges conventional ideas of what's possible.

Joe also discusses:

1:40 - The Evermore Family
3:10 - The progression of Sam getting to the point of climbing El Capitan
6:30 - A love story on the mountain
9:10 - The origin of the three rules
10:15 - Vacations of a lifetime
16:00 - His adventure spirit and where it came from
19:35 - A legacy of adventure
21:25 - Sam’s ascent of El Capitan
23:15 - Training for El Capitan
25:30 - How his kids have embraced this way of life
28:40 - Things that did not go according to plan on El Capitan
30:15 - The kids living their own story vs watching someone else’s
32:00 - His philosophy on parenting
34:00 - Wanting to raise hard and courageous kids
36:20 - How fear plays a part in their learning
38:15 - Thoughts on invincibility
41:00 - Media attention they have received
43:00 - Knowing your why
47:40 - What’s next for him and his family
49:55 - Who is going to play him in a Hollywood movie about his life

You can learn more about Joe and his family’s adventures by following them on Instagram @theevermores and Sam’s adventures by following @samueladventure.

See below for photos Joe and his family shared from their adventures.