This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.
I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.
In this episode, Sam Sykes takes us far beyond boardrooms and into the wilderness, where real leadership is tested—not theorized.
He shares how adventure, risk, and discomfort shaped his journey from the Royal Marines to building one of the most impactful outdoor education companies in the world.
You’ll hear why he believes mandatory outdoor education could radically transform the next generation of leaders—and what today’s executives can learn from climbing mountains, navigating storms, and leading scared teenagers through tough terrain.
Sam opens up about resilience, conviction, and the routines that keep him grounded when life and business get loud.
If you’re craving a fresh, honest perspective on leadership, this conversation will hit you exactly where you need it.
You can find Sam Sykes at the links below
In the interview, Sam shares
- “Leadership is the courage to step into uncertainty with conviction, not the comfort of staying where it’s safe.”
- “Adventure teaches you what classrooms can’t: resilience, honesty, and who you really are under pressure.”
- “Great leaders don’t just manage resources—they galvanize belief.”
- “Your mission has to matter more than your fear, or you’ll quit long before the magic happens.”
- “Outdoor challenges reveal the truth: you can do far more than you think when comfort is no longer an option.”
- “Entrepreneurship often starts accidentally, but staying in the game requires obsession and resilience.”
- “If we want confident leaders tomorrow, we need outdoor education today.”
- “Real leadership is less about titles and more about the legacy you leave in people’s lives.”
- “Balance isn’t found—it’s created through routines that ground you and adventures that wake you up.”
- “When life feels heavy, step outside your world. Perspective lives in the places you don’t normally go.”