Extreme sports push people to the edge of what the body and mind can take. London Real has sat down with a big-wave surfer, a jet-powered pilot, climbers, ultramarathon runners and record-breaking swimmers to ask why they do it and what danger teaches them. These conversations cover fear and risk, training, injury and recovery, and the mindset that keeps people going when every instinct says stop. Every full interview is free to watch.
From big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton and jetman Yves Rossy to Free Solo co-director Jimmy Chin, ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes, Spartan Race founder Joe De Sena, record-breaking swimmer Ross Edgley and Dirty Sanchez star Matthew Pritchard: what drives people to the limit.
Laird Hamilton, a pioneer of big-wave surfing and action water sports, talks about how he changed the sport and his work as an inventor and author. Yves Rossy, a Swiss military-trained pilot, has built a series of experimental jet packs, the latest with carbon-fibre wings. He explains what a delayed flight across the English Channel taught him about himself. Jimmy Chin, a filmmaker, photographer and mountain sports athlete who has documented dozens of expeditions for National Geographic and The North Face, discusses Free Solo. He co-directed the film with his wife Chai Vasarhelyi; it follows Alex Honnold climbing El Capitan without ropes.
Dean Karnazes explains why he quit a well-paid job to make a living from ultramarathon running. Ross Edgley, the first person to swim around Great Britain, describes the physical and mental challenges of the swim and, in World’s Fittest Strongman, the mind games needed to finish a race. Triathlete Tim Don, a three-time British Olympian, talks about his recovery from a bike crash with the help of a “Halo” device. James Ketchell has climbed Mount Everest, rowed across the Atlantic and cycled around the world, and explorer Colin O’Brady describes his solo trek across Antarctica.
Joe De Sena, founder of the Spartan Race, believes that shaking off comfort will change how you see yourself. Matthew Pritchard, a Welsh skateboarder and stunt performer, looks back on the risky stunts of Dirty Sanchez and how he became a vegan chef who hosted the BBC’s first vegan cookery show. Former Navy SEAL Andy Stumpf argues that danger brings clarity and explains how he handles fear in high-risk situations. Tim Kennedy, who grew up training in shooting, boxing, wrestling and jiu jitsu, talks about how to be hard to kill.
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Who has London Real interviewed about extreme sports? Brian Rose has interviewed Laird Hamilton, Yves Rossy, Jimmy Chin, Dean Karnazes, Ross Edgley, Tim Don, James Ketchell, Colin O’Brady, Joe De Sena, Matthew Pritchard and Andy Stumpf, among others.
Why do people take on extreme challenges, according to the guests? Their reasons vary. Joe De Sena says escaping comfort changes how you see yourself. Andy Stumpf argues that danger brings clarity. Dean Karnazes left a well-paid job because it did not satisfy him, and Ross Edgley talks about what you can learn from defeat.
How is Extreme Sports different from Adventure and Sports? Extreme Sports focuses on high-risk and ultra-endurance pursuits such as big-wave surfing, jet-powered flight and free solo climbing. Adventure covers expeditions and travel, and Sports covers mainstream competition.
Are the full extreme sports episodes free to watch? Yes. Every full-length interview on this page can be watched free on londonreal.tv.
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