In this episode, we dive into the life of Dan Worden, athlete, nonprofit founder, ocean safety expert, adventurer, and photographer, known to many as @adventuremandan through his social media following. Growing up in Oregon with dreams of swimming at a Division 1 school, Dan’s path eventually led him to the University of Hawaiʻi, where joining the swim team, biomechanics research, amazing friends and love of helping others helped him put down roots. He shares stories of cliff dives, his infamous turquoise van, and the body-mind connection that fuels his athleticism and curiosity. We also dive into the origins of his next venture, founding Palekana Aquatics Academy, and his mission to make ocean safety education accessible. As always, it is his hope to find balance between pushing limits and respecting the sea. Through it all, Dan reminds us that adventure is for everyone - if you match the positive energy. Episode Highlights 00:21 Meet Adventure Man Dan, your favorite wave-chasing, cliff-jumping storyteller 01:07 Big dreams of swimming for a Division 1 school 01:58 How Hawaiʻi stole his heart through biomechanics research, film swim lessons, and social media magic 04:38 Why friends make every adventure better 07:10 The origin story of @adventuremandan 08:47 That moment when someone recognizes you in public 10:39 Wearing more hats than your average lifeguard 11:45 The infamous turquoise adventure van 15:41 The cliff dive he’ll never forget 17:49 The body–mind connection and pushing the limits of what’s possible 20:57 Revisiting favorite wild places through new seasons, new friends, and new perspectives 22:58 Kilo (observe) 24:33 Why adventure is for everyone if you bring the right energy 25:17 Roses & Thorns - leading life with curiosity 26:49 Founding Palekana Aquatics Academy to spread ocean safety skills 28:25 Discovering his purpose by helping others level up 29:09 How to push the limits while honoring the ocean’s power 30:08 The essential aquatic safety skills everyone should know 32:31 What’s next for Adventure Man Dan 33:26 “Smiles are for miles” Photo Credit: Dan Worden @adventuremandan @swimmingwithdan
In this episode, we dive into the life of Dan Worden, athlete, nonprofit founder, ocean safety expert, adventurer, and photographer, known to many as @adventuremandan through his social media following. Growing up in Oregon with dreams of swimming at a Division 1 school, Dan’s path eventually led him to the University of Hawaiʻi, where joining the swim team, biomechanics research, amazing friends and love of helping others helped him put down roots. He shares stories of cliff dives, his infamous turquoise van, and the body-mind connection that fuels his athleticism and curiosity. We also dive into the origins of his next venture, founding Palekana Aquatics Academy, and his mission to make ocean safety education accessible. As always, it is his hope to find balance between pushing limits and respecting the sea. Through it all, Dan reminds us that adventure is for everyone - if you match the positive energy.
Episode Highlights
00:21 Meet Adventure Man Dan, your favorite wave-chasing, cliff-jumping storyteller
01:07 Big dreams of swimming for a Division 1 school
01:58 How Hawaiʻi stole his heart through biomechanics research, film swim lessons, and social media magic
04:38 Why friends make every adventure better
07:10 The origin story of @adventuremandan
08:47 That moment when someone recognizes you in public
10:39 Wearing more hats than your average lifeguard
11:45 The infamous turquoise adventure van
15:41 The cliff dive he’ll never forget
17:49 The body–mind connection and pushing the limits of what’s possible
20:57 Revisiting favorite wild places through new seasons, new friends, and new perspectives
22:58 Kilo (observe)
24:33 Why adventure is for everyone if you bring the right energy
25:17 Roses & Thorns - leading life with curiosity
26:49 Founding Palekana Aquatics Academy to spread ocean safety skills
28:25 Discovering his purpose by helping others level up
29:09 How to push the limits while honoring the ocean’s power
30:08 The essential aquatic safety skills everyone should know
32:31 What’s next for Adventure Man Dan
33:26 “Smiles are for miles”
Photo Credit: Dan Worden
@adventuremandan @swimmingwithdan