Birthday Episode 1

Featured guests and clips:

• Stacy Sims shares her experience of moving to New Zealand, facing postpartum depression, and reaching a breaking point that led to a suicide attempt. She talks about the importance of support systems, rebuilding, and the need to reach out for help, even when you feel you have to be stoic.

• Jess Kimura opens up about the loss of her partner, the overwhelming grief that followed, and how she found herself again through surfing and allowing herself to be vulnerable. She discusses the pressure to appear tough in her sport and the relief of finally letting herself be seen.

• Rush Sturges recounts a harrowing experience in Nepal surviving a massive earthquake while on a river expedition. He describes the trauma and PTSD that followed, the physical symptoms he endured, and the long journey of healing through therapy, mindfulness, and learning to listen to his nervous system.

• Chris Burkard reflects on a transformative darkness retreat and the power of being vulnerable with others. He shares how opening up to a stranger after the retreat changed his perspective, and how he’s learning to bring more honesty and connection into his everyday life, not just during extreme adventures.

Key themes:

• The strength in sharing what’s real, even when it’s uncomfortable

• Navigating grief, trauma, and mental health challenges

• The importance of support, community, and self-compassion

• Redefining what it means to be strong and successful

Join the conversation:

What does vulnerability mean to you? How have you learned to let go or ask for help? Share your thoughts with Rebecca on social media or by leaving a review.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for celebrating a year of meaningful conversations with us. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to What’s the Rusch wherever you listen to podcasts.