Episode 2

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Published on:

5th Aug 2025

The Adam Herzog Story: Kickflips, Currents, and Intention

Episode 2: Kickflips, Currents & Preparation — The Adam Herzog Story

From skate parks to the powerful flow of the Stikine River, Adam Herzog shares how intentional preparation and a love for place shaped his journey as a paddler, racer, and wilderness medicine educator.

Featured Guest: Adam Herzog

Adam Herzog started out skateboarding in Western North Carolina before discovering paddling in his teens. Over the years, that transition blossomed into a paddling career defined by discipline, edge-of-your-seat adventure, and deep purpose. After racing the Green Race annually for over two decades, he ultimately fulfilled a lifelong aspiration: running the legendary Stikine River, often dubbed the “Mount Everest of kayaking” .

Adam’s pursuits extend beyond the water—he’s a paramedic, trauma nurse, and wilderness medicine educator, known for his "Close Calls" storytelling in American Whitewater, exploring near-miss rescues and lessons in risk management. He also teaches via NOLI Learning (kayaking and rescue training)—find more at NOLILearn.org 

Follow his journey and daily reflections on Instagram: @ZogTraining 

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

  • How Adam’s skateboarding roots led to a paddling obsession.
  • A behind-the-scenes look at training for the Green Race and staying injury-free.
  • The physical and mental preparation for paddling the iconic Stikine River.
  • Lessons learned from injuries and rescue scenarios as a trauma nurse.
  • His philosophy around teaching, safety, and passing paddling on to the next generation.

Other Podcasts Featuring Adam

Share the Journey

If you found Adam’s story inspiring, please subscribe and leave a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Share with a paddling buddy or a friend who loves adventure and deep conversations.

Stay tuned for Episode 3 with Gordon Dalton, where we will explore Virginia Creek culture, race organizing, and the life of a grassroots paddling legend.

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About the Podcast

Following Waters
Life on and off the water.

About your host

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Brett Mayer

Brett Mayer is a lifelong educator, athlete, and environmental advocate whose career bridges the classroom and the river. With over two decades of teaching experience in public, day, and boarding schools, Brett has built a reputation for integrating adventure and experiential learning into academic settings. A former Division I soccer player and accomplished whitewater kayaker, Brett has competed in elite races like the Green Race and participated in a few exploratory first descents. His passion for paddling led him to complete a master’s thesis on the relationship between whitewater kayaking and environmental stewardship, a reflection of his deep belief in learning through experience. Brett has held teaching and coaching roles at the Landon School, Hotchkiss, Episcopal High School, and currently at Carolina Day School in Asheville, NC, where he most recently developed the "Impact Asheville" project to connect students with real-world problem solving.

Off the river and outside the classroom, Brett serves as the Policy Director for the American Canoe Association, where he works nationally to protect and expand access to the nation’s waterways. He was also an early collaborator with Outdoor Alliance, helping to unite the outdoor recreation community around public lands advocacy. Through this work, Brett brings vital civic, environmental, and recreational insights back into his teaching. Above all, he is a father to three children—Aoife, Stokes, and River—and is deeply committed to raising them with a strong sense of independence, resilience, and connection to the natural world. Whether guiding students through academic inquiry, paddling whitewater, or advocating for public lands, Brett’s work is united by a single goal: to inspire people to live with purpose, courage, and connection to the places they love.