The Adrenaline Zone

Written by: Sandra Magnus and James "Sandy" Winnefeld
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  • Summary

  • Most people spend their lives avoiding risk. A select few attack it. They dive head first into the zone where physical, intellectual, reputational, and financial risks fuel their actions, test their resolve, and fulfill their dreams. Every week The Adrenaline Zone podcast explores the action-packed lives of people who seek out challenges most wouldn’t consider. Buckle up and hold on as we interview these deep divers, high fliers, and fast drivers to find out how it feels to live life in The Adrenaline Zone.
    Copyright 2024 Sandra Magnus and James "Sandy" Winnefeld
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Episodes
  • Working The Mighty Mississippi with Captain Doicus Langley Jr.

    Working The Mighty Mississippi with Captain Doicus Langley Jr.
    Jul 12 2024
    “Both engines died instantly, the hit was so hard. I immediately just kind of lay down on my bed because I knew how bad the impact was going to be. It threw my bed all the way across the room, dresser laid over, refrigerators downstairs on the floor - it was a hard impact.” Captain Doicus Langley Jr. joins Sandy and Sandra on the podcast today to share details of this perilous moment and so much more as he recounts his journey from a water-loving childhood to becoming a seasoned push boat Captain on the Mississippi River. Along the way, he discusses the contrasting experiences of working on rivers versus open water and the unique challenges of river navigation. Reflecting on the evolving technology in tugboat operations, Captain Langley describes the logistics of moving cargo from Minnesota to New Orleans as well as the immense horsepower required for steering and speed. After highlighting the competitive nature of the maritime industry and the collaborative spirit among river captains, this very special guest draws the episode to a conclusion with some valuable advice for aspiring captains, underscoring the dedication needed for a successful career in river navigation. Episode Highlights: Captain Langley Jr.’s upbringing and early love of being on the water His perspective on working on rivers vs. open water Becoming a Captain The evolution of tug operation over the years Tugs and barges The competitive side of the industry Moving a load from Minnesota to New Orleans A tug’s horsepower, steering, and speed Navigating the Mississippi’s hazards Running aground The Captain’s worst incident His crew and its work dynamic His relationship with other Captains Advice for aspiring tug or push boat Captains Key Takeaways: "Not only does a good cook cook good food, they can be the person who kind of holds everything together because they're down there in the center of the whole boat." "Typically, people that start in the river industry stay there.” "Within a five year period, you can be sitting in the wheelhouse running a boat, maybe not as a captain, but as a pilot." "The southbound vessel proposes the place and manner of passing, while the northbound vessel has more control." "You have to, at some point in your career, be able to dedicate yourself to the boat while you're on the boat." “It can be great. I mean, it really is like a family away from home. It can also be as bad as you can imagine like a squabbling family at home, you know, like, you're having issues. So it can go both directions.” “There's definitely a huge need for people out on the river for merchant mariners in general.” Keep the adrenaline rush going at: Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/ X: https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone Captain Doicus Langley Jr.’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doicus-r-langley-Jr.-24b25b95/
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    44 mins
  • Risk Equals Musical Magic with Ángel Gil-Ordóñez

    Risk Equals Musical Magic with Ángel Gil-Ordóñez
    Jul 4 2024
    Spotlight tight, hometown faces fill the hall – a mix of pride and pressure. Baton raised, you begin to lead the revered National Orchestra through a score that explodes into a whirlwind of notes demanding perfect harmony. Suddenly, a discordant note cuts through. The soloist, a celebrated artist in his own right, takes an unscheduled detour into a different Mozart concerto! Stunned, the orchestra looks up as one, eyes filled with bewilderment and fear trained squarely on you - a silent question hanging in the air: What do we do? Welcome to the exhilarating world of contemporary music conducting as maestro Ángel Gil-Ordóñez joins Sandra and Sandy for a thoroughly enlightening episode. Co-founder of Washington D.C.'s PostClassical Ensemble, Ángel and his journey from Madrid to international acclaim shed light on the artistry and complexities of wielding the baton. Together with our hosts, he discusses some surprising parallels between engineering and music, the emotional rollercoaster of leading an orchestra, and his innovative methods for captivating new audiences with classical music. By exploring the significance of audience energy and the magic of spontaneity, this episode offers a captivating look at the conductor's life, including its various trials and triumphs. Tune in for an inspiring exploration of exactly how Ángel Gil-Ordóñez draws upon creativity and passion to bring music to vivid life. Episode Highlights: 0:00 Start 0:33 Introduction 1:52 Where Ángel found his passion for music 5:48 Overlapping themes between engineering and music 6:38 The path to becoming a professional musician and conductor 11:57 The instruments Ángel plays 12:55 Composing music 16:04 Becoming a conductor 18:16 The role of the conductor 22:48 The impact of a conductor’s style 24:30 The process of bringing a piece of music to life 31:00 Composers whose work Ángel enjoys conducting 32:45 Finding humor in the music 34:27 Risks found in conducting 35:55 How Ángel’s approach to music has matured 38:19 His scariest performances 41:42 PostClassical Ensemble Key Takeaways: "Every time music happens, it’s different. It only exists the moment that it happens." "If you play an instrument, you are a musician. I express my musicianship through conducting." "Sound is not music. Sound under specific circumstances can become music." "To me, the process is the most fascinating part about conducting." "The conductor's role is to create tension through sound and bring it back to silence." "The audience plays a crucial role in the performance. Their energy is there." "Leave the opportunity for surprise. This is what makes the music exciting." Keep the adrenaline rush going at: Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/ X: https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone Ángel Gil-Ordóñez: https://www.gilordonez.com/
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    48 mins
  • So Others May Live with Mike Romano

    So Others May Live with Mike Romano
    Jun 27 2024
    While it’s true that everyone has rough days at work, few people have ones where they find themselves dropped into the middle of a fishing boat mutiny, tasked with getting the bleeding Captain to safety. Today’s guest is one of those precious few - and, in fact, that day wasn’t even close to his most difficult assignment! 20-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran and Aviation Survival Technician (AST)/elite Rescue Swimmer, Mike Romano, joins Sandra and Sandy today to share his incredible journey from collegiate athlete to Search and Rescue specialist where he routinely performs daring rescues in the most perilous conditions. Highlighting the resilience, responsibility, and rigorous training required for his role, Mike discusses the intense physical and mental demands of his training, the crucial teamwork and communication needed during missions, and the importance of adapting to unpredictable situations. Mike's firsthand accounts of high-stakes rescues, specialized equipment, and valuable advice for aspiring ASTs underscore the bravery and dedication of Coast Guard rescue swimmers, and will undoubtedly leave listeners both amazed and inspired by their unwavering commitment to saving lives. Episode Highlights: Mike’s journey to rescue swimming Rescue swimmer training Mike’s team and its structure Planning ahead and improvising Transporting rescuees in the helicopter CRM and ORM training Mike’s medical training His law enforcement role The equipment and technology he uses Some of Mike’s more perilous experiences The feeling after a successful mission Contact with rescuees after the mission Dealing with the unpredictability of the job Mike’s career rescue stats His advice for those considering entering the field Key Takeaways: "Don't have a backup plan. Have this be your one and only goal. Work hard. Just know as physically exhausted as you think you are, you can do more." "Coast Guard rescue swimmers are some of the most elite yet unsung heroes in our military." "They physically drain you as much as possible to make you try to think and just have that mental toughness." "When we get on scene, a lot of times it's very different. You’ve kind of got to be very flexible and roll with all the punches." "You just kind of put yourself in the mindset of 'so others may live' and stick with that motto." "The pridefulness of it, the, like, 'Hey, I did a great thing.' It's an incredible feeling to pull somebody out of their most difficult situation." Keep the adrenaline rush going at: Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/ X: https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrromano/
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    43 mins
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