See you TOMORROW Feb 13 at Adventurers’ Club of Los Angeles for dinner, a book talk and signing and over $800 worth of giveaways!!!
PADI Scuba Class
Los Angeles CityPASS tickets
Travel Writer 101 Class with Lisa Niver
Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show passes
Ms. Magazine One Year Membership
Richard Bangs “The Art of Living Dangerously”
Los Angeles CityPASS® tickets contains prepaid admission to: Warner Bros. Studio Tour plus a choice of 3 more of these attractions: GRAMMY Museum, La Brea Tar Pit and Museum, LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, SoFi Stadium Tours and Starline Tours. CityPASS.com
Join award-winning travel expert, journalist, and adventurer Lisa Niver for an inspiring talk about her journey through heartbreak, reinvention, and fearless exploration. In her memoir, Brave–ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty, Lisa shares how she embraced bold adventures across six continents to rediscover her courage and transform her life. INFO: https://buff.ly/40Xp7br #CityPASS #msmagazine #Udemy #richardbangs #travel #Padi #travelandadventureshow #quarkexpeditions #Antarctica #Braveish
Soaring Over Antarctica 🚁❄️Onboard Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine, we took to the skies for a breathtaking flight over the world’s last great wilderness! From the moment the Airbus H145 lifted off, we were treated to a bird’s-eye view of Antarctica’s untouched beauty—towering glaciers, endless ice fields, and dramatic coastlines stretching beyond the horizon. With each turn of the rotor, the vastness of this frozen world became even more awe-inspiring. One moment, we hovered over the mirror-like waters of the Southern Ocean; the next, we soared over jagged ice formations, seeing landscapes few will ever witness.
This was Antarctica like never before—pure, remote, and utterly unforgettable. 🚁❄️ #QuarkExpeditions #Ultramarine #Polar #AntarcticaFromAbove #Helicopter #PolarExploration #WildernessAwaits #SouthOfTheCircle #Antarctica #Adventure #AdventureOfALifetime #flight #travel #TravelwithQuark @QuarkExpeditions�🚁
How could my adventure of a lifetime get any better? Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine ship offers helicopter flights as part of its polar exploration program. With two Airbus H145 twin-engine helicopters onboard, every guest gets the chance to witness Antarctica’s rugged beauty from the sky in a window seat! With experienced pilots trained in both bush and military flying, I felt safe while taking in the spectacular landscape. For those craving even more adventure, book the heli-landing, where you’ll actually walk on the ice and immerse yourself in Antarctica’s raw beauty. The Airbus H145 helicopters are designed for quiet, smooth flights, so you can fully enjoy panoramic views of glaciers, icebergs, and towering mountain ranges. Soaring high is a highlight that will leave you in awe. What’s even better? It’s all INCLUDED in your fare—no additional charges for the flight!�Don’t miss your chance to soar over the final frontier with Quark Expeditions. 🚁❄️ Let’s fly! #PolarAdventure #Helicopter #QuarkExpeditions #SouthOfTheCircle #Antarctica #Adventure #Ultramarine #AdventureOfALifetime #flight #travel #TravelwithQuark @QuarkExpeditions�🚁
Antarctica 🇦🇶 – Morning of Jan 14, 2025�South of the Antarctic Circle, in Laurence Channel, the water was so still it became a perfect mirror, reflecting the endless ice and sky. A quiet moment in one of the most remote places on Earth. Pure calm. Pure magic.
(And later in the day… we soared.) #QuarkExpeditions #SouthOfTheCircle #ExpeditionLife #Antarctica #Adventure #AdventureOfALifetime #Exploration #QuarkExpeditions #travel #TravelwithQuark @quarkexpeditions
The Ultimate Antarctic Wake-Up Call: The Polar Plunge! ❄️🌊 South of the Antarctic Circle, after our visit to Stonington Island, it was time for one of the most exhilarating traditions of polar exploration—the Polar Plunge! Taking a leap into the icy waters of Antarctica isn’t just a test of courage; it’s a rite of passage for those venturing to the White Continent.
I stood on the step, arms raised like an Olympic diver, fully taking in the moment. This wasn’t a blur—it was pure, deliberate joy. I had dreamed of seeing my seventh continent for years, and now, here I was, part of an unforgettable expedition—stand-up paddleboarding, the plunge, the wildlife, the endless ice. Just as I was about to jump, someone called out, “Where’s your hula hoop?”—a perfect moment of humor before the thrill of the icy descent! The Polar Plunge has long been a tradition among seafarers, marking the crossing of extreme latitudes like the Antarctic Circle. Today, it’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone and experience Antarctica in the most visceral way possible. Thanks to Quark Expeditions' incredible safety team, everything was meticulously planned—harnesses secured, watchful crew members nearby, and the encouragement of fellow adventurers all around. The instant rush of cold was electrifying, but so was the sense of achievement. I wrapped myself in the cozy robe from my fantastic stateroom, grateful for its heated bathroom floor—the perfect way to warm up after such an adrenaline-fueled leap. Antarctica is everything I had imagined and more—a place of adventure, awe, and once-in-a-lifetime moments. Would you take the plunge?
#QuarkExpeditions #PolarPlunge #AntarcticAdventure #SouthOfTheCircle #ExpeditionLife #DreamComeTrue #Antarctica #Adventure #AntarcticExperience #AdventureOfALifetime #Exploration #QuarkExpeditions #travel #TravelwithQuark
My next Quark Expeditions adventure took us into the calm Antarctic waters for an unforgettable Stand-Up Paddleboarding experience. With dry suits on and paddles in hand, we set off to explore Antarctica from a new, up-close perspective. The waters were serene and still, making it the perfect opportunity to get out on the board. As we glided across the icy expanse, seals lounged on distant icebergs, adding to the surreal beauty around us. Three of us fell in, it is cold in the water but after changing hats and gloves we were back on the boards! It was honestly a great moment, as the worry of falling melted away and we simply embraced the magic of the experience. A special thanks to Shen Zheng for capturing us on film, making this day even more unforgettable. Paddleboarding in Antarctica? Definitely a bucket-list adventure made possible with Quark!
Footage by Shen Zheng
Music by: https://buff.ly/2HqTlZH
Artist: Benjamin Tissot
License code: L1C01BWED4TDCWT2
#QuarkExpeditions #PaddleboardingInAntarctica #Antarctica #Adventure #SUP #AntarcticExperience #SUPinAntarctica #AdventureOfALifetime #Exploration #SouthOfTheCircle #QuarkExpeditions #travel #TravelwithQuark @quarkexpeditions
After our morning cruise on Jan 13, 2025, it was time for Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Group #4 to suit up in drysuits and hit the water—because yes, we paddled in Antarctica! 🏄♀️❄️SUP only happens when conditions are flat calm, and the conditions were perfect. The most striking thing? The silence. Just the dip of paddles, the distant call of seabirds, and the occasional breath of a seal on the ice. Speaking of ice… it did eventually trip me up, and I took a chilly plunge—one of three in our group of seven! But honestly? It was way more fun after I fell, because I wasn’t worried about falling anymore! After our paddle, we caught a glimpse of Stonington Island—a site rich in exploration history—and then, just when we thought the day couldn’t get better… ORCAS! 🐋🔥Huge thanks to Rachel and Elly for the expert instruction and taking such great care of us out there, and an extra shout-out to Shen Zheng for capturing the magic on video including my fall—see it all in the next video. #SUPinAntarctica #SUP #PaddleboardingThePoles #AdventureOfALifetime #Orca #Exploration #FlatCalmMagic #Antarctica #SouthOfTheCircle #QuarkExpeditions #adventure #travel #TravelwithQuark @quarkexpeditions
Zodiac cruising around Red Rock Ridge was full of surprises! 🐧❄️ The ice was an unbelievable shade of blue, glowing beneath the Antarctic sky. We spotted Adélie penguins perched on icebergs—only the adults ventured onto the ice, while their giant, fuzzy gray chicks huddled together on the rocks, waiting for their next meal. Among them, a single chinstrap penguin stood out—maybe he forgot to ask for directions? Up on a rocky ledge, blue-eyed cormorants tended to their enormous gray chicks, watching us from above. But the biggest surprise? An elephant seal lounging on the ice! Our guide told us they’re rarely seen this far south, making this encounter even more special. Antarctica never stops surprising us! #ZodiacCruise #RedRockRidge #AdeliePenguins #Penguins #ChinstrapPenguin #ElephantSeal #BlueEyedCormorants #AntarcticaSurprises #IceSoBlue #Chicks #Antarctica #SouthOfTheCircle #QuarkExpeditions #adventure #travel #TravelwithQuark @quarkexpeditions
Adélie penguins everywhere—on the ice, in the water, and waddling around with their GIANT gray fuzzy chicks! 🐧 These little ones, nearly as big as their parents, look like fluffy gray balloons, round and full from meals of krill. They hop, chirp, and chase after their parents, begging for more food in the endless daylight of an Antarctic summer. At Red Rock Ridge, we watched them in their icy kingdom—some diving gracefully into the water, others standing in huddles, preening and stretching their tiny wings as they prepare for the next stage of life. Seeing these thriving colonies south of the Antarctic Circle was pure magic. Jan 13, 2025 #AdeliePenguins #penguin #Chicks #RedRockRidge #Antarctica #SouthOfTheCircle #PolarWildlife #AntarcticLanding #Antarctica #QuarkExpeditions #adventure #travel #TravelwithQuark @quarkexpeditions
SOUTH OF THE CIRCLE!! 🌎❄️ WOW! Stepping onto land at Red Rock Ridge! 🚶♀️🇦🇶 The feeling of setting foot south of the Antarctic Circle is almost indescribable. Fewer than 100,000 people in human history have ever done this, and here we were, standing on solid ground in one of the most remote places on Earth. And the penguins! 🐧 Adelies everywhere—adorable, lively, and completely unbothered by our presence. But the real stars? The big, gray, fuzzy chicks! Watching them waddle, stretch their wings, and beg their parents for food was pure joy. They’re growing fast, preparing for the harsh Antarctic elements, and witnessing this up close was nothing short of magical. From the crunch of ice underfoot to the echoes of penguin chatter, this was a moment of absolute wonder. Stepping onto land south of the Circle is something I’ll never forget. WOW. #SouthOfTheCircle #AntarcticLanding #RedRockRidge #AdeliePenguins #PolarMagic #Antarctica #QuarkExpeditions #adventure #travel #TravelwithQuark @quarkexpeditions
Stepping onto the rugged terrain of Red Rock Ridge on Jan 13, 2025, we officially landed south of the Antarctic Circle! 🇦🇶 With the expedition flag planted firmly in the icy ground, it was a moment that connected us to the spirit of the explorers who came before us.
This landing wasn’t just about the stunning views—though the sweeping vistas of glaciers and endless ocean were breathtaking. It was also about the wildlife. The highlight? The bustling Adelie penguin colonies! 🐧 We were thrilled to see so many fluffy chicks waddling around, tended by their diligent parents. The Adelies were busy commuting between their rocky nests and the sea, bringing food back to keep their young thriving in this harsh and remote environment.
Fewer than 100,000 people in all of human history have crossed the Antarctic Circle, and even fewer have set foot on its land. Walking among the Adelie penguins and their chicks, with their lively calls filling the air, was a humbling reminder of the resilience and beauty of life in one of Earth’s most extreme places. #AntarcticCircle #AdeliePenguins #RedRockRidge #PolarExploration #QuarkExpeditions #WildlifeWonders #adventure #travel #TravelwithQuark @quarkexpeditions
🎉 YAY! I’m thrilled to share that I WON in the Diversity in Entertainment category at the 2024 National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards for my podcast interview with Carolyn Ray of JourneyWoman! 🎙️✨
What an absolute honor to be nominated FOUR times this year—and to now celebrate as a 9-time winner and 35-time finalist! 💫 I'm also deeply humbled to be nominated multiple times at both the NAEJ and Southern California Journalism Awards for Online Journalist of the Year.
This recognition means so much, and I’m incredibly grateful to the Los Angeles Press Club for not only celebrating my work but for the career-changing opportunities they’ve given me. From mentoring to networking and connecting with extraordinary people, they’ve been a transformative part of my journey.
I want to thank ALL of my incredible podcast guests—now spanning five seasons! Each of you has brought unique perspectives, meaningful stories, and powerful insights to the mic, making this journey truly special. From Beth Santos and Carolyn Ray to Samantha Brown and beyond, you inspire me to keep asking questions and sharing stories that matter.
A HUGE thank you to the judges, my listeners, and everyone who continues to support my storytelling. My book has won awards, my podcast has won awards, and both my digital and print work have been recognized. I’m also excited to share that my YouTube channel has surpassed 2.25 million views—an incredible milestone that wouldn’t have been possible without you all.
I’m honored, inspired, and more motivated than ever to keep going! Here’s to continuing the journey and telling stories that connect us all. 🥂 READ MORE: https://buff.ly/42ALlm1