{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Life Lessons from the Arctic with Heather Thorkelson","description":"\u201cYou don\u2019t need to know how\u2014just know that it lights you up.\u201d What happens when a creative rebel says yes to a fluke invite to Antarctica? In this episode, I talk with Heather Thorkelson about wild pivots, polar travel, and building a business with impact. This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In this episode, Michael Dargie speaks with Heather Thorkelson\u2014entrepreneur, polar expedition guide, and founder of PolarTracks Expeditions. From growing up as a third-culture kid to building a pair of polar travel businesses, Heather\u2019s story is a blend of adventure, business smarts, and deeply human moments. Heather shares how a chance Facebook connection from a trip years earlier led to her first job in Antarctica\u2014kicking off a career she never imagined. Today, she runs PolarTracks Expeditions, a boutique travel agency for Arctic and Antarctic cruises, and Minimal Impact Cruises, which is launching a cutting-edge, wind- and solar-powered expedition ship called the Captain Arctic. She talks about the magic of cold-water diving, the thrill of standing among 100,000 penguins, and the humbling vastness of the polar regions. Heather opens up about her unusual path, how growing up in a pilot\u2019s family shaped her curiosity, and the moment she received a mysterious \u201cdownload\u201d at the Penguin Post Office that told her she\u2019d be back. The conversation covers everything from Swedish food and volcano hikes to near-death skydives and jellyfish orbs. At its heart, Heather\u2019s story is about saying yes, pivoting often, and trusting that the universe knows what it\u2019s doing\u2014even when you don\u2019t. Her advice to rebels in waiting? If it lights you up, say yes. Don\u2019t cling to things that no longer serve you. Pivot often, stay curious, and go touch some damn grass. Quoteable Quotes \u201cNobody ever died from pivoting.\u201d \u2014 Heather Thorkelson \u201cKindness is everything. Not nice\u2014kind.\u201d \u2014 Heather Thorkelson \u201cPlot twist. Thanks, universe.\u201d \u2014 Michael Dargie \u201cYou don\u2019t need to know how\u2014just know that it lights you up.\u201d \u2014 Heather Thorkelson \u201cTouch grass. It\u2019s medicine.\u201d \u2014 Heather Thorkelson Episode Highlights The Arctic Life | Living near Gothenburg and chasing concerts in Copenhagen PolarTracks Expeditions | Building a polar travel company from scratch Captain Arctic | A silent, solar- and wind-powered ship for Arctic cruises Penguin Post Office | A download from the universe Saying Yes | Why her career was a total fluke Growing Up Abroad | Costa Rica, Japan, South Africa, and more Cow Sharks & Kelp Forests | Cold water scuba and surprise jellyfish Creative Curiosity | Pancakes, storytelling, and forest walks Rebel Advice | Pivot often, don\u2019t cling to what doesn\u2019t work What the World Should Know | Be kind and go outside Links From Episode Website (http:\/\/www.minimalimpactcruises.com\/) Heather on Facebook (https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/polartracksexpeditions\/) Heather on Instagram ( https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/minimalimpactcruises\/) Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu\u2122: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com ","author_name":"The RebelRebel Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/www.therebelrebelpodcast.com","html":"