Why Kayaker and Filmmaker Rush Sturges is Rethinking Work-Life Balance
Kayaking waterfalls and creating epic films looks glamorous from the outside, but if there’s one thing the river’s taught Rush, it’s humility.
Rush Sturges is one of the world’s most influential whitewater kayakers, a prominent action sports filmmaker, and a devoted musician.
Rush has honed his filmmaking and paddling skills on location in some of the planet’s wildest places, from Pakistan to China to the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2009, Rush founded River Roots, a media production house based in White Salmon, WA.
We talk about...
Mindset shifts that accompany getting older as a whitewater kayaker
Feeling like he may physically be a stronger paddler than when he was younger, but the mental side is getting tougher
A biological shift towards thinking more about mortality and self-preservation
Noticing that peak moments might come from spending time on easier water with friends, rather than pushing to the max
Adventure sports are a numbers game; eventually shit hits the fan
Rush's start and evolution in his creative work
How Rush started filmmaking as a young teen, filming from a kayak for the family business
Film was Rush's first passion, then kayaking inspired him, so he combined the two
Is all creativity stolen in some way?
Shifting from shred flicks to vulnerable stories in filmmaking
The future of filmmaking and technology: AI and social media vs. human storytelling
Juggling the workflow of feature films vs. shorts and other passion projects
Facing mortality while paddling rivers
Oscillating between the gratitude and love for kayaking, and wondering why we do it
Dealing with grief in the community as a kayaker
The need to compartmentalize fear
Getting funding from Red Bull to film Rafa Ortiz on Chasing Niagara, Rush's first time to get major funding on a film
Resuscitating kayaker Gerd Serrasolses during a medical emergency while filming
Stay fresh on your CPR training!
Coping with anxiety after experiencing a deadly earthquake
Living through a massive earthquake in Nepal in 2023
Dealing with the mental aftershocks and anxiety of a traumatic situation
Tools to work through periods of anxiety in life and sports
The urge and challenge to slow down and hustle less
Addiction vs. passion
Feeling addicted to both kayaking and work
Being excited to wake up for work, but struggling to shut down at the end of the day
Spending 3 days in silent meditation and wanting to do less more often
Second-guessing moments in Rush's unconventional career: travel infections, times of financial instability, facing death
What's in the future for Rush?!
Rush's passion for making music: his folk-americana-hip hop mix album
Rush's current film project (3 years in and counting!): Paddle Tribal Waters
Where in the world Rush hasn't paddled but would love to
PSST! If you like this episode, you’ll love these two:
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Music: The King of Sandwich Island by Shut-ins
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