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Living Life and Facing Fear with Shane Pollard, EP#406

29 March 2026 · 1h 25m · 75 views

Sailboat Gert Sizemore cuts through stylized moonlit waves.

What this video covers

Jerome Rand and author Shane Pollard discuss the psychological challenges of long-distance solo sailing and the role of fear in decision-making.6:45 Rand, who completed a solo circumnavigation in a Westsail 32, reflects on his experience navigating the Southern Ocean, where he faced constant anxiety regarding equipment failure and extreme weather in isolated waters.46:36 Pollard, a former dive master at the Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands, explores similar themes in his writing, noting that fear often stems from the unknown and can stifle personal growth.43:35 Both men emphasize the importance of vocalizing anxieties rather than maintaining a facade of bravado, noting that sharing these experiences helps build resilience.26:30 Rand explains that while he initially avoided discussing his fears in his own book to focus on the technical reality of sailing an old boat, he now incorporates these emotional challenges into his public speaking to provide a more complete perspective on the realities of offshore adventure.47:54

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Boats in this video

Westsail 32Their boat

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