#91: Karen Bradfield - How a Ruptured Appendix and a Dead Man On a Plane Turned an Engineer into a Divemaster | The Cabo Series

CultureActivismTravel

Oct 21

Written By Samuel Donner

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Episode Description

How much do we value stability? In this episode of Finding Founders we discuss the answer to this question and more with Karen Bradfield, a former Engineer and Project Manager for many acclaimed companies such as Procter and Gamble and Fisher Clinical Services and now director of Adventures in Baja. Karen was born in England, and even if the ocean was cold, she was constantly in it, either swimming or sailing. After finishing her studies she worked very conventional jobs, but always felt like something was missing. She wanted to dedicate more time to the ocean. Throughout her journey Karen has lived in Australia, Southeast Asia, Panama, Ecuador and finally Cabo. She shares with us what she has learned along the way, the importance of seizing opportunities and the importance in confronting our fears.

Show Notes

Childhood and Sailing: Ever since Karen was young she felt connected to the ocean. Raised in England and Scotland, she spent her childhood running through the hills and swimming in the cold sea.
Engineering and Corporate: Without having a degree in STEM, Karen found herself formulating products for Estee Lauder, working in product development and having engineering jobs.
Sharks in Australia: At age 26, Karen travelled to Australia to get over one of her biggest childhood fears: sharks.
Realization: After a whirlwind of events, a broken appendix, and a man dying on a plane, Karen realized that it was now or never. She could keep the stability she had or pursue her dreams.
South East Asia: As Karen moves away from home, she questions the importance of stability and grapples with complicated cultural differences.
Going Back Home: Karen decides to return home and struggles to fit her new self into the pre-existing mold.
Back to the Ocean: Despite the importance of economic stability, Karen can not ignore her love for adventure travel and decides to set off on a journey to circumnavigate.
Panama: Instead of feeling disappointed when her plans to sail around the world fell through, Karen took the opportunity to volunteer her time in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Panama Problem: A single month in Panama turned into four months, Karen shares some of the challenges and uplifting stories she witnessed.
Road to Baja: From Panama to Ecuador to Antarctica and San Diego, the road to Baja was a wild ride with a bunch of new faces.
Baja: Karen finds herself in a place adored by Jacques Cousteau and finally understands his fascination with Baja.
Baja Adventures: After working for another company and founding her own, Karen shares what sustainable tourism means to her.
Advice: Open-mind, open-heart and a little bit of direction, can go a long way.
Closing Thoughts