In Episode 23 of The Incredible Machines Podcast, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden are joined by Travis Gale, endurance athlete, speaker, and author of The Middle: How to Navigate the Space Between Your Start and Your Finish.
This episode unpacks the rarely celebrated space between beginnings and endings, the messy, difficult, transformative “middle.”
From physical breakdowns on the side of the N1 to finding hope in the outback of Australia, Travis shares why hardship isn’t something to avoid but something to embrace. Whether you’re a founder, athlete, parent, or creative professional, his insights will help you rethink failure, redefine success, and reconnect with your "why."
He introduces the idea that real transformation happens not at the start or finish, but in the messy middle. This is a conversation about endurance, purpose, and finding meaning in hard things.
Key Highlights from Episode 23
1. Day Five: When the Euphoria Wears Off
Travis describes Day Five as a turning point in any journey, where initial excitement gives way to doubt, exhaustion, and uncertainty. On the fifth day of his world cycle tour, riding from Bloemfontein to Trompsburg in headwinds and isolation, he physically and emotionally broke down.
Day Five becomes a metaphor for that moment in any project, venture, or relationship where it gets tough and staying in the game requires a deeper reason than motivation alone.
2. The Voice You Listen to Matters
Travis reflects on the unexpected criticism he received from peers, even mentors, when announcing his plans to cycle the world.
“At school, someone told me I wouldn’t finish. That I was making a mistake. The guy who got Dux came and said it would damage my career. I had to decide: do I believe them or believe myself?”
This highlights a key leadership insight: You don’t only battle the terrain outside; you battle the voices within. And often, those voices came from people close to him.
3. Reconnecting with Your ‘Why’
On the evening of Day Five, Travis and his riding partner, Steve, were taken in by a stranger named Kassi. Over dinner and conversation, Travis re-shared the mission of their tour and the kids they were riding for. This moment reframed the journey. Travis introduces the concept of “Kassi’s stoep,” a metaphor for creating space in your life to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your “why.”
4. Milestones Matter
While crossing the Australian Nullarbor Plain, Travis encountered the longest straight road in the country, 146.6 km of unchanging terrain. To survive it mentally, he broke it down into 5 km increments marked by blue roadside signs.
“I started counting signs instead of kilometers. 30 milestones instead of 146 km. It made the impossible feel achievable.”
This is a masterclass in goal-setting psychology: chunk the challenge, celebrate progress, and reward small wins to stay engaged.
5. Learning from Failure on Kilimanjaro
While attempting to summit Kilimanjaro mid-tour, Travis became ill and chose to turn back just below the peak. Steve reached the summit, but Travis didn’t, and it haunted him. Rather than being defined by failure, Travis uses it as fuel. He shares how the experience humbled him and made him more intentional in future climbs and in life.
“That failure taught me more than success ever could. It changed how I prepare, how I lead, and how I think about risk.”
6. The Power of Tribe and Strangers
Throughout his journey, strangers opened their homes, cooked meals, and offered encouragement, especially in the US, where he never pitched his tent once. He contrasts the criticism he received from classmates with the generosity of strangers, reinforcing the value of being open to connections and forming unexpected communities.
Quote
“You’re made for tough terrain. Don’t run from it. Go toward it and meet yourself there.”
— Travis Gale
Documentary Mentioned
Shackleton: The Greatest Story of Survival — Travis Gale references the Shackleton expedition as a powerful metaphor for endurance, leadership, and navigating the "middle" of any journey.
“What really grabbed me about this story was how Shackleton had to cross the harshest continent on Earth without the gear and tech we have today—and lead a team through that. His leadership didn’t just get them through it. It transformed them. It’s what I talk about in The Middle. You discover who you really are when you’re deep in tough terrain.”
— Travis Gale
Documentary Trailer: Watch Now
Conclusion
Travis Gale’s journey reminds us that the most powerful moments in life aren’t at the start or the end but in the middle. Whether you’re scaling mountains or building companies, it’s the struggle where character is formed, resilience is built, and meaning is found.
His message is clear: Celebrate your milestones, reconnect with your purpose, and lean into the difficult terrain. That’s where the real story lives.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is Travis Gale?
Travis is an author, speaker, and endurance athlete. At 18, he cycled around the world to raise money for children affected by HIV/AIDS. Today, he leads Grow Forward, a business focused on building resilient leaders and teams.
What is the Incredible Machines Podcast?
The Incredible Machines Podcast is a thought leadership series produced by Tim Africa, featuring conversations with visionary entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers from across the continent.
What are the key themes discussed in Episode 23?
Episode 23 of The Incredible Machines Podcast with Travis Gale explores powerful, universally relevant themes centered around resilience, purpose, and the transformative power of struggle.
What is The Middle about?
The Middle is a book that explores how to navigate life’s most challenging terrain, the space between starting and finishing. Written by Travis Gale during his cycling experiences, which became the foundation for this.
Where can I listen to the full episode with Travis Gale?
You can listen on all major platforms, including:
🎧 Spotify
🍎 Apple Podcasts
🌐 Tim Africa Podcast Hub
👣 Relevant Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgale/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travgale/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travis.gale.50
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