Roy Tuscany is a man propelled by his own will to live life to the fullest. Struck by hardship, but fueled by his love of life and adventure, there is very little that can keep Tuscany down. That especially includes a death defying 100 foot jump, which he overshot by 30 feet while skiing in 2006 that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

The injury caused burst fractures in 12 vertebrae, bone shrapnel to his spinal cord, and after countless surgeries, two steel rods, and later 16 screws in his back. As Tuscany recovered in his hospital bed all may have seemed lost. He was a burgeoning professional skier with mounting sponsorships when it all disappeared in an instant along with the use of his legs. Others may have started planning their surrender during times like this, but Tuscany was different; he endured, he was planning his comeback while sitting in the deepest valley of his life.

When it comes to the great outdoors you can never be too prepared. But even if you’re not the prepared type there’s always the skilled men and women of 37 North Expeditions that will have your back. From the seasoned adventurer to the newbie hiker, 37 North trail guides provide a great service to anyone who is wanting to tame the trails and seek a closer connection with the Earth. Founded by Danny Collins in Springfield, Mo, 37 North has expanded all over southwest Missouri, but as trail guide Emily Wilson says, their mission remains the same; “Get sweaty, get connected, and get happy.”

Chatting with Jeremy Lux for the latest Life in Motion episode are 37 North guides, Emily Wilson and Cindy Willis, two passionate outdoorswomen, who not only love their jobs, but are very proud of the community that their company is building. From majestic scenic sights off the beaten path, to some guy opening a bottle of champagne with an antique sword on the trail, there’s never a shortage of adventures when on the job for these two.

To quote the Marvin Gaye classic, there ain’t no mountain high enough for the likes of avid rock climber and Rise RVA founder, Annette Bennett. Rise RVA’s mission is to inspire kids to engage with their natural world and community through rock climbing. No matter the incline or challenge, the committed folks at Rise RVA are dedicated to their craft and pupils.

On the latest episode of the Life in Motion podcast, Bennett takes some time to discuss Rise RVA, her passion for rock climbing, and her lifelong dedication to service.

It’s one thing to love the outdoors; it’s a completely different thing to actively fight for it. As issues like climate change and privatization begin to threaten the health of our forests and rivers, it will be up to us to protect the land we hold so near and dear. One of the persons leading this fight is Katie Keller of the environmental nonprofit, Wild Virginia.

Cross country biker, Luke Hall is one of those immovable individuals who just can’t give up when they got their eyes set on a goal. Yes, a lot of people say they’re determined spirits but there is little that can genuinely stop Hall when he has his mind made up. Including moving cars. Literally. When the guy was out training for a race one spring he and his buddy got hit by a vehicle and went tumbling down the pavement. 

For many, they would probably throw in the towel, do some physical therapy, and call it a year. But it was barely six months later until Hall was back on the track and took first place on his inaugural race since the accident. Somewhere between a rock and an underdog, Hall just doesn’t give up, especially when the odds are stacked against him.