Hobbies

On today's podcast episode, we are welcoming the very first guest host, Denise. You'll learn fairly quickly in the episode that Denise has a very extensive list of hobbies and collections, so there wasn't a better topic to chat about with her.

Things kick off with her sharing the three hobbies that she would bring along to a deserted island. The rules were that you could pick anything, and the supplies you needed would come along with you.

Denise's Desert Island Hobbies

Cycling

In 2018, Denise decided she wanted to complete the STP bike ride. It's a large group ride that goes from Seattle to Portland in two days. It's organized by the Cascade Cycle Club, which offers lots of group training rides and other cycling resources for members.

Soap Making

This was the most surprising choice, but Denise is an expert at soapmaking. She picked up this hobby when she became a vegan because she wanted soap without the animal fat found in many soaps. Her rationale for bringing this hobby to the island is the opportunity to be creative and create something useful.

Here's a beginner's guide to soap making if you want to explore more.

Reading

With access to an entire library, Denise's third pick was reading. It's relaxing, and she could continue to learn new things. It was a tough call because she was also considering drums, tap dancing, and NES gaming.

Next up, each host got to suggest one hobby they would bring to the island, and then Denise picked her favorite.

Alex's Desert Island Hobby

Photography is the hobby Alex chose. He enjoys the process of finding creative ways to capture life's beauty, and on the island, there would be endless opportunities to capture sunrises and sunsets. This is a hobby he picked up from his father, and they often exchange daily photos via email to stay connected. Obviously, we required him to share a few photos he's taken recently, and he obliged. Check out the gallery below.

Mitch's Desert Island Hobby

Mitch chose an aspirational hobby by picking woodworking. He's built a birdhouse and some shelves in the past, but would love to take his time on a deserted island to get better at the skills. It's also practical because he could get to work on building a shelter and would have access to more tools and supplies.

Justin's Desert Island Hobby

With his art school background, Justin chose watercolor painting because it's a medium he turned his nose up at when he was younger and would really love to get good at now. He even mentioned being able to connect this hobby with another favorite - birdwatching. With all that time on the island, he could really capture some birds in watercolors.

Final Thoughts on Desert Island Hobbies

Denise ended up choosing woodworking as the one she would add to her island. And if you need a little inspiration for new hobbies, make sure to listen to the last 10 minutes to hear all the things Denise has tried in her life (including a hilarious story about the first and only time she went to a boxing class).

Thanks again to Denise for taking the time to join the podcast today. Reminder that the guys are taking a week off for a little break, so this is an excellent chance to catch up on any of the episodes you've missed.