From scaling icy peaks to navigating the world’s wildest rivers, adventure illusionist Rich Manley’s life is a testament to the power of preparation and physical prowess. With a background rooted in martial arts—especially years of Shaolin Kung Fu—Manley has built a body and mind capable of withstanding the rigors of global exploration.
“It’s like a combination of research, training, and then travel,” he explains to Country Muscle Podcast host Jeff Tomko. “When I’m back in L.A., I’m constantly reading or researching. What’s the next thing? What other projects can we do for the shows that I’m doing? And then it’s training for that adventure.”
Each expedition demands a unique regimen for Manley, whose adventure show, Culture Shock, can be streamed. For whitewater kayaking, Manley spends days on local rivers; for mountaineering, he turns to trail running, mountain biking, and targeted nutrition. “I try to structure my regimen to what I’m planning on doing right now. If I’m planning on mountaineering, I’m going to do a lot of trail running, get my cardio up, and do a lot of mountain biking. Then I’m going to eat a certain way and make sure the nutrition is right.”
But even with all his training, Manley was awestruck by the strength and spirit of some of the natural skills and strengths of some of the native cultures, particularly Peru’s cholitas escaladoras—indigenous women who scale 6,000-meter peaks in traditional dresses.
“It’s crazy because they wear these dresses where other mountaineers are wearing puffies and down jackets, and they just have dresses,” he says. “They’re climbing these mountains, ice climbing, and they’re just amazing athletes and women,” he recalls. Despite the altitude and harsh conditions, the cholitas’ resilience and skill left a lasting impression on Manley, reminding him that true strength often comes from within—and that adventure is as much about learning from others as it is about conquering the next summit.
You can check out Rich Manley’s interview—as well as every other episode of the Country Muscle Podcast—on the Country Muscle YouTube Channel, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean.
5 Takeaways from the ‘Country Muscle Podcast’ interview with Adventure Illusionist Rich Manley
- 1. Preparation is Everything
Rich Manley emphasizes that survival in extreme environments depends on meticulous planning and preparation. He studies each destination, packs essential supplies, and learns from past mistakes to avoid dangerous situations. “I’m always studying the environment and saying, Okay, I know I’m going to do this. I know I’m going to go here. So I bring lots of water and lots of sustenance…” - 2. Fitness is a Full-Time Commitment
According to Manley, adventure is a lifestyle that requires constant and constantly evolving physical conditioning. He now creates his training routines to mimic each different style of expedition. It’s like a combination of research, training, and then travel. - 3. Martial Arts Builds Resilience
Years of Shaolin Kung Fu have given Manley the mental and physical tools to handle adversity. Martial arts instilled in him patience, discipline, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. “Martial arts really is the underlying thing that helps me through everything,” he says. - 4. Adaptability is Key in Every Culture
Manley quickly learned that not every culture relates to his Western style of card tricks. So he’s learned to adapt, using objects familiar with the land and culture, to get a better connection. - 5. Learning from Local Wisdom
Manley is always open to learning survival hacks from the cultures he visits. One example: Using coca leaves—the ingredient prevalent in cocaine— to combat altitude sickness in the Andes. “They do help,” he says.