David Miln Smith, PhD, is a real-life adventurer, transformational storyteller, and endurance athlete whose debut novel, Awaken the Tiger Within, draws from a lifetime of pushing limits—physical, mental, and spiritual.

David Miln Smith, PhD, is a real-life adventurer, transformational storyteller, and endurance athlete whose debut novel, Awaken the Tiger Within, draws from a lifetime of pushing limits—physical, mental, and spiritual.

The Today Show talked him The King of the Risk-Takers.

The first person to swim from Africa to Europe (International Marathon Swimming Hal of Fame), David has kayaked the Nile from the mountains of East Africa to Cairo, trekked the Sahara solo, and hunted with a club in Kenya to channel early human resilience.

He’s meditated in Himalayan caves, taught yoga, and led over 50 rigorous wilderness quests for people with schizophrenia. He is the pioneer of athletic adventures and playing is winning.

A former globetrotting speaker on risk taking, he has been featured on magazine covers including Sports Illustrated, Running Times, and TriAthlete and was a frequent guest on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

David blends bold storytelling with deep insight. Now in his 70s, he’s proof that longevity is more than genetics—it’s about curiosity, courage, and continuous reinvention.

His novel, written in the style of a memoir, is a mythic adventure of transformation that speaks to readers across generations. No social media hype—just timeless wisdom, raw experience, and a voice made for podcast conversation.

He is the author of The East/West Exercise, HEALING JOURNEY The Odyssey of an Uncommon Athlete, and HUG THE MONSTER How to Embrace Your Fears and Live Your Dreams which travel worldwide.