368: Riding a Motorcycle from Alaska to Argentina: The Journey That Changed Alex Chacon’s Life

Hear stories surviving 4 days with no food in Patagonia, landing in a Honduran jail, and driving Bolivia’s “Death Road”.

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ON THIS EPISODE

Emmy-winning filmmaker and motorcycle adventurer Alex Chacon traces the roots of his life on the road, beginning with his upbringing on the U.S.–Mexico border in El Paso and the identity questions that shaped his early years. Alex shares how soccer, motorcycles, and a deep sense of not fully belonging pushed him toward long-distance travel at a young age, including a solo cross-country motorcycle journey at just 17. He recounts leaving medical school to ride from Alaska to Argentina with paper maps and no cellphone, and reflects on formative experiences across Latin America—from corruption at border crossings and getting lost in Bolivia’s salt flats, to life-or-death moments in Patagonia and the Darien Gap. Throughout the episode, Alex explores how travel became a vehicle for self-discovery, cultural reconnection, and a deeper understanding of inequality, education, and human resilience.

→ Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here.

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