Send Fletch a text! A 2,200-mile canoe trip sounds like the wild part, until you hear what Dave Conway walked away from to get on the water. After nearly 40 years in the same role at the same church, Dave hits the midlife moment a lot of people quietly fear: the life you built no longer fits, and staying comfortable starts to feel like losing yourself. What follows is not a tidy “reinvention story” but a real one, full of faith, doubt, and the kind of courage that shows up before you have a plan. We talk through what it actually takes to canoe the full length of the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico: dragging through shallow headwaters, portaging around dams, calling in to locks, sharing water with barges, and paddling nine to twelve hours a day. Dave also names the gritty realities that don’t make highlight reels, like brutal wind, mosquitoes, and the unnerving chaos of jumping Asian carp. Along the way, he notices the human side of America too, from “Minnesota nice” distance to the warmth of Southern hospitality. But the heart of the conversation is a spiritual and emotional turning point. A book, a story about a sunk canoe, and one clear inner message reshape how Dave sees his work, his calling, and what it means to “let go.” We also dig into his Pacific Crest Trail experience, motorcycles, racing, and why adventure can become a vehicle for clarity in the second half of life. If you’re searching for midlife adventure, career change at 60, faith and uncertainty, or the courage to start over, this one will stay with you. ⸻ Guest Information Dave Conway lives in Modesto, California with his wife, Tanya, and they have two grown sons. He spent nearly 40 years working at a local church before stepping into a new season of life. At heart, Dave is an adventurer, with experiences that include canoeing the Mississippi River, riding a motorcycle to the Arctic Ocean, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and racing cars. When he’s not on the road or trail, he’s often building something in his shop or serving at his church. If you ask Dave what’s next, he’ll tell you: “Who knows, but I’m sure something interesting is about to come up. Resources and Links Instagram: Dave Conway Instagram: Dead Horse Riders YouTube: Go Waldo Go - Pacific Crest Trail Book Mentioned: The Last Arrow Music used in this episode: All music in this episode is licensed for use through Epidemic Sound. ⸻ IF YOU LIKE WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE AT THE MANGO TIMES, PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW BY... ✅ Send me a text and let me know what you think. ✅ Share this episode with a friend RIGHT NOW! ✅ PLEASE LEAVE ME A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS HERE. ✅ Buy Me A Taco (LINK HERE) Support the show
