Adventure Trips & Live Events โ€” Ned Markey
Small-Group Expeditions ยท Live Events ยท Freedom Stack in the Field

The classroom
is the mountain.

Adventure Trips are small-group expeditions that combine real adventure โ€” skiing, sailing, hiking, cycling โ€” with deep, unfiltered conversations about designing a life on your terms. You don’t just learn the Freedom Stack. You live it.

8
Max Per Trip
4
Trip Types
3โ€“5
Days Per Trip
100%
Application-Based
This page currently doesn’t exist โ€” the nav link is a 404. This is a core part of Ned’s vision and needs to exist. The hero immediately communicates what makes these trips different: they’re not tourism, they’re not seminars โ€” they’re experiential learning through real adventure with a curated group.
Photo from a trip โ€” group on
a summit, sail deck, or trailhead
The Concept

Adventure as the
accelerant.

๐Ÿ”๏ธ

Real adventure. Real conversations.

When you’re pushing your limits on a mountain or sailing through open water, the pretense drops. The conversations that happen in those moments are different from anything that happens in a conference room.

๐Ÿงญ

The Freedom Stack, applied in the field

Each expedition is structured around the Freedom Stack framework. You experience what Adventure Freedom, Geographic Freedom, and Relationship Freedom actually feel like โ€” not as concepts, but as reality.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ

A small group of the right people

Eight people maximum. Application-based. Curated for people who are already building something โ€” and who want to think more clearly about where they’re going. The group is half the value.

See Upcoming Trips โ†’
The current site has no adventure trips page at all โ€” it’s a completely missing pillar. This concept section does the essential work of answering: “What IS this exactly?” before asking anyone to apply. Don’t assume people will understand the format โ€” explain it.
Upcoming Expeditions

Where we’re going next

Each trip is curated for a small group of high performers. Spots are limited to eight people and filled by application. Trips sell out quickly โ€” get on the list early.

โ›ท๏ธ
Now Accepting Applications
โ›ท๏ธ Ski ยท Colorado

Alpine Leadership Summit

Four days skiing the best terrain in Colorado, with mornings on the mountain and evenings around the fire working through the Freedom Stack together. Designed for people who already know how to ski and want to think differently about how they’re building their life.

When
Feb 2027
Duration
4 Days
Group Size
Max 6
Skill
Intermediate+
โ›ต
Now Accepting Applications
โ›ต Sailing ยท Apostle Islands, WI

Apostle Islands Passage

Five days sailing the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior โ€” one of the most dramatic freshwater sailing environments in the world. No experience required; Ned is at the helm. Days on open water, anchorages in sea caves at dusk, evenings working through what geographic freedom and risk tolerance actually mean in your life.

When
Sep 2027
Duration
5 Days
Group Size
Max 3
Skill
Any Level
๐Ÿฅพ
Now Accepting Applications
๐Ÿฅพ Hiking ยท Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Immersion

Three days on a section of the Appalachian Trail โ€” America’s most storied footpath, where the simplicity of the next white blaze creates a rare mental clarity. No cell service, no agenda beyond the trail. Evenings around camp working through the Freedom Stack with people who understand the weight of a life well-built but not yet fully free.

When
Aug 2027
Duration
3 Days
Group Size
Max 6
Skill
Fit / Active
๐Ÿšต
Date TBD โ€” 2027
๐Ÿšต Mountain Bike ยท Arkansas

Ozark Freedom Ride

Five days riding the Ozark trail systems โ€” Arkansas has quietly become one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the country, and almost nobody outside the sport knows it yet. Mornings in the saddle through ridge and river terrain, evenings working through the Freedom Stack around the fire.

When
TBD 2027
Duration
5 Days
Group Size
Max 6
Skill
Intermediate+
Four trips are shown here as a starting point. Update these with real dates, locations, and availability as you finalize them. The “Filling Fast” and “2 Spots Left” badges create urgency โ€” use them honestly once you have real data. The application-based model (not just buy a ticket) signals that this is curated and exclusive, which is important for the type of participant you want.
What to Expect

How a trip unfolds

Each expedition has its own character, but every trip follows the same intentional rhythm.

Arrival Day
Meet the group. Set the frame.
Dinner together. Introductions that go deeper than titles and professions. Ned introduces the Freedom Stack framework and sets the intention for the days ahead. You’ll immediately see why the group was curated.
Adventure Days
Full days in the field.
The mountain, the water, the trail. Full days doing the actual thing โ€” skiing, sailing, hiking, riding. No phones, no decks, no forced programming. The environment does the work. Conversations happen naturally in the flow of the day.
Evening Sessions
The real work happens here.
After the day’s adventure, the group gathers. Guided sessions work through specific layers of the Freedom Stack โ€” financial, time, relationship, geographic freedom. Everyone applies the framework to their actual situation. These conversations go places that no conference ever does.
Departure Day
Leave with a plan, not just a feeling.
The final morning is structured around each person’s one concrete next step โ€” not vague inspiration, but a specific action to take in the next 30 days. You leave with a clear diagnosis of your Freedom Stack and a real plan to close your biggest gap.
Photo: evening session around
a fire or lodge table
The format section is essential because the concept is unfamiliar. “Adventure trip + Freedom Stack” sounds great but raises questions: What does a typical day look like? Is it all hiking or is there structure? This timeline answers those questions and makes the experience feel real and tangible before someone applies.
Who This Is For

Built for people who
are already building something.

These trips are not for everyone. They’re designed for a specific kind of person โ€” and the group experience depends on the group being right.

๐Ÿ’ผ
High-Income Professionals
Dentists, physicians, business owners, executives โ€” people with real careers and real complexity in their lives who want to think more clearly about where they’re going.
๐Ÿค”
The Thoughtful High Performer
You’ve achieved something meaningful. But you’re starting to ask bigger questions about time, purpose, and whether the life you’re building is actually the one you want.
๐Ÿƒ
Physically Active & Adventurous
You ski, hike, sail, bike, or want to. You’re not afraid of physical challenge and you understand that meaningful experiences don’t happen in conference rooms.
๐Ÿ”“
Ready to Be Honest
The evening sessions require genuine openness. You’re willing to talk about your real situation โ€” not the polished version โ€” and engage with a small group at that level.
๐Ÿค
Values-Driven
You’re not just optimizing for income. You care about family, impact, health, and creating a life that means something โ€” not just one that looks impressive on paper.
๐Ÿ“
Willing to Travel
These trips require you to show up โ€” in person, away from your practice or business for a few days. If you’re not willing to make that investment, the trip isn’t for you.

This is probably not a fit if you…

Are looking for a vacation with a few seminars sprinkled in
Want motivation without the willingness to be challenged
Are unwilling to engage honestly with the group
Can’t commit to 3โ€“5 days away from work

You’re exactly right if you…

Want to think more clearly about your life’s direction
Are ready to do the work alongside people at your level
Love adventure and want it woven into something meaningful
Are willing to invest in an experience that could change your trajectory
The “who this is NOT for” section is one of the most important things on this page. It filters out the wrong applicants, which protects the group experience โ€” and paradoxically increases desire from the right people. Strong positioning requires being willing to exclude.
What’s Included

Everything you need
to show up fully.

Trips are all-inclusive once you arrive. You book your flights; we handle everything else.

๐Ÿก
Accommodations
The group stays together โ€” ski lodge, sailing charter, backcountry hut, or ranch depending on the trip. Private rooms for everyone.
๐Ÿฝ๏ธ
All Meals
Breakfasts, lunches on the trail, and group dinners every evening. Food is a core part of the experience โ€” expect good meals around a real table.
๐ŸŽฟ
Adventure Activities
Lift tickets, boat charter, guide fees, gear rentals โ€” all covered. You show up with your personal gear; we handle the logistics.
๐Ÿ“–
Both Books
A signed copy of Flip the Script and The Freedom Stack, pre-read materials, and a personal Freedom Stack workbook for the evening sessions.
๐Ÿงญ
Facilitated Sessions
All evening sessions with Ned, including pre-trip calls, the in-field framework sessions, and a post-trip 30-day check-in call.
๐Ÿ‘ฅ
The Network
Access to the ongoing Freedom Stack community with all past trip participants. The relationships built on these trips tend to last far beyond the trip itself.

Investment varies by trip โ€” typically $3,500โ€“$6,500 per person all-inclusive, depending on destination, duration, and accommodations. Exact pricing is shared in the application process. Not included: flights to the destination city.

Apply to Find Out More โ†’
Pricing is shown as a range, not a fixed number โ€” because it genuinely varies by trip. Showing the range upfront filters out people who can’t afford it, which saves everyone time. The “application to find out more” approach for exact pricing is intentional: it keeps the conversation personal and ensures fit before anyone talks about money.
From Past Participants

What happens on
the mountain, stays
with you forever.

Experiences from people who’ve been on the trips.

I’ve been to a hundred conferences and read every book. Nothing has moved the needle on how I actually think about my life the way that four days in Colorado did. The combination of physical challenge and honest conversation in that group is unlike anything I’ve experienced.
R
[Participant Name]
Oral Surgeon, [City]
Replace with a real testimonial
I came expecting a ski trip with some framework discussions. I left with the clearest picture I’ve ever had of what I’m actually building and why. And three people in that group who I’m still in close contact with six months later. That’s the real return on investment.
K
[Participant Name]
Business Owner, [Industry]
Replace with a real testimonial
The sailing trip forced me to be present in a way I haven’t been in years. No cell service, no email, no patients โ€” just the water, the boat, and eight people thinking seriously about how they want to live. I came back with a decision I’d been avoiding for two years. Made it on the water.
M
[Participant Name]
Dentist / Practice Owner, [City]
Replace with a real testimonial
These placeholders show the structure and tone. Start collecting real testimonials immediately after your first trip โ€” send each participant a simple three-question follow-up: What did you get from the trip? What surprised you? Who would you recommend it to? Those answers become your best marketing copy.
Apply Now

Eight people.
One expedition.
Your next chapter.

Applications are reviewed within 72 hours. If there’s a good fit, we’ll schedule a short call to discuss which trip is right for you and what to expect.

โšก
Response within 72 hours

All applications receive a personal response โ€” not an automated confirmation.

๐Ÿ“ž
Short discovery call

If there’s a potential fit, we’ll schedule a 20-minute call to discuss the trip, the group, and whether this is the right timing for you.

๐Ÿ”’
No obligation until you decide

The application is the start of a conversation, not a commitment. You’ll have full information before any payment is made.

๐Ÿ“…
Apply for multiple trips

If you’re interested in more than one expedition, note that in the form and we’ll discuss fit for each.

Trip Application

8 spots per trip. Apply early.
Applications are personal. Your information is never shared.
Common Questions

Questions we hear often

If yours isn’t here, send it directly through the application form.

Do I need to be an expert at the activity?

Skill requirements vary by trip and are listed in each trip description. Some trips (sailing) require no experience; others (skiing, biking) require an intermediate level. You’ll never be left behind โ€” the group moves together.

How are groups put together?

Every participant is reviewed by application. Groups are curated for professional level, values alignment, and the diversity of experience that makes the conversations interesting. We don’t just fill seats.

Can I come solo or do I need to bring someone?

All trips are designed for solo participants. Most people come alone โ€” that’s part of what makes the group dynamic work. You’ll leave with real relationships.

What if I can’t make a specific trip date?

Apply for the trip you’re most interested in and note your availability. We can add you to a waitlist for sold-out trips or keep you informed about future expeditions.

What’s the physical fitness requirement?

Each trip has different demands. Details are listed per-trip. Generally: you should be active, healthy, and capable of sustained physical activity. We’re not competing โ€” we’re exploring.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Full details are shared during the application process. Generally: 50% refund 60+ days before departure, no refund within 30 days. Trip insurance is recommended for all participants.

Is this for couples or individuals?

Trips are designed for individuals. Couples occasionally attend the same trip, but the evening sessions work best when people can speak candidly โ€” and that’s easier when you’re not attending as a pair.

Will there be more trips in the future?

Yes. The goal is to run 4โ€“6 expeditions per year across different activity types and locations. Join the Freedom Stack community or submit an application to stay informed about new trips as they’re announced.

An FAQ section dramatically reduces the friction between “this looks interesting” and “I’m applying.” Each question here represents an objection or uncertainty that would otherwise prevent someone from submitting. Add more questions as you hear them from actual prospects.