Stephan Kesting

Stephan Kesting is an adventurer, jiu-jitsu practitioner, and firefighter. These activities all require making critical decisions under pressure, which is one of the central themes of his writing. Stephan has criss-crossed the North for 40 years. He has done many solo trips into the Arctic and has also worked as a canoe and raft guide, safely leading large groups in the remote wilderness. He completed an honours BSc in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies from McGill University and an MSc in Arctic Botany with a specialisation in climate change from the University of British Columbia. He worked as a field biologist for seven years, which deepened and informed his relationship with the natural world. Stephan has been training in the martial arts since age 12, and has been a blackbelt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for almost 20 years. He has helped tens of thousands of people with their jiu-jitsu practice through his books, courses, and Youtube channel. Stephan is also a captain in the fire service. In 2001, he received the National Medal of Bravery for rushing into a burning warehouse to save two trapped firefighters. He is very excited to share his latest book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic with the world.