Outlier TV Out Of The Comfort Zone Interview with Canyons Japan
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Andrew McCombe:
Hi guys, Andrew McCombe here from Outlier TV, where we celebrate differences to make a difference. As we share inspiring stories of ordinary people, doing extraordinary things with their businesses and/or their lives. Today, I’m speaking to Mike Harris; he’s the owner of “Canyons Japan.” And I’m going to put him out of his comfort zone a little bit so that you can get to know him a little more. Let’s go and meet Make. Mike Harris, welcome to Outlier.
Mike Harris:
Cheers, man. Good to be here. (Andrew: Mike, it’s time to put you out of your comfort zone. It helps us prelude your big interview that’s coming up, or your big episode the next few days. And it also helps the viewers get to know you a little better in a lighter, more humorous way. I’ve got a set of questions here, that I want you to answer as quick as you can. First thing that comes to mind. So how would you describe outdoor adventure to someone from Mars?)
Outdoor adventure is a pretty broad sort of a thing, going from rafting, mountain climbing, things like that. But, having adventures in the outdoors is really just different risks, but being one with nature. And really getting into nature and sort of feeling like you’re at one with nature, but at the same time doing something that sort of keeps you on the edge, like, “am I going to survive this?”
Andrew McCombe:
Okay. Favorite thing about Minakami?
Mike Harris:
I guess, the people. Yeah, really awesome people here.
Andrew McCombe:
Japan versus all blacks. So who’s going to win?
Mike Harris:
For the meantime. I’ll say the all blacks, but you gotta watch Japan, man. I think in the next 10 years, they’re going to be the force to be reckoned with. (They’re recruiting a few Kiwis, are they?) They are recruiting a few Kiwis. I’m not going to put my boots on that.
Andrew McCombe:
What gets you up every morning?
Mike Harris:
I think for me, it’s coming to work and seeing my staff’s face, but also seeing the customer’s face, especially, you know, when they finish a trip, seeing that look of joy and refreshment on them and it really gets me going.
Andrew McCombe:
What’s the worst thing about working with governments?
Mike Harris:
Things move very slowly.
Andrew McCombe:
What’s the best thing about working with governments?
Mike Harris:
You can do some pretty cool shit. (On a big scale.) On a big scale. Yeah.
Andrew McCombe:
Is there an art to drinking Sake?
Mike Harris:
A lot of people like the warmed up Sake, but the best Sake is super cold. And drinking lots of it. (Say, are you a Sake artist?) I have got it down to an art. Yes.
Andrew McCombe:
Okay. Favorite thing about canyoning?
Mike Harris:
I think for me it’s, As I said before, a little bit with outdoor adventure, it’s just being that one was with nature. Just being out there in these amazing natural environments, beautiful waterfalls, just everything around you, and just diving into these beautiful emerald green pools, just lying there and just being one with nature, you know?
Andrew McCombe:
Have you had rocks thrown at you while you were rafting?
Mike Harris:
I have had rocks thrown at me when I’ve been rafting. Yes. In Japan. (Why?) that was from the fisherman’s association, and they believed that it was their river and I shouldn’t be there. (Territorial.) Territorial. Yeah.
Andrew McCombe:
Speaking of territorial, why is the environment so important to you?
Mike Harris:
I guess, we’re a part of the environment, we can’t survive without the environment where there’s Earth. I think there’s a lot of focus on that recently, but I guess that’s one of the reasons I grow dreads. Cause I like to be things to be natural, but unless we look after it, we’re not going to survive. (So you won’t have a business, will you?) Yes, we won’t have a business. We won’t survive even more importantly, as people.
Andrew McCombe:
Most famous person you’ve ever met?
Mike Harris:
Most famous person I’ve ever met. That’s a good question. I guess from New Zealand, I met Richie a couple of times, Richard Mccorr. I’ve met the prime minister last year. Otherwise international, John Malcovich, had a beer with him one time.
Andrew McCombe:
What about the most famous person you’ve ever met that you wish you hadn’t?
Mike Harris:
I don’t know if there’s anyone really famous I’ve met that I wish I hadn’t met before. No, I don’t think there is anyone.
Andrew McCombe:
Okay. Who’s your celebrity body double?
Mike Harris:
Some Viking looking dude. I dunno. One of the extras from “Lord of the rings” or something.
Andrew McCombe:
Do you have any friends in high places?
Mike Harris:
Yeah, I got a couple of mates. One of my best mates from high school is actually the deputy ambassador for New Zealand. He’s at the embassy down there. I’ve got various other government officials that are sort of reasonably good mates.
Andrew McCombe:
And you’re probably not allowed to say, but any perks?
Mike Harris:
I get to stay at the embassy every now and then; a few beers.
Andrew McCombe:
Okay. You’re also a DJ. What’s your stage name?
Mike Harris:
DJ-H. My last name is Harris. So, H, keep it pretty simple. (Very creative.) Very creative, yeah. It was given to me years ago and I just sort of kept it.
Andrew McCombe:
And have you ever been arrested?
Mike Harris:
No, not yet. (close to it?) I’ve been taken in for questioning a few times, but it wasn’t me. (Tell us about that.) I guess a long time ago, in an area of Japan, someone took a few bottles of alcohol from a club, and I was at the club that night as well.
And, fingers got pointed at me, but, it wasn’t me. (Did they do a lineup and then they looked at you and went, “ah, nah, it wasn’t him.”) Well, they knew that I was at the club that night. So, people put two and two together. (Well, you look very unique. Right? So try and match someone like yourself.)
Andrew McCombe:
Okay. Is success related to who you know, or what you know?
Mike Harris:
I think it’s, probably a little bit of both, but definitely, who you know, helps you out a lot.
Andrew McCombe:
Best feedback you’ve ever had from a customer.
Mike Harris:
I’ve had quite a bit of interesting feedback over the year, but I remember one guy who came up to me afterwards and said, “I was actually considering taking my own life, and now I’ve actually found a new sense of value.”
So that was pretty heavy. Other times it’s been, customers or kids that have come on an outdoor program with us and years, years later and said, “that was a life-changing experience for me.” yesterday, I had a guy come up to me and say, “I went rafting with you guys. It was a life-changing experience. I decided to go into adventure tourism and helping communities through adventure tourism. And that’s what my life goal is now.” So yeah. I guess there have been lots of stories like that.
Andrew McCombe:
Sensational. Best feedback you’ve ever had from a staff member. Um,
Mike Harris:
I guess, there’s been quite a few over the years, but I guess I’ve really helped some people. They’ve said, “you’ve really helped me develop as a person, and because of that, I’ve seen what I want to do in life.”
Andrew McCombe:
What do you want to do when you grow up?
Mike Harris:
I don’t want to grow up. I just want to keep on being an outdoor guide.
Andrew McCombe:
Well, why should we watch your upcoming Outlier episode? That’s coming out in the next few days. What are people going to learn?
Mike Harris:
I think they’re gonna learn a little bit about doing business in Japan. What’s being an entrepreneur. What it takes. (Looking forward to it.) Awesome. (Let’s get back inside.) Yeah.
Andrew McCombe:
Well, there it is, guys. We’ve now found out a little bit more about Mike Harris before his full Outlier TV episode is released.
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