August 22, 2022

JOSH MORRIS

An Insider’s Look at the Thai Cave Rescue

Guest Info

In 1999, Josh Morris moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, intending to stay for a year or two in his position there teaching English, but life had other plans. 23 years later, Josh is still living in Chiang Mai. He and his wife Kat- whom he met there- started Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures and later, the Progression Group. Josh was featured in the recent film The Rescue about the cave rescue of a Thai soccer team in July of 2018. In this interview, we learn more about Josh’s critical role in that complex, technical, cross-cultural rescue effort.

Show Notes

Josh is an entrepreneur, leader and coach based in Thailand since 1999. Josh is fluent in Thai and has extensive experience working inter-culturally in Asia. This experience led him to play a critical role as the lead international team coordinator in the Thai Cave Rescue in Mae Sai, Thailand in July, 2018. Josh is the founder and CEO of The Progression Group, a multicultural organization with more than 35 staff from Asia, Europe and the United States. Josh has worked with businesses, NGOs and governments to inspire a more conscious approach to the environment and our future. In addition to directing vision and strategy for his own company, Josh provides leadership training and development programming to businesses in Asia.

He has acted as a consultant to The Thai Authority of Tourism to help develop innovative strategies for sustainable tourism development in the region. Josh has spearheaded projects to develop local guides and pioneered exchange programs to raise standards in adventure tourism and rescue throughout Thailand and other parts of Asia. Josh excels in helping leaders and teams bridge the gap between language and differing cultural perspectives to help improve effectiveness and create high performing teams.

Josh is an experienced rock climber, caver and expedition leader and has led expeditions to explore virgin cave passage in Thailand. His experience in business, adventure expeditions, and working across cultures led him to play a major role in the Tham Luang Cave Rescue in Mae Sai in July of 2018.

His extensive experience has helped him bring a nonjudgmental, client focused approach to his work and leadership and has given him a unique ability to help others move deeper into their growth zone and make connections between adventure and business to fuel personal and professional development.

Just as progression is a steady movement to a more advanced state or place, Josh helps lead and coach others as they progress toward a more conscious future.

Resources:

The Progression Group: includes 4 brands: adventures, equipment, leadership, adventures

Progression Leadership (team building, expeditions/retreats, management training)

https://www.progressionequipment.com

Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures

The Rescue (the film trailer)

Josh’s book recommendations:

The Culture Map (Erin Meyer)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)

Against All Odds (Rcihard Harris)