Adventuring with Olivia McIver

Welcome to the Dawny Adventurers Club, a platform where we’ll be talking to some epic Kiwis on big adventures. To kick things off, we chatted to Olivia McIver - owner of Done By Agency.

Running an agency in your 20's is a pretty impressive feat! How did you get here?

My origin story is just one big wild ride rolled in glitter but that's exactly how I like to rip through life - full send in amongst beautiful chaos.

I was never 'meant' to be in marketing, I started my dream career at 17 in the RNZAF which was then cut very short due to a freak accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury - this turned my life upside down with a long rehab road to recovery and the end of what was my dream career. I then had to redefine myself and somehow stumbled into digital marketing, this career accident became a pivotal point without me even knowing it. This job led me to my first agency role which was an ethical rollercoaster but taught me a lot however when this agency suddenly went into liquidation in Dec of 2018 I decided I was sick of having my fate in other people hands and it was as simple and equally silly as me saying, I'll just do it myself. 

That was 6 years ago now, it's hard to believe but ultimately what has got me to where I am today is my ability to just say screw it, not think too much, just send it and adopt two of my favourite quotes as an approach to anything:

1. Luck is an attitude
2. Imperfect action beats no action every time

You speak a lot on your platforms about balancing the grind with adventure - how do you carve out the time to give energy to both?

My week gets fairly hectic, I lead a busy business life and am often working from the morning to the usual 5pm, then I'll head to the gym, head home for a feed and work the night away. Is it sustainable? Probably not but I like my hustle. 

I am however really great at taking my weekends and switching off, I'd rather condense a tonne of work into 5 days and enjoy my weekend than work through. For me I know when I need adventure, I get itchy feet and over-stimulated so I prioritise getting out of Auckland usually a couple of times a month but definitely every three weeks. 

At the moment I am training for a big hike in Nepal this October which means I have been getting out to hike every weekend and it's been great. 

People often mistake my version of downtime and recharge as a recipe for burn out but they don't realise that for me, spending a night or a few hours in nature is a complete reset for me, much better than ending up on a doom scroll on the couch. Disconnecting from my devices and having my focus only on making it to the top of a bugger of a hill does more for me than anything else. I rely on this method of resetting to be the best version of myself for my team and clients.

My advice? Get out of the concrete jungle man, explore our country more, there is so much epic stuff to see!

How did your love for adventuring start?

Interestingly I was never raised going on adventures, but I think it runs in my veins - adventuring is just the physical translation for those who have zest for life. But if I were to pinpoint a moment, it was likely when I signed up for Duke of Ed in school, if I can encourage anyone who is in school reading this to take up one extra curricular it would be DOE. 

Learning outdoor and survival skills is such a great skill set to have and gives you a sense of confidence to base your adventures on. From here my love for adventuring grew, more so because I live such a digitally driven life - nature forces me to disconnect and breathe and it's something I crave.

What are your must have items for every adventure?

• Quick warms!! This is my safety non-negotiable for any adventure, quick warms are things like a beanie, socks, buffs and gloves and a merino top that can warm you up quickly if needed but can also pack down.
• Hydration baby! No fun comes from dehydration, I always bring on every adventure my Dawny bottle and some electrolyte sachets. If I am going on a bigger adventure, I'll pack purification tablets so I can fill my drink bottle up from a running water source.
• Backcountry Apple Crumble - mate, don't knock it till you try it, I have a 100% conversion rate on these! Tastes like its fresh out of the oven and hits the spot after a long day of adventuring
• Hennessy Hammock - a recent investment but one I already know is a goodie, this hammock basically replaces a tent as it has a fully waterproof roof on it and is great in NZ conditions as there are always trees to hang up a hammock. It's also much easier to pack up and keep dry, packs down smaller than a tent with no poles and unless it's really cold you don't need to carry a sleeping mat, big wins!
• Frisbee, sounds dumb but it's a good time passer and I use it for a plate lol. Adults get incredibly humbled when they try to frisbee and it doesnt pop off like it used to when you were younger.
• PLB (personal locator beacon) - can be overkill for some adventures but for the more hearty ones it's recommended and my little hack is to just hire them! I hire mine from Bivouac and Outdoors - it's literally like $5 a day, well worth it if it can save ya life.

What's your top 3 spots around NZ for adventure seekers?

For Summer: Far North all day! My top three spots would be Tapotupotu (magical beach and campground), Puheke Beach (the whole of Karikari Peninsula feels like you’re in Fiji) and Ahipara (honestly so much to do here, surf, head around the reef, fishing, offroading).

For Winter: Arthurs Pass, South Island - you'll feel like you're driving through a Windows screensaver- it's magical and not busy. Drive from Chch through to Hokitika and make the following stops: Castle Hill Rocks, Arthurs Pass Walking Track, Hokitika Blue Pools, Kura Tawhiti. Just the sheer difference driving from the East to the West Coast is dope. 

All Year Round: Kaimanawa's - such an underrated spot, but sooo much to do. Hiking, hunting, rafting and mountain biking. In winter it gets cold but hike up the urchin and down by the river you'll find the sickest camping spots with fires all set up. In summer, the rivers are stunning, it looks like the South Island. Such a ripper of a spot for lots of activity, and it isn't a tourist hotspot.

Best spot for a dawny mission in NZ? 

Tama lakes! An oldie but a goodie, it never lets me down. Located in the Ruapehu region the walk is graded easy and will take you 5 - 6 hours return. Highlights include waterfalls, tussock and alpine shrub, beech forest, lakes and views of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe - all froth worthy content. It's a bit of a grind though so make sure to take ya Dawny!