In this episode, Dave sits down with Australian chef-turned-adventurer Dale Pierce, whose life took an unexpected turn after sudden vision loss in 2023. Dale shares how he moved from a 32-year culinary career into a new chapter defined by resilience, movement, and wilderness exploration.
He talks about adapting to blindness through cardio, O&M training, and eventually trail running — a journey that led him from treadmill walks to half-marathons, technical trail races, and ultimately completing the legendary Kokoda Track, one of the most demanding treks in the world.
Dave and Dale dig into cane techniques, navigation strategies, the mental challenge of moving through rugged landscapes with limited sight, and the freedom found in nature that no city environment can replicate. Dale also reflects on essential gear, working with run guides, and why embracing low vision — rather than fighting it — has opened a new sense of purpose.
It’s an inspiring conversation about grit, adaptation, and discovering what’s possible when the trail becomes your teacher.
More About Dale
Dale Pierce is a low-vision adventurer based in regional Victoria, Australia, about an hour northwest of Melbourne. Before vision loss reshaped his life, Dale spent 32 years as a chef, working across hotels and restaurants and later serving as a mentor and trainer for apprentice chefs. His background in human resources, work health and safety, and mental health informed his leadership style, allowing him to support hundreds of young chefs and help create healthier, more sustainable kitchen environments. Dale went on to run his own consulting and freelance chef business, focusing on best-practice systems and financial sustainability.
In 2023, Dale experienced sudden sight loss in both eyes due to central retinal vein occlusions, leaving him legally blind. He adapted by building his cardio fitness, immersing himself in orientation and mobility training, and eventually taking up running—progressing from treadmill workouts to outdoor parkruns and his first half marathon in 2024. Since then, he has expanded into trail running and adventuring, using a combination of all-terrain canes, hiking poles, run guides, and Meta glasses to navigate diverse terrain. In 2024, he completed the legendary Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, a 96 km trek known for its brutal elevation and historical significance.
Dale also serves on Vision Australia’s Client Reference Group, working with leadership to improve outcomes for the blind and low-vision community. He and his seeing-eye dog, Yana, have been partners for over a year and continue to grow as a team.
Connect with Dale
Instagram: @dale.pierce.967
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dale.pierce.967
Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome
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