Skip to main content

Interview with Modern-Day Adventurer Hugo Turner, One-Half the Turner Twins

The Turner Twins

It’s safe to say that Hugo and Ross Turner are not your average twins. Fueled by a near-fatal spinal injury that Hugo sustained at age 17, the two entered the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in 2011 to row across the Atlantic Ocean and ended by setting two world records.

Since then, the twins have made a name for themselves as “world first” adventurers, specializing in groundbreaking expeditions that raise awareness for medical research and environmental issues. Each year has brought another one-of-a-kind adventure, somewhere between Phileas Fogg and Indiana Jones. But this intrepid twosome is more than just a couple of extra-daring cosmopolites. Their travels are done in partnership with a research department of King’s College London, which uses the twins as a pair of elite “guinea pigs,” studying how their nearly identical human bodies respond to different environmental challenges.

Recommended Videos

We caught up with Hugo recently to learn more about their background, hear the backstory behind their most memorable exploits, and get a taste of the motivation that fuels them.

The Manual: You have so many amazing adventures. If you could go back and repeat just one, which would it be?

Hugo Turner: Tricky question, but I think it would be the Australian Red Pole expedition. We flew paramotors from Adelaide to the center point of the continent (via Alice Springs). Some of the weird and memorable things we saw will live with us forever.

The Turner Twins: Adventure to The Red Pole - Full edit

TM: You take on some very intense itineraries, and have encountered challenges to match: Knee injuries, prostate issues, hallucinations, etc. What do you tell yourself in moments of distress/failure?

HT: I think you get so used to being down and having issues and pressures on expeditions, that those moments have become mundane and you become accustomed to these challenges. It becomes normal to not enjoy many parts of the expedition. Treat the good times and the bad times the same — laugh in the face of challenges!

Treat the good times and the bad times the same — laugh in the face of challenges!

TM: What are some of the craziest things you’ve undergone in your scientific research partnership with King’s College London?

HT: We support the Department of Twin Research at KCL, who conduct thorough research on us to study our genetic makeup and to identify any differences in our bodies. There hasn’t been anything horrible (yet), but we have to do regular stool samples which isn’t the highlight of the research studies!

TM: Can you share some of the travel wardrobe/gear items you consider indispensable?

HT: For us, it has to be taking a PLB (personal location beacon) that is built into our Breitling Emergency 2 watches. If you get yourself into any issues or need help, you activate the PLB and an emergency response team will come and rescue you anywhere on the planet.

The Turner Twins

TM: Travel is more accessible than ever today. Sometimes, we can even take it for granted (and end up just doing it for the ‘gram, as it were). What’s your advice to other travelers to have their experiences be exciting and memorable?

HT: Do something that interests you. Don’t do something because someone else has done it. If you’re true to yourself and have a natural passion for something, sooner or later you’ll find or do something memorable.

TM: Is there a goal or destination that still eludes you?

HT: The endless pursuit of new knowledge to help us understand our planet to better help us look after it.

TM: What’s next in your series of adventures?

HT: We’re going to try and reach the Iberian center point (Spain) using electric motorbikes, starting in London. I think we’ll also be trying to get to the Madagascar pole of inaccessibility later in the year. So many things to do!

Did Hugo give you a hankering for more exploration, but only have time for an armchair adventure? Check out the best travel and adventure documentaries on Netflix now.

Chelsea Batten
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Chelsea Batten is a writer, photographer, and Kerouac groupie. One of the original digital nomads, she was seduced from life…
Why Spokane is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most underrated outdoor destinations
Spokane is high luxury, but it's interconnected with the outdoors
View from the Numerica Sky Ride in Spokane

I've lived in Washington State for a couple of years now, but I'm still unpacking all of the great places to stay and visit. There's so much to do in the Evergreen state, and during my recent stay in Spokane, I can definitely say that there are a lot of high-end luxury experiences too. From high-end hotels like the Davenport Collection and eateries to some of the best wines in the state, you might be surprised to learn that Spokane is actually a top destination for nature lovers, too. Here's everything you need to know about the wilder side of Spokane and why you should consider coming here during your next vacation.
Outdoorsy things to do in downtown Spokane

This city is a particularly unique place because the town was built around the Spokane River. This is a gorgeous ribbon of blue that's full of waterfalls, eddies, and streams that wind their way through the city. The best place to see this is in downtown Spokane, specifically at the famous Riverfront Park.

Read more
Looking for adventure and culture? This city is the best in the world for urban hiking
Here's the world's #1 city for outdoor lovers
Rio de Janeiro

As an outdoor enthusiast, one of the top things I look for in a travel destination is proximity to the outdoors. I'm certainly not averse to pitching tents, but sometimes it's nice to mix in a bit of urban excitement to my travels. Sports Shoes, a UK running retail brand, just completed a study that analyzed the top urban areas for hikers on break. My personal favorite hiker-friendly city is Seattle, which squeaked in at number 12. The number one spot goes to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

The winner was decided through two primary variables: the number of hikes in the area and the average rating and reviews of those hikes. This was averaged out into a hikeability score out of 100, and the only one to get a perfect score was Rio de Janeiro. With a total of 334 hikes averaging a rating of 4.8 stars, this city is officially the world's number one urban area for hikers.
Top hikes in Rio de Janeiro

Read more
Airstream’s new Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired travel trailer is an instant classic
Two classic mid-20th-century design icons combine in this handsome, ultra-exclusive travel trailer.
An Airstream Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Limited Edition Travel Trailer parked in the desert.

An icon of the all-American road trip meets an icon of mid-century modern architecture in the all-new 2026 Airstream Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Limited Edition Travel Trailer. By combining Airstream's unmistakable travel trailer design ethos with Wright's Usonian principles, the result is something truly elegant, timeless, and modern. But it'll only be available to a select few.
Everything we know about the Airstream Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Limited Edition Travel Trailer

Many of the features and design elements in this one-of-a-kind, 28-foot travel trailer are classic Airstream. But it also features a few firsts. Most notable is the dual-purpose lounge/sleep area anchored by a pair of twin beds that convert to a king (the largest bed ever in an Airstream) with the push of a button. Exclusive bolster pillows, tailored slipcovers, and quilted coverlets round out the space. The front lounge also transforms seamlessly between dinette and desk as needed, making this a true live/play/work travel trailer. The entire interior is awash in daylight thanks to 29 total windows—more than any other Airstream in history.

Read more