Tracking Climate Change One Seal at a Time

In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, marine ecologist Dr. Roxanne Beltran shares what it’s really like to study elephant seals—and why these unlikely collaborators are crucial for understanding ocean health. From wrangling 2,000-pound mammals on windswept beaches to being featured on the cover of Science, Roxanne brings humor, humility, and heart to every part of her work.

Roxanne opens up about her journey into marine biology, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the unexpected joys of mentorship. She dives into the scientific methods behind tracking elephant seals and the role they play in climate monitoring. As a passionate advocate for accessible science, Roxanne reminds us that being an explorer isn’t about perfection—it’s about curiosity, resilience, and staying grounded in community.

This is Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, with your host, Richard Weiss. Scratch the surface of an explorer and you'll find an adventure and a great story. This show is about their tales.

This podcast is a proud supporter of the Explorers Club and the EC50 Initiative. 50 people changing the world that the world needs to know about. For more information, go to explorers.org.