YouTuber Q&A

I think many people – including the majority of my family – find it hard to accept that an “Aventure Travel YouTuber” is actually a real thing.  It might not have existed a few years ago, and perhaps it wont exist in a few years time, but in my view, it certainly does exist today!

Considering the amount of effort that I goes being a “YouTuber”, I was very happy to be approached by the careers department on my home island of Jersey to explain what it is that I actually do for a living.    Whether you believe in it or not, the interview is below for your enjoyment.

In 2008 I stepped out of a conventional job and adopted an alternative lifestyle.  My intention was to pursue my passion for travel and see what the world had to teach me.

I’ve spent winters shredding the mountains of Canada and New Zealand, eaten monkey brain soup for breakfast, tracked orangutans in Indonesia, been confronted by bull sharks, surfed the entire coast of Australia, almost died several times (and never felt more alive), lived with a monk in the mountains of Thailand, worked as a tiger trainer, hitch-hiked across the length of Cambodia and lived with remote tribal headhunters in Borneo.  For the past 4 years I’ve been driving an old VW Kombi from Chile to Alaska, sharing it with over hundreds of people along the way.

I now make my living by documenting and sharing my adventures through Social Media, primarily YouTUBE.

What do you think are the three most important skills to succeed in your adventures?

I have to be able to adapt to an ever-changing environment whist remaining creative; but above all, having a can-do-attitude is essential.

Was this something that you always planned to do or did you change direction at any point?

I always intended to travel but I never intended my passion to become a job; I mistakenly thought that the two had to be separate.  However, I heard a
consistent message from many people around the world, in variety of cultures, situations and environments and I want to share it with you now.  They said that it’s better to do something that you really love, for you will be truly happy and you’ll never have to “work” a day in your life!

I earn a fraction of what I used to, I swapped all of my possessions for experiences, but I love what I do and the positive effect that it has on the people that I reach is worth it a thousand times over.

You know when you’ve got to add your job title to the dictionary on your computer that your career isn’t exactly orthodox…

What do you love most about traveling?

I love expanding my understanding of life through real world experiences and unusual challenges.  I like pushing myself to see what I’m capable of. Waking up in a different place every day, getting lost, making new friends and realizing that we are all one people with more things in common than differences.  Mostly though, I love the fact that no matter who you are, travel is something that you can never regret!

What are the negative aspects of traveling?

Meeting people comes with my lifestyle, but building lasting and meaningful relationships when I am constantly on the move is very challenging.

Human connection is important for good quality of life and rarely seeing close friends and relatives is hard and a huge sacrifice that I make.

What words of wisdom would you have for someone wanting to do something similar?

BE REAL! Our generation sees the world through a never-ending feed of social media highlights.  What you see is not always what you get.  If you know that there are mosquitos in that lush jungle and jellyfish in that tropical sea and you still have itchy feet, then jump right in!  Personally I love it here and I’m in my element.  There are many ways to earn your way around the world and all will challenge and enrich your lives.  If you’re interested in documenting your travels like myself; find a niche, a unique way of presenting your story is the best gift you can poses in this game.

Check out the video below to learn more about my current travel project, or better yet – see what a YouTuber does best and come share the experience with me on our YouTUBE channel