The Happiness Diaries

Bill is recently retired from many peoples dream career: Sportscaster. When he was coming out of school/university gap years weren't a thing, so he's making up for it now exploring the world on the big daddy of adventure bikes while raising funds for a fantastic charity. Set up for real off the grid adventure Bill and his GSA were about to head off on an over 900km offroad stretch between petrol stations when I met them... talk about adventure!

Malcolm is a fellow motorbike adventurer that I met in a campground on the way between Adelaide and Yulura, the middle of nowhere essentially. Also travelling alone he was at the beginning of a very arduous trek through some very remote routes around central Aus by himself on his BMW GS1200.

Mitch is one of the athletic trainers for the Australian men's Rugby 7's team and is in process of completing his PhD in Physical Sciences. Easygoing and driven, Mitch is always a delight to be around thanks to his massive and infectious grin, and this constant throaty laugh. Mitch has one of the most interesting diaries to date, might start off a little off-beat but he really opens up, this is a must read!

Carlos is formerly of the UK armed forces, having moved into property development when his service time came to a close. After some time building a life in England, he realized that now was the best time to explore the world, got a working holiday permit for Australia and began work on solar farms while exploring all the country has to offer. Extremely motivated to succeed, he has moved into a very different career: attempting to build a life and fitness coaching business.

Tom is an Australian that I met as a 20 year old strolling around Greece. Like me, he's battled with his own mental health issues while also being largely impacted by getting stuck in the cycle of trying to obtain the stereotypical "good life". Since then, Tom has walked across a large portion of India for Beyond Blue, he has continued to travel the world, and he looks to help himself and others discover LIFE though the power of travel. "We are all capable of doing great things and all it takes is one small step to create change."

If there's anyone I've met thus far that definitely deserves to catch a break, its Jacy. After a rebellious adolescence, she ended up joining the Army which helped her find some structure in life at the cost of witnessing the horrors of humanity first hand. Once free from the army, she found herself trapped in an abusive relationship. Once free from that, she bounced around the world (UK, USA, Canada...) looking for direction, that never really was found. A survivor who has battled depression and what I can only assume is PTSD, Jacy has gotten herself into a good place and is growing into finding where she wants to be.

Elizabeth is alive. Not just in the sense that she breathes and eats and does what is considered life, but in that she experiences all of what is happening around her with a keen understanding of how it impacts her, and with an intense energy that is inspiring. She hasn't always been that way though, it took a lot of hard time and self reflection for her to understand what she wants in life, this one is a long read but I promise you it's worth it!

David is the man that saved my bacon and lent me camping gear after mine was stolen in Napier.... Yes this man is so generous he gave a complete stranger off the internet his full set of camping gear and said 'bring it back in a few weeks when you're done'. Originally from Ireland, David and his wife to be have been in Christchurch for the last while and are in the midst of planning a wedding... sort of.

Roland is a young adventurer from a small farm town in the UK who has been backpacking and living through New Zealand the last 18 months while he discovers where he wants his life to lead. After a night of chit chat, I'm very impressed with the way he thinks and I'm sure he'll lead a remarkable and happy life. I don't have a photo of Roland, so this one from the Twizel area will have to do!

I may be a little biased, but my dad is incredible. Now of the retirement field, he travels and sails, and camps, and has gotten back to one of his lifes loves - exploring the world! Having worked hard for a long time, and also been through a lot with his health and his heart, and is someone who truly deserves life to be a little easier... but not less exciting! Him and his brothers may be the exception, not the rule. but they truly embody you're only as old as you feel. Love you dad!

Christine is one of the proprietors of a fantastic backpackers on the West Coast of New Zealands south island. She is a wealth of information for the area, and is happy to share her secrets on where the best places to walk are... but don't ask for the secret baking recipes!

Sam is going to be a nurse when he gets back home to Switzerland, but for the time being he's done something many people travelling don't have the courage to do: change paths. Self realization is an important part of travel and Simon has done it wonderfully!