Originally from Kentucky, USA, Greg took control of his life in 2006 and reinvented himself. Now, his mission is to help others do the same by sharing stories on his blog Vagabonding Life.

Why I Travel

I spent eight years working a “good” job as a network engineer at IBM but realized I didn’t want to spend 35 more years waiting for vacations and retirement to gain life experience. I didn’t care about buying a lot of stuff. I really just wanted my time and happiness back, two things I was selling in the first place! I resigned, bought a one-way ticket to Asia, and began vagabonding solo in 2006. I continue traveling because doing so is the fastest path to self-growth.

I'm Passionate About Meeting New People

This subject is so dear to me, I’m currently writing a book about it! Meeting extraordinary people is the most rewarding part of traveling the world. I’ve fallen in love, met inspiring people, and had too many life-changing encounters to detail. International travel, especially in remote places, tends to attract special people.

The way the brain perceives time is partly based on how many novel experiences its recording. That means friendships and romance intensify on the road more quickly than they do at home. It’s a cliché but very true: One conversation on the road can change your life.

How I Choose Where To Travel Next

I listen to my heart—or other travelers. I was in England when a famous travel friend told me about studying kung fu near the Shaolin Temple in China, so I signed up! Sometimes the next adventure is a spontaneous decision. I was hanging around Thailand in 2016 when I decided I had to do something more memorable. So, I grabbed a flight to Kathmandu, geared up, and spent 19 days wandering around the Himalayas alone.

Unless something prevents it, I travel yearly for as long as I can. I still consider myself to be “vagabonding” even when I have to settle down in a place for a while.