so there I was I was in a tiny inflatable boat in the middle of
inflatable boat in the middle of
inflatable boat in the middle of Patagonia
Patagonia
Patagonia I was completely surrounded by icebergs
I was completely surrounded by icebergs
I was completely surrounded by icebergs and I was slowly rowing towards the face
and I was slowly rowing towards the face
and I was slowly rowing towards the face of a massive glacier the only thing I
of a massive glacier the only thing I
of a massive glacier the only thing I could hear was the sound of seabirds off
could hear was the sound of seabirds off
could hear was the sound of seabirds off in the distance and every few moments I
in the distance and every few moments I
in the distance and every few moments I would feel the boat bump as I hit
would feel the boat bump as I hit
would feel the boat bump as I hit another chunk of ice
another chunk of ice
another chunk of ice I was rowing with my back to the glacier
I was rowing with my back to the glacier
I was rowing with my back to the glacier but I checked over my shoulder every few
but I checked over my shoulder every few
but I checked over my shoulder every few minutes to make sure that none of the
minutes to make sure that none of the
minutes to make sure that none of the larger Berg’s were getting close I knew
larger Berg’s were getting close I knew
larger Berg’s were getting close I knew that if they started moving towards me
that if they started moving towards me
that if they started moving towards me all at the same time they might flip my
all at the same time they might flip my
all at the same time they might flip my raft or pop me and that would obviously
raft or pop me and that would obviously
raft or pop me and that would obviously be bad news eventually I got close
be bad news eventually I got close
be bad news eventually I got close enough and I turned around to face the
enough and I turned around to face the
enough and I turned around to face the glacier and just as I did
glacier and just as I did
glacier and just as I did I heard this cacophonous crack and in
I heard this cacophonous crack and in
I heard this cacophonous crack and in slow motion this iceberg that was the
slow motion this iceberg that was the
slow motion this iceberg that was the size of a skyscraper started peeling
size of a skyscraper started peeling
size of a skyscraper started peeling away from the edge and it collapsed into
away from the edge and it collapsed into
away from the edge and it collapsed into the sea with this massive splash so how
the sea with this massive splash so how
the sea with this massive splash so how did I get to this point I had a
did I get to this point I had a
did I get to this point I had a realization early in life that you don’t
realization early in life that you don’t
realization early in life that you don’t always have to do what society expects
always have to do what society expects
always have to do what society expects you to do so what do I mean by that well
you to do so what do I mean by that well
you to do so what do I mean by that well society expects you to go to a good
society expects you to go to a good
society expects you to go to a good school and get a job that pays well
school and get a job that pays well
school and get a job that pays well whether you enjoy it or not and then
whether you enjoy it or not and then
whether you enjoy it or not and then you’re supposed to get married and buy a
you’re supposed to get married and buy a
you’re supposed to get married and buy a house and have kids and then you work
house and have kids and then you work
house and have kids and then you work until you’re 65 and retire to someplace
until you’re 65 and retire to someplace
until you’re 65 and retire to someplace warm there’s plenty of people that
warm there’s plenty of people that
warm there’s plenty of people that follow that pattern and have a fantastic
follow that pattern and have a fantastic
follow that pattern and have a fantastic life fulfilling and happy but I think
life fulfilling and happy but I think
life fulfilling and happy but I think that there’s also a big subset of people
that there’s also a big subset of people
that there’s also a big subset of people that feel totally trapped by that
that feel totally trapped by that
that feel totally trapped by that pattern I’ve got good news for you
pattern I’ve got good news for you
pattern I’ve got good news for you however the whole pattern is so
however the whole pattern is so
however the whole pattern is so let me give you a few examples from my
let me give you a few examples from my
let me give you a few examples from my life where that concept has borne fruit
life where that concept has borne fruit
life where that concept has borne fruit for me I grew up in the mountains of New
for me I grew up in the mountains of New
for me I grew up in the mountains of New Hampshire and I really loved skiing from
Hampshire and I really loved skiing from
Hampshire and I really loved skiing from a very young age
a very young age
a very young age so when my brother and I were both
so when my brother and I were both
so when my brother and I were both little kids you can see us there we made
little kids you can see us there we made
little kids you can see us there we made a pact with our parents and the pact was
a pact with our parents and the pact was
a pact with our parents and the pact was called the six a rule and the six a rule
called the six a rule and the six a rule
called the six a rule and the six a rule was that if we both had straight A’s in
was that if we both had straight A’s in
was that if we both had straight A’s in school and more than six inches of snow
school and more than six inches of snow
school and more than six inches of snow fell overnight my parents would pull us
fell overnight my parents would pull us
fell overnight my parents would pull us out of school and we’d go skiing whether
out of school and we’d go skiing whether
out of school and we’d go skiing whether there was a snow day or not and you can
there was a snow day or not and you can
there was a snow day or not and you can imagine that was a pretty motivational
imagine that was a pretty motivational
imagine that was a pretty motivational thing as a kid so we went skiing a lot
thing as a kid so we went skiing a lot
thing as a kid so we went skiing a lot and we got excellent grades as a result
so I also knew from a young age that I
so I also knew from a young age that I wanted to be an engineer and I knew that
wanted to be an engineer and I knew that
wanted to be an engineer and I knew that I was good at math and science and
I was good at math and science and
I was good at math and science and generally I felt pretty good about
generally I felt pretty good about
generally I felt pretty good about solving problems and I knew that
solving problems and I knew that
solving problems and I knew that engineers were in high demand but the
engineers were in high demand but the
engineers were in high demand but the concept of what an engineer truly did
concept of what an engineer truly did
concept of what an engineer truly did was still a little bit fuzzy for me I
was still a little bit fuzzy for me I
was still a little bit fuzzy for me I saw lots of movies of Engineers that
saw lots of movies of Engineers that
saw lots of movies of Engineers that were working in cubicles and they were
were working in cubicles and they were
were working in cubicles and they were doing calculations and computer modeling
doing calculations and computer modeling
doing calculations and computer modeling and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about
and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about
and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about that so fast forward a number of years
that so fast forward a number of years
that so fast forward a number of years and I’m in college and I’m sitting in a
and I’m in college and I’m sitting in a
and I’m in college and I’m sitting in a thermodynamics classroom and we’re
thermodynamics classroom and we’re
thermodynamics classroom and we’re studying heat exchangers and for those
studying heat exchangers and for those
studying heat exchangers and for those of you probably most of you that haven’t
of you probably most of you that haven’t
of you probably most of you that haven’t ever done thermodynamics calculations
ever done thermodynamics calculations
ever done thermodynamics calculations for heat exchangers I can tell you that
for heat exchangers I can tell you that
for heat exchangers I can tell you that it’s very tedious and time-consuming so
it’s very tedious and time-consuming so
it’s very tedious and time-consuming so I had an epiphany that day I realized I
I had an epiphany that day I realized I
I had an epiphany that day I realized I absolutely hate doing thermodynamics
absolutely hate doing thermodynamics
absolutely hate doing thermodynamics calculations for heat exchangers so I’m
calculations for heat exchangers so I’m
calculations for heat exchangers so I’m staring down the barrel of my life
staring down the barrel of my life
staring down the barrel of my life turning into the scene from office space
turning into the scene from office space
turning into the scene from office space and I realized I just can’t do it I
and I realized I just can’t do it I
and I realized I just can’t do it I can’t sit in a cubicle for the rest of
can’t sit in a cubicle for the rest of
can’t sit in a cubicle for the rest of my life
my life
my life so I started asking myself a few
so I started asking myself a few
so I started asking myself a few questions I said what other options are
questions I said what other options are
questions I said what other options are there could i engineer a different thing
there could i engineer a different thing
there could i engineer a different thing that I would enjoy more than heat
that I would enjoy more than heat
that I would enjoy more than heat exchangers for instance and I asked
exchangers for instance and I asked
exchangers for instance and I asked myself what’s your favorite thing in the
myself what’s your favorite thing in the
myself what’s your favorite thing in the entire world to do and the answer to
entire world to do and the answer to
entire world to do and the answer to that was quite simple I love skiing so I
that was quite simple I love skiing so I
that was quite simple I love skiing so I made it my mission that day to become a
made it my mission that day to become a
made it my mission that day to become a ski engineer
ski engineer
ski engineer so the next semester I joven with
so the next semester I joven with
so the next semester I joven with reckless abandon I started a research
reckless abandon I started a research
reckless abandon I started a research project that was all about the fatigue
project that was all about the fatigue
project that was all about the fatigue of skis how to skis been and how to skis
of skis how to skis been and how to skis
of skis how to skis been and how to skis break and I was fascinated by the entire
break and I was fascinated by the entire
break and I was fascinated by the entire thing it felt great to be studying
thing it felt great to be studying
thing it felt great to be studying something that I truly cared about the
something that I truly cared about the
something that I truly cared about the following summer I started building skis
following summer I started building skis
following summer I started building skis in my garage my parents garage really
in my garage my parents garage really
in my garage my parents garage really and I slowly built a small company you
and I slowly built a small company you
and I slowly built a small company you know selling skis to my family and
know selling skis to my family and
know selling skis to my family and friends and I was having a blast I felt
friends and I was having a blast I felt
friends and I was having a blast I felt like I was truly following my passion
like I was truly following my passion
like I was truly following my passion and I know that that wasn’t what society
and I know that that wasn’t what society
and I know that that wasn’t what society was expecting me to do but it bore fruit
was expecting me to do but it bore fruit
was expecting me to do but it bore fruit for me beautifully so fast-forward
for me beautifully so fast-forward
for me beautifully so fast-forward another couple years and I’m graduating
another couple years and I’m graduating
another couple years and I’m graduating and I managed to actually land a job as
and I managed to actually land a job as
and I managed to actually land a job as a Ski Quality Assurance engineer for a
a Ski Quality Assurance engineer for a
a Ski Quality Assurance engineer for a company called Black Diamond out in Utah
company called Black Diamond out in Utah
company called Black Diamond out in Utah and it was absolutely awesome I was
and it was absolutely awesome I was
and it was absolutely awesome I was designing all this cool testing
designing all this cool testing
designing all this cool testing equipment and I got to travel the
equipment and I got to travel the
equipment and I got to travel the suppliers in Europe and Asia and on
suppliers in Europe and Asia and on
suppliers in Europe and Asia and on certain days I even got to go and test
certain days I even got to go and test
certain days I even got to go and test prototypes in the outdoor laboratory if
prototypes in the outdoor laboratory if
prototypes in the outdoor laboratory if you will I was absolutely in heaven and
you will I was absolutely in heaven and
you will I was absolutely in heaven and it was all because I followed my own
it was all because I followed my own
it was all because I followed my own path as opposed to the path that society
path as opposed to the path that society
path as opposed to the path that society expected me to follow
expected me to follow
expected me to follow so I stayed with Black Diamond for a
so I stayed with Black Diamond for a
so I stayed with Black Diamond for a couple years and eventually they put me
couple years and eventually they put me
couple years and eventually they put me in charge of this project to go and
in charge of this project to go and
in charge of this project to go and build a brand new ski manufacturing
build a brand new ski manufacturing
build a brand new ski manufacturing operation in China so I packed my bags
operation in China so I packed my bags
operation in China so I packed my bags and moved to China for a year and a half
and moved to China for a year and a half
and moved to China for a year and a half hired a group of local engineers and we
hired a group of local engineers and we
hired a group of local engineers and we got to work building the factory from
got to work building the factory from
got to work building the factory from the ground up we store all the materials
the ground up we store all the materials
the ground up we store all the materials and found all the manufacturing
and found all the manufacturing
and found all the manufacturing equipment and designed all the processes
equipment and designed all the processes
equipment and designed all the processes and in the beginning I had absolutely no
and in the beginning I had absolutely no
and in the beginning I had absolutely no idea what I was doing I made plenty of
idea what I was doing I made plenty of
idea what I was doing I made plenty of mistakes along the way but I learned a
mistakes along the way but I learned a
mistakes along the way but I learned a ton along the way too and I grew a ton
ton along the way too and I grew a ton
ton along the way too and I grew a ton personally and professionally throughout
personally and professionally throughout
personally and professionally throughout that process one of the most important
that process one of the most important
that process one of the most important things I learned and one of the things I
things I learned and one of the things I
things I learned and one of the things I take with me to this day is that Chinese
take with me to this day is that Chinese
take with me to this day is that Chinese manufacturing isn’t this dirty ugly
manufacturing isn’t this dirty ugly
manufacturing isn’t this dirty ugly thing that gets stereotyped in the
thing that gets stereotyped in the
thing that gets stereotyped in the United States my manufacturing process
United States my manufacturing process
United States my manufacturing process was very clean it was very healthy and
was very clean it was very healthy and
was very clean it was very healthy and everybody that worked for me got a good
everybody that worked for me got a good
everybody that worked for me got a good living wage and worked in a very safe
living wage and worked in a very safe
living wage and worked in a very safe environment everyone also had access to
environment everyone also had access to
environment everyone also had access to health care and education for the
health care and education for the
health care and education for the families so Chinese manufacturing isn’t
families so Chinese manufacturing isn’t
families so Chinese manufacturing isn’t always what what you think it might be
always what what you think it might be
always what what you think it might be the second thing that I learned is that
the second thing that I learned is that
the second thing that I learned is that it takes a real challenge to truly grow
it takes a real challenge to truly grow
it takes a real challenge to truly grow and change I’ve never managed people
and change I’ve never managed people
and change I’ve never managed people before that project and I’d also never
before that project and I’d also never
before that project and I’d also never lived in a foreign country especially
lived in a foreign country especially
lived in a foreign country especially one where I was the minority by far I
one where I was the minority by far I
one where I was the minority by far I also saw that when I got back to the
also saw that when I got back to the
also saw that when I got back to the United States all my colleagues were
United States all my colleagues were
United States all my colleagues were doing the exact same work tasks that
doing the exact same work tasks that
doing the exact same work tasks that they’d always done which is exactly what
they’d always done which is exactly what
they’d always done which is exactly what society was expecting them to do
society was expecting them to do
society was expecting them to do I took a slightly different path through
I took a slightly different path through
I took a slightly different path through a ton personally and professionally and
a ton personally and professionally and
a ton personally and professionally and I I took away a different perspective on
I I took away a different perspective on
I I took away a different perspective on the world at the end of the project – so
the world at the end of the project – so
the world at the end of the project – so while I was in China I had a lot of time
while I was in China I had a lot of time
while I was in China I had a lot of time to read and this romantic notion of
to read and this romantic notion of
to read and this romantic notion of quitting my job and buying a sailboat
quitting my job and buying a sailboat
quitting my job and buying a sailboat had snuck its way into them into my mind
had snuck its way into them into my mind
had snuck its way into them into my mind and I couldn’t quite kick it
and I couldn’t quite kick it
and I couldn’t quite kick it I knew that my entire life was at this
I knew that my entire life was at this
I knew that my entire life was at this turning point I could either continue to
turning point I could either continue to
turning point I could either continue to buckle down and work hard and try and
buckle down and work hard and try and
buckle down and work hard and try and climb the corporate ladder or I could
climb the corporate ladder or I could
climb the corporate ladder or I could take some time off and tackle Oh
take some time off and tackle Oh
take some time off and tackle Oh slightly more personal
slightly more personal
slightly more personal so the reality is that everyone at some
so the reality is that everyone at some
so the reality is that everyone at some point in their life is thought I kind of
point in their life is thought I kind of
point in their life is thought I kind of want to quit I kind of want to do
want to quit I kind of want to do
want to quit I kind of want to do something else
something else
something else and everyone’s kind of entertained this
and everyone’s kind of entertained this
and everyone’s kind of entertained this notion of quitting their job and sailing
notion of quitting their job and sailing
notion of quitting their job and sailing away or quitting their job and going to
away or quitting their job and going to
away or quitting their job and going to travel but nobody ever actually does
travel but nobody ever actually does
travel but nobody ever actually does that and I had another epiphany that day
that and I had another epiphany that day
that and I had another epiphany that day I realized that I don’t have to do the
I realized that I don’t have to do the
I realized that I don’t have to do the same thing that everyone else does and
same thing that everyone else does and
same thing that everyone else does and I’m not going to do the same thing that
I’m not going to do the same thing that
I’m not going to do the same thing that everyone else does so I gave my boss
everyone else does so I gave my boss
everyone else does so I gave my boss notice I sold all my possessions I
notice I sold all my possessions I
notice I sold all my possessions I bought a 30-foot sailboat and christened
bought a 30-foot sailboat and christened
bought a 30-foot sailboat and christened her the rascal and I started sailing
her the rascal and I started sailing
her the rascal and I started sailing south I started in Bellingham Washington
south I started in Bellingham Washington
south I started in Bellingham Washington and I slowly worked my way down the
and I slowly worked my way down the
and I slowly worked my way down the coast of of North America I knew that I
coast of of North America I knew that I
coast of of North America I knew that I had to kind of focus my efforts somehow
had to kind of focus my efforts somehow
had to kind of focus my efforts somehow and I made it my goal to ski from the
and I made it my goal to ski from the
and I made it my goal to ski from the ski from the sailboat and the fjords of
ski from the sailboat and the fjords of
ski from the sailboat and the fjords of Chilean Patagonia I also had a lot of
Chilean Patagonia I also had a lot of
Chilean Patagonia I also had a lot of goals for for the entire way down there
goals for for the entire way down there
goals for for the entire way down there I wanted to have a lot of fun I wanted
I wanted to have a lot of fun I wanted
I wanted to have a lot of fun I wanted to learn some new skills sailing being a
to learn some new skills sailing being a
to learn some new skills sailing being a good first one to start with and I
good first one to start with and I
good first one to start with and I wanted to gain a wider perspective on
wanted to gain a wider perspective on
wanted to gain a wider perspective on the world and I think the most important
the world and I think the most important
the world and I think the most important goal for me is that I wanted to try and
goal for me is that I wanted to try and
goal for me is that I wanted to try and live more sustainably the boat would be
live more sustainably the boat would be
live more sustainably the boat would be powered by the wind completely and I
powered by the wind completely and I
powered by the wind completely and I also had solar panels for all my
also had solar panels for all my
also had solar panels for all my electrical needs so like I said I
electrical needs so like I said I
electrical needs so like I said I started in Bellingham Washington and
started in Bellingham Washington and
started in Bellingham Washington and worked my way down the coast of North
worked my way down the coast of North
worked my way down the coast of North America I spent about six months
America I spent about six months
America I spent about six months exploring the Sea of Cortez in Mexico
exploring the Sea of Cortez in Mexico
exploring the Sea of Cortez in Mexico and then I made a long passage across
and then I made a long passage across
and then I made a long passage across the equator to the Galapagos Islands and
the equator to the Galapagos Islands and
the equator to the Galapagos Islands and then from the Galapagos I made an even
then from the Galapagos I made an even
then from the Galapagos I made an even longer passage down to Puerto Montt
longer passage down to Puerto Montt
longer passage down to Puerto Montt Chile I was expecting a lot out of the
Chile I was expecting a lot out of the
Chile I was expecting a lot out of the trip but the trip delivered even more
trip but the trip delivered even more
trip but the trip delivered even more than than I could have ever hoped for
than than I could have ever hoped for
than than I could have ever hoped for I got to drink cold beers with my best
I got to drink cold beers with my best
I got to drink cold beers with my best friends on deserted Islands in Mexico
friends on deserted Islands in Mexico
friends on deserted Islands in Mexico when I was in Shilla there was a blue
when I was in Shilla there was a blue
when I was in Shilla there was a blue whale that breached super close to my
whale that breached super close to my
whale that breached super close to my boat and it was so close to my boat that
boat and it was so close to my boat that
boat and it was so close to my boat that I could literally smell its breath
I could literally smell its breath
I could literally smell its breath and in case you’re wondering what blue
and in case you’re wondering what blue
and in case you’re wondering what blue whale’s breath smells like it smells
whale’s breath smells like it smells
whale’s breath smells like it smells like decane squid not super pleasant I
like decane squid not super pleasant I
like decane squid not super pleasant I got to catch fish with my own two hands
got to catch fish with my own two hands
got to catch fish with my own two hands and then eat them as sushi minutes later
and then eat them as sushi minutes later
and then eat them as sushi minutes later I got to have a cocktail party while I
I got to have a cocktail party while I
I got to have a cocktail party while I was floating on an iceberg
was floating on an iceberg
was floating on an iceberg I witnessed the eruption of a volcano
I witnessed the eruption of a volcano
I witnessed the eruption of a volcano that happened right at sunset and I got
that happened right at sunset and I got
that happened right at sunset and I got to ski a bunch of volcanoes in the Andes
to ski a bunch of volcanoes in the Andes
to ski a bunch of volcanoes in the Andes but it wasn’t all catching fish and
but it wasn’t all catching fish and
but it wasn’t all catching fish and watching sunsets there were a lot of
watching sunsets there were a lot of
watching sunsets there were a lot of really challenging parts of the voyage
really challenging parts of the voyage
really challenging parts of the voyage too I ran into some absolutely horrific
too I ran into some absolutely horrific
too I ran into some absolutely horrific storms with winds as high as 70 knots
storms with winds as high as 70 knots
storms with winds as high as 70 knots and waves that dwarfed the rascal I also
and waves that dwarfed the rascal I also
and waves that dwarfed the rascal I also went several weeks at a time without
went several weeks at a time without
went several weeks at a time without showering except for natural showers of
showering except for natural showers of
showering except for natural showers of course I had a friend that was almost
course I had a friend that was almost
course I had a friend that was almost killed in a category 4 hurricane
during my passage from the Galapagos to
during my passage from the Galapagos to Puerto Montt I spent 37 days at sea
Puerto Montt I spent 37 days at sea
Puerto Montt I spent 37 days at sea without talking to anyone the entire
without talking to anyone the entire
without talking to anyone the entire time I only ever even saw one boat
time I only ever even saw one boat
time I only ever even saw one boat during the course of the sail
during the course of the sail
during the course of the sail I even had a major engine fire when I
I even had a major engine fire when I
I even had a major engine fire when I was about a thousand miles from the
was about a thousand miles from the
was about a thousand miles from the nearest land so these were all
nearest land so these were all
nearest land so these were all absolutely incredible experiences and
absolutely incredible experiences and
absolutely incredible experiences and there’s a hell of a lot that I took away
there’s a hell of a lot that I took away
there’s a hell of a lot that I took away from my time on the rascal but I’ll
from my time on the rascal but I’ll
from my time on the rascal but I’ll leave you with three of the most
leave you with three of the most
leave you with three of the most important things that stick with me to
important things that stick with me to
important things that stick with me to this day the first thing is that making
this day the first thing is that making
this day the first thing is that making lots of money and having a lot of things
lots of money and having a lot of things
lots of money and having a lot of things possessions isn’t important what is
possessions isn’t important what is
possessions isn’t important what is important is the experiences that you
important is the experiences that you
important is the experiences that you have and the people and relationships
have and the people and relationships
have and the people and relationships that you share those experiences with
that you share those experiences with
that you share those experiences with I’ve always been a fairly frugal guy but
I’ve always been a fairly frugal guy but
I’ve always been a fairly frugal guy but moving on to a 30-foot sailboat is
moving on to a 30-foot sailboat is
moving on to a 30-foot sailboat is pretty extreme even for me those two
pretty extreme even for me those two
pretty extreme even for me those two years I spent sailing around on the
years I spent sailing around on the
years I spent sailing around on the rascal
rascal
rascal I had about you know two duffel bags
I had about you know two duffel bags
I had about you know two duffel bags worth of possessions and while that may
worth of possessions and while that may
worth of possessions and while that may seem like not much stuff those were two
seem like not much stuff those were two
seem like not much stuff those were two of the richest years of my entire life I
saved a fair bit of money during my time
saved a fair bit of money during my time in China and I managed to do the entire
in China and I managed to do the entire
in China and I managed to do the entire trip for about thirty thirty thousand
trip for about thirty thirty thousand
trip for about thirty thirty thousand dollars I have plenty of friends that
dollars I have plenty of friends that
dollars I have plenty of friends that will buy cars that cost more than thirty
will buy cars that cost more than thirty
will buy cars that cost more than thirty thousand dollars and they don’t make
thousand dollars and they don’t make
thousand dollars and they don’t make them happy at all I think our society
them happy at all I think our society
them happy at all I think our society does a lot of idolizing wealth and fame
does a lot of idolizing wealth and fame
does a lot of idolizing wealth and fame and the reality is that wealth and money
and the reality is that wealth and money
and the reality is that wealth and money doesn’t ever bring you lasting happiness
doesn’t ever bring you lasting happiness
doesn’t ever bring you lasting happiness so what does bring me lasting happiness
so what does bring me lasting happiness
so what does bring me lasting happiness spending good times with family and
spending good times with family and
spending good times with family and friends challenging solving challenging
friends challenging solving challenging
friends challenging solving challenging problems and exploring new places and
problems and exploring new places and
problems and exploring new places and learning about their cultures the second
learning about their cultures the second
learning about their cultures the second thing I took away from my time on the
thing I took away from my time on the
thing I took away from my time on the rascal
rascal
rascal is that you can learn a lot about
is that you can learn a lot about
is that you can learn a lot about yourself buying bracing solitude I had a
yourself buying bracing solitude I had a
yourself buying bracing solitude I had a lot of friends that came to visit me
lot of friends that came to visit me
lot of friends that came to visit me during the course of the voyage but I
during the course of the voyage but I
during the course of the voyage but I spent most of the trip alone and it’s
spent most of the trip alone and it’s
spent most of the trip alone and it’s not until you strip away all those
not until you strip away all those
not until you strip away all those external influences that you really find
external influences that you really find
external influences that you really find out who you truly are
out who you truly are
out who you truly are there’s no texting your mom there’s no
there’s no texting your mom there’s no
there’s no texting your mom there’s no calling your friends
calling your friends
calling your friends there’s no browsing on Facebook when
there’s no browsing on Facebook when
there’s no browsing on Facebook when you’re a thousand miles out to sea and
you’re a thousand miles out to sea and
you’re a thousand miles out to sea and when you’re in that that totally
when you’re in that that totally
when you’re in that that totally isolated place you start to ask yourself
isolated place you start to ask yourself
isolated place you start to ask yourself serious questions and the only answers
serious questions and the only answers
serious questions and the only answers that you get back are totally authentic
that you get back are totally authentic
that you get back are totally authentic and totally who you are so I’ve taken
and totally who you are so I’ve taken
and totally who you are so I’ve taken away this incredible confidence from
away this incredible confidence from
away this incredible confidence from that experience I know exactly what I
that experience I know exactly what I
that experience I know exactly what I like I know what I want to do with my
like I know what I want to do with my
like I know what I want to do with my life and I know truly Who I am
the third thing that I took away from my
the third thing that I took away from my time on the rascal is that this natural
time on the rascal is that this natural
time on the rascal is that this natural world that we have is so beautiful and
world that we have is so beautiful and
world that we have is so beautiful and so precious but we absolutely must
so precious but we absolutely must
so precious but we absolutely must protect it I got to see some incredible
protect it I got to see some incredible
protect it I got to see some incredible wild animals while I was out there I
wild animals while I was out there I
wild animals while I was out there I also got to see some some magnificent
also got to see some some magnificent
also got to see some some magnificent unspoiled vistas but no matter where
unspoiled vistas but no matter where
unspoiled vistas but no matter where you’re going every beach that you find
you’re going every beach that you find
you’re going every beach that you find has a bottle on it and it’s got a
has a bottle on it and it’s got a
has a bottle on it and it’s got a floating chunk of styrofoam I don’t care
floating chunk of styrofoam I don’t care
floating chunk of styrofoam I don’t care how far you are from the nearest
how far you are from the nearest
how far you are from the nearest population center it’s everywhere
population center it’s everywhere
population center it’s everywhere I also saw some very poignant examples
I also saw some very poignant examples
I also saw some very poignant examples of climate change during the course of
of climate change during the course of
of climate change during the course of my sail you might remember the the
my sail you might remember the the
my sail you might remember the the glacier from the beginning of my talk
glacier from the beginning of my talk
glacier from the beginning of my talk and I was going to this glacier so that
and I was going to this glacier so that
and I was going to this glacier so that I could try and ski down the flanks on
I could try and ski down the flanks on
I could try and ski down the flanks on the side of it I was with a friend so we
the side of it I was with a friend so we
the side of it I was with a friend so we worked our way through the pack guys and
worked our way through the pack guys and
worked our way through the pack guys and we were trying to get up to the shore
we were trying to get up to the shore
we were trying to get up to the shore you know shoving ice out of the way as
you know shoving ice out of the way as
you know shoving ice out of the way as we went and we eventually made it there
we went and we eventually made it there
we went and we eventually made it there we got to the rocks and when we got to
we got to the rocks and when we got to
we got to the rocks and when we got to the rocks we saw that there was a number
the rocks we saw that there was a number
the rocks we saw that there was a number written there which is it’s obviously
written there which is it’s obviously
written there which is it’s obviously quite a remote place so who came there
quite a remote place so who came there
quite a remote place so who came there to write a number we were a little
to write a number we were a little
to write a number we were a little perplexed but we continued on our way
perplexed but we continued on our way
perplexed but we continued on our way and we managed to ski on the glacier
and we managed to ski on the glacier
and we managed to ski on the glacier that day
that day
that day it was a great cap for the trip had a
it was a great cap for the trip had a
it was a great cap for the trip had a tremendous time you’re looking down at
tremendous time you’re looking down at
tremendous time you’re looking down at this sea full of icebergs it was
this sea full of icebergs it was
this sea full of icebergs it was beautiful and on the exit we decided to
beautiful and on the exit we decided to
beautiful and on the exit we decided to head back down to the shore and work our
head back down to the shore and work our
head back down to the shore and work our way along the shoreline instead of
way along the shoreline instead of
way along the shoreline instead of trying to work our way through the pack
trying to work our way through the pack
trying to work our way through the pack guys and as we worked our way along the
guys and as we worked our way along the
guys and as we worked our way along the shore we saw more numbers there was 12
shore we saw more numbers there was 12
shore we saw more numbers there was 12 and then we saw oh five and then 98 and
and then we saw oh five and then 98 and
and then we saw oh five and then 98 and then III and eventually we got down into
then III and eventually we got down into
then III and eventually we got down into the 70s and by the time we got down into
the 70s and by the time we got down into
the 70s and by the time we got down into the 70s we were miles away from the
the 70s we were miles away from the
the 70s we were miles away from the leading edge of the glacier and what we
leading edge of the glacier and what we
leading edge of the glacier and what we realized at that point is that those
realized at that point is that those
realized at that point is that those numbers represented years and those
numbers represented years and those
numbers represented years and those years represented where the leading edge
years represented where the leading edge
years represented where the leading edge of the glacier was at that time
of the glacier was at that time
of the glacier was at that time the glacier had receded miles in the
the glacier had receded miles in the
the glacier had receded miles in the course of a few short decades it was one
course of a few short decades it was one
course of a few short decades it was one of the most moving experiences of my
of the most moving experiences of my
of the most moving experiences of my entire life and it left me a totally
entire life and it left me a totally
entire life and it left me a totally changed human being moving forward I’ve
changed human being moving forward I’ve
changed human being moving forward I’ve made it my mission to combat climate
made it my mission to combat climate
made it my mission to combat climate change in any way that I can
change in any way that I can
change in any way that I can none of these incredible experiences
none of these incredible experiences
none of these incredible experiences would have been possible if I just
would have been possible if I just
would have been possible if I just continue to do what society expected me
continue to do what society expected me
continue to do what society expected me to do I would have never built a ski
to do I would have never built a ski
to do I would have never built a ski Factory in China I would have never
Factory in China I would have never
Factory in China I would have never witnessed a volcanic eruption and I
witnessed a volcanic eruption and I
witnessed a volcanic eruption and I would have never seen the San rafeal
would have never seen the San rafeal
would have never seen the San rafeal glacier receding with my own two eyes
glacier receding with my own two eyes
glacier receding with my own two eyes and I’m not suggesting that everyone
and I’m not suggesting that everyone
and I’m not suggesting that everyone should quit their job and sail away to
should quit their job and sail away to
should quit their job and sail away to Patagonia but I do think that anybody
Patagonia but I do think that anybody
Patagonia but I do think that anybody can benefit from lifting the weight of
can benefit from lifting the weight of
can benefit from lifting the weight of society’s expectations from their
society’s expectations from their
society’s expectations from their shoulders so what might that mean for
shoulders so what might that mean for
shoulders so what might that mean for you
you
you maybe it means following a course of
maybe it means following a course of
maybe it means following a course of study that you’re passionate about even
study that you’re passionate about even
study that you’re passionate about even if it’s not what your parents are
if it’s not what your parents are
if it’s not what your parents are expecting you to study maybe it means
expecting you to study maybe it means
expecting you to study maybe it means going out with someone that your friends
going out with someone that your friends
going out with someone that your friends might not necessarily approve of or
might not necessarily approve of or
might not necessarily approve of or maybe it means making a change to your
maybe it means making a change to your
maybe it means making a change to your career midway through even if it means a
career midway through even if it means a
career midway through even if it means a pay cut in the end the adventure and
pay cut in the end the adventure and
pay cut in the end the adventure and course that you choose isn’t the
course that you choose isn’t the
course that you choose isn’t the important thing the important thing is
important thing the important thing is
important thing the important thing is the realization that you don’t have to
the realization that you don’t have to
the realization that you don’t have to do exactly what society expects you to
do exactly what society expects you to
do exactly what society expects you to do and you shouldn’t let that limit your
do and you shouldn’t let that limit your
do and you shouldn’t let that limit your growth and learning thank you
growth and learning thank you
growth and learning thank you [Applause]
”
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