Have you ever thought about walking around the world? Famed traveler Tom Turcich shares his experience of walking around the world for seven years and the transformative impact it had on his life. He discusses the serendipitous moments and the challenges he faced during his journey, highlighting the importance of putting yourself out into the world to allow for interesting things to happen. Tom emphasizes the value of travel in expanding your understanding of the world and yourself, and the need to embrace discomfort and inconvenience for personal growth. He also reflects on the differences in community and public spaces between countries and the isolation that can be felt in Western societies. Tom also talks about the challenges and rewards of walking with his dog, Savannah, and the bond they developed. He reflects on the dangers and safety precautions during his walk, as well as the cultural and language barriers he encountered. Find out more about Tom's journey in his new book, The World Walk, out today! "You just cannot control everything...You're not going to make it perfect the first time." - Tom Turcich What You'll Learn: How the unexpected experiences of travel can transform your life. Why discomfort and inconvenience during travel are essential for personal growth. How travel expands your understanding of the world and promotes critical thinking about your home own country. Cultural Differences: how Western societies prioritize efficiency and isolation, while other countries prioritize community and public spaces. How cultural and language barriers can be overcome through open-mindedness, patience, and the use of translation tools like Google Translate. But is it safe? Is the world safer or more dangerous than you might perceive it to be? Celebrating your wins: why after completing a major accomplishment, it's natural to take time to reflect and explore new possibilities for the future. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 06:22 The Transformative Power of Travel and Serendipity 09:24 Embracing Discomfort and Inconvenience for Personal Growth 23:16 Expanding Your World View through Travel 31:34 The Importance of Community 39:04 Setting Goals that Align with Personal Values 43:21 Embracing Resilience and the Unexpected 46:39 The Practicalities of Planning and Navigating the World Walk 52:19 The Rewards and Challenges of Walking with a Dog 56:48 Overcoming Cultural and Language Barriers 59:59 The Perception of Safety and Kindness in the World 01:09:51 Exploring New Possibilities After the World Walk Resources: 🎒 Check out Tortuga Backpacks 📚 Buy Tom's book ✈️ Travel Insurance Through World Nomads Connect with Tom: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldwalk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-turcich/ Website: https://www.tomturcich.com Connect with Kristin and Support the Show: Become a Patron Buy a Coffee (or Tea) Follow on Instagram Join the Facebook Group Leave a 5-Star Review Subscribe on YouTube Find more at https://podcast.travelingwithkristin.com/