QUESTION: HOW DO YOU MAKE A LIVING FROM ADVENTURE?

QUESTION: HOW DO YOU MAKE A LIVING FROM ADVENTURE?

From time to time I have received emails asking how to make a living as an adventurer. That is quite a question considering that I do not. Adventure and adventure sports are, for me, a pleasant past time that I use to find self-fulfillment and enlightenment... not to mention the down-right thrill. My guess is that, because I write an adventure blog, some people think that I must be making a living from it. Not true... I work a daily grind just like most people.

In all honesty and fairness, it is true that I would love to make my passion for adventure into a profitable career, at this point, I haven't.

So in an answer to the emails, I did some research on professional adventurers and found that most of them generate their incomes from multiple streams such as writing, speaking, photography, etc. In a perfect world, we would all follow the path of Bear Grylls and have our own TV shows, product lines, and endorsements. But for most the reality is far different.

I found several articles on such questions from several professional adventurers... and let me tell you, it will definitely require sacrifice, hard work, and dedication. 

Here are the links...

Andrew Skurka

Alistair Humphreys

Adventurous Kate

And here are more links to other articles on the subject...

http://www.adventuresauce.com/2012/12/elements-pro-adventurer/

http://tomsbiketrip.com/how-im-making-a-living-as-an-adventurer/

http://thenextchallenge.org/2011/04/10-tips-career-expeditions/

We here at HSA would NEVER try to discourage anyone from following a dream... the truth is that making a living from adventure CAN be done... if you are willing to truly go for it.

Good luck in your endeavors and let us know how it goes!

One Soldiers Sacrifice - Happy Veterans Day!

In 1987, after graduating high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Army. The Cold War was at a pinnacle  approaching a turning point if you will, and it was either going to end soon, or war would breakout large scale.

I wanted to serve my country more than anything. I wanted to defend my country from those who would try to deprive us of our liberties. With my 18th birthday approaching, I had no idea what that really meant. I had no idea of the sacrifices that defending freedom would bring, I wanted the adventure... but I was ready to sacrifice anyway.
Anyone who grew up during this time had a lingering fear that the USSR would nuke us for all we were worth. Hollywood helped incite that fear with movies such as Red Dawn (the original, not the cheesy remake), Rambo, and countless others. Anyone who grew up during that time also felt a strong sense of patriotism. So I enlisted. I joined the Infantry, went to Airborne School, Ranger School, as well as others, and worked hard to become a true defender of our nation. I lived for the adventure and the excitement.

In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. It was a glorious victory for the good guys... democracy had prevailed. The oppression seemed to be coming to an end and it was only a matter of time before the Red Menace would be vanquished.... but there was still a fear that the ugliness of war was imminent.
Six weeks later, I found myself in Panama going in to battle.

The battle field was not at all like I had expected... there were no moments of personal glory. The was no glamour  there was no Hollywood scripted stuff. It was real. People... other human beings not so different than myself were dying. It was loud. It was bloody. It was ugly... and I thank God often that it was quick.

I was a soldier. I did what I was asked to do. I did what I enlisted to do... and I was forever changed. I was no longer innocent. I was no longer a boy. At 20  years old, I had become a man. A man who had killed other men.

Days, weeks, and months roll by without me ever giving much thought to it. But sometimes I can think of nothing else. I have not suffered as many other Veterans have. I am strong, sound, and have my life and family. But I understand others sacrifices deeply.

With politics such as it is, causing everyone to hate the other side, right here in our own country, don't forget about those who are sacrificing their families, their innocence, and indeed their lives in order to protect an ideal that only history will dictate as right or wrong. Whether you do or do not support the war... at least support the soldiers. It's the least you could do.

When you see a soldier, sailor, or Marine... tell them "Thank you!"... not just for their service, but thank them for the sacrifices they have made. Thank them for sacrificing their innocence. Thank them for sacrificing their families. Thank them for doing what most would never do.

To my brothers in arms, Thank you... and HAPPY VETERANS DAY!