During my childhood, I was fortunate to hike throughout western Canada and the western part of the USA.  From day hikes to multi-day backcountry treks, it was how I spent my summers.  Who knew that 20 years later, I would be doing it all the time around the world...

After working tirelessly to build two companies in my hometown of Saskatoon, I was able to take a short break to Waterton National Park in southern Alberta, Canada in late summer of 2007.  It had been too long since I was able to enjoy the outdoors, and immediately after returning to the trailhead of the 17km Crypt Lake trail, I called my father, Dale, and told him we should climb the "Roof of Africa" Mt. Kilimanjaro as soon as possible.

So in June 2008, we did that, and its sister mountain, Mt Meru.  I remember shortly after arriving in Tanzania, as were walking down a quite dirt road to a small village near Moshi, I was thinking to myself, "I could do this on my own"

Going back to Canada just wasn't the same after experiencing Africa, and by early 2009, I had begun planning my first round-the world trip.  By December 2010, I had visited all seven continents.

I think of travel like being a kid again.  When you are a child, there is something new and exciting everyday.  Once you become an adult, most of us lose all the best parts of being young, that freedom to enjoy life.  I want to live my life where my choices always include doing something amazing.  If you don't seize the day today, when are you going to leave it until?

How Do I Afford to Travel?

Most people ask how I can afford to travel for so long.

1. Traveling independently costs me much less than taking the average two week vacation.  As time has gone by, I have tended to travel more slowly, spending a week or more in a single place before moving on.  I have even begun basing myself in a single location for months at a time to balance my work and travel.  I often stay with friends, Couchsurf, or stay in hostels, and I rarely stay in hotels.
2. I manage a few companies as I travel including an IT company in Canada, and my most recent baby called Too Many Adapters.  These pay most of my bills.
3. I have sold or licensed some of my work & photography taken on my travels.  I also consult about adventure travel, technology, and social media.
4. I work with Tourism Boards and companies that I respect where my expenses are covered.  I will always mention in a post when a trip or activity is sponsored. 
5. Skinny Backpacker is ad-free.

Other Projects

With a background in technology and consulting, it was a no-brainer to start the "Technology for Travelers" site called "Too Many Adapters" with my good friend and fellow digital nomad Dave Dean.  Since launching in January 2012, we have worked with companies such as Dell, Nokia & Monster Cable.

After considering starting up my own NGO supporting young entrepreneurs in Cambodia, I found a great organization called One Girl based in Australia.  Their mission is to support keeping girls in school in Sierra Leone, and women entrepreneurs in the country.  In July 2012 I began working with them on their "Do It in a Dress" campaign as a "Do It in a Dress Champion."  In August 2012, I hiked 70km through the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains in a schoolgirl dress (with my brother and father) to support the cause.  See more on my Media page and my posts.  We have even BIGGER plans for 2013.   

How to Connect

You can connect with me on Twitter, Google + and my Facebook Fan page.  Of course, you can leave a comment on the site (I love feedback).  If you have something you would like to share privately, you can find my e-mail and a contact form on my Contact page.

Random Stats: (as of May 2013)

• Continents Visited: 7
• Countries Visited: 30
• Countries Lived in: 4 (Canada, Sweden, Thailand, Germany)
• Foreign Hospital Visits: 3
• Boats Vomited on: 1 (Drake Passage... come on!)
• Peaks climbed over 4000m: (Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru, Mt Kinabalu)
• Days on the road: ~1300