What if chasing happiness meant giving up everything you thought you wanted?
Will Rickard is the author of The Silk Road to Happiness, a book born from his solo journey through the “Stans" - Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan - on a quest to explore happiness through travel, conve…What if chasing happiness meant giving up everything you thought you wanted?
Will Rickard is the author of The Silk Road to Happiness, a book born from his solo journey through the “Stans" - Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan - on a quest to explore happiness through travel, conversations, and culture. After leaving a prestigious corporate career in Sydney, he hit reset, taking only a backpack and a big question on the road: What is happiness?
In this episode, Will and I unpack the complex relationship between travel and happiness, and what he discovered by going off-grid in some of the world’s least-visited countries.
If you’ve ever felt torn between being grateful for what you have and craving something more, this conversation might hit home. Will doesn’t offer a tidy formula for happiness, but instead, he shares five powerful themes that emerged during his journey - from purpose and minimalism to gratitude and detachment. We talk about how travel can shift your perspective, why sometimes you just have to book the flight, and how embracing discomfort can lead to deeper meaning. Plus, we explore how moving abroad redefined my own ideas about happiness.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself while traveling that changed the way you define happiness? I'd love for you to share your thoughts by sending me an audio message.
*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.
Tune In To Learn:
Why Will walked away from a “dream” corporate job to explore the Silk Road
How a photo on Instagram sparked a life-changing decision
What the “anti-bucket list” is and how it might reshape your goals
Advice to anyone stuck in a career rut and wondering what’s next
Why pursuing “more” isn’t always a bad thing—and when it is
How five schools in Afghanistan changed Will’s view of purpose
Why these little-visited countries offer some of the most generous hospitality
Insights from ancient philosophy (and a scary night on the Pamir Highway)
The difference between enthusiasm and passion when it comes to career
How practicing gratitude—especially while traveling—can shift your mental state
And so much more
Resources:
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Will's book The Silk Road To Happiness
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Hear about travel to Central Asia or the 'Stans as the Amateur Traveler talks to Megan Cox from Meg the Rolling Egg about her trip to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
Why should you go to Central Asia?
Meg says, "Whilst there was , 'Oh my God, this place is amazing. I don't know w…Hear about travel to Central Asia or the 'Stans as the Amateur Traveler talks to Megan Cox from Meg the Rolling Egg about her trip to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
Why should you go to Central Asia?
Meg says, "Whilst there was , 'Oh my God, this place is amazing. I don't know why people aren't talking about it more. I don't know why people aren't coming here more often.' It has something for everyone. It's really just a beautiful place to go. So I felt like I wanted to promote a little bit."
Day 1-3: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Day 1: Arrive in Almaty. Explore the city:
Wander the streets and parks.
Visit Ascension Cathedral (a stunning yellow Orthodox church).
Attend a performance at the Abay Opera House.
Try Georgian food, available throughout the city.
...
https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-stans/
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