JACK

J A C K A U S T R A L I A 30 Working with National Geographic has always been a dream of mine. I actually wrote it down on my vision board three years ago and mapped out my plan on how I would achieve that. It’s an incredible experience working with the team and it has left me far more motivated for the change I want to bring into my own world and hopefully further! How has travel changed you, and affected your outlook on life? I grew up on a remote farm in regional Queensland. My school was two buses and a motorbike ride away and we didn’t have a TV for many years. Growing up I was surrounded by Australian bush, with a limited view on the world and little life experience. Being able to travel the way I did, disconnected and out in the wilderness, allowed me to discover who I am as a person, what I’m passionate about and what I want to do for the rest of my life. I think the most important thing travel has shown me, is what is really important in this life. It’s so easy to get caught up in chasing material items, money, career status, that many of us forget about the real things in life. Living in the moment, creating close connections and appreciating the world. Travel has put me in situations and in front of people I never would have otherwise, which helped me grow as a person and changed my perspective on the world. What advice can you give other Aussie blokes to follow in your footsteps and regain their “wild spirit”? Recent research fromWild Turkey shows Aussie men are busier than ever before, forgoing mateship as a result. For blokes struggling to find the time to get away from it all my advice would be lock in a date and plan a trip to the bush. There really is no better way to get back in tune with yourself than sitting by the campfire with drink in hand, chatting to close mates. It’s important to get out in the wilderness, so to help other Aussie blokes to do the same. I recently worked with Wild GETTING IN THE OUTDOORS WITH MATES HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN HOW MOST BLOKES UNWIND BUT PARTICULARLY IN THIS FAST PACE DIGITAL AGE, WE’RE LOSING SIGHT OF REAL CONNECTIONS AND QUALITY TIME WITH MATES. Tyson Mayr