Interview

“The people that say, “your dreams are impossible”
have already quit on theirs”

(Grant Cardon)

Why should someone walk the world?

A question which never really was a question. My name is Tom Boerman. I was born and raised in a small village in Holland, and am 37 years of age.

It all started sometime in 2016 when my life went rockbottom. For almost a decade already I was suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts and addiction. I couldn’t handle it anymore. Why should I continue living? What’s the point of going through all those trauma’s and addiction? What’s life? So many questions while my life was slipping out of my hands because of my addictions.

“why should I continue living? Whats’ the point of living? What’s life?”

Until that rainy, shitty day, in 2016

I was watching a movie called Into the Wild, and for some reason I resonated really well with that story. I start asking myself the questions: Should I start travelling? Should I live closer to nature? But what about society and the western way of living?

It felt like there was finally something to live for. Within a week I entered a rehab centre. Thinking that I only needed a week, maybe a few. How little did I know. I spent over a year in rehab, facing my enemies while drastically changing my life to the better.

I started my own business and worked my ass off to save money for all of my plans.

In the spring of 2018 I sold my house, car and most of my belongings, to make my dream come true. I left Holland to walk long distance trails like the Te Araroa trail (3000km) in New Zealand, the Via Alpina in Europe (2000km), The great Himalayan trail in Nepal (460km) and parts of the PCTin the US(1500km). I literally spent over a year in nature. But it wasn’t enough…

I started thinking about something big, something life-changing and I couldn’t get rid of it.

All the walking and the memories I made kinda triggered something because, all of a sudden, my journey kind of picked me. I vividly remember waking up in the morning, leaping up in bed and was like, “I know what I’m gonna do! I’m going to walk around the world!”

In the years following I worked even harder to save enough money for this huge undertaking. People thought that I was going crazy. Especially because I was at an age of getting kids and having a stable life which pays the bills. But the people that say “your dreams are impossible” have already quit on theirs.

“When you cannot escape yourself and your own thoughts, and are completely reliant on yourself, you develop a remarkable self-love and appreciation for who you are as a person.”

Look around you. How many people do you think are settling?

Probably a hell of a lot. People settle into okay relationships, okay jobs, okay friends, and an okay life. Why? because okay is comfortable. Okay pays the bills and provides a warm bed at night. Some people are fine with okay, and guess what? That’s okay. But okay is not thrilling, it isn’t passion, It’s not life changing or unforgettable. Okay is not the reason you risk absolutely everything you’ve got, for the smallest chance that something absolutely amazing could happen.

But okay isn’t exciting, it isn’t passionate, it doesn’t make you feel alive, and it isn’t life‑changing or unforgettable. Okay doesn’t make you risk absolutely everything you have for the chance that something extraordinary might happen — something so impactful it could change your life forever!

I’ve seen the dark side of life. I know that it can be over before I know. There’s no such thing is the perfect time. It’s about facing my biggest fears and going. And so I set off on the 8th of may 2021

Meanwhile I’ve walked nearly 15.000KM. I walked the lengt of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, half of North America and a bit in the middle east.

Those years have been the hardest of my life. But also the most fulfilling. It’s all about the experience. Walking is a completely different way of transportation. I’ll be able to connect with people in ways I can’t when cycling or driving a car. Walking is a fascinating way to explore. It feels as though there’s a whole new world around every corner. You can almost see the grass growing, I mean I’m not that slow, but you get the idea. Walking and living in nature with almost nothing brings the soul back home. It’s such a natural movement and way of living. Sounds romantic right? Trust me, it’s not. I’m pretty sure that it’s the hardest form of travelling.

I’ve end up in prison three times for a night, because of corrupt police officers. Yes they are everywhere and they don’t really like my Dutch straight and honest approach.

I’ve had to run for robbers, being almost shot of the land by angry farmers in the States, while only entering their driveway to ask for a stay for the night. Have experienced my tent being surrounded by wolfs, have been scared by bears, got a heatstroke in the scorching heat in Australia, got swept away several times by crossing rivers and so on. I’m often asking myself: Why am I doing this? But in the end it’s the best adventure ever. I feel like a modern day explorer. Doing something which has never been done before, which isn’t on the internet. Knocking doors of strangers and meeting the most incredibly families all over the world. I have learned so much about other cultures while staying for the night. I’ve discovered that they see me in a vulnerable way, because I don’t own anything and need their help while walking and knocking doors. I had the best talks with complete strangers while sharing the kitchen table. Heart to heart conversations because they answered vulnerability with vulnerability. Beautiful isn’t it?

Another thing that inspired me even more to continue going, is the fact that I can help others by being a living embodiment of hope.

I have Inspired so many people through social media/newspapers/TV/podcasts and the radio. On an almost daily base I’m receiving long messages, DM’s and emails of people who are struggling with life and asking for advice. I don’t make money with it, I don’t sell courses or whatever. I’m just trying to help them a bit where possible. sometimes the only thing we need is just to be seen and heard. I’ve been there and I know that feeling. Talking about money: Iv’e one local sponsor and I do seasonal work as a mountain guide to make some money. For the rest I’m living through donations from followers and strangers through my website. I’m so grateful for that. It feels like a circle. I walk, inspire and help others while they’re helping me with donations so I can continue walking.