Media

Stuff, New Zealand

‘I sold my house and just started walking.’ As Dutchman Tom Boerman regales his hiking buddy with tales of hairy border crossings, Croatian prisons and camp cook-ups, it’s clear he is enamoured with his mission.

His mission is to be the first person to walk across all seven continents, yes – even Antarctica. As of Friday, he’s on day 557 of his adventure, which has taken him through Western Europe, down the Balkan peninsula, across the steppes and archipelagos of Asia and across the Australian outback.“I started on May 8, 2021,” he chuckles. In the midst of the pandemic and with some restrictions being lifted in Europe, Boerman said: “well you had to do something!”

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Photo: Tom Boerman

ABC News, USA – On national TV in America, that’s truly a dream!

LINDA

Tom Boerman (35) wants to become the first person ever to cross all seven continents on foot. With nearly 4,500 kilometers already behind him, blisters are long gone for this “full-time adventurer.”

WALKING AROUND THE WORLD
Although Tom is currently in the Netherlands giving lectures, his backpack is already packed for the next adventure. On Monday, he will travel to New York to start walking toward Vancouver. After that, he’ll fly to Australia—a 10,000-kilometre walking route he plans to complete in eleven months.

Read more…

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Photo: Tom Boerman

7news, Australia

SBS Dutch

Tom Boerman found a novel way to reset his life after drug rehabilitation. He decided to walk on all continents while enduring several weeks of scorching heat in North America, copping fines for walking on the road in Europe and crossing the Turkish border with drug smugglers – all for a cause. Or two.

In May last year, Tom Boerman left the Netherlands, his home country, to walk around the world. He has been at it for 425 days now. He doesn’t count kilomteres because walking is his life.

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Photo: Tom Boerman

TV interview Minnesota, USA

Algemeen Dagblad, Netherlands

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Photo: Tom Boerman

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Photo: Tom Boerman

Daily Chronicle, USA

538 – The Coen & Sander show (interview 1)

And then suddenly a message from 538 arrived: “Would you like to come on our show to talk about your world trip? We’ve been tipped about your adventure and would love to hear more about it, live on the radio.”

TV Interview, USA

TV Rijnmond

He repeatedly confronted himself in life and decided to make a drastic change. Since then, Tom Boerman from Hardinxveld-Giessendam has been walking around the world. He has already covered thousands of kilometres and is briefly in the Netherlands before catching a flight in February for his next adventure. The contrast with the life he once led could hardly be greater.

By his own account, he hit rock bottom years ago. “À la Wim Kieft, actually,” Boerman refers to the well-known former footballer who struggled with alcohol and drug addiction…

NPO Radio5 – interview

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Photo: Tom Boerman

AD.nl (column, Part 6)

Tom Boerman (34) from Sliedrecht wants to do over the next five years what no one else has ever done: cross all continents on foot. He set off on May 8. Today, in part 6: from Antalya in Turkey to Petra (Jordan). And for Christmas, a short trip home to Hardinxveld-Giessendam.

As I sling the heavy backpack onto my back, I see his eyes darting nervously from the desert to my appearance. If despair could be captured in words, it would have poured over me like a flood. The sloshing of almost 10 litres…

Het Kompas Sliedrecht

Those who follow Tom Boerman (34) from Sliedrecht on his Instagram page @iwalkaroundtheworld have already heard the news. On Thursday, November 4, he completed walking across all of Europe. “One continent down, six to go,” reads his post.

On May 8, the Hardinxveld native set off on a journey to walk across all continents. In total, he aims to cover 40,000 kilometres. So far, he has walked 3,751 kilometres. He says the past six months have been tough, but also very rewarding. “It was truly an amazing adventure, and there’s much more to come.”

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Photo: Tom Boerman

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Photo: Tom Boerman

AD.nl (column, Part 6)

Tom Boerman (34) from Sliedrecht wants to do over the next five years what no one else has ever done: cross all continents on foot. He set off on May 8. Today, in part 6: from Antalya in Turkey to Petra (Jordan). And for Christmas, a brief return home to Hardinxveld-Giessendam.

As I sling the heavy backpack onto my back, I see his eyes darting nervously from the desert to my appearance. If despair could be captured in words, it would have poured over me like a flood. The sloshing of nearly 10 litres…

Radio Rijnmond september ’21

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Photo: Tom Boerman

AD.nl (column, part 3)

Tom Boerman from Sliedrecht wants to do over the next five years what no one else has ever done: cross all continents on foot. The planned route covers roughly 40,000 kilometres and will even take him to Antarctica. On May 8, the 34-year-old Tom set off from his hometown. We follow his adventures. Today, in part 3: from Sankt Gallen (Switzerland) to Rijeka (Croatia).

My walking stick taps rhythmically on the gravel path as the Austrian mountains gradually give way to the Julian Alps. Slovenia emerges ahead, and lost in thought, each step takes me further from what was once home, further from everything I hold dear.

AD.nl (column, part 2)

Tom Boerman from Sliedrecht wants to do over the next five years what no one else has ever done: cross all continents on foot. The planned route covers roughly 40,000 kilometres and will even take him to Antarctica. On May 8, the 34-year-old Tom set off from his hometown. We follow his adventures. Today, in part 2: from Fontenoy-le-Château (France) to Sankt Gallen (Switzerland).

I watch him go, astonished. Just a short burst of speed and he’s around the corner, leaving me in total amazement. The cold metal of his keys feels unfamiliar in my hands. Almost unreal—who does something like this?

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Photo: Tom Boerman

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Photo: Tom Boerman

BDU Media – Summerspecial

Tom Boerman (34) began his “bizarre” journey in May, aiming to walk 40,000 kilometres across all continents. “Nothing I did ever set my soul on fire—until I decided I wanted to walk around the world. Not just any way, but on foot. Since that idea, I couldn’t think of anything else. That’s what I wanted to do.”

At the time of speaking (late June), Boerman’s journey had reached day 48, and he was walking through Switzerland. “In fact, I’ve only just begun—because I still have about 1,950 days of walking ahead—but I’m already starting to get into a good rhythm.”

3FM – Joost Schulte

Curious about my motivational speech on Radio 3FM? Joost, a radio DJ, is going to cycle 200 kilometres. For a bit of encouragement, he came to me. From my own experience, I was able to explain what it means to endure pain, that physical achievements are above all a mental challenge, and why you become what you believe.

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Photo: Jeffrey Groeneweg/Qphoto

AD.nl (column, part 1)

Tom Boerman from Sliedrecht wants to do over the next five years what no one else has ever done: cross all continents on foot. The planned route covers roughly 40,000 kilometres and will even take him to Antarctica. On May 8, the 34-year-old Tom set off from his hometown. We follow his adventures. Today, in part 1: from Sliedrecht to Fontenoy-le-Château (France).

Squeaking and creaking, the old faded Volkswagen van behind me comes to a stop. “Bonjour monsieur, comment ça va?” Somewhat startled, I turn around, exhausted.

Your Souldier

A few years ago, a lot went wrong in my life; it was largely in ruins. That’s when I made a bucket list – everything I still wanted to do before I die. Many people around me had passed away, and that had a huge impact on me. Life is incredibly short.

People live in their own self‑created prison without even realizing it. For many, working five days a week is the norm so they can buy an even bigger house, an even more expensive car, even more stuff. They don’t reflect on the choices they make. They no longer enjoy their job but feel they can’t switch because they’re tied to their mortgage, to fixed expenses, to their partner. People are addicted to possessions and in doing so create their own prison — and in some ways, their own downfall. There are too many people who have never truly lived.

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Photo: Tom Boerman

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Photo: Tom Boerman

RTV Rijnmond

Just under a month ago, 34-year-old Tom Boerman from Sliedrecht set off on a 40,000-kilometre walk around the world. He wanted to see the world and, where needed, help people through his foundation, I Walk Around the World. Currently, Boerman is in France, walking toward the Jura.

“My feet are doing well. My fitness is also fine, but my back is a bit sore,” Boerman says. “The backpack is starting to weigh on my back a little, but my spirit is strong.”

Read more (+ radio clip)…

RTV Rijnmond

On a world trip on foot. What drives you? “I was unhappy with my life, I was in a rehab clinic, and I was suicidal,” says Tom Boerman, who on Saturday 8 May set off from his hometown of Sliedrecht on a journey of more than 40,000 kilometres. A journey around the world.

Tom was not satisfied with his life and didn’t like the idea of settling down like his friends. Nothing he did set his soul on fire. “This idea was born out of necessity,” says the 34‑year‑old Tom, who by now has reached the heart of Luxembourg after about ten days of walking.

3FM – Timur

What started with a message to the 3FM studio ended up with an overnight stay at a—then still—complete stranger’s home near Maasbracht. After a live radio request from Timur, Tom was paired with listener Sven, who could offer him a place to sleep for the night.

AD.nl

And he’s on his way! Tom Boerman has set off on his walk around the world. He was seen off by family, friends, and acquaintances, who quickly handed him €1,100 for his adventure. “That can buy me a lot of jars of peanut butter.”

It’s Saturday morning around 10:30 when Tom Boerman takes off, greeted by one of his friends holding a torch as part of an honorary arch. He unexpectedly grabs him for a big hug.

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Marjanne Dijkstra May 12, 2021 / Photo: Richard van Hoek Photography

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Peter Donk May 8, 2021 – Sliedrecht24

Sliedrecht24

He has closed the door of his home on Baanhoek for a number of years (possibly four or five). On Saturday morning, 8 May 2021, Tom Boerman set off on a world trip, seen off by family and friends.

He plans to cover most of it on foot, aiming to traverse the six continents and, ideally, also reach Antarctica. World walker Tom Boerman is making his dream come true. Here he is shortly before departure with his parents, Theo and Gera Boerman. “We’re used to Tom’s adventures; after all, he’s single.”

MerweTV

This documentary was made together with Tom about his daring mission.

Tom Boerman is 34 years old and is going to walk around the world. This is one of the last interviews before he sets off on his journey.

A documentary by: Nathalie de Bruin en William de Wee

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Albert Sok April 18, 2021 – AD

AD.nl

Tom always dreamed of being an adventurer, so he’s walking across the world: “This is going to work.”

A crazy idea? Yes, says Tom Boerman from Sliedrecht, bluntly about his own plan to walk across all seven continents—a journey of around 40,000 kilometres. “But precisely because it’s so crazy, it’s so much fun.” With nothing more than a fully packed backpack, he wants to do what no one else has managed so far: cross all seven continents, including Antarctica. On foot.