Many of you know that I’m a big fan of G Adventures – my absolute favourite adventure travel company. I love them for so many reasons, not least because I’ve taken some truly amazing trips with them! But also the genuine and pioneering commitment to sustainable and responsible travel – where competing organisations merely pay lip service to the idea.

Bruce Boon Tip, Founder Of G Adventures, has published a book about the evolution of G Adventures. It’s been around for a while so excuse me for being a little late to the party, but it’s still worth a share. This book reveals the ethos and inner workings of the organisation behind the tours – and it’s pretty incredible.

I was lucky enough to have been gifted a free copy of Looptail at the National Geographic Traveler Festival and I’ve had my nose stuck in the book ever since.

If you have an interest in sustainable adventure travel and/or business this is a must-read. Here’s why…

Learn about the Looptail

“What the hell is a Looptail?”, I hear you cry. Well, aside from being a description for a certain way of drawing the tail of a letter ‘g’ (the circle at the bottom – like the G Adventures logo), the Looptail is a concept similar to karma.

It’s where a business defines its success beyond profit. A business which sets out to make a positive change in the world and is rewarded with business success in return.

That’s what G Adventures is all about.

Internally the culture is people-centric and understands that individuals do their best work when happy and working on something they believe in – a calling, rather than a job.

Externally, each tour makes a positive impact on the communities visited, often funding local businesses to provide parts of the tours. G Adventures also has its own charity – the Planterra Foundation – which is non-profit and supported by the business.

Even the Dalai Lama is in!

Put very simply, if the Dalai Lama agrees to write the foreword for your book, you know you’re doing something good in the world. What better accreditation do you need?

Is Looptail a travel book or a business book?

Its both. It’s an adventure travel business book.

I’m kind of assuming, since you’re here, that you are keen on adventure travel. But even if you weren’t it’s an inspiring business book that any entrepreneur or manager can learn from.

If you’re not into business don’t worry – it’s still for you. It might just inspire you to check out the careers page over at G Adventures because it sounds like a pretty cool place to work!

Why should you read Looptail?

Now the best indication of a book is a good trawl through the reviews, wouldn’t you agree? And this ones got five stars. Check out what people are saying. Besides, the Dalai Lama likes it…

Of course all good books are available on Amazon. This New York Times best selling adventure travel business book is no exception.

Want to know more about G Adventures?

I’ve written about two tours I’ve taken with G Adventures: A Group Tour In India and An Active Adventure in China – and I thoroughly recommend both trips! You can also check out all of their tours, which cover pretty much the whole world.

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Adventure Inspiring Books To Activate Your Adventure Spirit!

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I'm smiling so big right now. After two years of work our film 'Under an Arctic Sky' is officially available for download across the globe. I'm honored to present this body of work that so many people worked to bring to life. This film was never about us.. it's about the message of following what you love & embracing the mishaps along the way. . Please watch it, share it & I would love to know what you think. Download link in my bio or here: http://geni.us/UnderAnArcticSky . PS – if you can leave a review on iTunes or wherever you download I would be so grateful!

A post shared by ChrisBurkard (@chrisburkard) on Sep 5, 2017 at 9:05am PDT

Who is Chris Burkard?

Chris Burkard is a surf photographer with a difference. Though he comes from California, the majority of his photography is taken in cold climates – and I mean cold!

Think Iceland, in winter. Think snow. Icebergs.

But also, think amazing sunrise/sunsets reflected in crystal clear waters with perfect deserted waves.

The photographs and videos that this guy produces are nothing short of amazing.

Cold Water Surfing

I am completely fascinated by cold water surfing. I can’t tell you how much I would love to surf with snow-covered mountains in the background and the northern lights swirling overhead.

My reality, though, is that I wear a 5/3 wetsuit and a thermal in the UK. In summer.

A trip to Iceland in January last year saw me diving into coffee shops to warm up every 45 minutes, despite wearing full skiing gear to wander the streets of Reykjavik.

I think it’s safe to say I’ll never be getting in the water in sub-zero temperatures and I have no idea how these guys do it!

Under An Arctic Sky

Under An Arctic Sky is a 40-minute documentary following a group of cold water surfers exploring Iceland.

The team charter a boat from Isafjordur with the promise of storm swell, but the storm forces them to return to shore as the risk is too high.

Continuing the journey by road, their search for the perfect wave takes them to remote areas of the country, travelling through heavy snow and risks of avalanche.

But, as with all good stories, the risk pays off. Watch to the end of this adventure-inspiring documentary to see them surf the most amazing perfect waves under the incredible magic of the northern lights.

You can download Under An Arctic Sky here.

Watched the Documentary and Want More?

Under An Arctic Sky is Chris Burkard’s latest release, but it’s not his first. Check out some of his books available on Amazon for prints of awe-inspiring cold-water surfs!

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Plus! Free guide: How to Get More Adventure in Your Life

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Why Surfing Is Good For The Soul

Just for transparency, because integrity is really important to me, I do want you to know that the product links on this page are affiliate links. That means that I will get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to make a purchase.

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You’ll know you do have the explorer gene if you frequently experience wanderlust. Scientists believe that a variant of a gene called DRD4, which helps to control dopamine (a chemical brain messenger important in learning and reward) is linked to curiosity and restlessness.

The mutation, known as DRD4-7R, pops up in around 20% of people in the world and makes those people more likely to take risks, explore new places, try new foods, accept new ideas, and generally be more amenable to change… and adventure.

Enough of the science?

I first heard about the explorer gene from Levison Wood who is, of course, an explorer. Check out his books and documentaries if you haven’t heard of him, they’re pretty inspiring. (And he’s easy on the eyes too ;))

I went to see a talk Levison was giving in a theatre near my home and he opened by speaking about the explorer gene. I instantly felt at home. Things suddenly made sense. I definitely have the gene – no question. And, in that, I am part of a minority.

So many people in my life have simply not understood my need (yeah, it’s a need not a want) to travel, to jump out of planes, to surf bigger waves, and (to me) to live!

And I won’t lie to you – sometimes it has mattered. Sometimes it has really mattered. And sometimes I’ve questioned whether it is worth it.

The cons of the explorer gene

80% of employers just won’t get it

This is my absolute biggest bugbear and one I have come up against time and time again. Despite having reached Manager level, responsible for a high-achieving team of five, I still get employers poking me about the ‘gaps’ in my CV.

When I heard Levison Wood explain about the explorer gene, I was looking for work following being made redundant (laid off). Being made redundant has been the hardest thing I have been through and, of course, I dealt with it by spending a few months in Asia.

One employer had actually told me they wouldn’t consider my application for a permanent role because I had been travelling a few times – despite the fact that I have also had a successful 13-year marketing career.

Suddenly it made sense – 80% of hiring managers were never going to understand. That can make things a little tough.

80% of people will tell you not to do it

How many times have people told me not to do what I want? I’ve lost count!

The first time I went travelling – to Australia, back in 2009 – I had just handed in my notice at work and booked my flight. I was massively excited and felt brave for taking the leap.

Then one guy I worked with said ‘I don’t think you should do that.’.  He told me that my parents shouldn’t let me go (despite the fact I was 23 at the time) and that I’d get mugged, or worse, and it wasn’t safe.

I went home with a twist in my gut. Having spent months building up the courage to go, it was gone in a second.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Almost everywhere I’ve been, someone has told me I would hate it. All of the ‘extreme’ sports I’ve tried, someone has told me I would get hurt.

If you want to do something that is in any way out of the ordinary, 80% of people will think you’re mad. And a good percentage of those will tell you so.

But luckily, as you have the explorer gene, you will be able to feel the fear they give you and do it anyway!

You will probably lead a life of more extreme ups and downs

I’ve realised recently that my life is… a little turbulent.

I have periods of everything being super amazing – living in Australia for a year, working an awesome job in the UK and spending 5 weeks a year (for 4 years) surfing in Costa Rica/Bali/Sri Lanka, travelling Asia for 3 months and learning about new cultures.

And then… sometimes it all falls apart. I break up with my kiwi boyfriend because we can’t live on the same continent. I lose a job and struggle to get another because my CV is too ‘gappy’.

The good is AMAZING and the bad is a mess of four-letter words.

The pros of the explorer gene

You will do awesome stuff!

This is the top pro and, frankly, I might as well stop here because it is totally enough to counteract the cons! If you have the explorer gene, you will do awesome stuff.

You will find the courage to push outside of your comfort zone. You’ll see the world. You’ll realise that the way people live in your home town is not the only way people live. That there isn’t a ‘right’ way to live.

You will find the nerve to do slightly crazy things, like jumping out of a plane, or cycling around the world, or walking the length of the Nile. And those kind of memories will stay with you forever.

And you’ll learn. About the world, about other people, and about yourself.

(By the way: The Novice Explorer, who is currently cycling around the world, is my cousin. See? Genetics…)

You will find your own way

Despite 80% of the world thinking you are wrong, you will find the courage to do what you want to do. And you will make it work.

The explorer gene makes you a risk-taker. Some risks pay off and others don’t. But no-one ever achieved anything amazing without taking some kind of calculated risk.

That same thing that makes you likely to quit a job to travel the world, makes you likely to take calculated risks in your career. I’ve got much further with my slightly maverick ideas than I ever would have by following the crowd.

Would you rather be part of the 20% that think outside of the box, or blindly follow what people expect of you?

80% of people will be secretly jealous of you

Ok, so we don’t live our lives to make other people jealous… but, if we’re honest, it kinda feels just a little bit good when it happens.

Whether you’re sending your friends a selfie from the Taj Mahal, skyping your family from a beach in Fiji, sharing your skydive video on YouTube, or just silently taking the high road when an employer tells you the ‘gap’ in your CV has put them off.

Deep down you know that – really – you are winning at life.

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The post The pros and cons of the ‘Explorer Gene’ appeared first on The Chickadee.