My Story; A bit more about what makes me, well, me!

What kind of normal 20-year-old decides to quit going out drinking & playing football every weekend, instead spending his house deposit money on a camper van? Me! My name is Callum James & my story isn’t exactly what you’d call normal.

I had my epiphany moment a few years back; a stereotypical 20-year-old, going out, having a laugh & living for the present. I had (still have) a comfortable job & thought for all the world I was happy. I had everything society told me I should have to be happy.

That was until I had an accident, narrowly avoiding permanent brain damage. I was hospitalised for a few days & unable to do anything ‘normal’ for the following few weeks. It was during those days in hospital & subsequent weeks, I began to question myself, wondering whether I was genuinely happy. Was I truly happy with my life, where was I going in life? Am I creating memories I will be fond of in years to come? If I was to look back on my life, would I be satisfied? The answer was no.

When I realised the answer to those questions was no, something had to change. 

To put it simply, I stopped going out drinking at the same bars & doing the same uninspiring things every week. Instead, doing more of what made me truly happy, getting out doing things that gave me an adrenaline rush & feel-good factor – doing the things I’d lost sight of, the things that younger me used to love. Kayaking, mountain biking, fell running & just pursuing adventure in wilder places. I needed more of this in my life, more time outside, more time up mountains, more time down rivers, more time exploring new places. I craved that feeling only adventure can bring.

Fast forward a few years of this new found way of living, I was in New Zealand with my mates on a trip of lifetime. We were just living it up in the southern hemisphere summer, no responsibility, taking each day as it came; chasing adventure & living our best lives. That’s when another defining moment in my life occurred. One day we set out to kayak a 50ft waterfall descent in Tongariro national park – I got it horribly wrong & broke my back on impact.

The following months of rehab and recovery were a frustrating period of reflection, in which I realised two things: travel, adventure & exploration is where I feel most alive; secondly, one day I might not be able to do all the things I want to in life. I made myself a promise, that promise was simple ‘as soon as I physically can do all the things I want in life, I will do them. I won’t compromise or wait for others. it’s my life, I’m going to live it. One day I won’t be able to, so make every second count’. From that day, my lifestyle & mind-set changed forever.

Nowadays I live to see the world one adventure at a time. I’m committed to living each day to the fullest. I’m no longer career focussed, but life focussed. I care not for career ladders, but a life of fulfilment. My story is one of overcoming adversity, learning from mistakes & shaping my own life to be the best it possibly can be.

I broke the mould & It’s the best decision I ever made.

Check out the Explore & Everything pages for my latest blogs, as well social media channels to find out about my latest travels & adventures.