Overland East 2017

I have to start with I LOVE MY LIFE!  The experiences and more importantly the people I meet along the way of my travels and adventures reminds me to be cognizant of just how blessed I am.  This trip was no different.  This started as an opportunity to connect with RawHyde Adventures and expand our relationship to support the advocacy of their program on the east side of the U.S., specifically the Chattanooga and Atlanta regions.  The reality is BMW GS off-road capable motorcycles account for the largest percentage of all motorcycles sold by BMW Motorrad. The sad fact is the majority of these highly capable off-road motorcycles never actually see "off-road".

RawHyde wants to continue to provide quality training to those who have invested in these highly capable machines in order to give them the confidence to take them off-road expanding their view of the world.  I'm grateful to be a part of their program and look forward to expanding the relationship.

So what is Overland Expo East?  It is a one stop shop for everything from serious camping to ridiculously prepared multi-week/year overland self-sustained off-road traveling, 2 or 4 wheeled.  In short, kick ass equipment to make anyone who has ever thought of going off-road drool.  The equipment you see here is nothing short of amazing and regardless of your budget, there is something that will spark your imagination of getting away from it all.

More importantly than the highly expensive equipment available is the creativity of those who decided to live by their rules without an unlimited budget.  They chose against the stable yet restrictive 9-5 and decided to live with less stuff and more life. And they had the courage to make the shift.  They live by their own playbook and are loving life as a result.  It doesn't mean it's always easy but it means they choose their life so when there is pain they are better equipped to change the circumstances that created it..  I admire the group of people I am privileged to call friends and admit they inspire me to continue to live life by my own rules and ever look to expand those I work with to do the same.

Adventure lovers are the best!  Ideas abound, spirits are lifted, imagination is stretched.  I have met and become friends with so many along the way.  Simon and Lisa Thomas who have traveled the world on motorcycles for the past 15 years logging over 500k miles in the process.  Danny and Pamela, known as 2chefs1moto, share their experiences abroad.  Pete and Ashely with Mosko Moto shared campfires and stories including experiences of growing a start-up business that makes fantastic products.  Sarah Blessington shared her stories of traveling the U.S. on a scooter.  6000 miles. On. A. Scooter.  Um, and what's holding you back again?  So many others are simply making the decision to live life differently.  So much respect for that.

The evenings at OE East got a bit chilly but not brutal.  Enough where a nice fire would solve the problem.  Challenge 1, no open fires allowed at the Biltmore Estate.  Enter solution.  Greg and Melanie were willing to share their propane fire at night that warmed us, of course, but also provided that much needed contemplation device that magically creates stories and laughter of all the adventures.  My thanks to Raul and Azule for sharing a jacket with me as in my rush to get to OE, I left without mine.  That's the general attitude of all of those I encountered at OE.  Compassionate, willing to share, all wanting to have a good time.  If you enjoy learning, listening to inspiring adventures of living life differently, and expanding who and what you are, then OE is for you.    However, as for most adventures, OE is what you make of it.  I have discovered this over the years of travels and working with thousands of people in my business that how you choose to perceive an obstacle or a setback determines how you define yourself and the life you are living.  We don't grow as a result of the good times but the challenges.  Adventurers I spoke with over the weekend were forged by the times when things didn't go right rather than the blue skies and rainbows that laid in their path.

I challenge you to see life for the good and bad times.  The people you encounter, both those you enjoy and those you don't, the setbacks as well as the triumphs.  All of this is what causes us to grow along the way, to define ourselves by new standards and to ever determine to increase those standards.

Play by new rules.  The belief that you can do more, achieve more, live more, BE more.  Your Adventure Awaits! The world is waiting.

​David

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Author

David is an avid rider, photographer and professional actor in addition to natural health educator.  As a result of following his passions he was able to retire from the IT industry and focus on using natural health as his means to expand those passions.  This desire to live life differently led him to discovering natural health with dōTERRA essential oils.  Having dedicated himself in the past to the medical industry from an IT perspective he was keenly aware of the need for people to take control of their health and get back to the basics of plant based medicine to support the bodies natural healing abilities.  He and his wife Holly continue to share with those who are interested a better way of living by integrating natural health options into their lifestyles and those whom they educate.  To learn more about how to take control of your health contact me or visit our website.