As we reach the end of May join us in looking back on some of our monthly favourites from our favourite overlanding team, Paul and Jo Marsh from Essence of Overlanding.
With over 30 years of overlanding experience, they are on a journey to share their stories and experiences through films, that will inspire the courage and confidence in you, to follow your own dreams!
Join us as we explore a few more of our favourites below.
Essence Of Overlanding – EP12: Overlanding With A Paralympian
You can have a plan for your life and life can change that plan! Those unexpected and often traumatic curve balls come as a shock and can shatter our dreams and change our lives dramatically! Yet in the greater scheme of life, it’s not about the curve ball – it’s what we do with it and what we make of it!
Anton took his adversity and made it into an opportunity. He didn’t accept the deck of cards that played out in his life – he started a new game…! Anton and Tina both had their dreams that called them to explore a new way of life, and together they made them happen. They embraced the challenges they faced together, even when it was tough on them individually – a fine example of “when the going gets tough – the tough get going”!
Their trip became more than an overland adventure from the UK to Cape Town – it was also a journey where they got to know themselves as individuals more and also as a couple in a new relationship. They planned and prepared themselves practically for most eventualities which enabled them to navigate this expedition successfully. However there was also the realisation that personal preparation was as important , so they could also navigate the emotional rough roads that can arise for any number of reasons. This is true for most people – each individual has different thresholds of adventure fear and risk and each person will have different needs and expectations. When these are not met or not discussed and understood – the ride can get bumpy! They grew within themselves from the lessons learnt, and they also enjoyed the freedom that flexibility brings and found joy in adapting to things they might not have chosen.
Anton and Tina truly are an inspiration for embarking on and embracing the road less travelled with all of its twists and turns and arriving in Cape Town triumphant!
A huge thank you to Anton & Tina for contributing to the Essence of Overlanding with their epic story and Tina we are loving having you once again on our channel – we truly appreciate it!
Essence Of Overlanding – EP13 Safety is critical
It’s important to prepare not only your truck but yourself!! Taking personal responsibility for your safety, so you don’t live with regret – is vital! Take the time to plan for “What If…” scenarios as nobody is immune to unexpected events! There are a number of factors that impact your safety, that you can take care of. Fatigue: it is negligent to drive when you are tired – there are no hero’s in the story! You compromise yourself, your passenger and other travellers on the road that may be impacted by you “forging on”.
Hunger, hydration & pain: these basic human needs affect your energy levels, your concentration, focus as well as your mood.
Mindset & mood: if you go with an open mind with curiosity and enthusiasm, you will get the best out of your trip. If you are solution oriented, you will always find a way to resolve challenging situations. A calm mind is a wise head. That’s why it is always important to remember why you are on the trip. A journey with a purpose keeps you focussed on the goal, inspired and curious for each new experience – both good and bad. Seeing obstacles as opportunities to learn, will serve you well!
Teamwork makes the Dream Work! Shared roles and responsibilities and working to your strengths, shares the load and doubles the fun. Expectations and boundaries: unexpressed expectations are disappointments in the making. Having these clarifying conversations prevents resentment, suppressed anger which when triggered by an external event, will result a monumental “blow up” and can ruin the trip!
Personal Preparation = Prevention, which is better than cure! This priceless peace of mind, will give you more comfort and confidence, so you can enjoy your journey.
Essence Of Overlanding – EP14 Going Home To Africa
A woman on her own, with €500 to her name, travelling down West Africa in a van that is also her home; on the most challenging route in Africa, is nothing short of bold and brave! Meet Dot Bekker.
Dot embarked on changing her life with a life changing experience, that connected her back to herself and her roots. Her journey from Europe back to her birthplace and home, Zimbabwe, was a journey of self-discovery where she got to know herself again and connected back to her authentic self!
A true test of tenacity, inner strength and fortitude, is to leave the life you know, and honor what is true for you – even if you don’t know what lies ahead and how you will get there. That is what Dot Bekker did just prior to turning 60. She embraced all the experiences she gathered en route, not only as challenges, but also as opportunities to discover more of what life had to offer. At the most trying times – turning back was not an option, she was often surprised at the miracles that “showed up” and she shifted from a life of disempowerment to a life of expansion and empowerment. One of the greatest gifts of her journey back home, was to realise that after taking on a journey of this magnitude, she could take on pretty much anything!
Dot’s story serves as an inspiration to many people – to honor themselves and their lives, by seeking more and better!
She continues her journey with her KUSASA AFRICA project by empowering young women in rural Zimbabwe, through education, to grow their lives and self-worth, so they get to live their lives by choice and not by chance!
Make sure to join us in the next edition of our journey as we look at the next edition of Essence of Overlanding
