“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
The experience of travel goes far beyond visiting picturesque places and seeking thrilling adventures. It can be a deeply personal and transformative journey. Ryan, half of the Wanderes Compass team, opens up and shares his profound story. Upon reading it for the first time, I found myself moved to tears by the sincerity and emotional depth of his words. Ryan’s insightful personal account delves into his pursuit of dreams, his triumph over challenges, his evolution, and the profound impact travel had in shaping his life. It eloquently captures the life-altering influence of travel, a concept that is often challenging to articulate. Ryan has beautifully expressed its impact on his life. We are honored to present his story to you. It serves as a poignant call to embrace change, venture beyond our comfort zones, take risks, and follow our dreams. The potential rewards may surpass our wildest imagination.
During my childhood, I didn’t have access to cable TV, so my television viewing was mainly confined to PBS. One of my favorite shows was Rick Steves Europe. Rick’s passionate narration about various captivating and picturesque destinations, along with his beloved calming demeanor, brought to life the history lessons I learned in school. Colors, castles, and ancient stories were now more than words in a book. They were actual places I could fully imagine traveling to one day.
As a young child, my family grew up relatively poor. My father encountered challenges with a failed business and another struggling to stay afloat. Sadly, he was diagnosed with lung cancer when I was eight years old. He fought for several months before ultimately succumbing to the illness. This loss left us burdened with overwhelming medical expenses, forced the closure and repossession of his second business, and created a void for a father my mother did her best to fill.
My school years
I had always struggled in school, and after my father’s passing, I shut down, making my struggles worse. It became challenging to get through the next few years of elementary school. I am forever grateful to my mother and my teachers, who comforted me, held me up, and pushed me through those tough times. Later, Watching Rick Steves’ show became a form of escape for me. It offered comfort and fueled my hopes for a brighter future. Despite this, I doubted I would ever see my dreams materialize. The idea of affording such experiences seemed out of reach. I lacked confidence and thought I didn’t possess the intelligence needed to improve and turn my dreams into reality.
After completing high school, when I enrolled in the College First program with the United States Army in 2002. At the time, I found myself in dead-end jobs, working as a dishwasher, as a fry cook, and then stocking shoes without any specific skills or direction. Joining the Army hadn’t even crossed my mind. My only exposure to military life was a typical childhood pretending to be a soldier and watching action movies. I frequently would look through various pieces of army memorabilia, like patches and ranks, among my father’s belongings. This sparked a lingering curiosity that eventually may have led me to the most significant decision of my life.
A Life-Changing Encounter: Rediscovering My Love for Travel
During my time on active duty, I truly believed that the travel experiences I had witnessed would be the only ones I would ever encounter. However, my life took an unexpected turn when I was stationed in Washington State. It was there that I met Joelle through her volunteer work with the military. Little did I know at the time that this encounter would ultimately change both of our lives forever. We quickly became friends, and before I knew it, I had become a part of Joelle’s family. As I listened to her captivating travel stories, my imagination was reignited, and I rediscovered my love for travel—something I had long believed was over after leaving active duty.
Military Career
When I began my basic training at age 20, I had only visited a handful of states and had a small circle of friends. Little did I know the next four years of my life would be filled with incredible experiences. These were beyond what I had imagined as a child. From Missouri to Mississippi and, finally, to my first duty station in Washington State, my journey began. Later, I quickly found myself deployed to Afghanistan for nine months and then again for 15 months. I was introduced to diverse cultures, religions, and people in a land that I had barely even heard of before. It was surreal to experience seeing things many only dream of, yet so few will ever have the opportunity to encounter firsthand.
During my time on active duty, I truly believed those travel experiences I witnessed would be the only ones I would ever encounter. However, my life took an unexpected turn when I was stationed in Washington State. It was there that I met Joelle through her volunteer work with the military. Little did I know at the time this encounter would change both of our lives forever. We quickly became friends, and before I knew it, I had become a part of Joelle’s family. As I listened to Joelle’s captivating travel stories, my imagination was reignited, and I rediscovered my love for travel—something I had believed was over when I left active duty.
After Active Duty
After leaving active duty, I returned home and continued to serve in the Army Reserves. Years later, after much persuasion from Joelle, we finally embarked on our first journey to Europe. This trip not only reignited my passion for exploration but also revealed the true meaning of travel to me. It went beyond merely seeing breathtaking vistas, trying delicious food, and immersing myself in diverse cultures. Through travel, I discovered the beauty of life itself and my potential. Unknowingly, I was not just experiencing history; I was also laying the groundwork for personal growth and, ultimately, the creation of our travel blog. CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE ABOUT US.
Today, I am a Master Sergeant, a humbling achievement that I may never have accomplished without the experiences from traveling. When These experiences transformed me into who I am today. The Army is something I love, and it has guided me to the present. Furthermore, The Army gave me my first exposure to the world. I am grateful for it. During the time I have left the military, I will continue to share my experience of world travel with my soldiers. I hope to inspire them to reach far beyond what is in front of them and grow as I have.
Reflection
As I look back on my travels, I am amazed by how every moment on the road can be life-changing. I realize that each experience is a brushstroke. It seemingly imprints itself on the canvas of my life, adding depth and color to the picture I am painting. I find myself revisiting memories that now feel like fleeting but exquisite dreams. For example, I was able to see children playing joyfully in Afghanistan or the feeling of excitement at seeing my first castle. Additionally, the breathtaking beauty and inspiration of a church in France moved me to the brink of tears and the overwhelming emotion of standing in a German concentration camp, unable to hold my tears back. Each experience becomes a memory, which then becomes color on my brush, enriching the portrait of my life with the profound beauty and complexity of the world.
30th birthday in England during my first trip / 40th birthday 10 years later in Buenos Aires
What is the point of all my rambling?
Well, I have grown. I didn’t simply become an adult and stay who I was; instead, I became who I wanted to be, what I felt I was meant to be. I grew, and it wasn’t merely acquiring new job skills and gaining knowledge from school and the Army. Moreover, I traveled, experienced, embraced change, took risks, and remembered my childhood dreams. I followed them. Traveling isn’t simply a vacation; it’s an opportunity for self-discovery and personal development. In fact, it is a chance to learn something new, learn about yourself, and grow.
To travel, you must develop; after traveling, you will grow. Over time, I have become more caring, curious, confident, cultured, humble, and self-aware. My heart has expanded, while my anger, hate, fear, ignorance, and judgment of people and cultures have faded to a distant memory. As a result, this has created space for understanding, acceptance, and even more growth.
Thank you, PBS, thank you, Rick, thank you to the Army, and thank you, Joelle. You showed me the world, exposed me to new experiences, and inspired me to live my dreams. As a result, You made me stronger and transformed me into a better person. And a heartfelt thank you, Mom. You persevered despite all the obstacles thrown in your path, and I continue to follow your example.
I have traveled, grown, and lived. Let’s all grow together, one trip at a time.
© 2025 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved
An Invitation
We invite you to join us on this journey of discovery through our blog. There, you’ll find inspiration to explore the world and step outside your comfort zone. After all, travel isn’t just about the destinations; it’s about the connections we make, the lessons we learn, and the memories we create along the way. Moreover, our stories aim to spark your wanderlust and encourage you to embrace every opportunity for growth that travel presents. Whether you’re dreaming of distant lands or planning your next adventure, we hope our experiences inspire you. So, see the world in all its beauty and complexity. Explore with us!
Are you traveling overseas soon? Check our blog post on the Top 25 Tips for Successful Travel Abroad.
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