He went from a military career to a successful job in finance.

Until he realised he didn’t truly know those around him.

A pivotal moment made him re-evaluate what was important in life.

So he dug out his teaching diploma.

And went to follow his dreams.

Training at the Shaolin temple & building a new life as a martial arts anthropologist in Asia.

Here is The Brooklyn Monk, Antonio Graceffo.

“That hot dog cart is going to be the last thing I see before I die.” – Antonio Graceffo (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

* Surviving the national guard, navy & merchant marine

* Using his military background to get to university

* Going to university for free in Germany

* Becoming a homeless finance worker in New York City

* How the near death experience of 9/11 put things into perspective

* The awe-inspiring experience of training in the Shaolin Temple

* Living abroad is a more fulfilling experience than being a tourist

Lovely Links:

* Watch Mountains of the Moon movie trailer

* Get Mountains of the Moon book

* Connect with Antonio:

Speaking Adventure | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube

Antonio reporting on the Refugees in Shan State, Burma:

Travel Tools:

* Sir Richard Francis Burton on Wikipedia

Music Credits:

* Ninja by Jay Chao

* Disco Science by Mirwais

Take Action:

What skills and qualifications do you have?  How would you be able to use these skills to live or travel abroad?