In this episode of The Solo Coach Podcast, I sit down with my good friend, Sjirk Ament, to talk about his transformative year of solo travel. Sjirk shares his journey from studying psychology to taking the leap into a year-long adventure across New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
We dive into the highs and lows—facing fears, navigating travel burnout, and the emotional challenge of returning home after an epic journey. Along the way, Sjirk shares powerful insights on embracing change, tuning into your intuition, and overcoming self-doubt.
00:00 – Welcome & introducing Sjirk: How we met in New Zealand
01:49 – What inspired Sjirk to take a year off to travel after university
03:17 – Facing fears: His first solo trip to Thailand at 17
10:35 – Taking off for New Zealand: Excitement, uncertainty, and expectations
15:16 – The highs: Buying a car, the freedom of solo travel & hidden gems
– The lows: Travel burnout and struggles in Australia
22:27 – Journaling and self-reflection: Coping with difficult moments
31:44 – The hardest part: Returning home & rebuilding life after travel36:30 – Lessons from the journey: Tuning into intuition & embracing change
39:21 – Sjirk’s advice for anyone considering a big life change
If you’ve ever thought about stepping outside your comfort zone—whether through travel, a career shift, or a new adventure—this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.
🎙️ Follow The Solo Coach Podcast and stay connected for more stories on taking the path less followed.
