What if chasing happiness meant giving up everything you thought you wanted? 

Will Rickard is the author of The Silk Road to Happiness, a book born from his solo journey through the “Stans" - Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan - on a quest to explore happiness through travel, conversations, and culture. After leaving a prestigious corporate career in Sydney, he hit reset, taking only a backpack and a big question on the road: What is happiness? 

In this episode, Will and I unpack the complex relationship between travel and happiness, and what he discovered by going off-grid in some of the world’s least-visited countries. 

If you’ve ever felt torn between being grateful for what you have and craving something more, this conversation might hit home. Will doesn’t offer a tidy formula for happiness, but instead, he shares five powerful themes that emerged during his journey - from purpose and minimalism to gratitude and detachment. We talk about how travel can shift your perspective, why sometimes you just have to book the flight, and how embracing discomfort can lead to deeper meaning. Plus, we explore how moving abroad redefined my own ideas about happiness. 

What’s something you’ve learned about yourself while traveling that changed the way you define happiness? I'd love for you to share your thoughts by sending me an audio message. 

*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen. 

Tune In To Learn: 

Why Will walked away from a “dream” corporate job to explore the Silk Road 

How a photo on Instagram sparked a life-changing decision 

What the “anti-bucket list” is and how it might reshape your goals 

Advice to anyone stuck in a career rut and wondering what’s next 

Why pursuing “more” isn’t always a bad thing—and when it is 

How five schools in Afghanistan changed Will’s view of purpose 

Why these little-visited countries offer some of the most generous hospitality 

Insights from ancient philosophy (and a scary night on the Pamir Highway) 

The difference between enthusiasm and passion when it comes to career 

How practicing gratitude—especially while traveling—can shift your mental state 

And so much more 

Resources: 

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Will's book The Silk Road To Happiness 

Follow Will on Instagram, LinkedIn 

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