There once was a guy who managed a cabaret in Paris, who then got on a sailboat and went on to be an advisor to the government, communications director and ‘spin doctor’.  I think he might be a spy (wink wink). His life reads like a Bond movie, right?

 Stuck shivering with malaria in a dispensary in Equatorial Guinea he realized he needed to change the trajectory of his life to come back ‘home’.  In his 40s while in the Middle East, his mom passed away back home in France – and he couldn’t make it back in time. 

He realized then that he was definitely going to move back ‘home’ and maybe change things a little, including starting a family of his own. Living the life of international man of mystery wasn’t going to work out so well after a while. 

True to his word, Seb is back in Europe. He lives in Spain and is now full time
 stay-at -home dad to two little kids under the age of 7. 

Seb is a licensed Yacht Master and seaman and sails as much as he can - I truly wonder if when he says ‘home’ he’s even talking about land at all! He is a freelance writer for trade publications, NGOs, private companies and a freelance consultant in strategic intelligence, helping companies with investment in emerging and frontier markets.

 He’s also a small business owner for BnB’s and Iberico ham testing in Malaga.

Join us in listening to Seb talk about the 40s and how it brings on a reckoning that causes you to find a way to create a home, to be peace with yourself, to take over as primary caregiver to two small children and the joy that brings. I love when he says that his new job is “Raising my kids and seeing them grow”. See Seb's book recommendations below.
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Until next week, let us ask you: what is 40 to you?

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Status anxiety from Alain de Botton, 

A fantastic essay from the creator of the School of Life which was a great help understanding why we are so stressed about the image we are projecting to others, and ultimately how to care less.
 
La longue route – Bernard Moitessier 

The story of Bernard Moitessier who in 1968 does the Golden Globe Challenge inaugural race, solo, non-stop round the world. Not only is he nearly finished, but he is winning, with a comfortable lead. And then he decides to turn right and sails another time halfway around the world non stop, before anchoring in Tahiti. He gave up, fame, money, honor because “he was happy at sea and wanted to save his soul”.

It resonates a lot with the daily rat race towards recognition, fame and money of most of us.