One man, one dog, and a seven-year journey across 38 countries—this is their story.

In this episode, host Kim Anderson sits down with Tom Turcich, the tenth person to ever walk around the world—and the first to do it with a dog. After the sudden loss of a close friend, Tom was compelled to make the most of life. The day before his 26th birthday, he set out on an adventure that spanned seven years, 38 countries, and 28,000 miles, redefining his understanding of travel, resilience, and human connection.

Along the way, Tom faced extreme weather, illness, and the loneliness of long stretches on the road. He also gained an unexpected travel companion—Savannah, a rescue dog who became his loyal partner in adventure. From the mental and physical challenges of walking the world to the powerful lessons he learned about patience, purpose, and embracing the unknown, Tom’s journey is as inspiring as it is extraordinary.

Tune in to hear:
✔️ How grief and a love for adventure fueled Tom’s world walk
✔️ The logistics of walking across continents (with a dog!)
✔️ Life lessons from the road—why patience and presence are key to any dream

Whether you're dreaming of your own big adventure or looking for motivation to take the next step in life, Tom’s story will leave you inspired.

CONNECT with Kim and Support the Show:

• Instagram @designhertravel
• Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter

CONNECT WITH TOM:

• Website: The World Walk
• Pick Up Your Copy of Tom's Book

RESOURCES Mentioned in the Episode:

• Episode #154: Walking the World: One Woman’s 20,000-Mile, 7-Year Journey Across 4 Continents w/ Angela Maxwell
• Into the Wild by John Krakauer
• Karl Bushby
• Steve Newman

WANT MORE? Check out these episodes:

• Part One: The First Person to Travel to Every Country Without Flying w/ Thor Pedersen - Once Upon a Saga (Episode #59)
• Part Two: The First Person to Travel to Every Country Without Flying w/ Thor Pedersen - Once Upon a Saga (Episode #61)

EPISODE DETAILS:

5:25 You only have so much time in this one life

6:15 Dreams require commitment

8:26 You only get this one life

14:58 If you are living your dreams

25:36 The more you travel, the more you realize

36:21 We are all small humans

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