Though Daniel has been actually been an alumnus of the World Race for little over a month now, we made him our first Featured Racer. He began the World Race in July 2010 and in addition to being a video guru, he served as a logistics leader for his squad. Check out his blog for updates on the next season of his life!
What was your life like before the
World Race (WR)?
My life was actually very nice. I like to think I had and still
have a very strong community within the Cincinnati, OH region.
have a very strong community within the Cincinnati, OH region.
How’d you find out about the WR?
I found out about it through word of mouth from another World Racer, Hope Manley.
How did you decide – was it a
distinct choice made in a moment or a process that took time?
distinct choice made in a moment or a process that took time?
I remember the exact moment. I was in Boulder, Colorado with my
three best friends. We were road tripping across the country on a small
budget. Every night we would either pitch our tents or stay with people
from the online network site, CouchSurfing.
We all slept on a hardwood floor that night and I remember looking at
them and thinking, ‘I love this lifestyle.’
three best friends. We were road tripping across the country on a small
budget. Every night we would either pitch our tents or stay with people
from the online network site, CouchSurfing.
We all slept on a hardwood floor that night and I remember looking at
them and thinking, ‘I love this lifestyle.’
What were some key takeaways from
the WR?
the WR?
I used to always think being out in nature was the one thing that
increased my faith the most, but after traveling this year, I realized it’s all
about the people. Take chances; strike up conversation you may not want
to have, and always go out of your way to meet new people. When you
surround yourself with people who are different than yourself, you will notice
a natural change in your thoughts over time.
increased my faith the most, but after traveling this year, I realized it’s all
about the people. Take chances; strike up conversation you may not want
to have, and always go out of your way to meet new people. When you
surround yourself with people who are different than yourself, you will notice
a natural change in your thoughts over time.
Hardest moment of the WR?
One time, we set out on a “six-hour hike” in Haiti to visit a small
mountain town. What we didn’t realize was that “six-hour hike” was in
Haitian time. For [us] Americans it was a little longer. Eleven hours and 45
minutes later we arrived to our mountain town — a moment none of us will ever
forget.
mountain town. What we didn’t realize was that “six-hour hike” was in
Haitian time. For [us] Americans it was a little longer. Eleven hours and 45
minutes later we arrived to our mountain town — a moment none of us will ever
forget.
Funniest moment of the WR? Oh man, there are so many of these between the guys and myself during our
month in the Philippines. But one of my favorite stories was during a road
trip my team took through Africa. My teammates, Stephanie Woody, Natalie
Swartzendruber, Melissa Ventura, Kimberly Kaim, Tommy
Sullivan (my partner in crime) and I were driving through
Botswana and saw an elephant on the side of the highway. Tommy and I
jumped out to get a picture with the massive creature. When the elephant
started flapping his ears and stomping his feet in attempt to charge us, the
girls started to scream at us. We snapped the picture, jumped back in the
car, and took off laughing so hard. The girls didn’t think it was as funny.
month in the Philippines. But one of my favorite stories was during a road
trip my team took through Africa. My teammates, Stephanie Woody, Natalie
Swartzendruber, Melissa Ventura, Kimberly Kaim, Tommy
Sullivan (my partner in crime) and I were driving through
Botswana and saw an elephant on the side of the highway. Tommy and I
jumped out to get a picture with the massive creature. When the elephant
started flapping his ears and stomping his feet in attempt to charge us, the
girls started to scream at us. We snapped the picture, jumped back in the
car, and took off laughing so hard. The girls didn’t think it was as funny.
Gear recommendations?
Keep it simple.
What advice would you give to
would-be Racers?
would-be Racers?
Stay open-minded and
it will be the best year of your life.
it will be the best year of your life.
