Marriott's Quest Podcast | Travel Inspiration | Interviews with extraordinary travel adventurers Mar...

Jason Rawding had a dream; a dream to teach English in Bogota, Colombia. The allure of South America came after Jason returned home from a holiday in Peru: within a week of that trip he'd made the decision to resign from his IT job in London and embark on the next chapter of his life. However, he kept his decision to just his closest friends and family - knowing that in some people's minds Colombia meant drug cartels, kidnappings and political instability. Being a no nonsense Yorkshire man, Jason had been right to think that other people's fears would have attempted to jeopardise his dream. As when he announced to his colleagues and friends, close to his departure date, he was off to Colombia, the general reaction was of horror. Roll on three years and Jason has lived and breathed Colombia and other parts of South America and is now boarding a new adventure - that of an entrepreneur: bringing English language skills to a worldwide audience with his new website: Collingua. If you're th

Half way up a mountain, Michelle Ellison, had the idea to take her paddleboarding hobby to the next level, and paddleboard the whole length of the River Thames, from its source to the sea. The Thames is the second longest river in the United Kingdom and most people know it as the river that passes through Central London, but it actually starts some 200 miles away in Oxfordshire. When Michelle came down the mountain and accessed the internet it seemed that no one else had attempted this feat before. Not only would she have to paddle 206 miles and navigate 45 locks, she would also need permission to paddle through the centre of London and out the sea, which is prohibited by law. However, undeterred, six months later Michelle and her friend Mel found themselves in Oxfordshire and at the start of an eleven-day adventure. On the way they became citizen scientists, appeared on BBC TV and supported a number of charities. Learn the importance of living your dreams and meet a true adventurer. For more information, sho

Adam Wells is a transformation coach and guide along the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St.James) – the 500 mile pilgrimage across Northern Spain. It’s a magical journey, which set Paulo Coelho off on his amazing writing path after he walked it, and has empowered countless others. Taking time out of our busy modern lives, to walk all or part of the 1,200 year old pilgrimage, provides time for quality thinking; helping us to reconnect to who we are and who we might want to be. Everybody has it within them to change their lives but sometimes we need a helping hand. And this is where Adam comes in; through his business, Discover The Camino (www.discoverthecamino.com). Not only does he help prepare would be pilgrims for the Camino but he also offers continued guidance throughout the walk, as well as helping people to redesign their futures.  I walked the Camino in 2012 and not only did it make me realise I was stronger both physically and mentally but it also impacted me by giving me the gift of

Nate Bunger (natebunger.com) is the owner of Casa Miraflores a hostel in Cali, Colombia, which he created after leaving the United States and exploring South America. He describes it as a co-living house for artists, entrepreneurs, travellers, writers, musicians and people in general looking for an immersion experience, while visiting Cali. I describe it as a boutique hostel for adult travellers – both statements are correct. It’s one of my favourite hostels in South America, and I've been lucky enough to stay there a number of times. Nate is someone who is open to life and has never lets “fear” be a boundary to trying and experiencing whatever he wants to do. In this first Marriott’s Quest Podcast episode, Nate shares how his life experiences have moulded him into the self-sufficient, free spirit he is today: from being kicked out of High School, being a successful property entrepreneur to his awakening and “new life” of travel and freedom. I hope you enjoy the journ