Every once in a while — life invites us to take a risk that doesn’t just change where we are, but who we are.

My most recent leap of faith? A one-way ticket from Bali to Cape Town.

It was daunting, a roll of the dice with my fate on the line. The stakes? Leaving behind everything familiar — the friends I’d made, the comfort of the routines that I had fallen into and the sense of security that came with them.

The reward? An unscripted life filled to the brim with raw, unfiltered freedom that has taught me more about life than any masterclass, seminar or motivational guru ever could.

To this day, I still remember that first step off the plane, I could feel the energy — a vibrant pulse, unlike anything I’d ever felt before.

Every venture, every challenge, and every new environment had the potential to reveal layers of myself I never knew existed, guiding me closer towards the man I’m capable of becoming. And despite leaving my old life behind, I wouldn’t change this decision for the world.

It’s one of the many risks that I’ve taken in my life — from leaving the corporate world to launch my own business, moving countries, to starting over with a completely new career path — all of these risks have exposed me to new people, new ways of thinking and new ways of living.

It’s as Joseph Campbell said, “What I think is that a good life is one hero journey after another. Over and over again, you are called to the realm of adventure, you are called to new horizons.

Each time, there is the same problem: do I dare? And then if you do dare, the dangers are there, and the help also, and the fulfilment or the fiasco.

There’s always the possibility of fiasco. But there’s also the possibility of bliss.”

So ask yourself, can you recall when you last did something completely new and different — something that made your heart skip, not from fear, but from the sheer exhilaration of exposing yourself to something new?

If you look closely, your answer might reveal more than you expect. Perhaps you’ve been gravitating towards the “same old” — the familiar vacations, the usual weekend antics, and the well-trodden social circles that, while comfortable, are also potentially holding you back from exploring new places, people and experiences.

From overcoming challenges that push you past your limits, both mentally and physically.

From experiencing what it’s like being plunged into the heart of nature.

From being amongst the brave and the rare individuals who share your drive, values, and ambitions.

This is the essence of a fully lived life — stepping out of our comfort zones and diving headfirst into the deep end. So get radically honest and think about the last time you truly felt alive.

Was it while following the usual routine, or was it when you were doing something out of the ordinary? More often than not, it’s the latter.

These moments of exhilaration are not just high points in life, they are life itself. They remind us of our potential and push us past our perceived limits.

This is why it’s crucial to break free from the “same old” patterns. When you expose yourself to new environments and diverse cultures, when you challenge your body and mind in ways you haven’t before, and when you connect with people who inspire and push you, you don’t just change. You evolve. You transform into someone stronger, more adaptable, and more aligned with your deepest values and ambitions.

And what’s more, these experiences have a ripple effect. The lessons learned and the confidence gained from these adventures spill over into every aspect of your life — improving your relationships, enhancing your career, and deepening your personal sense of fulfilment.

You come back equipped with a broader perspective, as a mind stretched by a new experience will never go back to it’s old dimensions.

This is why it’s essential to get out there and embrace the unfamiliar, to challenge yourself, and to broaden your horizons to places where every new person you meet, every unfamiliar street you wander down, and every unexpected challenge you face not only shapes your character but also expands your understanding of what it means to truly live a fully lived life.

The truth is, that life’s most important opportunities often come disguised as insurmountable challenges. It’s the steep climb that leads to the most breathtaking view, the darkest nights that reveal the brightest stars and the most awe-inspiring experiences that stretch a mind beyond ever returning to its old dimensions.

So, if you’re struggling to remember the last time you felt awe, the last time your week was more than meetings and deadlines, it’s a sign (perhaps a glaring one!) that it’s high time to go where you haven’t been.

Perhaps it’s a sign to throw the dice and jump on a plane to an unfathomable destination, dine under a canopy of stars in a place whose name you can barely pronounce, dance, laugh and connect with strangers in a part of the earth beyond your wildest imagination.