How Human Kindness Carried One Man Across Two Continents
He has visited more than 90 countries and stepped foot on every continent on earth. He drove a car from London to Mongolia raising money to buy 10,000 books for underprivileged children in America. He also drove a vintage London taxi across the United States, giving free cab rides to the needy and working with Classwish to bring hope back to American schools.
A global adventurer, motivational speaker & philanthropist, Leon Logothetis is on a mission to prove that kindness is the real fuel that drives humanity. In doing so he recently returned from circumnavigating the globe on his vintage yellow motorbike ‘Kindness One’, giving life changing gifts along the way to unsuspecting good Samaritans whilst relying on the kindness of strangers two make it across two continents himself.
Leon’s journey and adventures motivates people to make a leap into the great unknown, to lead a fulfilling life and pursue their true passions and dreams. This interview with Leon Logothetis is about one man’s quest to ignite goodwill and transform lives around the world. His international journey will introduce you to a world of adventure, renew your faith in the bonds that connect people, and inspire you to accept and generate kindness in your own life.
What do you love the most about travelling?
I love the sense of freedom and every lesson I’ve learned on my journeys. I love stepping out of my comfort zone!
What inspired you to start travelling?
The movie The Motorcycle Diaries inspired me to quit my old job and travel the world. The sense of wanderlust has been with me ever since.
Tell us about your life before you broke into travel. What did you give up for a life on the road?
I used to be a broker in the city of London where I felt uninspired and chronically depressed. I gave up a stable 9-to-5 lifestyle and stopped conforming to how society was molding me. I gave up the desire to please other people with choices that ultimately weren’t right for me.
When I quit my job as a broker, I quit my old life and entered a new one.
Overwhelmed with love in a rural Indian village. “I quit my old life and entered a new one”.
You have visited more than 90 countries and travelled to every continent – here’s the question that all travellers hate: which was the best one?!
It’s a toss-up between Oman, Bhutan, and New Zealand. If I had to choose one, I would have to say Bhutan because of all of its natural beauty coupled with a population infused with a kindness I have not found anywhere else! Bhutan was remarkably special.
Tell us about your role as TV host for “Amazing Adventures of A Nobody”.
I decided to travel around America, the UK and Europe on $5 a day. I had always felt disconnected from people and felt that if I took all my money away, I wouldn’t be able to get from A to B without connecting with people. So that’s what I did!
I wanted to test the bonds of human connection in our society to see if kindness could carry one man across two continents.
Amazing Adventures Of A Nobody, which is broadcast across the world by National Geographic International and, over the course of three seasons, sees me cross America, the United Kingdom and Europe on just 5 dollars, 5 pounds, and 5 euros a day, respectively.
Having fun with the kids while visiting a local orphanage in Calcutta, India.
How is it possible to travel on just 5 dollars, 5 pounds and 5 euros a day? Surely travel is more expensive than that?!
The only way it’s possible to travel on $5 a day is human kindness. It exists in all four corners of the world, that’s why it works.
Incredibly, I made my way across the U.S., through Europe, India, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and finally to Canada and back to the Hollywood sign, by asking strangers for shelter, food, and gas.
Again and again, I was won over by the generosity of humanity, from the homeless man who shared his blanket to the poor farmer who helped me with my broken down bike, and the HIV-positive mother who took me in and fed him. At each stop, I tried to find a way to give back to these unsuspecting Good Samaritans in life-changing ways by rebuilding their homes, paying for their schooling, and leaving behind gifts big and small.
Tell us about your most daring adventure abroad.
My most daring adventure was when I rode across the world on a vintage yellow motorbike relying on kindness and the generosity of others. There were many highs but also many lows.
The Kindness Diaries is the resulting book which chronicles this adventure – the trip was epic and taught my many lessons! The most important thing I learned is that true wealth is not in our wallets but in our hearts.
The Kind Way Around is basically the TV show version of The Kindness Diaries.
Finally back home in America!
You are on a mission to prove that kindness is the real fuel that drives humanity. Tell us about a moment abroad which has restored your faith in humanity.
I was in France and two street buskers were playing some exceptional music. I started talking to them and I ended up spending the night with them.
They inspired me with their music and in return, I offered them something they really needed: a music video! www.tchaleandfinesse.com
Can kindness really heal the world?
Without a shadow of a doubt! Many of us function from a place of emotional wounds and this creates anger and hate. Kindness helps heal those wounds that afflict us all and turns our pain into solid gold.
Why is it so important to give back while travelling? Should we all be travelling with a purpose?
Traveling can change lives, and not just those of the ones on the journey; but also the lives of those they come into contact with. It brings down barriers; it breaks down the prejudices that are created by insulation.
When you travel with purpose, you inspire yourself and others to think differently about the lives you lead.
Your best advice for people looking to change their lives through travel?
Go for it! Don’t be scared by what everyone tells you about foreign countries. Step outside of your comfort zone and ultimately, if travel is your passion, live it and share it with others.
Where can people find your books?
Amazon or any book store!
If You Liked This Post You May Also Like:
4 Comments
This interview was so inspiring!
I love reading about these types of human kindness. It kinda reminded me of a documentary I watched once on Netflix called Craigslist Joe. He basically travelled around America for a month or so with not as much as a penny on him, and he relied on people’s kindness and generosity to make it through the day.
So glad you enjoyed the interview Zascha! I’ve seen the doco you’re talking about and loved it also; such a fantastic way to meet locals while you’re traveling and really immerse yourself into a new city and/or culture. And it really does restore your faith in humanity!
What a lovely inspiring story.
Glad you enjoyed it Lyn! Leon truly is an inspiration and I’m so glad I got to tell his story :)