Tim Voors: long-distance hiker, writer, advertiser

Tim Voors is a 53-year-old Dutch writer, artist, former advertising executive, father of three, and long-distance hiker who discovered a sense of belonging among a worldwide community of “happy misfits.” (timvoors.nl/@timvoors)

After 20 years of working with brands like Heineken, Booking.com, and Budweiser, Tim began thru-hiking in his forties, searching for the fear, humility, and adrenaline that corporate success could no longer provide. His adventures have since taken him across the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Te Araroa in New Zealand, multiple Caminos, and Japan’s 1,200-year-old 88 Temples pilgrimage, where he slept on cardboard in bus stops alongside elderly Japanese hikers.

We get into Tim’s 10-year experiment to build income streams that would allow him to earn money while preserving the freedom necessary to frequently take long hikes. The result is a patchwork of books, speaking, art, clothing, workshops, and two Airbnb units that satisfies both his financial needs and his human need to feel useful.

Tim also describes the joys of teaching painting and singing from home while wearing Crocs and Hawaiian shirts, makes the case for doing many things instead of becoming a specialist, and explains why he now feels more like a pilgrim than a backpacker.

Full transcript: dirtbagrich.com/tim