A man from Oregon got tired of his corporate job and chose to hop on a boat and sail the seas. Now, he is embarking on a journey only a few have attempted: to sail around the world without stopping. While easier said than done, this adventurer seems ready, as his mind is set on the goal, and nothing seemingly will stop him.
The man in question is none other than Oliver Widger. He is a beloved content creator whose journey began years ago, when he decided he had had enough of his day-to-day job and decided that a sailboat was the answer to all his questions, vlogging his adventures online. The clip attached above went viral in a matter of days, garnering 487,300 views, 66,500 likes, and more than 1,500 comments.
The Oregon man started his clip with a flashback. Years ago, Oliver recorded himself in his car, fed up with his corporate job at a tire shop. He expressed his desire to leave his job behind and sail around the world. On top of that, he was diagnosed with a rare spinal condition that carried a risk of paralysis.
Setting Sail
Eventually, he decided he needed a big change. He quit his job and began sailing the oceans. Sailing across the world, however, was still his long-term dream, as he started by sailing from Oregon to Hawaii. Self-taught, Oliver managed to pull the stunt. He didn’t do so by himself, though, as his cat, Phoenix (as in, Sailing With Phoenix), joined in on the fun.
Years passed, and now Oliver decided he wanted to fulfil his all-time dream. With Phoenix waiting for him on the mainland, the Oregon man decided to sail across the world without stopping once. According to him, this is a feat that fewer than 200 people have achieved.
“I am finally doing the thing that I said I was gonna do. It’s been a lot of work. The journey should take me somewhere in the realm of eight to nine months. I’m leaving Port Townsend, Washington, and hopefully sailing back to Port Townsend, Washington,” the Oregon man said. “[…] Wish me luck.”
Reactions
Many viewers who are well aware of Oliver’s journey became emotional watching him fulfill his sailboating dream. One said, “I’ve never been more proud of someone I’ve never met. Seriously, man, we’re all cheering for you.” Another one commented, “You’re living. You’re actually doing it. Not just saying you will, but you are actually doing it.”
Others saw how much Oliver evolved throughout the years and became even more emotional. One wrote, “The change in your voice from a dying soul to ALIVE is amazing! Good luck!” Another one added, “Thanks for bringing us along on your journey.”
As of the writing of this article, Oliver has spent three years at sea. Since setting sail, he has experienced a water leak and has seen dolphins.
