Cassie De Pecol, a world traveler, shares her experiences of traveling to 196 countries, breaking two Guinness World Records. She spent three years planning and raising money for the 18-month trip, during which she faced numerous challenges, including navigating complex visa rules and dealing with raw fear while traveling alone as a woman in many countries.
Despite the difficulties, De Pecol had life-changing experiences, such as being taken in by a kind stranger in Cuba and discovering the goodness of people around the world. She also used her platform to promote education, environmental awareness, and women's empowerment.
However, De Pecol reveals that her journey was not just about adventure, but also about overcoming personal struggles, including depression and feelings of unexplained sadness. She credits travel with helping her manage her mental health and find purpose.
De Pecol's message is one of empowerment, encouraging others to find their passion and pursue it with dedication and perseverance. She believes that everyone has the power to make a positive impact on the world, regardless of their background or circumstances, and that the most effective way to do so is to take action and pursue their dreams.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker traveled to 196 countries alone.
2. She broke two Guinness World Records.
3. It took her three years to plan the trip.
4. The trip lasted 18 months.
5. She was only allowed to take scheduled public transportation to and from each country.
6. She wasn't allowed to drive a car while in the Guinness clock.
7. There were limitations on how far she could travel in a taxi.
8. She had to prove she'd been in each country, which was harder than expected.
9. Many countries in Europe and Central America don't stamp passports.
10. She collected various documents, including photos, videos, tickets, GPS coordinates, signed witness statements, credit card bills, and phone logs.
11. She didn't have a lot of money and had to put herself through college.
12. She didn't finish her college degree due to financial constraints.
13. She spent countless hours developing business plans and finding financial backers for the trip.
14. She vlogged, filmed an educational documentary, and used social media to fund the trip.
15. The trip was exhausting, and she had to work 15-hour days.
16. She traveled to some countries that were inaccessible or dangerous for a woman.
17. She met with mayors and ministers and spoke to over 16,000 students.
18. She collected water samples and planted trees to offset her carbon footprint.
19. She was featured in numerous news channels, newspapers, and magazines.
20. She started feeling sad and melancholic at the age of 13.
21. At 21, her brother noticed her unusual pattern of melancholy.
22. She was cast in a reality TV show called "Naked and Afraid" in 2014.
23. The show's editing made her look like a "useless villain," and she received hundreds of thousands of hate messages and death threats.
24. She moved to Los Angeles and worked two babysitting jobs, working 85 hours a week.
25. She hit rock bottom and wondered if her life had any positive impact on society.
26. She decided to travel and eventually ran out of money about a quarter of the way through the expedition.