Originally from Houston, Texas, John developed a love for travel and the outdoors at an early age. The state of Mississippi, where John spent the later half of his adolescence, would provide him with countless state parks offering year-round access to hiking trails and other activities which would fulfill his need for spontaneous undertakings. When John first got his driving license at sixteen, he would spend his spare time driving through unknown county roads in hopes of getting lost and sparking an adventure. At the stroke of midnight turning to his 21st birthday, he blind folded himself and threw a dart at a map which struck Rolling Hills, Kentucky. John and two friends would make the drive overnight and be in Rolling Hills in time for breakfast. It can be said that John was infected with the travel bug during his youth, and in time this infection continued to spread faster than a cancer which would claim strong influence on his life’s path.
John began his university studies in 2005 at the University of Mississippi seeking an accounting degree. After two years of studying at Ole Miss, his life was in great need of a change and his heart was craving a brand new, adventurous experience. It was on his stroll home from his Advanced Spanish class that he popped into Ole Miss’s study abroad office to have a look at the overseas opportunities. Two days later, John had decided on studying at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, and thus the adventure had begun. His time spent in Australia would be his first full-on intercultural experience. Seeing the world from a new perspective opened John’s mind to new dimensions, and this experience would prove to be the foundation for the person he would become.
Returning home to the States, John completed his transfer application to Hawaii Pacific University in less than twelve hours after his plane touched down. Five weeks later he would be on a plane to the middle of the Pacific to quench his hearty thirst for travel. On his first day in Honolulu, John met Trails of Freedom’s eventual founder, Leigh Anne Crocco, and the two have remained close friends ever since. The two would explore the Hawaiian islands together over the next two years. Their time spent together on Maui and Kaua’i would strengthen their appreciation of the outdoors and plant the seed for the idea of Trails of Freedom.
Upon graduating from Hawaii Pacific with a degree in Accounting and studying for his medical college admission test, John would refocus his efforts towards a career in international education. In April 2011, John would once again leave the States. For the following six weeks, John would volunteer at a local primary school teaching English in Kathmandu, Nepal. When he wasn’t busy preparing lessons or working at the school, he would venture off to explore parts of the Himalayas. On his departure from Nepal, John would move on to Australia, where the dream all began. Currently located on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, John continues to capture his experiences for Trails of Freedom.
Some of John’s Outdoor Gear
Backpack • Kelty Trail Pack
Camera • Olympus Stylus Tough 8010
