Antonio Graceffo: From the Dust of 9/11 NYC to the Shaolin Temple

He went from a military career to a successful job in finance.

Until he realised he didn’t truly know those around him.

A pivotal moment made him re-evaluate what was important in life.

So he dug out his teaching diploma.

And went to follow his dreams.

Training at the Shaolin temple & building a new life as a martial arts anthropologist in Asia.

Here is The Brooklyn MonkAntonio Graceffo.

“That hot dog cart is going to be the last thing I see before I die.” – Antonio Graceffo (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • Surviving the national guard, navy & merchant marine
  • Using his military background to get to university
  • Going to university for free in Germany
  • Becoming a homeless finance worker in New York City
  • How the near death experience of 9/11 put things into perspective
  • The awe-inspiring experience of training in the Shaolin Temple
  • Living abroad is a more fulfilling experience than being a tourist

Lovely Links:

Speaking Adventure | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube

  • Antonio reporting on the Refugees in Shan State, Burma:

Travel Tools:

Music Credits:

Take Action:

What skills and qualifications do you have?  How would you be able to use these skills to live or travel abroad?

Izzy the Ninja: Forget the 9 to 5, I’m Going to Be a Ninja!

He was a bored teacher.

So he decided to move to Japan.

To become a ninja.

He learnt the value of humility.

Now he helps others in believing that they too can fulfil their dreams.

Welcome, Izzy the Ninja.

“My life is evidence that you can achieve the impossible.” – Izzy (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • Why he decided to Forget the 9 to 5, I’m Going to Be a Ninja
  • Studying aikido in Japan
  • Using your teaching qualifications to set you up abroad
  • Following your childhood dreams
  • The value of not understanding everything
  • How cleaning toilets gives you a simpler and more fulfilling life
  • Japanese mother nature is scarier than Japanese people

Lovely Links:

The 30 year old Ninja | Facebook

Travel Tools:

  • Achieve the impossible – An online course that teaches the fundamentals, educating and inspiring people to achieve what they initially believe to be impossible

Music Credits:

Special Shout Out:

  • Belal Khanfar, Chris Jones, Tom Miller, André Gussekloo, Cheryl DeMesa, Michael Rigby, Brian Walsh, Pavan Mathur, John Naylor & Mickael Jan for assisting with the playlist!

Take Action:

Write down your vision – what does a perfect travel experience look like?

Once you’ve done that, now write down the next steps and ways to overcome the objections & hurdles.