Interview on newsbomb.gr

Giorgos Grintelas is 36 years old. He is Greek, originally from Patras. At the age of 33, he made the most radical decision of his life: to travel around the world on two wheels.

"I left everything behind in Greece—my home, parents, siblings, job... along with any financial or pension security," he tells Newsbomb. On a 410cc Royal Enfield Himalayan, he set off on his big journey, taking only the bare essentials"

He lives outdoors in nature—in his tent, in caves, treehouses, or wherever he can find shelter. He cooks his own food, never stays in hotels, and doesn't go to restaurants. Sometimes people offer him hospitality without him even asking, while other times he works wherever he happens to be or takes seasonal jobs to keep going.

He has already crossed 12 countries, with Africa as his first major goal, where he estimates it will take him 1 to 3 years to explore. He travels alone. "It isn't easy," he admits, "but that is the price of freedom."

He is filming his journey, and anyone who wants to can follow along on his social media.

What the road teaches.

When asked how he manages to stay free from fears and expectations, Giorgos replies:

"It has to do with realizing that life is short. I have learned not to expect anything from anyone. People suffer not so much from what happens to them, as from their expectations of others. If someone combines the short duration of life, the certainty of death, and a mindset without expectations, then they are free. To sum it up? Memento mori."

Life on the road has taught him that nothing is guaranteed.

"Everything can turn upside down at any moment," he says. "Every day is different and completely unpredictable. A few hours before dark, I look for a spot to pitch my tent. It isn't always easy. The weather conditions, the rain, the difficulty of finding a place to sleep... That's where you need a bit of grit."

Giorgos often faces the basic human need for shelter—a need that, as he says, "puts you to the test." "I can't afford to sleep in hotels. But even if I could, I wouldn't do it. I find it extremely boring."

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If he has to pick one thing he is never without, it wouldn't be something material.

"I carry only the essentials: a tent, a sleeping bag, and cooking gear. I stay as minimal as possible. What I must never lose touch with is my self-awareness—who I am, where I'm going, what I want, and what I don't want. That is the inner groundwork that got me this far. If you lose that, you can lose sight of your goal, too."

When asked what he would say to someone who wants to leave behind the safety of the city and live freely, he replies:

"First, free your mind from stereotypes and open yourself up to every challenge that comes your way. It is difficult, because the human brain is fed with fears every single day."

Social media and traveling.

The era of digital content has changed the way many people travel.

However, Giorgos sees it differently:

"There are people who travel to make content, and others who travel because they genuinely love it. I belong to the second category. My journey started before I got on social media—that just came along the way. I wouldn't want my dream to become digitized. Even so, I upload videos or go live for those who want to hear my news. I try to keep a balance. I'm not on my phone all day, nor do I post stories every single day."

He doesn't like being called just a free camper. "I am a motorcycle traveler who has chosen to live in nature," he clarifies.

Living close to nature, he says, teaches you a lot:

"First of all, true connection with nature. Western civilization has started selling it packaged inside limits and rules. I am free—I won't ask anyone for permission to sleep on a mountain. 'Free camper' means a free human being. It also teaches simplicity, and how to sit down and have a conversation with yourself. Some people can't stand being alone for even a minute out of fear of loneliness."

Next stop: Africa

His big dream is to complete his journey through Africa—his first continent. If everything goes well, he will head toward Asia next.

You can read the interview on--> NEWSBOMB