The Nautical Novelist: She Sold Everything at 54 & Sailed the World

At 54 years old, Alison Gieschen—known as The Nautical Novelist—made a life-changing decision: she sold everything she owned and, together with her husband, stepped onto a 43-foot sailboat and set out to sail around the world.In this episode of Sh!t Creek Survivors, Alison shares her powerful journey from growing up on a self-sustaining farm, to childhood visions of sailing, to a traumatic job loss that became the catalyst for a bold five-year plan to circumnavigate the globe.What followed was years of preparation, ocean crossings, storms, mechanical failures, emotional challenges, and deep personal transformation across 48 countries and multiple continents.We discuss:Childhood visions and early connection to sailingFarm life, trauma, and personal reinventionRediscovering sailing and heavy weather trainingThe decision to sail the world at 54Life aboard a 43-foot sailboatSurviving storms and technical failures at seaGratitude, signs, and resilience under pressurePTSD, mental fatigue, and emotional enduranceHelping others and finding purpose through serviceAdvice for anyone delaying their dreamsThis is a story about courage, reinvention, and what it means to rebuild your life when you choose uncertainty over comfort—and freedom over fear.Alison Gieschen, The Nautical Novelist, is a former teacher, equestrian coach, and horse farm owner who reinvented her life in midlife.At 54, she and her husband sold everything they owned and began a global sailing journey aboard their sailboat EQUUS. Since then, they have traveled across oceans and visited 48 countries, documenting a life defined by adventure, resilience, and transformation.She now shares her experiences through writing and storytelling, blending real-world sailing adventures with themes of courage, growth, and human connection.Website: https://alisongieschen.comSailing Blog: https://sailmates.orgContact Shit Creek Survivors PodcastHave a story of resilience, transformation, or a life-changing moment you want to share?We’d love to hear from you and consider you as a guest on Sh!t Creek Survivors.📧 Email: [email protected]🌐 Website: https://shitcreeksurvivors.comFollow & connect:YouTube: Sh!t Creek SurvivorsFacebook: Sht Creek Survivors