Take Them To A Beautiful Place - Vanlife and inspiring others to get out to explore with James, aka The Ethnic Explorer

In this episode we chat with James, aka The Ethnic Explorer, who is about vanlife and uncovering black history, all while inspiring others to do the same. Growing up in a small Virginia town, James's love for the outdoors started in the woods, often accompanied by his trusty feline companion, Smokey. As he grew older, his passion for the outdoors remained steadfast, but it all changed while working at a dealership. A routine task of driving a customer's van to the service center opened up James' eyes to a new way to adventure. The fully converted van was decked out with a bed and living amenities. James thought to himself, "Oh the adventures I could take in this." He took his old basketball team's Astro Van, $500 and scrap wood from his parents remodeling project and created his own van that was ready for any adventure. But James's adventures are not solely about breathtaking landscapes; they are also a voyage into history. His travels serve as a gateway to discovering the often untold stories of African American heritage, elevating the impact of his expeditions. With each trip, he documents his experiences on YouTube, inviting others to join his mission of exploration and discovery. Through his platform, he seeks to inspire individuals to break free from their comfort zones, embrace vanlife, and engage with the world around them on a deeper level.  If you've ever dreamed about vanlife, uncovering hidden stories, or simply seeking inspiration to push your boundaries, this episode's for you! Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.  Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $32,085 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 164 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.