I was overjoyed when I found out that my name had been inscribed on this tree – Caye Caulker, Belize.

I’m a traveler who left on a backpacking adventure in August 2012. I quit my job in television news and sold everything I own to begin a journey to travel the world. I have since returned to the United States and now travel in my free time.

How I made my decision

For the past few years, I realized something was missing from my life … the fulfillment. I had grown bored doing what I thought would make me happy. So instead of taking another job in Boston, I turned it down and focused on saving money for my trip.

You did what?

That’s right. I turned down what would have been a dream job to do something that I think will be better for my soul. People say everyone who works in the television industry is a little crazy. It’s a good thing those same people probably say the same thing about backpackers.

Where do you want to go?

I want to go everywhere. There’s not a single place that I don’t find fascinating. I’ve been to Central America and Southeast Asia.

The entrance to the Baphuon Temple at Angkor Archaeological Park is behind me. – Near Siem Reap, Cambodia

Doesn’t that cost a lot of money?

If you believe what the travel industry tells you, but I kept  costs down by staying in hostels or Couchsurfing and traveling by bus. My travel budget started at $15,000. That lasted a year.

How did you save?

This was the tough part. It took discipline. I cooked nearly all of my meals (I ate out maybe twice a month), and I avoided frivolous spending (When I did spend, I looked for low-cost alternatives). However, the biggest saver was moving out of my apartment and into a house with four roommates.

How do you get in touch with Ryan?

Send an e-mail to [email protected]. You can also follow me on Facebook or Twitter.