Eight years ago, Alison Gieschen and her husband — a merchant marine — made a deliberate decision most people never will. They planned a ten-year circumnavigation of the world and committed to it. Not on a whim. On purpose. In this episode, Alison joins me from a friend’s boat in Bora Bora — her own Wi-Fi wasn’t cooperating, and instead of forcing it, she chose not to intrude on the show. That alone tells you a lot about who she is. We talk about what life underway actually looks like — not the romantic highlight-reel version. From the reality that there’s no such thing as downtime on a boat, to one-hour dinghy rides and five-mile walks just to get groceries, to sailing through COVID when they could keep moving but no ports would let them in. We get into being stuck in Ireland with the pubs closed, why the sailing community is as tight as it is, her favorite place so far — the Corinth Canal — and the hardest places they’ve been and why. Alison also shares why documenting the journey through blogs and books matters, her love of scuba diving (including an upcoming trip diving with sharks), and yes… why she wanted a chicken as a pet — with a diaper — and why her husband shut that idea down immediately. This conversation isn’t about escape. It’s about commitment, discipline, and perspective earned mile by mile. Still underway. Sponsors This episode is brought to you by the supporters who help keep the mic hot and the lights on. Live Rishi Clean, plant-based nutrition made simple. 👉 https://liverishi.com/ High Speed Daddy Because performance, mindset, and family don’t have to be separate lanes. 👉 https://www.highspeeddaddy.com/?rfsn=7178368.317ce6 (If you’re interested in sponsoring the Be Raw Podcast, hit me up through the site.) Connect With Alison 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alison.gieschen Connect With Me / Be Raw Podcast 👉 Website & Blogs: https://berawpodcast.com ’til next time Be Raw Nation — Keep kickin’ ass. Be Raw Podcast, Episode 203, Eight Years In & Still Underway, Alison Gieschen, sailing podcast, circumnavigation of the world, long-term travel, liveaboard sailing, Bora Bora sailing, merchant marine, women sailors, sailing community, real travel stories, podcast interview, earned perspective, discipline and commitment, life underway, ocean sailing, Be Raw Nation, Walt Blau