Sailing from Oregon to Hawaii after quitting his job turns a man with a cat into social media star

Category: Human Interest

Listening

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. embark on (something) / ɛmˈbɑrk ɒn / (phrasal v.) – to start something, such as a new or important activity
    Example:

    After years of saving money, my friend decided to embark on a world tour, hoping to see famous places on every continent.


  2. liquidate / ˈlɪk wɪˌdeɪt / (v.) – to turn something owned, such as a property, savings, or an investment, into cash that can be used now
    Example:

    Julia had to liquidate some of her investments to pay for a sudden hospital bill.


  3. refit / riˈfɪt / (v.) – to repair and put new things into something, like a boat or a building, to make it ready to use again or to make it better
    Example:

    The old restaurant is currently refitting its kitchen, adding modern ovens and bigger refrigerators to serve more customers.


  4. bout / baʊt / (n.) – a short period of time when someone experiences something, such as an illness
    Example:

    My brother had a bout of the flu last week and had to stay home.


  5. in a rut / ɪn ə rʌt / (idiom) – being in a situation where someone is doing the same things all the time and feels bored because nothing new happens
    Example:

    The sports team lost several games lately and felt like they were in a rut, so their coach decided to try completely new training methods.


Article

Read the text below.

Midway while sailing across the Pacific with just his cat named Phoenix, Oliver Widger reflected on why he thinks his many followers—more than a million on TikTok and Instagram—are drawn to his story of quitting his 9-to-5 job and embarking on a journey from Oregon to Hawaii.


“The world kind of sucks and, like, I don’t think I’m alone in how I felt with my work,” Widger, 29, told The Associated Press via Zoom. “You can be making $150,000 a year and you still feel like you’re just making ends meet … And I think people are just tired of that and working really hard for nothing and want a way out.”


People are inspired by someone who found a way out, said Widger, who is among a growing number of people who have undertaken such voyages in recent years.


Being diagnosed four years ago with a syndrome that carried a risk of paralysis made him realize he hated his job as a manager at a tire company. He heard about people who sailed from California to Hawaii and decided that was the life for him.


He abruptly quit his job with “no money, no plan” and $10,000 of debt.


He liquidated his retirement savings, taught himself to sail mostly via YouTube and moved from Portland to the Oregon coast, where he spent months refitting the $50,000 boat he bought.


Now, Widger is harnessing the power of social media to fund his round-the-world sailing dream.


Since he set sail in April, followers have been tuning into his “Sailing with Phoenix” social media posts to view videos of him and his feline first mate battling the waves and bouts of seasickness, enjoying dazzling sunsets, recounting tricky boat repairs or just reflecting on life at sea.


He credits it all to his neck issue, which “shook up my world and it changed my perspective on everything.” He also hopes he can be an inspiration for anyone who’s in a rut.


“Everything I’ve done I thought was impossible,” Widger said. “Sailing around the world is such a ridiculous dream. Whatever your dream is, just go, just do it.”


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Oliver Widger believes his followers are drawn to his story as a way out from a world that “kind of sucks.” Why do you think stories of people escaping their everyday lives are often so appealing? What specific aspects of “everyday life” do you think people find difficult or unsatisfying? Discuss.
  • Widger is sailing with his cat, Phoenix. How do you think having a pet or companion animal can enhance a person’s experiences, especially when they travel alone? If you were to embark on a long solo adventure, would you consider bringing a pet? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Widger embarked on his journey with “no money, no plan.” Would you be comfortable doing the same thing? Why or why not? Do you think having no plan can lead to exciting experiences, or is it too risky? Why? What would you need in order to feel safe or ready for a journey like his? Discuss.
  • Widger described sailing around the world as a “ridiculous dream” that he is pursuing. What makes a dream feel impossible, and how can someone overcome that feeling? Do you have a “ridiculous dream” that you would like to pursue someday? Discuss.