Are travelers more adventurous than everyone else?

Hello {NAME}, Greetings from 35,000 feet! I’m on my way to Denver for another Nomadic Network live event. [(There’s a few left so check out where I’ll be speaking and come join!)](=) A few years ago, Kayt Sukel wrote an article on the blog about "the wanderlust gene" and how people who take risks [have a certain gene called DRD4](). Travelers, it seems, have that gene turned on. We're genetically predisposed to taking risks - and, let's face it, traveling to unknown lands and breaking out of our comfort zone is risky! But, as I sit up here in the clouds, I wonder: Is there also personality type for travelers? If you don’t have that gene, can you be a traveler too? Can you be adventurous? Is it all genetic? So, in today’s blog post, [we talk about the science of adventure with Jon Levy and the psychology of what he calls the 2am principle](. We flip it around mindset of travelers. Personally, I think people who break the mold and dream of faraway do have a certain personality type. They are mentally wired for it - both genetically and psychologically. I think we are risk takers who are little different from the rest. We want adventure, change, and excitement in our lives. That’s not to say other people don’t want travel too but we crave it like junkies. There are those who are content with going on that one trip a year or two and then there are those that secretly have Google flights open at work everyday. Remember how in the 3rd Matrix movie "The Architect" (the guy at the center of the Matrix) told Neo that not everyone accepted the Matrix? There were always people who resisted the programming, thus the Matrix robots in the Matrix created Zion (and the never-ending war)? Well, we’re like those people. The typical path society wants us to walk down doesn’t jive with our wanderlust or our desire to keep pushing the boundaries of who we are and what we know about the world. [And today’s blog is all about that.]( So head over the blog and learn about the science of adventure a Community Updates - Community Spotlight: On the community forums we've recently featured [Erika](), a flight attendant and blogger, who shared with us her stories from the sky! - Join the Book Club: Like books? Me too! If you're looking for new reading material, I send out the best books I've read each month! Since I read a lot, you’ll have a never ending supply of suggestions! [Click to join for free!]( - FLYTE Update: The students we raised money for have returned from their volunteer trip to Ecuador! Thanks to you, they volunteered with an after-school program, built an outside learning facility, visited the Equator, hiked mountains, made pizza, and had an overall amazing time in! You can see [lots of photo updates here!]() Thanks again for your support! :) Latest from the Blog [The Science of Adventure: How to Live a More Exciting Life]( Jon Levy is an expert in adventure. His book, The 2 AM Principle: Discover the Science of Adventure, talks about the science and psychology behind why people take risks, travel, and go on adventures. In this interview, he breaks it down for us - and gives us tips on how to become a little bit more adventurous in our own lives. [Experiential Travel: Just Another Way for People to Take Your Money]( = "Experiential travel" is the new booming buzzword in the industry...but what does it mean? Are we witnessing a worthwhile new trend that is taking travel to new heights, or, is "experiential travel" just another way for the industry to milk a few extra dollars from travelers? Unfortunately, it seems to be the latter. This Week's Money Saving Deals Here are this week's deals: - [Get 10% off Intrepid Travel tours through this link]() (Exclusive worldwide reader discount!) - [Get 10% off Agoda bookings with the code AGODANM10]( (Exclusive worldwide reader discount!) DON'T FORGET: [Purchase travel insurance to protect your trip](=)! (I always get it. You never know what could happen, especially these days! Better to be safe than sorry!) As always, if you have any questions or need advice, tips, or guidance, send me an e-mail! I'm here to help. Sincerely, Nomadic Matt P.S. - If you're traveling soon, consider booking through the links in this e-mail or [on the blog's resources page](=). All the best companies are listed, using the links doesn't cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! If you have any questions, please e-mail me. [Unsubscribe]( | 407 W University Ave, Georgetown, Texas 78626