My Epic Quest

I am currently: Level 13 (60% towards Level 14)

Most Recent Mission: Play Golf at St. Andrews in Scotland

Welcome to my Epic Quest of Awesome!

I’m traveling all over the world, going on crazy adventures, and helping other people level up THEIR lives along the way.  Curious about where I’ve been?  This video will help:

Every time I cross something off of my bucket list, I gain 20% experience towards my next “level.” Thanks to some lucrative credit card deals and frequent flyer offers (all learned from Chris Guillebeau’s Frequent Flyer Master), I have over a million airline miles (not an exaggeration) and I’m using them to see the world.  I’ll be meeting up with Nerd Fitness readers and using any travel-hacking skills I’ve acquired to accomplish this quest without breaking the bank.

I’ve flown 35,000 miles for $418, traveled an additional 150,000 miles all around the world, and lived like James Bond in Monaco using these tactics.  

Steve’s Epic Quest of Awesome

Here are the things I hope to accomplish over the next few years – it’s a work in progress and subject to change based on future circumstances. Nerd Fitness is a community, and I want to help others do cool things too. If I’m coming to your neck of the woods and you want to meet up or join me on an adventure, please let me know so we can meet up!

Completed Quests

Level 13

Level 12

Level 11

  • Attend Yacht Week – (Completed 8/9/14)
  • Pay off my student loans – four years early! (Completed 12/19/13)
  • Play golf at Kiawah Island Ocean Course (1/5 completed on Top 5 Public Courses) (Completed 10/10/13)
  • Watch the Red Sox win the World Series (Completed 10/30/13)
  • Pass 100,000 subscribers on Nerd Fitness (Completed 9/24/13)

LEVEL 10

  • Visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Completed 2/8/13)
  • Attend Carnival in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Completed 2/9/13)
  • Have 50,000 Subscribers on Nerd Fitness (Completed 3/4/13)
  • Have 1 million visitors in 30 days on Nerd Fitness (completed 3/3/13)
  • Set a world Record: World’s Longest Floating Human Chain (completed 7/5/13)

LEVEL 9

LEVEL 8 – MASTER QUEST – worth 100% exp

  • Be a Guest Speaker at Facebook (completed 1/25/12)

LEVEL 7

LEVEL 6 – MASTER QUEST – worth 100% exp

LEVEL 5

LEVEL 4

LEVEL 3 MASTER QUEST (worth 100% exp)

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 1

North America (The Starting Zone)

  • Swim in the Atlantic and Pacific in the same day
  • Go camping and rafting in the Grand Canyon
  • Surf on my own handmade board
  • Visit Mount Rushmore in South Dakota
  • Go to the Statue of Liberty in New York
  • Be an extra in a Hollywood movie
  • Be in a commercial
  • Fix up an old boat and take it out on the ocean (like Andy in the Shawshank Redemption)
  • Play in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, NV
  • Go fishing in Newfoundland
  • Go fishing in Alaska
  • Play golf at top 5 public courses in America (Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits, Pacific Dunes, Kiawah Island, Shadow Creek).
  • Watch the Red Sox Win the World Series
  • Drive cross country (Sandwich, MA to San, Diego, CA)

Central/South America (The Jungle/Forest Level)

  • Exercise in front of the statues on Easter Island
  • Visit the Galapagos Islands
  • Participate in a Capoeira roda in Brazil
  • Attend Carnival in Rio de Janeiro 
  • Visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
  • Dance the tango in Argentina
  • Visit Tikal in Guatemala
  • Visit Chichen Itza in Mexico
  • Visit Teotihuacan in Mexico
  • Go through the Panama Canal
  • Visit the Salar de Uyuni Saltflats in Bolivia
  • Visit Machu Picchu in Peru

Europe (The Ancient City Level)

  • Kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland
  • Visit Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland
  • Visit Loch Ness in Scotland
  • Visit the Lagavulin Distillery in Scotland
  • Take a bagpipe lesson in Scotland
  • Play golf at St. Andrews in Scotland
  • Attend an English Premiere League match, singing cheers and drinking with the hooligans
  • Visit Stonehenge in England
  • Spend a night in a castle
  • Visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
  • Dance all night on the island of Ibiza, Spain
  • Attend Yacht Week in Croatia
  • Attend Tomatina in Spain
  • Climb the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
  • Visit Mont St. Michel in France
  • Visit the Louvre in France
  • Exercise in front of the Palace of Versailles in France
  • Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral in France
  • Go to Oktoberfest in Germany
  • Visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria
  • Visit Hohenzollern Castle in Germany
  • Visit the Coliseum, Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilisca, in Rome, Italy
  • Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy
  • Visit the Duomo in Florence, Italy
  • Visit the Parthenon in Greece
  • Visit the Statue of Leonidas in Thermopylae, Greece
  • Visit the Blue Domed Church of Santorini, Greece
  • Exercise in Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia (which reminds me of Metroid: Prime)
  • Exercise in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia
  • Research my ancestry in Sweden, Norway, and Finland

Africa (the Desert Level)

  • Visit the Pyramids in Egypt
  • Go on an African Safari
  • Dive with sharks in South Africa
  • Ride an ostrich in South Africa
  • Climb Table Mountain in South Africa
  • Go to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa
  • Visit Madagascar
  • Snowboard at Ski Dubai in Dubai
  • Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
  • Ride a camel through the Sahara Desert
  • Visit Petra, Jordan (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ftw!)

Far East (the Hidden Temple Level)

  • Attempt the Ninja Warrior course in Japan
  • Study Kung Fu in Shaolin, China
  • Visit the Great Wall of China
  • Visit Okinawa, Japan, the home of Mr. Miyagi 
  • Visit Potala Palace in Tibet
  • See the Taj Mahal in India
  • Go to the Holi Festival or Dwali Festival in India
  • Ride the Trans-Siberian Railroad across Russia
  • Visit the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, Turkey
  • Visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
  • Ride a horse in Mongolia
  • Visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia
  • Spend a week or more studying Muay Thai Boxing in Thailand
  • Rock climb on the cliffs of Thailand

South Pacific (the Water/Beach level)

  • Skydive over New Zealand
  • Bungee Jump in Queenstown
  • Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef
  • Visit Ayer’s Rock
  • Snowboard and surf in the same day in New Zealand
  • Visit Borobudur Temple in Java, Indonesia
  • Visit the Palace of Brunei

Antarctica (the Snow Level)

  • Set foot on land
  • High-five a penguin!

Personal Level Up Goals

  • Pilot an Airplane
  • Start My Own Company
  • Spend a week getting kite board certified
  • Complete a rally racing training school
  • Visit all 7 continents (6/7 complete)
  • Fly completely around the world (in one direction)
  • Pay off all of my student loans – $6,600 to go
  • Shoot even par on 9 holes on a full size golf course
  • Shoot even par on 18 holes on a full size golf course
  • Shoot under par on 18 holes on a full size golf course
  • Get a hole in one on a regulation golf hole
  • Get a bullseye with bow and arrow

rock star Goals

  • Perform on stage in front of at least 1,000 people
  • Write and record an original song
  • Learn to play “Promentory” on the violin
  • Learn to play “Concerning Hobbits” on the violin
  • Sit at a piano in a public place, start playing “Piano Man” (piano), and have the crowd singing along by the end.
  • Spend an afternoon as a busker on a street corner (guitar)
  • Join a band on stage for one song in a Nashville Bar (any instrument)

Business Goals

  • Make a Full time living through Nerd Fitness
  • Become a published author
  • Become a NYT-Bestselling Author
  • Start a charity that raises at least $1,000,0000
  • Create a video on YouTube that has 1,000,000 views
  • Have my own clothing line
  • Have 10,000 subscribers on NF
  • Have 20,000 subscribers on NF
  • Have 50,000 subscribers on NF
  • Have 100,000 subscribers on NF
  • Have 250,000 subscribers to NF
  • Have 500,000 subscribers to NF
  • Have 1,000,000 subscribers to NF
  • Get a million visits to the site in one month

Jason Bourne/James Bond Goals

  • Become conversational in a 2nd language (Spanish)
  • Become conversational in a third language
  • Become conversational in a fourth language
  • Obtain dual citizenship
  • Create and keep a WTSHTF bag ready (google the phrase)
  • Take a Krav Maga course and become proficient
  • Pass a civilian firearms training course
  • Pass a SWAT class
  • Learn how to become a proficient locksmith

Strength Training Goals

  • Do 10 handstand push ups against the wall
  • Do 5 handstand push ups freestanding
  • Do 10 pistol squats with each leg
  • Do 10 one-arm push ups with each arm
  • Hold a freestanding handstand for 60 seconds
  • Do a muscle up
  • Do 5 consecutive strict muscle ups
  • Hold a wide leg planche for 10 seconds
  • Hold a front lever for 10 seconds
  • Hold a back lever for 10 seconds
  • Deadlift 405 lbs once (currently 3 reps at 320 lbs and climbing!)
  • Do 10 pull ups with 45 pounds of additional weight

Master Quests

These are all worth 100% experience or more due to their complexity or difficulty

  • Buy a tropical island (yes I’m serious)
  • Play golf at Augusta National in Georgia
  • Get photographed walking down the red carpet at some epic event
  • Be a guest on a prime time talk show 
  • Go into outer space
  • Get in the Guinness Book of World Records for something
  • Live like James Bond in Monaco
  • Be a guest lecturer at Google HQ
  • Be a guest lecturer at Facebook HQ

So, what am I missing? What are some of the places I need to see or things I need to do that aren’t on this list?  If you live in a place I plan on visiting and you want to meet up, please let me know.  Don’t worry, you’ll be able to read all about where I’m at and where I’m headed here on NF.

I’ll leave you with a quote from the Shawshank Redemption that expresses how I feel:

I find I’m so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it’s the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain.

I can’t wait to hear your suggestions on what to add to the Epic Quest.

Just don’t get me killed, okay?

My mom would be PISSED.

-Steve

###

341 thoughts on “My Epic Quest”

  1. If you’re in Toronto, you can climb the CN Tower stairs. All 1776 of them to the main level (it’s 2000-something to the SkyPod). THEN you can do the Edgewalk around the outside of the main pod.

  2. Pingback: Bucket Lists Can Suck It « Jill of Some Trades
  3. Pingback: Confessions of a she-nerd | Undefinable You

  4. Riding captive bulls and killing fish……practicing compassion may be a better goal.

    humanemyth.org
    abolitionistapproach.com

  9. Pingback: Nerd Fitness: Level Up Meet | Ninja Fitness
  10. Pingback: 5 Life Lessons Learned from Indiana Jones | Nerd Fitness

  11. I’m glad to see something besides the Taj Mahal on your list for India. I went to India last year and unfortunately did not get to see the Taj Mahal (still a sore subject), but had a life-changing trip regardless! We celebrated Diwali in Jaipur by lighting fireworks and watching the entire city celebrate from the rooftop of our amazing hotel. 

    If you read these comments, I would encourage you to add Varanasi (Banaras) to your India trip. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. We stayed on Mother Ganga (or as the west knows it, the Ganges River) between the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Manikarnika Ghat (cremation ghat with the oldest continuous burning cremation fire). Trust me, your life will be changed forever after you’ve experienced Banaras!

    Thank you for this web site. I can already see that it will change my life!

  12. I’m glad to see something besides the Taj Mahal on your list for India. I went to India last year and unfortunately did not get to see the Taj Mahal (still a sore subject), but had a life-changing trip regardless! We celebrated Diwali in Jaipur by lighting fireworks and watching the entire city celebrate from the rooftop of our amazing hotel. 

    If you read these comments, I would encourage you to add Varanasi (Banaras) to your India trip. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. We stayed on Mother Ganga (or as the west knows it, the Ganges River) between the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Manikarnika Ghat (cremation ghat with the oldest continuous burning cremation fire). Trust me, your life will be changed forever after you’ve experienced Banaras!

    Thank you for this web site. I can already see that it will change my life!

  13. While in Africa, you should seriously consider visiting Victoria Falls. They have an awesome bungee jump off of a 450 ft bridge. Also, when you come to Texas, look me up and I’ll hook you up with a bull ride in Ft. Worth.

  15. Australia and the entire Australasian region is absent from your list. There’s the Kokoda track in PNG, and here in Aus we have Koziosko, Uluru, and the Six Foot Track, not to mention the Daintree and the Kimberlies.

    And maybe by the time you get here, I’ll be healthy enough to party up with you!

  17. Pingback: Why You’ll Be More Interesting Next Year | Brent Ozar

  18. Since riding a camel through the Sahara is on your list, I wholeheartedly suggest doing that in Morocco, and you could add “Getting lost in Fez’s Medina” to it – look it up, it’s totally worth it.

  19. Since riding a camel through the Sahara is on your list, I wholeheartedly suggest doing that in Morocco, and you could add “Getting lost in Fez’s Medina” to it – look it up, it’s totally worth it.

  20. Pingback: How to Start (And Keep) Exercising, And Do The Impossible — Help For ADHD: ADDucation Academy
  21. Pingback: Should You Use the Force? | Nerd Fitness

  22. Steve, when you plan the Grand Canyon river trip, I strongly recommend the Grand Canyon Dories company. These non-motorized wooden boats were awesome (plus a better safety record than motor trips). If you can take their longest full trip from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead then there is ample time to make many side hikes up from the river to truly experience this wilderness. And if you go, like I did, during a motor-free month in the spring or fall, then you get an additional level of peace and serenity as you seldom see other groups. Have fun!

  23. Pingback: A Nerd’s Tale: Two Weeks in South Africa | Nerd Fitness

  24. Dubai is in Asia. If you go east of Egypt, you’re in Asia. Hence the “Middle East” or “Near East”, as contrasted with the term often used for China, Japan, etc. — the “Far East.”

  25. Pingback: Lessons Learned from 14 Months of Adventure Travel | Nerd Fitness
  27. Pingback: New Year Missions « sanctuaryofsilence

  28. hi michael. i hope you are healthy now! my son sent me this link to NF and it really convinced me to do something similar. i have tavelled a lot . but one of the places i have not visited but would love to is australia. probably it is serendipity that pointed me your way but can you help me get started on my trip? just an out of the blue thing…

  29. You should go base jumping. Nothing better than dressing up in a lemur costume and jumping off a really tall building.

  30. Pingback: 204 Coach Radio – Level Up Your Life: Steve Kamb [Your Story] | Coach Radio
  31. Pingback: Lessons Learned from 14 Months of Adventure Travel | Travelling and Fitness
  32. Pingback: A Nerd’s Tale: Two Weeks in South Africa | Travelling and Fitness
  33. Pingback: This geek's ULTIMATE goals | This Geek's Goals

  35. I suggest instead of just visiting Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota that you come out this way the first weekend in June and participate in a 10k “Volksmarch” up to Crazy Horse Monument.  It is quite the view and the turn around point is on the arm of Crazy Horse, which is about as long as 3 Mt. Rushmore monuments are wide.  It is an epic sight!  I did it back in high school and I want to do it again.

  36. Pingback: Getting the party started. | JLynn

  40. I love this article! I have my own To-Do list, but when you implemented it into Levels like a video game, my mind went straight to MegaMan and Final Fantasy. You truly are admirable, I think I’ll add to my list to shake your hand one day, simply because, since I’ve subscribed to your website, I’ve seen significant improvements in my life, and all because you’ve embraced the union of nerdiness and fitness, something I never thought was possible. I truly thank you and am eternally grateful to you. I truly hope to see you around.

  41. Pingback: How to Cook Paleo Spaghetti | Nerd Fitness

  42. Nice goals, sir! Might I suggest visiting North Dakota? Nothing insanely awesome going on here, just a random place to visit. Because seriously, unless you live here, who thinks of this place? Keep blogging!

  43. Pingback: A Newbie’s Guide To Nerd Fitness | Nerd Fitness

  44. perhaps you could add watching a volcanic eruption.   The action of the Earth creating new land, and the incredible energy it represents … witnessing a volcanic event could only make you more awesome, however, choose an Hawaiian-type volcano, not the explosive type.

  45. Pingback: 21 Exceptional Bloggers You Should Be Following | College Info Geek
  46. Pingback: 7 Key Lessons Charity Water Can Teach You About Building a Thriving Lifestyle Business
  48. Pingback: 7 Important Lessons About Building a Thriving Lifestyle Business from Charity: Water
  49. Pingback: The Adventure Begins… Again | Nerd Fitness

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

341 thoughts on “My Epic Quest”

  1. If you’re in Toronto, you can climb the CN Tower stairs. All 1776 of them to the main level (it’s 2000-something to the SkyPod). THEN you can do the Edgewalk around the outside of the main pod.

  2. Pingback: Bucket Lists Can Suck It « Jill of Some Trades
  3. Pingback: Confessions of a she-nerd | Undefinable You

  4. Riding captive bulls and killing fish……practicing compassion may be a better goal.

    humanemyth.org
    abolitionistapproach.com

  9. Pingback: Nerd Fitness: Level Up Meet | Ninja Fitness
  10. Pingback: 5 Life Lessons Learned from Indiana Jones | Nerd Fitness

  11. I’m glad to see something besides the Taj Mahal on your list for India. I went to India last year and unfortunately did not get to see the Taj Mahal (still a sore subject), but had a life-changing trip regardless! We celebrated Diwali in Jaipur by lighting fireworks and watching the entire city celebrate from the rooftop of our amazing hotel. 

    If you read these comments, I would encourage you to add Varanasi (Banaras) to your India trip. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. We stayed on Mother Ganga (or as the west knows it, the Ganges River) between the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Manikarnika Ghat (cremation ghat with the oldest continuous burning cremation fire). Trust me, your life will be changed forever after you’ve experienced Banaras!

    Thank you for this web site. I can already see that it will change my life!

  12. I’m glad to see something besides the Taj Mahal on your list for India. I went to India last year and unfortunately did not get to see the Taj Mahal (still a sore subject), but had a life-changing trip regardless! We celebrated Diwali in Jaipur by lighting fireworks and watching the entire city celebrate from the rooftop of our amazing hotel. 

    If you read these comments, I would encourage you to add Varanasi (Banaras) to your India trip. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. We stayed on Mother Ganga (or as the west knows it, the Ganges River) between the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Manikarnika Ghat (cremation ghat with the oldest continuous burning cremation fire). Trust me, your life will be changed forever after you’ve experienced Banaras!

    Thank you for this web site. I can already see that it will change my life!

  13. While in Africa, you should seriously consider visiting Victoria Falls. They have an awesome bungee jump off of a 450 ft bridge. Also, when you come to Texas, look me up and I’ll hook you up with a bull ride in Ft. Worth.

  15. Australia and the entire Australasian region is absent from your list. There’s the Kokoda track in PNG, and here in Aus we have Koziosko, Uluru, and the Six Foot Track, not to mention the Daintree and the Kimberlies.

    And maybe by the time you get here, I’ll be healthy enough to party up with you!

  17. Pingback: Why You’ll Be More Interesting Next Year | Brent Ozar

  18. Since riding a camel through the Sahara is on your list, I wholeheartedly suggest doing that in Morocco, and you could add “Getting lost in Fez’s Medina” to it – look it up, it’s totally worth it.

  19. Since riding a camel through the Sahara is on your list, I wholeheartedly suggest doing that in Morocco, and you could add “Getting lost in Fez’s Medina” to it – look it up, it’s totally worth it.

  20. Pingback: How to Start (And Keep) Exercising, And Do The Impossible — Help For ADHD: ADDucation Academy
  21. Pingback: Should You Use the Force? | Nerd Fitness

  22. Steve, when you plan the Grand Canyon river trip, I strongly recommend the Grand Canyon Dories company. These non-motorized wooden boats were awesome (plus a better safety record than motor trips). If you can take their longest full trip from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead then there is ample time to make many side hikes up from the river to truly experience this wilderness. And if you go, like I did, during a motor-free month in the spring or fall, then you get an additional level of peace and serenity as you seldom see other groups. Have fun!

  23. Pingback: A Nerd’s Tale: Two Weeks in South Africa | Nerd Fitness

  24. Dubai is in Asia. If you go east of Egypt, you’re in Asia. Hence the “Middle East” or “Near East”, as contrasted with the term often used for China, Japan, etc. — the “Far East.”

  25. Pingback: Lessons Learned from 14 Months of Adventure Travel | Nerd Fitness
  27. Pingback: New Year Missions « sanctuaryofsilence

  28. hi michael. i hope you are healthy now! my son sent me this link to NF and it really convinced me to do something similar. i have tavelled a lot . but one of the places i have not visited but would love to is australia. probably it is serendipity that pointed me your way but can you help me get started on my trip? just an out of the blue thing…

  29. You should go base jumping. Nothing better than dressing up in a lemur costume and jumping off a really tall building.

  30. Pingback: 204 Coach Radio – Level Up Your Life: Steve Kamb [Your Story] | Coach Radio
  31. Pingback: Lessons Learned from 14 Months of Adventure Travel | Travelling and Fitness
  32. Pingback: A Nerd’s Tale: Two Weeks in South Africa | Travelling and Fitness
  33. Pingback: This geek's ULTIMATE goals | This Geek's Goals

  35. I suggest instead of just visiting Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota that you come out this way the first weekend in June and participate in a 10k “Volksmarch” up to Crazy Horse Monument.  It is quite the view and the turn around point is on the arm of Crazy Horse, which is about as long as 3 Mt. Rushmore monuments are wide.  It is an epic sight!  I did it back in high school and I want to do it again.

  36. Pingback: Getting the party started. | JLynn

  40. I love this article! I have my own To-Do list, but when you implemented it into Levels like a video game, my mind went straight to MegaMan and Final Fantasy. You truly are admirable, I think I’ll add to my list to shake your hand one day, simply because, since I’ve subscribed to your website, I’ve seen significant improvements in my life, and all because you’ve embraced the union of nerdiness and fitness, something I never thought was possible. I truly thank you and am eternally grateful to you. I truly hope to see you around.

  41. Pingback: How to Cook Paleo Spaghetti | Nerd Fitness

  42. Nice goals, sir! Might I suggest visiting North Dakota? Nothing insanely awesome going on here, just a random place to visit. Because seriously, unless you live here, who thinks of this place? Keep blogging!

  43. Pingback: A Newbie’s Guide To Nerd Fitness | Nerd Fitness

  44. perhaps you could add watching a volcanic eruption.   The action of the Earth creating new land, and the incredible energy it represents … witnessing a volcanic event could only make you more awesome, however, choose an Hawaiian-type volcano, not the explosive type.

  45. Pingback: 21 Exceptional Bloggers You Should Be Following | College Info Geek
  46. Pingback: 7 Key Lessons Charity Water Can Teach You About Building a Thriving Lifestyle Business
  48. Pingback: 7 Important Lessons About Building a Thriving Lifestyle Business from Charity: Water
  49. Pingback: The Adventure Begins… Again | Nerd Fitness

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *