John Ahern appeared to have it all: a prestigious job, a big house, a loving wife, and two wonderful children. Yet, despite these successes, he felt he was falling short as a husband and father.
In a bold move, John decided to overhaul his life. He left his career, quit the corporate world, and, along with his wife Mandy, purchased a dilapidated campervan online. Their ambitious goal was to spend a year traveling the world with their kids.
Unplugged from the internet, the family journeyed across 30 countries on a messy, funny, and sometimes challenging adventure. From the North Pole to African peaks, they faced encounters with mischievous monkeys, charming snake handlers, and inspiring fellow travellers. Throughout their journey, they uncovered the secrets to living a life less ordinary.
In his book, "On The Road… With Kids," John shares the hilarious, poignant, and inspiring story of his family's year-long journey through 30 countries in an old campervan. He talks about the quest to create an extraordinary life at work and play, citing examples of companies like Flight Centre, Microsoft, and Facebook that integrate 'time out' into their success strategies. John sparks ideas on implementing daily breaks, retreats, and longer sabbaticals to foster happier employees, enhanced performance, and significant company growth.
John has been featured in various media outlets, including the Australian Financial Review’s Great Leap series, BRW, Channel 9, Sky Business News, and the ABC’s Conversation Hour with Richard Fidler. An accomplished speaker, John combines the gravitas of a corporate leader with the soul of a backpacker, entertaining and inspiring his audiences.
Originally from Queensland, Australia, John grew up in Redcliffe, enjoying beachside adventures and backyard cricket. His career ranged from mowing lawns and packing groceries during university to serving as the global head of Corporate Real Estate, Branding, and Acquisitions for a publicly listed company.
In between serious bouts of work, John has travelled to over 80 countries, surviving being shot at, poisoned, tear-gassed, robbed at gunpoint, and even locked up in an African jail. He has stowed away on a Colombian cargo plane, ridden across countries on trucks and bus roofs, flown in an ultralight over the Zambezi, and experienced two train derailments.
His adventures and insights have captivated readers and audiences alike, highlighting the importance of embracing change and living life to the fullest. John's engaging storytelling and motivational speaking continue to inspire individuals to pursue their passions and create memorable experiences.
