Man Quits Job and Sets Sail on Life-Changing Adventure He Never Could Have Expected

Quarter-life crisis? Mid-twenty-somethings yearning for a change in life is more common than ever. Dwyer Haney is one such person who decided to make an audacious move and leave his everyday life behind. 

25-year-old Dwyer Haney was determined to seek something new and exciting, so he decided to take a daring risk and pursue his dream of sailing to Patagonia. He sold off all his possessions and purchased an old, 30-foot sailboat. 

Dwyer Haney had a dream – to ski directly from his boat on the fjords of Chile. But there was a long journey ahead, and his first step began in the town of Bellingham, Washington. 

Dwyer Haney’s incredible journey continued into the Sea of Cortez, followed by a voyage to the southern Mexican coast, and onward to the Galapagos Islands. But, it was the 37-day, non-stop sail from the Galapagos to Puerto Montt, Chile that was the true test of his skills. 

After months of honing his sailing skills, Dwyer Haney was ready to celebrate his achievement in style. He gathered his closest friends and family aboard his boat and partied. It was an unforgettable night in more ways than one – the sheer number of people aboard had the boat rocking dangerously close to the point of sinking! 

Dwyer Haney had the adventure of a lifetime while sailing down to Mexico. The highlight of his journey was the wildlife he experienced. He was mesmerized when a pod of dolphins swam playfully around the bow of his boat for an hour! 

Dwyer Haney was certainly lucky to have his friends from home come to visit him in Mexico. Spending time with them in the paradise of Mexico was definitely a highlight of his trip. With all the new sights, sounds, and culture to explore, it’s no wonder he didn’t get homesick. 

Despite all the good times, Dwyer Haney’s time in Mexico was far from easy. Powerful storms brought with them unexpected challenges, but in the end, these challenges contributed to making Dwyer a better sailor. 

For a sailor, taking a trip is always an adventure. But this particular trip was especially dangerous and not for the weak-hearted. The risks were obvious, and others would have ended their journey once the risks manifested themselves. 

Dwyer Haney fancied his chances of riding out a hurricane in the Sea Of Cortez. But, fortune didn’t favor him when a powerful hurricane struck Central America while he was away visiting family. 

On his journey to Mexico, Dwyer Haney was blessed with the opportunity to explore areas untouched by the hustle and bustle of the tourist industry. His experience of the untouched beauty of the landscape gave him a deeper appreciation for the world we live in. 

Dwyer Haney wanted to live as close to nature as possible on his voyage, so he decided to make the sea his main source of sustenance, as he was on it throughout his journey. About 40-50% of his meals in Mexico were from sea life. 

Dwyer Haney had a goal to witness every sunrise and sunset along his awe-inspiring journey through Mexico. For six months, he soaked up the amazing views this gorgeous country had to offer. 

Dwyer Haney was determined to embark on a solo adventure across the ocean – a journey to the Galapagos Islands. After hurricane season had passed, he set off on his boat on a two-week journey to his destination. 

Dwyer’s journey to the Galapagos Islands was only the beginning of his incredible adventure. As he left the islands, he faced a daunting task – to cross the Pacific Ocean alone, a journey of epic proportions measuring 3,500 nautical miles. 

Battling against rough seas and strong winds, Dwyer Haney was determined to make it through his sailing journey relatively unscathed. However, he encountered a significant hurdle when a fire broke out in the ship’s engine bay. 

Calbuco Volcano was about to give him a journey he would never forget! After weeks of sailing and exploring on his sailboat, he eventually arrived in Chile. Little did he know that a week later, an ash cloud miles into the air would be the breathtaking result of an eruption from Calbuco Volcano! 

Dwyer Haney found witnessing the volcano’s eruption an incredible and almost surreal experience, he was a mere 20 miles away. After the volcanic eruption subsided, he ventured into the Andes Mountains to help the people recover. 

Dwyer Haney was mesmerized by the breathtaking views of the Chilean fjords when he finally arrived there. He was rendered speechless as he took in the majestic sight of lush forests, towering cliffs, and deep blue waters. 

Dwyer Haney had a crazy idea: to sell all his belongings and explore the wonders of Chile! From the hot springs created by volcanic activity to the vineyards and inexpensive delicious wine, Chile is a paradise that seems too good to be true. 

It was a journey like no other! With a sailboat that had only been mastered a few months prior and an engine that had nearly caught on fire recently, Dwyer, the intrepid traveler, pushed on to the most monumental moment of the voyage: experiencing the majestic icebergs. 

Dwyer Haney was mesmerized by the sunrises over the majestic Andes Mountains. For him, it was one of the most memorable moments of his entire trip. As the sun slowly rose from behind the snow-capped peaks, it shone with a brilliant light that illuminated the entire valley below. 

In the remote area of Southern Chile, meeting new people is rare and exciting! So, when travelers like Dwyer Haney come across each other, it’s a cause for celebration. What better way to make the most of such an opportunity than by throwing a cocktail party on an iceberg?! 

Dwyer Haney’s day spent whale watching on the ocean in Southern Chile was nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did he witness the breathtaking beauty of a Blue Whale, a Fin Whale, and an Orca, but one of these impressive creatures even got close enough for Dwyer to smell it! 

Dwyer Haney had a dream: to ski off his boat. But the dense forests blocked any path to the best skiing spots. What could he do? Use the next best thing – a glacier! With a dinghy as an icebreaker, Dwyer and his friend slowly navigated through the dense packs of ice. 

There were still a couple of miles to climb up the glacier to arrive at an appropriate place to ski from. While the terrain and ice comprising the glacier may not have been the best skiing experience, the view from the top was unforgettable! From their vantage point, the vastness of the surrounding landscape was a sight to behold. 

Dwyer Haney was yearning for a grand adventure. Nothing seemed to excite him more than the idea of a sailing trip that would take him far, far away from his comfort zone. 

Dwyer Haney would like to keep traveling, and looking for his next life challenge. This journey, however, was still far from over, and he continued sailing for some time. As he considers what his next adventure will be, he hopes to find something that will bring new excitement and purpose to his life. 

Four years of hard work and dedication paid off for Dwyer Haney when he had saved up $75,000 from his job in mechanical engineering. But this was only the beginning of his journey. 

Dwyer Haney quit his job, sold all his possessions, and bought a sailboat – a decision that took him almost a year to make. He put together a guide (based on his own experience) for those looking to achieve financial independence. 

Quitting your job to travel the world might seem like a rash move, but with the right research and preparation, it doesn’t have to be. Dwyer Haney did just this, and his journey has provided valuable insights into how to make this a reality.