021: Combat, Cruising, and Carpe Diem

Today’s guest is a good friend who has certainly lived an interesting and dangerous life.  Jim Ellis is a twenty year combat vet who served as a helicopter gunship pilot and maintenance test pilot.  During his tour in Iraq in 2003, Jim took stock of his life and was not happy with what he saw.  Two years later, he retired, bought a boat, sailed the Caribbean, bought a marina in Guatemala, met the love of his life, and eventually set off to accomplish his lifelong dream of crossing the Pacific Ocean in a sail boat.  This is a wide ranging interview and I think you will agree that Jim’s story is an inspiration for us all.  Also, check out the links below. Enjoy! Download this episode (right click and save) Books and Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Dove, by Robin Lee Graham Patrick O’Brian Books, a classic series of books about the age of tall ship sailing Don’t Stop the Carnival, the story of a man who faces middle age by reinventing himself on a Caribbean island Endurance: Shackelton’s Incredible Journey, by Alfred Lansing Nigel Calder’s Cruising Handbook: A Compendium for Coastal and Offshore Sailors, by Nigel Calder The Bumfuzzle Blog, Pat and Ali’s seemingly endless journey Mopelia (also Maupihaa), an atoll in the Society Islands west of Bora Bora.  Population 10 and a great place to...