As an adventure travel tour operator, we meet our fair share of adventurers. One thing we’ve come to realize is that anyone has the potential to become an adventurer! They come from all walks of life – different fitness levels, histories, educations, and worldviews. Two traits they do share, however, are curiosity and ambition.

Here is an assorted list (in no particular order!) of some noteworthy adventurers.

1 » Kevin Brauch

Travelling the world one drink at a time, Kevin Brauch has redefined what it means to be thirsty. Host of the television show The Thristy Traveler, this celebrity bartender conducts a weekly journey into the heart of the world’s greatest wine, beer and spirit producing regions.

“It’s more about who I’m drinking with than where I’m drinking.”

2 » Sir Edmund Hillary

Sir Edmund made history by being the one of the first men to climb Mount Everest at the age of 33. I hear that’s difficult.

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”

3 » Jane Goodall

This modern day Dr. Doolittle spent 45 years living amongst chimpanzees in what is now Tanzania.

“The greatest danger to our future is apathy.”

4 » Andrew Evans

New-age digital nomad Andrew Evans is a travel writer and photographer for National Geographic. He is known for his online persona WheresAndrew, where he leaves online clues for his ever-changing global location. I had the pleasure of meeting Andrew at TBEX ’11 where he conducted a travel-writing seminar. Class act all around.

“Guess where I am & join the adventure in real time!”

5 » Buzz Aldrin

Let’s give it up for Buzz Aldrin. Seriously. This guy went all the way to the moon and still had the class to say “after you” to his friend Neil. Way to keep it real Buzz!

““Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”

6 » Evelyn Hannon

Founder of Journeywoman.com, the largest online travel resource for women, Evelyn Hannon has aided female journey since 1997. She lends inspiration, resources, and knowledge to woman seeking adventure.

“The women-only travel market has grown because ‘women have grown’.”

7 » Reid Stowe

This highly ambitious mariner remained on the open ocean, without resupply or pulling into any harbor, for a period of one thousand days.

“The boat vibrates in a harmonic sort of way, Soanya throughly enjoys it. I’ve been keeping her in tune always ready to go.“

8 » Wade Davis

A Canadian Anthropologist and author, Wade Davis focuses humanitarian efforts on endangered indigenous cultures around the world.

“Every language is an old-growth forest of the mind, a watershed of thought, an ecosystem of spiritual possibilities.”

9 » Jacques Cousteau

Few have seen the ocean like Jacques Cousteau. An explorer, ecologist, filmmaker, scientist, photographer, author and researcher, Cousteau is the father of marine conservation and co-developed the aqua-lung.

“A lot of people attack the sea, I make love to it.”

10 » Trish Sare

Founder of BikeHike Adventures, Trish Sare has built her life around global travel and outdoor activity. Trish’s travel style merges a passion for cultural exploration with a love for physically rewarding travel.

“Fortunately, travel is my passion, so I get to live my dream every day of my life.”