Don Broussard shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Don, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I think it’s a mix. When I travel, I’m often wandering getting lost in new streets, languages, and moments I didn’t plan for. There’s something powerful about that kind of uncertainty. It humbles you, forces you to slow down, to see, to listen. But beneath that wandering, there’s still a path. Every country I visit, every story I share, connects to a bigger purpose to challenge stereotypes, to bridge cultures, to remind people that there’s beauty and humanity everywhere.
So yes, I wander. But I wander with intention. Even when I don’t know exactly where I’m headed, I know why I’m moving. My path isn’t drawn on a map
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Don, better known online as The Bearded Backpacker. I’m a solo traveler and storyteller from Louisiana who’s been to over 50 countries, often in places the world labels as “dangerous” or misunderstood like Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, and Haiti. My mission is to go beyond headlines and show the humanity, culture, and beauty that exist in these regions.
Through my brand. I create immersive travel content that bridges worlds giving people a chance to see these places through my eyes and hear stories directly from the locals who live there. What makes my journey unique is that I come from a small Southern town, the first in my family to graduate college, and now I’m exploring the world with nothing but a backpack and a camera.
Right now, I’m working on expanding my storytelling through group expeditions, collaborations with tourism boards, and a series highlighting the people and places that redefine what “travel” means. My goal isn’t just to be the first to go somewhere it’s to make sure I’m not the last.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that needs to be released is the version that constantly feels the need to prove myself. For a long time, I carried the weight of being the first from my family, from my hometown to go this far, to see this much. That drive pushed me to where I am, but now it’s time to let it go. I don’t need to chase validation or comparison anymore.
Today, I travel from a place of peace, not pressure. I’ve learned that I don’t have to prove my worth through miles, visas, or views. The story I’m telling now is one of presence of being grounded, listening deeply, and letting experiences shape me instead of trying to define me.
That old hunger served its purpose. It got me here. But to grow into what’s next, I have to release it. If that makes sense.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me what success never could depth. Success can show you what’s possible, but suffering shows you who you really are. It taught me patience, humility, and empathy. When you’ve been through moments of uncertainty, loneliness, or loss, you start to see people differently. You stop judging and start understanding.
Suffering stripped away my ego and made room for gratitude. Success might have built my platform, but suffering built me, my character, my soul.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the travel industry is that travel is all luxury, perfection, and escape. That it’s all sunsets, five-star hotels, and smiling faces. The truth is, travel is often uncomfortable it’s missing buses, getting sick, feeling alone, and realizing how little control you actually have. But those are the moments that make it real.
Another lie is that travel is only for the rich or privileged. I come from a small town in Louisiana, worked full-time while studying, and still made travel a reality through sacrifice and intention. You don’t need endless money you need curiosity, courage, and a willingness to step outside comfort.
And maybe the biggest lie of all is that certain countries are too dangerous, too poor, or too broken to visit. That narrative robs people of understanding, and it robs nations of dignity. I’ve found more kindness and hospitality in so-called “dangerous” countries than in some of the safest. The world isn’t divided between good and bad places it’s divided between those who are seen, and those who are misunderstood. My work exists to change that.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
People might think my legacy is about travel but it’s not. It’s about connection, courage, and truth. I wasn’t chasing countries; I was chasing understanding. Every journey was a way to bridge worlds, to challenge the headlines, and to remind people that there’s beauty even in the places the world overlooks.
My legacy isn’t measured in stamps or miles it’s measured in moments. In the smiles shared over tea in a war zone, in the stories told by people who thought no one was listening, in the bridges built between strangers.
I want to be remembered not just as a traveler, but as someone who gave others a reason to see the world and each other with new eyes. That’s the story I hope outlives me.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.bearded backpacker.com
- Instagram: @thebeardedbackpacker_
- Facebook: The Bearded Backpacker
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