Brando Yelavich's life-changing journey has opened up lots of possibilities. Photo / Tania Newman
Brando Yelavich's life-changing journey has opened up lots of possibilities. Photo / Tania Newman
He got into trouble as a teen and faced an uncertain future when he finished high school, but after an epic 18-month trip circumnavigating New Zealand on foot Brando Yelavich hopes his life-changing journey will inspire others.
The 21-year-old, know as Wildboy, completed his 8000km trek around the country's ruggedcoastline in August, and has since been offered a book deal, television series and speaking engagements.
"I didn't really know where my life was headed and what direction I was going in and now I do," he said.
"I have had heaps of opportunities arrive from this which is pretty cool. I didn't think I would get this many opportunities.
"I thought there would be some things that came from it otherwise I wouldn't have done the whole thing but the opportunities that I have had now feel bigger than I could have thought [of] before."
In between motivational speaking events, including for Mike Pero Mortgages, Mr Yelavich has been working in his parents' Greenhithe garden, writing his book The Right Sight and completing plans for a television series with Taika Waititi's Curious Films.
"They approached me when I was just about finished my trip. It's going to be me going into the wild with someone else and finding out about them and showing New Zealand as the beauty that's in our backyard."
He said he hoped to inspire viewers by featuring guests or celebrities who had faced challenges in their paths to success, the same message he had been spreading since starting his journey.
While walking the country's coastline - a feat that included falling from cliffs, suffering from hypothermia and nearly drowning - he stopped and spoke to school children and community groups about facing challenges and accomplishing goals.
Those speeches are now also targeting the corporate world.
"I tell them about my trip and then turn whatever life skills I have learnt into workplace lessons or business lessons about setting goals or putting others before yourself."
Yelavich's adventure began in Cape Reinga, then down the west coast to Bluff and traversing the east coast back to his home city, raising more than $30,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
He was inspired by the movie Into the Wild, about a young American man who shuns convention to live in the Alaskan wilderness
