About the author

Tim Moss

Tim Moss has supported over 100 expeditions across all seven continents. He has climbed new mountains, crossed a desert on foot and recently cycled 13,000 miles around the world. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society London and a Guinness World Record Holder. He aims to encourage more people to live adventurously. Read more...

29 Comments

  1. 1

    [email protected]

    Thank you for sharing this – you are not alone. Literally had a conversation about this last night.

    Reply
    1. 1.1

      Tim Moss

      About qualifying as a Chartered Accountant? Nice! ;)

      Reply
  2. 2

    Alastair Humphreys

    Fabulous, as always. Well done!

    PS – if you want any insults to shout at Leon, I have LOTS….

    Reply
  3. 3

    Jon Stacey

    Tim…Join the club. I’m also an accountant. When I give talks to under-graduates or school/college groups I always ask what they think accountancy is about. The answer they give is always numbers/money when IMHO it’s actually people. If it was numbers I would be rubbish at it as a serial O Level Maths failure (actually I still don’t have it but I have been an accountant for 30 years). But the people are what makes it for me and as an IP I imagine it would be very true too.

    Good luck and keep up with all of it. It’s the balance that makes the difference…and I still love your grant. Thanks, Jon.

    Reply
    1. 3.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks Jon. Glad to hear there are other adventuring accountants out there (not that I doubted it). And thanks for your continued support of my grant.

      Reply
  4. 4

    Derek Cullen

    This is absolutely superbly written and thought-out, Tim. Thank you for such a usefull post.

    I had been struggling with the same issues for quite some time, almost exactly what you wrote about above – right down to the little details.

    However, last month, I finished hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and made a huge decision.

    I started to focus 100% on my online content business and think of my adventure website as a hobby. It’s only small but the agency has great potential and I absolutely love how marketing, branding etc gets my brain to work.

    Many thanks again, I have mentioned you and one or two others over the years in my blogs but really should have given you more credit for the influence you have had on my life decisions.

    All the best, Tim and good luck with the numbers!

    Derek

    Reply
    1. 4.1

      Tim Moss

      Hi Derek,

      Thanks for the comment and congratulations on completing the Pacific Crest Trail!

      Sounds like you’ve reached a good decision. If it goes well, then I am happy to take credit for your life decisions. Should you experience any issues, please see my disclaimer.

      All the best,
      Tim.

      Reply
      1. 4.1.1

        Derek Cullen

        Hahah love it, Tim! Thanks again and have a fantastic week !

  5. 5

    Brenda Cupryna

    well done Tim. Its not easy studying all the while living life and starting that new little one. That’s a whole new adventire in itself. Best wishes for your future

    Reply
  6. 6

    Paul H

    Congrats TIm on your career decision and best of luck. TS Elliot said it better than most when he wrote quite beautifully “We shall never cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring, will be to arrive where we started, and know the place for the first time.”

    Reply
    1. 6.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks Paul. It’s a good line!

      Reply
  7. 7

    Will Mallott

    I’m also an accountant (also spent two years working in Insovlency) and last year did a 14 day packraft tour of Fiordland, New Zealand. That’s the good thing about accoutancy qualifications, there is always work and I agree it’s about people and communicating numbers with meaning (and of course spreadsheets). Will be looking at your grant next year as were about to have a baby and I want to do some baby inclusive adventures to show that accountants and new parents can keep on adventuring!!!!

    Reply
    1. 7.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks Will. Packrafting in Fiordland sounds great. Best of luck with the new arrival.

      Reply
  8. 8

    Emma

    I love this refreshing reality check showing how you can have best of both worlds! I buy as many holidays as possible for as many micro adventures and travel as I can fit in. Half day holidays for weekends away rule! Now a subscriber. Thank you :)

    Reply
    1. 8.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks for that Emma. I also buy the maximum additional annual leave!

      Reply
  9. 9

    Alan

    Another great article!

    I have always admired the idea of your website, to help others go on adventures. Including myself. You are inspiring. Well done.

    I read your book with laughter, delight, and amazement. Wow, what an adventure.

    Reply
    1. 9.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks Alan. Really glad you enjoyed my book.

      Reply
  10. 10

    Fernando Hidalgo

    Paul Ramsden worked for HM Revenue and Customs, 9 to 5, with a month of holidays per year. He got FOUR Piolet d’Or, one of the highest recognition in mountaineering.

    https://paulramsden48.wordpress.com/

    I personally found out that I can get more time and money to do adventures working in a well paid job and taking lots of time off than trying to work in something cool and the same time that I try to do something cool with my free time.

    Reply
    1. 10.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks Fernando. I think Paul got at least one of his Piolet d’Or awards for a climb with Mick Fowler, another HMRC employee who has three Piolet d’Or awards of his own. Must be something about us numbers guys, eh? ;)

      Reply
  11. 11

    Robert Brown

    What a great article, fresh and honest. In the end most adventure is just pointless and selfish, nothing wrong with that if you don’t pretend otherwise! When I was wondering how to earn a more worthwhile living, my Dad told me – why not get a regular well paid job, and then you’ll have lots of time to have fun hobbies and the money to do them, maybe he was right.

    Reply
    1. 11.1

      Tim Moss

      Thanks Robert. I think recognising that most adventure is pointless and selfish is quite important and almost liberating. +1 to your dad too.

      Reply
  12. 12

    Tim from Gather Outdoors

    Tim this is an inspiration! I’m trying to transition the opposite way, by creating a business which enables me to be more adventurous. But that has taken most of my spare time that could otherwise have been used for adventures, especially as other responsibilities closed in this year.

    Still, I’m sticking with it, but great to have the alternate perspective. I hope you won’t mind if I share this article with our community in my end of year reflection?

    Tim

    Reply
    1. 12.1

      Tim Moss

      Hi Tim,

      Thanks for the comment. I’m glad you’ve found it useful, even as you travel in the opposite direction.

      You might find this articles useful too: How I Make a Living as an Adventurer (Hint: I Don’t)

      Please do go ahead and share the article. Let me know if I can help with your transition.

      All the best,
      Tim.

      Reply
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  16. 13

    Kayleigh Richards

    Hi.
    It’s so refreshing to read a realistic article. Of course most people need a job to fund their lifestyle. Most people can’t make money from doing their hobby.
    I’ve just qualified as a chartered accountant myself. I chose accountancy as I knew I could always get a job earning enough money to support myself and my family. Once chartered is always be able to take breaks in my career but have my qualification to fall back on, in a field where I’d likely always find work- and a qualification that is recognised internationally.

    Like you I fit my travels around annual leave (and also around school holidays as we have a 10 year old)
    But if you want to do something you can always find a way. In 2019 we managed 8 adventures. On a pretty small budget. Mostly walking holidays ( a couple of weeks in the lakes, the Rota Vincentina (where our then9 year old carried her own kit the whole way) and my favourite, exploring the mountains of Slovenia) children learn by example and I’m set to have an adventurous daughter on my hands. We are already planning a gap year together when she turns 18.

    I’ve really enjoyed exploring your website. I shall be buying your book for future inspiration.

    Reply
    1. 13.1

      Tim Moss

      Hi Kayleigh

      Thanks for the comment and congratulations on qualifying. It certainly sounds like you’ve managed to keep adventuring with a full-time job and family, which is great to hear as our own family expands!

      All the best,
      Tim.

      Reply

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