Bike-Packing Scotland and Breaking Free of Cultural Expectations with C.D. Seventeen

How can travel serve as a path to healing and self-discovery?
Today, I’m joined by C.D. Seventeen, a techno music artist, DJ, painter, and poet, to talk about what it was like growing up in the Yunnan Province of China and how a bike-packing trip through the Scottish Highlands and the Orkney Islands helped her reclaim her power.
In this episode, Seventeen opens up about her challenges coming out of that environment to pursue an unconventional path and what she had to overcome to follow her dreams. We also explore her book The Weight We Carry, which contains poems from her solo bike-packing journey. She shares how this transformative trip contributed to her healing, what the adventure was like, and how it continues to impact her to this day.
This story just might inspire you to, as Seventeen wrote on the back of her book, “jump on a bike, go on a journey, dive deep into the self, and let the weight of your human identity dissolve into the wind.”
Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide and suicidal ideation.
How has travel brought about a transformation in you? I'd love to hear your story and hope you’ll share it by sending me an audio message.
Premium Passport:
Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a monthly bonus episode (decided on by YOU), exclusive content, direct access to me to answer your questions, and more? Click here to try Premium Passport for only $1.
Tune In To Learn:

How DJing helped Seventeen overcome her social anxiety

Why she chose to move to the UK and study psychology instead of following her passions

Why speaking out about the Chinese education system and cultural expectations is important to her

The beauty of Seventeen’s culture and village life in the Yunnan Province

How writing in a foreign language taught her to embrace flaws and new possibilities

The pivotal moment that led her to take a solo bike-packing trip around Scotland

Seventeen’s quest for individuation and how her book reflects her transformation during the journey

What she’s learned from breaking free of the rules

Her advice for bike-packing Scotland and meeting others on the road

And so much more

Resources:

Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport

Subscribe to our FREE newsletter

Today's Sponsor - US Bank

Check out Seventeen’s website

Stay at the Orkney Island BNB and Rua Reidh Lighthouse

Milk & Honey by Rupi Kaur

Want More?

Hiking The West Highland Way In Scotland w/ Lynne Nieman

Lessons From Caring for the Dying and Bike Packing 18 Countries With Jerry Kopack

How to Design Your Bike Trip & The Future of Adventure Cycle Touring: Epic Bike Rides w/ Casey Greene

Thanks To Our Sponsors
This episode is sponsored by US Bank's Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card, with the ability to earn up to 5x the points on travel-related expenses like hotels, and rental cars, this card will get you the most return on your next trip.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices