- How did you decide to travel around the country in an Airstream? How were you inspired to do this?
Why live in our trailer and travel across North America, you ask? For us, the answer is simple: To be inspired by the diversity of culture, people and environments throughout our spectacular continent. To celebrate community and inspire others through our life and actions, while having as much FUN as possible.
- How did This Amazing Life come about? What was the inspiration behind it?
This idea started to take shape in the spring of 2014, after winning a gold medal at Sochi’s Paralympic Winter Games. Being an athlete and representing Canada was both an incredible honor and a demanding responsibility. My wife and I felt the best way to celebrate and rejuvenate after the intensity of competition was to spend more time in the natural world we both love.
We searched high and low until we found the perfect trailer, one that will accommodate my wheelchair, our young daughter and our insatiable appetite for adventure.
After spending a month of camping around Vancouver Island in the fall of 2014, it became clear that I needed to make some changes in my life. I announced my retirement from competition, allowing Lacey and I to refocus on our family and our values: Creativity. Honesty. Gratitude. Simplicity. Awareness. Balance. Love.
- Where have you traveled to so far?
We departed from the comforts of home in Vernon, Canada on May 13, 2015. Our first trek was down the Oregon coast into northern California, coming to rest in the community of Truckee, Ca. - home of the High Fives Foundation. After a few weeks of integrative work with the foundation, we made our way through central Oregon back into British Columbia to spend our summer with friends and family.
- What has been your favorite part of this journey?
Our favorite part of this adventure is not what has been, rather the excitement of what will be. We feel incredibly fortunate to be leaping – as a family – into the unknown. There will be many challenges along the way, but it is the challenges, and reflecting upon them, that help us to discover our true self.
- Do you have a favorite memory?
Crater Lake in Oregon is a spectacular place to be. There is something magical about that zone that cannot be explained; it must be felt.
- How do you "Live Riveted" - not just Airstreaming, but what makes you come alive?
Life is a balancing act and a tricky one at that. For both my wife and I we are both in LOVE with sport, movement, progression and nature. Our passions are both aligned and unique; for example we both enjoy being in the mountains skiing and biking, but for me it is my lifeblood, it really allows my spirit to shine. We also really enjoy playing with Yoga and food, however my wife is both a passionate cook and an amazing yoga teacher. Her gift is to share, teach and give.
- How do your travels help you come alive?
Being able to explore the environments that make up the Americas, allows us to be one step closer to our ultimate teacher, nature. Everything we seek is right in front of us, should we choose to see it.
- Tell us more about your vision for your journey and adventures.
Outside of thisamazinglife.com we are working on a documentary film with endlessflowfilms.com, capturing our life on the road the next few years. Our intention is simple; inspire others through our life & actions.
- Do you have any goals for your travels?
To spend the next few years, exploring the Americas in great depth. One day we would LOVE to host an adventure travel show, showcasing the limitless potential of an uninhibited imagination, “LIVE (i’m)possible!”
Be sure to follow along on the Dueck’s journey via their blog, This Amazing Life!. And for a behind the scenes glimpse of their adventures, follow along on Facebook and Twitter – and check out Josh and Lacey on Instagram.
