After getting exhausted by his work in corporate America, an Oregon resident is abandoning his land-based existence and embarking on a global voyage.

Oliver Widger, who has one million Instagram followers since he began recording his adventure online, spoke exclusively with the Associated Press via Zoom on Wednesday, May 14, about what drove his decision to leave his job with “no money, no plan,” and $10,000 in debt. His journey began four years ago when he received a diagnosis of a disease that could potentially lead to paralysis.

“The world kind of sucks, and, like, I don’t think I’m alone in how I felt with my work,” the woman, 29, told reporters. “You may earn $150,000 per year and yet feel like you’re barely making ends meet. And I believe that people are weary of working so hard for nothing and are seeking an alternative.

Widger cashed in his 401K to buy a yacht. He is presently on his route to Hawaii, with his sole companion being his cat Phoenix, whom he discovered in a garbage roughly seven years ago.

“I have a corporate job at a tire business.” I absolutely hate this life,” he had earlier stated in a selfie video taken from his automobile. “I’m going to buy a sailboat, and I’m going to sail around the world for the rest of my life until I die.”

During the interview, Widger admits to having had close calls while out on the open sea.

“A huge wave came, and it slammed shut,” he claimed of becoming trapped in his boat’s engine compartment while at sea.

Widger claimed he was fortunate to have a wrench with him, which allowed him to escape, but he described the event as “the second scariest thing in my life.”

“On April 30th, 2025, at 8:00 am, I left Warrenton Marina on the Oregon Coast,” he said in an Instagram post the same day. A photograph showed him standing alone on his yacht, the sun setting behind him.

“I’m about to go on a life-changing voyage. The voyage will span over 2,000 miles of open water. No land. No assistance. Only wind, waves, and a boat I built with my own two hands.” And, of course, my first mate Phoenix,” he said.

Widger expressed optimism that he would “find pieces of myself I never knew were missing,” adding, “I’ve already won because I found the courage to try.”

His voyage to Hawaii has inspired others, and friends are arranging a welcoming celebration for him.

“I’ve worked so hard for so long, and I’m just going to snorkel for, like, 30 days and just look at fish,” he stated in an interview about his intentions for when he gets to Hawaii. Following that, he will visit French Polynesia before continuing his journey.