He Quit High Finance to Save Rhinos & Build Homes (The Story of Hands Up Holidays)

In this episode of A More Brilliant Life, Jake sits down with Christopher Hill, the founder of Hands Up Holidays. Christopher shares his incredible story of reinvention—moving from a grueling career in investment banking in London to launching the world's first luxury voluntourism company.We dive deep into the twists and turns of Christopher's life, including a harrowing backpacking trip through Africa where he lost everything but the clothes on his back , and the life-changing Habitat for Humanity build in South Africa that inspired his business. If you are looking for inspiration to pivot your career or want to learn how travel can make a tangible difference in the world, this episode is for you.About the Guest: Christopher Hill is the founder of Hands Up Holidays and the new venture, Impact Destinations. He specializes in combining luxury travel with meaningful volunteer work, operating in over 25 countries.In this episode, we cover:Christopher's early life moving between New Zealand and Australia.The "accident" of landing a high-pressure banking job after studying law.The reality of "culture shock" and traveling through Africa.How to combine family vacations with philanthropy.Key TakeawaysLife is Non-Linear: Christopher studied law and business, intended to be a lawyer, pivoted to investment banking after winning a scholarship, and eventually left it all to start a travel company.The Catalyst for Change: Sometimes it takes a single experience to shift your perspective. For Christopher, a volunteer build in South Africa offered more fulfillment than six years of high finance.Luxury Meets Charity: You don't have to sacrifice comfort to make a difference. Hands Up Holidays carved a unique niche by offering luxury accommodation alongside volunteer work.Impact over Effort: Christopher’s new venture, Impact Destinations, allows travelers to fund expert work—like relocating rhinos via helicopter—rather than doing manual labor, proving there are many ways to leave a legacy.

https://handsupholidays.com/