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/

In this episode, Jake sits down with Richard Bexon, an entrepreneur who has lived in Costa Rica for over 20 years. From growing up in a military family moving between army estates in the UK and Germany , to negotiating high-stakes business deals, Richard’s life is a masterclass in resilience and pivots.Richard shares his journey from washing cars at age 14 to managing a major travel company through the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic—where he faced a $4 million hole with borders closed. He reveals the hard lessons learned in management, including why he believes in "firing quickly" and the specific legal clause he uses to handle business partner breakups.We also dive into his current venture, Costa Rican Investments, where he is reshaping the luxury tourism industry by developing villas that combine the privacy of a home with the amenities of a boutique hotel.In this episode, you will learn:How to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit in yourself and your children.The difference between being "liked" and "respected" in leadership.How to use a "Texas Shoot Out" clause to resolve business partner deadlocks.The power of "singular focus" and letting non-essentials burn.How to identify market gaps in the luxury real estate and tourism sectors.Topics CoveredResilience in Childhood: Growing up moving constantly and attending boarding school at age 9.Leadership Hard Truths: Why you should fire quickly and why a leader needs to be respected rather than liked.The "Texas Shoot Out": A specific contract clause used to buy out business partners or force an exit.Crisis Management: How Richard navigated a travel company through the 2008 recession and the total shutdown of tourism during COVID.Strategic Focus: The importance of daily meditation and choosing the "top 3" priorities for the day.Costa Rican Real Estate: Identifying the gap between hotels and vacation rentals to build luxury villas with full concierge services.Richard's Company:Costa Rica Investments:https://www.investingcostarica.com/#CostaRica #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategy #RealEstate #LuxuryTravel #Leadership #Resilience #Investing #AMoreBrilliantLife #CrisisManagement #TexasShootOut

Imagine selling everything, leaving the American grind behind, and starting over in a small French village. That’s exactly what Paul Blanchard did — and in this episode of A More Brilliant Life, he shares how the move reshaped his ideas of freedom, culture, and what truly matters. Paul shares his incredible journey—from decades in high-pressure corporate life to a bold relocation to France with his wife and golden retriever.We explore the realities of expat life: the bureaucratic hurdles, cultural differences, language struggles, and unexpected joys of living abroad. Paul reveals what he’s learned about freedom, patience, and what it truly means to live intentionally.If you’ve ever dreamed of moving abroad, simplifying your life, or breaking free from the “American Dream,” this conversation will inspire you to take the leap.🗺️ Topics covered:Moving from California to FranceLeaving behind the American grindAdjusting to French culture and bureaucracyBuilding confidence through discomfortFinding purpose in the “fourth quarter” of life🎧 Follow for more stories about transformation, reinvention, and the courage to live differently.Paul Blanchard:https://www.wegotfrenched.com/Get Frenched the Book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLF95MVYPaul's Insta:https://www.instagram.com/wegotfrenched/?hl=en