Venture: The Rogue Expeditions Story

by Sean Meehan

VENTURE is a travelogue that traces the journey of two accidental entrepreneurs as they set out to help others experience the world through the universal language of running. Exploring the roads and trails less travelled would require immersion in a dizzying array of cultures and countries, a sense of adventure, a dreamer's imagination, plenty of grit, a dash of luck, a cast of the right characters and the ability to laugh when things go terribly wrong.




Through the lens of one small startup finding its place within the ever-evolving landscape of adventure travel, the reader is transported to locations as diverse as the sands of the Sahara, the glaciers of Patagonia, the vineyards of Slovenia, the emerald hills of Ireland, the wild coastline of South Africa, the towering forests of the Pacific Northwest and the astounding wildlife-filled plains of the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Along the way, stories and anecdotes offer insight into the business of tourism and spark consideration of the potential paths towards a more sustainable future.




Merging running, travel, food, history, world culture and plenty of entrepreneurial hustle, prepare to let yourself be entertained, carried away and ultimately inspired to set out into the great unknown.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 14, 2021

Reviews

[Sujata Neidig · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a dream on mine to go on a Rogue Expedition trip at some point and reading this book has definitely put more emphasis on this dream - need to make it happen soon! I loved how the book gave insight into Allison and Gabe's journey from an idea that resonated with their values to a successful business with many bumps along the way. The author, who works for Rogue Expeditions, also interweaves his experiences both before and with Rogue Expeditions. He does a great job of creating visuals of the beautiful sceneries that are part of each of the Rogue Expeditions running locations. There's so much adventure, grit, vision and creating environments that create connections between people. So inspiring. I can't wait to go on one of these trips myself someday!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dear to my heart because I traveled with Rogue Expeditions on their 2014 Morocco adventure. The place, and that time, mean so much to me, I felt emotional reading Sean’s descriptions. I often wonder if life will bring me back to Morocco, or will I be able to bring my boys there one day? Obviously, my review is biased, and it’s easy to love a book with a personal connection, but Sean’s writing is really top notch. I started this book because it involves people I care about, but I stayed for the vivid descriptions of far flung, beautiful places. I’m so proud of Allison and Gabe, but this book offers another level of respect for the work and dedication they put into their small business.

[Bethany Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read!

Call me biased-- Having run 2 Rogue trips already and a third cancelled by COVID, I had met several of the folks mentioned in the book, however I hadn't yet met Sean, only heard the rumors... Which did not include how well he can tell a story! I was blown away by the ease of Sean's writing, even for the Rogue years he wasn't yet an active participant. He definitely made better use of his lockdown time than most of us!

As I sit here still waiting to resume travel post pandemic, the narrative within this book has reignited that fire and I'm eagerly anticipating where 2022 will take me.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very fun to read the origin story of a company that you love. I was fortunate to travel with Rogue Expeditions to Morocco with Sean and Katie as guides and had the most wonderful experience. I truly believe that the best way to see a new place is on your feet and this book details the logistics of making that happen. There are always stories about the journey, which Sean does a fantastic job telling. And the best thing I learned from this book is that Run South Africa has a bungee jumping opportunity - moving that destination straight to the top of my list!

[Johnny Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is a tale of true adventure - not just about running and travel, but also about life and business and risk, reward, relationships. Séan's gift as a storyteller is to make you feel both like you've been there and that you can't wait to "go back", as he takes us along on Rogue's remarkable global journey."

[Yvette]

“We humans like to think we are in control and making logical decisions during our lives. We imagine thoughtfully weighing up pros and cons, making balanced, informed choices. But so much of our decision mailing is actually on autopilot. Within seconds of meeting new people we pick up on signals that we cannot translate into language.” -Meehan

[Mallory Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, fantastic author. I highly recommend it!

[Julianna Bullard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the story of the dreams made reality. The writer does a tremendous job of capturing every vivid detail of the adventures by Gabe and Allison as well as their partners and customers!

[Kathrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and inspirational book