KARL BUSHBY: THE MAN WHO WALKED AROUND THE WORLD
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlGKSuCvfeM
In 1998, British former paratrooper Karl Bushby began an extraordinary expedition. His goal was to walk around the world without using transport to move himself forward.
His journey took him through deserts, jungles, mountains and some of the most dangerous borders on Earth. He crossed the Darién Gap, a vast area of jungle between Colombia and Panama, and crossed the frozen Bering Strait between Russia and Alaska.
The journey presented enormous challenges. Bushby faced extreme weather, dangerous terrain, financial pressure and complicated visa regulations. Sometimes, he had to stop for months because he could not obtain permission to continue.
Despite these obstacles, he refused to give up. His journey required perseverance — the ability to continue working towards a goal even when progress is slow or difficult.
Unlike a professional athlete competing in a race, Bushby had no clear finish date. His expedition lasted for decades, becoming a major part of his life.
Bushby is not the only person to attempt an incredible human feat. Some people climb the world's highest mountains, swim across dangerous stretches of water or survive in extreme environments. Others overcome disabilities, rebuild their lives after disasters or spend years working towards a difficult goal.
These achievements raise important questions. Is natural talent more important than hard work? How much risk should someone accept to achieve an ambition? And is it worth sacrificing money, comfort and time to achieve something extraordinary?
Karl Bushby's story shows that incredible achievements often require more than physical strength. They require courage, patience and the ability to continue when progress seems impossible.
Discussion question: If you could attempt one extraordinary human feat, what would it be, and how far would you be willing to go to achieve it?
1. VOCABULARY MATCH — PART 1
Match the words with their meanings.
Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
1. expedition | A. The possibility of danger or loss |
2. terrain | B. The ability to continue despite difficulties |
3. obstacle | C. The physical features of an area of land |
4. perseverance | D. A journey organised for a particular purpose |
5. ambition | E. Something that blocks progress |
6. risk | F. Something you want to achieve |
7. challenge | G. An important result achieved through effort |
8. achievement | H. A difficult task that tests your abilities |
2. VOCABULARY MATCH — PART 2
Match the words with their meanings.
Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
1. extraordinary | A. To give something up in exchange for something else |
2. survive | B. To successfully deal with a problem |
3. attempt | C. Extremely unusual or impressive |
4. sacrifice | D. To stay alive in a dangerous situation |
5. overcome | E. A person who travels to discover new places |
6. adventurer | F. To try to do something difficult |
7. exhausted | G. Far away from towns and other people |
8. remote | H. Extremely tired |
3. SYNONYM MATCH
Match each word with its synonym.
Word | Synonym |
|---|---|
1. extraordinary | a. tired |
2. obstacle | b. goal |
3. ambition | c. remarkable |
4. attempt | d. barrier |
5. survive | e. try |
6. exhausted | f. stay alive |
7. challenge | g. conquer |
8. overcome | h. difficult |
4. ROLE PLAY — THE IMPOSSIBLE CHALLENGE
You are discussing Karl Bushby's expedition with a group of friends. Choose a role and defend your position.
A — The Adventurer
You believe people should attempt extraordinary challenges at least once in their lives.
B — The Realist
You think the journey was too dangerous, expensive and time-consuming.
C — The Psychologist
You want to understand why some people feel the need to do extraordinary things.
D — The Family Member
You are worried about the danger and the years spent away from family.
E — The Sponsor
You are considering financing an expedition. You want to know why this journey deserves your support.
Discuss: Was Bushby's decision courageous, irresponsible or both?
6. WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?
Think about something difficult you have experienced. It could be moving to another country, learning a language, completing a difficult project, overcoming a fear, travelling alone, starting a business or dealing with a personal problem.
Discuss:
What was the challenge?
Why was it difficult?
Did you ever consider giving up?
Who helped you?
What did you learn about yourself?
Would you do it again?
What are you proudest of?
Quick question: What is something you would like to achieve that currently feels impossible?
7. WHAT WOULD YOU DO? — THE FINAL 1,000 KM
You have spent several years walking around the world. You are exhausted, running out of money and still have 1,000 km to go. Your family wants you to return home immediately.
Choose one:
A. Continue, whatever happens.
B. Stop and return home by plane.
C. Take a long break and reconsider your plans.
D. Ask the public to help finance the final part.
E. Change your original rules to make the journey easier.
F. Find another solution.
Explain your decision. Would stopping mean failure?
8. THE ULTIMATE PERSONAL CHALLENGE
You have one year to prepare for an extraordinary achievement. Choose one goal.
A. Walk 1,000 km across Europe.
B. Learn to speak a new language fluently.
C. Climb a major mountain with professional guides.
D. Run a marathon.
E. Live alone in the wilderness for 30 days with proper training and safety support.
F. Write and publish a book.
G. Start a successful business.
H. Overcome a major personal fear.
I. Your own idea.
Discuss
Why did you choose this goal?
What would you need to learn?
What equipment, money or support would you need?
What could go wrong?
How would you prepare?
What would success mean to you?
10. YOU ARE A DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER
You are making a documentary about ordinary people who have achieved extraordinary things.
Choose one person or group to feature.
A. A 75-year-old person training for their first marathon.
B. A refugee who has rebuilt their life in a new country.
C. A person with a disability completing a demanding sporting challenge.
D. A scientist working for 20 years to find a solution to a major problem.
E. A person who has spent years protecting endangered animals.
F. An ordinary worker who has rescued people during a disaster.
Your task
Explain why this story deserves to be told.
Describe the main challenge.
Identify the person's greatest strength.
Decide what the audience should learn.
Give your documentary a title.
11. EXTREME ADVENTURE — YOU ARE THE EXPEDITION LEADER
Your team is planning a three-month expedition across a remote region. You have limited money and space. You can take only five items.
Choose five essential items.
5 of 5 selected
Discuss my choicesDiscuss with your group:
Which item is the most important?
Which item would you sacrifice?
How would you find food and water?
What would you do if someone became seriously ill?
What would happen if your GPS stopped working?
Would you continue if the weather became dangerous?
12. ROLE PLAY — THE SPONSORSHIP MEETING
You want to walk across a continent to raise money for children's hospitals. You need €50,000 to organise the expedition.
Choose a role.
A — The Explorer: Explain your mission and why it matters.
B — The Company Director: Decide whether the expedition is worth sponsoring.
C — The Safety Adviser: Explain the dangers and how to reduce them.
D — The Marketing Manager: Explain how the company could benefit from supporting the project.
E — The Charity Representative: Explain how the money would help children.
Negotiate an agreement. Decide how much money the company will provide and what each side must do.
14. THE BIG DECISION — FAME, MONEY OR PURPOSE?
You have the opportunity to attempt an incredible feat that could make you famous. However, it would require five years of your life, most of your savings and long periods away from your family.
What do you choose?
A. Accept. You only live once.
B. Refuse. Family and stability come first.
C. Accept, but find sponsors to reduce the financial risk.
D. Choose a smaller challenge with a more realistic goal.
E. Discuss it with your family before deciding.
F. Propose another option.
Explain your choice.
Challenge question: Is an extraordinary life necessarily a better life than an ordinary one?
15. INCREDIBLE PEOPLE — WHAT DO THEY REPRESENT?
Complete the table. What qualities, ideas or achievements do these people represent to you?
Person | What they represent |
|---|---|
Karl Bushby | |
Terry Fox | |
Nelson Mandela | |
Malala Yousafzai | |
Stephen Hawking | |
David Goggins | |
Frida Kahlo | |
Christopher Reeve | |
Marie Curie | |
Jane Goodall |
Discuss: Which person has had the greatest influence on the world? Whose story would you use to motivate a friend who wanted to give up?
16. FILL IN THE BLANKS
Word Bank
perseverance — expedition — exhausted — challenge — adventurer — obstacle — achievement — remote — survive — route — ambition — risk
1. Karl Bushby began his extraordinary __________ in 1998.
2. Crossing a dangerous jungle was a major __________.
3. After walking all day, the team was completely __________.
4. His __________ helped him continue when the journey became difficult.
5. An unexpected border closure became another serious __________.
6. The explorer had to find a safe __________ through the mountains.
7. Bushby wanted to complete an __________ that very few people would even attempt.
8. The team travelled through a __________ area with very few towns.
9. The ability to __________ in extreme conditions is essential for explorers.
10. Completing such a long journey would be an incredible __________.
11. His __________ was to reach his hometown without using transport to advance.
12. Every explorer must consider the __________ of travelling through dangerous environments.
16. KARL BUSHBY — ADAPTING TO NORMAL LIFE
After almost 28 years of walking around the world, Karl Bushby must adapt to a completely different life. Choose the three biggest challenges he might face.
A. Family and relationships — Reconnecting with people after spending years away.
B. Daily routines — Getting used to a regular schedule and everyday responsibilities.
C. Identity — Finding a new purpose after completing the challenge that defined his life.
D. Money and work — Finding a stable income and deciding what to do next.
E. Public attention — Dealing with interviews, fame and people's expectations.
F. Boredom — Adjusting to a life without constant adventure and new challenges.
G. Physical recovery — Giving his body time to rest after years of demanding travel.
H. Future goals — Deciding whether to start another expedition or enjoy a quieter life.
Discuss:
Which three challenges would be the most difficult for Karl?
Could returning to normal life be harder than the expedition itself?
What advice would you give him?
Would you recommend another major challenge or a quieter life? Why?
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