We’re looking forward to introducing you to Don Broussard. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Don, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Honestly, I like to ease into my day with a mix of movement, mindfulness, and intention. The first thing I do is take my dog out. He doesn’t let me forget that part. We get a few minutes of fresh air together, which kind of sets the tone for me. After that, I usually throw on some running shoes and go for a light jog around town. It’s nothing too intense, but it clears my head and helps me feel grounded.
Once I’m back, I take some quiet time to read and pray. It’s my way of staying centered. That part of my morning keeps me focused on the bigger picture, especially on days that get hectic. Then before work kicks off, I like to post a few short pieces of content, whether that’s a quick reflection, a clip from my travels, or something to spark conversation. I’ve learned that when I start my day intentionally like that, I show up better for my work, for myself, and for others.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey, I’m Don, most people know me as The Bearded Backpacker. I’m a solo traveler, YouTuber, blogger, and storyteller originally from a small town in Louisiana. I’ve backpacked through over 50 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, and Libya, all with nothing but a backpack and a genuine curiosity to understand the world beyond the headlines.
My mission is to humanize places that are often misunderstood and to raise awareness by showing everyday life in regions people rarely get to see. I tend to go against the grain, challenging the usual narratives by sharing a side of the world that’s often ignored. My goal isn’t to be the first to visit a place, it’s to make sure I’m not the last, and to open doors for others through storytelling.
I create long-form YouTube content for people who love deeper, more immersive stories. I also share short-form videos for those with quicker attention spans—honestly, like me. And for those who just enjoy reading, I publish written blogs too. You can find all of that on my website: www.thebeardedbackpacker.com.
At the end of the day, I want my platform to be inclusive and accessible for everyone—whether you’re a visual learner, a reader, or just someone looking for something different. I’m building a space where people can connect, learn, and hopefully start seeing the world with more curiosity and compassion.
Through my brand, The Bearded Backpacker, I document the real, everyday life of people around the world. I sit with locals, walk their streets, eat their food, and listen to their stories. What makes my work unique is that it’s raw and personal. I’m not on a guided tour or in five-star hotels. I’m on the ground, traveling slow, and seeing the world for what it really is—beautiful, complex, and deeply human.
Right now, I’m continuing to build my platform and work on stories that matter. I believe travel can be a powerful tool for breaking down walls and building empathy, and I hope my content reflects that.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was just a curious kid from a small town in Louisiana—wide-eyed, full of questions, and always wondering what was out there beyond what I could see. I didn’t come from a background where travel was common or even talked about, but I always felt this pull to understand people, cultures, and stories that were different from mine.
Back then, I didn’t worry about titles or expectations. I was creative, observant, and probably a little stubborn in believing that there was more to life than what I saw around me. And honestly, that part of me never left, it just got buried under pressure to be “practical,” to follow a safe path, to not dream too big.
But stepping into this journey, traveling, creating, and connecting with people around the world, has been my way of getting back to that original version of me. The one who leads with curiosity, questions everything, and isn’t afraid to carve his own path. That’s who I’ve always been, and that’s who I’m fighting to stay.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely, more than once, to be honest.
There were times when the weight of it all almost crushed me. Trying to balance a full-time job while creating content, traveling to places that most people couldn’t even point to on a map, dealing with visa rejections, the emotional toll of witnessing the aftermath of conflict, and even people online questioning or discrediting my journey, it gets heavy.
One moment that stands out was after a long trip through a tough region. I was exhausted, mentally and physically. I started wondering if it was even worth it. I felt misunderstood, and I questioned if my voice even mattered. I remember sitting alone, jetlagged and drained, thinking, “Maybe I’m doing too much… maybe it’s time to stop.”
But then I thought about why I started, about the people I’d met, the messages from strangers telling me my content helped them see the world differently, and the younger version of myself who never even imagined it was possible to do what I’m doing now. That’s what kept me going. It reminded me that this journey was never about fame or numbers; it was about purpose.
So yeah, I’ve thought about giving up. But every time I get close, something or someone reminds me that this path chose me for a reason. And I’m not done walking it yet.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the travel industry especially on social media—is that everything has to be beautiful, perfect, and effortless. You see these polished videos and curated photos, and it makes people think travel is just beaches, food, and smiling selfies. But the truth is, travel real, raw, meaningful travel is messy. It’s emotional. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking. And a lot of it never makes it to the feed.
Another lie is that only certain places are “safe” or “worth visiting.” There’s this unspoken rule that travel should only happen in postcard-perfect destinations, and everything else is labeled “dangerous” or “off-limits.” But I’ve been to places like Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, and Libya, and I can tell you—there’s beauty, culture, hospitality, and humanity in all of them. The danger lies in the single story we’re told about these places. Yes, some places you have to exercise more caution.
Also, the idea that you have to look a certain way, be a certain race, or have a certain budget to travel the world—that’s false too. I come from a small town, I’m a Black man, I travel solo with just a backpack, and I’ve carved my own lane. That’s why I create content that’s honest, unfiltered, and inclusive. Because the biggest lie of all is that there’s only one way to see the world. There’s not. There are a million ways to travel and all of them deserve to be seen.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think the biggest misunderstanding about my legacy might be that I just wanted to “travel the world.” That it was about ticking countries off a list or chasing clout in places people think are too dangerous or off-limits. But that’s never been what this is about for me.
What I’ve been doing, what I’m still doing, is about connection, humanity, and storytelling. It’s about challenging narratives that have kept entire countries and cultures in the shadows. It’s about showing people that behind every headline is a real human being. My legacy isn’t just about where I went, it’s about what I saw, who I met, and the stories I helped share that might’ve otherwise been forgotten.
I also think some people will underestimate how intentional this all has been. Every place I’ve gone, every piece of content I’ve shared, has been part of something bigger. I’m not out here just for the views, I’m doing this to shift perspectives. To give voice to people who rarely get to be seen. To create a platform that’s inclusive, honest, and real.
So yeah, some people might miss the point. But if just one person sees the world differently because of my work, then I’m good with that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beardedbackpackertr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeardedbackpacker_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570831858784
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBeardedBackpacker
- Other: Tik Toc: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebeardedbackpacker
