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Off the Beaten Trail: A Young Man's Soul-Searching Journey Through Central America
An extraordinary journey that began with one simple question: What if the biggest risk we take is not taking any risk at all?
At 18, Jake set out on the path that had been prescribed for him and countless other teenagers around the country: college. But a health issue and an internal conflict surfaced the profound questions that would radically change his life: Why am I here? What is my purpose? Is there more to life than this?
With raw honesty and compelling insight, Jake answers these questions and others, exploring what happens when we take a leap of faith in pursuit of our dreams. From the deepest depths of the Guatemalan jungle to being stranded on the mountaintops in Nicaragua, to living in a spiritual, island community and meeting influential travelers along the way, Jake unravels the essence of what it means to be alive and awake.
Off the Beaten Trail is a coming-of-age story that illuminates what is possible if we dare to follow our hearts and heed our intuition. This captivating memoir will not only entertain and inspire, but also motivate you to pursue the life that calls out to you.
At 18, Jake set out on the path that had been prescribed for him and countless other teenagers around the country: college. But a health issue and an internal conflict surfaced the profound questions that would radically change his life: Why am I here? What is my purpose? Is there more to life than this?
With raw honesty and compelling insight, Jake answers these questions and others, exploring what happens when we take a leap of faith in pursuit of our dreams. From the deepest depths of the Guatemalan jungle to being stranded on the mountaintops in Nicaragua, to living in a spiritual, island community and meeting influential travelers along the way, Jake unravels the essence of what it means to be alive and awake.
Off the Beaten Trail is a coming-of-age story that illuminates what is possible if we dare to follow our hearts and heed our intuition. This captivating memoir will not only entertain and inspire, but also motivate you to pursue the life that calls out to you.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2016
About the author
Jake Heilbrunn
1 book7 followersAn emerging leader of his generation, Jake has reached thousands of people through his blog posts, inspirational videos and motivational talks at high schools. At 19, he has been featured in Psychology Today, Thought Catalog, Pick the Brain, The San Diego Union Tribune, and various other sites and media outlets.
More than 150 people from eight countries helped him fund a Kickstarter campaign to publish his inspirational memoir, Off the Beaten Trail: A Young Man’s Soul-Searching Journey Through Central America. Jake was a well-adjusted Dean’s List student who dropped out of college after becoming depressed, anxious and developing hives. He then spent four months backpacking through Central America by himself with no cellphone and no knowledge of Spanish.
His pilgrimage led him to realize there are limitless ways to live and that people can create their own destinies through self-reflection and then taking action.
More than 150 people from eight countries helped him fund a Kickstarter campaign to publish his inspirational memoir, Off the Beaten Trail: A Young Man’s Soul-Searching Journey Through Central America. Jake was a well-adjusted Dean’s List student who dropped out of college after becoming depressed, anxious and developing hives. He then spent four months backpacking through Central America by himself with no cellphone and no knowledge of Spanish.
His pilgrimage led him to realize there are limitless ways to live and that people can create their own destinies through self-reflection and then taking action.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 1, 2022
There were a lot of “it stuck me moments” and many “words of xxx suddenly came into my mind” which seemed unrealistic unless this guy has a bunch of random quotes in his head. It seemed more of an afterthought to teach a lesson or highlight a key moment for the author. At times, the book was very philosophical— not necessarily to a fault, but at times it took away from the experience being shared as these sections sometimes felt like mini rants. I thought the book ended abruptly— what happened after Costa Rica? How/when did he get home? What happened when he got home? Did the author see his life differently? Make changes? How’d he get to where he is now? The end left a lot of unanswered questions. The Guatemala portion was fantastic but it went a bit downhill from there…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2017
I was introduced to this book when Jake Heilbrunn did a Coffee Break interview on the Write Now Podcast hosted by Sarah Werner. One of the big reasons I picked up this book was because Jake started his journey in Guatemala, a place where I lived for a year and a half in my twenties; so, I felt that I had a connection with him already. Also, I love life journey stories.
I was drawn into Jake’s narrative form. The chapter titles were labeled with dates, as in a journal, and the dates correspond with when he was there. The chapter was reflective, not written in a journalistic form, but still the story rolled forward. The chapters were short and pointed with each learning experience he was having. The short chapters made me want to keep turning the pages and read more of his journey.
While Jake started his journey in Guatemala in a section which I had not visited, I loved how his description of the people immediately reminded me of everyone I had met during my time. When I read of his journey to Semuc Champey, where I have visited, and he described the aerial view, I actually put the book down to go find my pictures of my visits there. And once I was done with my memories, I went back to Jake’s to see what his impressions were.
I love the positivity that comes from this book. Even when Jake is describing less than positive people or experiences, he shows them with love and the humor of a traveler. I have definitely marked down the references he has made to other books, and I will continue to watch for more from him. We all need to explore more and live our lives in accordance to our souls, and not to society’s expectations.
I was drawn into Jake’s narrative form. The chapter titles were labeled with dates, as in a journal, and the dates correspond with when he was there. The chapter was reflective, not written in a journalistic form, but still the story rolled forward. The chapters were short and pointed with each learning experience he was having. The short chapters made me want to keep turning the pages and read more of his journey.
While Jake started his journey in Guatemala in a section which I had not visited, I loved how his description of the people immediately reminded me of everyone I had met during my time. When I read of his journey to Semuc Champey, where I have visited, and he described the aerial view, I actually put the book down to go find my pictures of my visits there. And once I was done with my memories, I went back to Jake’s to see what his impressions were.
I love the positivity that comes from this book. Even when Jake is describing less than positive people or experiences, he shows them with love and the humor of a traveler. I have definitely marked down the references he has made to other books, and I will continue to watch for more from him. We all need to explore more and live our lives in accordance to our souls, and not to society’s expectations.
October 4, 2016
Off the Beaten Trail: A Young Man’s Soul-Searching Journey Across Central America is a hard book to pin down. It is not quite a travelogue, yet provides some insightful descriptions of places and people in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. It is not quite a memoir, yet Jake Heilbrunn’s story is one of a young man finding out more about himself and the world he lives in. It is not quite a self-help book, but the numerous quotes and references to self-help and religious gurus will provide inspiration for many looking to find their own place in this world.
Off the Beaten Trail tells the story is of a young man who seems truly changed for the better because of his decision to leave college, and discover more of what the world could offer him, and it is told with the honest ups and downs of that decision. The writing and stories are raw, innocent, and refreshingly honest. It was fun and valuable to experience someone’s first travels abroad and relive a few of my own memories (and mistakes) of my own first solo travels.
It was a quick and enjoyable read. However, my two biggest issues with the book were that Heilbrunn drops into cliché every few paragraphs and seems to have a literal life-changing moment at every corner (which seemed unlikely to me, though maybe I’m too cynical). These shortcomings sometimes took away from the valuable big picture lessons Heilbrunn learns along the way. Heilbrunn uses phrases such as “I suddenly realized” a few too many times, but his enthusiasm for all the new life experiences he gains through his travels is real.
While Off the Beaten Trail has its faults, it is a great effort from first time author Heilbrunn and a book everyone can learn from. His honest and naïve writing and journey can serve as inspiration for any young person looking to pursue a life different from the usual 9-5 or any seasoned travel who wants to look back and remember the innocence of a first trip abroad.
Note: I received a free advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Off the Beaten Trail tells the story is of a young man who seems truly changed for the better because of his decision to leave college, and discover more of what the world could offer him, and it is told with the honest ups and downs of that decision. The writing and stories are raw, innocent, and refreshingly honest. It was fun and valuable to experience someone’s first travels abroad and relive a few of my own memories (and mistakes) of my own first solo travels.
It was a quick and enjoyable read. However, my two biggest issues with the book were that Heilbrunn drops into cliché every few paragraphs and seems to have a literal life-changing moment at every corner (which seemed unlikely to me, though maybe I’m too cynical). These shortcomings sometimes took away from the valuable big picture lessons Heilbrunn learns along the way. Heilbrunn uses phrases such as “I suddenly realized” a few too many times, but his enthusiasm for all the new life experiences he gains through his travels is real.
While Off the Beaten Trail has its faults, it is a great effort from first time author Heilbrunn and a book everyone can learn from. His honest and naïve writing and journey can serve as inspiration for any young person looking to pursue a life different from the usual 9-5 or any seasoned travel who wants to look back and remember the innocence of a first trip abroad.
Note: I received a free advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews