Written By: Ley Calisang
Have you ever wondered if you could travel across the country with nothing but the kindness of strangers? It seems impossible, but it’s a way of life for the global adventurer, TV host, motivational speaker, and best-selling author Leon Logothetis.
Leon hosts the popular Netflix & Discovery+ series The Kindness Diaries, where he travels to over 100 countries with no money and relies solely on the kindness of strangers to survive. His work has been featured on major media outlets such as Good Morning America, Rachel Ray, Tamron Hall Show, and New York Times.
In his new book, Go Be Brave, Leon shares 24 (and 3⁄4th) new adventures to inspire children and teens to become fearless, deeply connected, and braver humans. He wants them to live without anxiety and fear, even in uncertainty. The book is not just for young readers, as it teaches parents and their children life-saving tools that can make a change in bringing voices back to those who have felt so silent.
Leon’s mission to teach global acts of kindness did not happen overnight. Before becoming the guru of kindness, he had a dream life as a broker in the city of London. From the outside looking in, it seemed like a storybook life, but his inner turmoil was the opposite of the idealistic fantasy. “I found myself very depressed, anxious,” says Leon. “I was not in a great place. Then one day, I stumbled across a movie called The Motorcycle Diaries. The main character traveled around South America relying on kindness, and it just really touched my heart in a very profound way.” That sparked an interest in Leon. He decided to go on his first trip. He went hitchhiking across America, from Times Square to the Hollywood sign, relying solely on the kindness of strangers. From there, he traveled across the world, from Paris to Moscow, London to Scotland, and back.
Eventually, Leon settled in Los Angeles and started a TV production company. However, history repeated itself, and he felt lost and lonely again. It wasn’t until he saw a homeless man with a sign that said, “Kindness is the best medicine,” that he decided to take action. Leon bought a vintage Ella motorbike and traveled the world again, but this time, he surprised the Good Samaritans who helped him by giving them life-changing gifts.
His act of kindness was filmed and picked up by Netflix, leading to the creation of his hit show, The Kindness Diaries. In season two, he traveled from Alaska to Argentina in a 50-year-old Beetle, still relying on the kindness of strangers to survive. Despite his challenges, such as the snow seeping into his car, Leon continued his journey, inspiring people worldwide. However, Covid-19 brought Leon’s adventures to a halt. During this time, he had an epiphany – he realized that people live magnificent lives by being brave. This led to the creation of his latest book, Go Be Brave, where he shares his wisdom and experiences with children and teens.
Bravery is a term that can mean different things to different people. For some, it may involve physical courage, such as saving someone from a burning building or rescuing an animal in distress. For others, it may mean something more personal, such as standing up to a bully or speaking one’s truth in the face of adversity. Leon Logothetis knows a lot about both types of bravery, having spent most of his life traveling the world and sharing his message of kindness and compassion.
Logothetis first discovered the power of personal bravery when he was just 15 years old. After being bullied for a long time, he finally spoke up and told his mother about his struggles. This act of vulnerability changed his life and set him on a path toward greater self-awareness and self-acceptance. In his mid-20s, Logothetis went on a spiritual retreat where he met a NAVY SEAL who challenged his perception of bravery. The SEAL told him that true bravery was not about physical strength or the ability to face danger but rather the courage to speak one’s truth and show vulnerability.
This message stayed with Logothetis and inspired him to embark on a new journey. He quit his job and started traveling around the world, relying on the kindness of strangers to survive. Along the way, he filmed his experiences and shared them with the world, hoping to inspire others to be brave and authentic in their own lives. As Mental Health Awareness Month approaches, Logothetis’s message is more important than ever. With so many young people struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, we must teach them the skills they need to be resilient and courageous in the face of adversity. We can create a better, more compassionate world for all by fostering a culture of kindness and bravery.
When embarking on an epic journey from Alaska to Argentina, it takes more than just relying on the kindness of strangers. For Leon Logothetis, a world traveler, and author, the key to his success was fully relying on the kindness found in humans and strengthening his bravery muscle by learning bravery elements through different cultures. His first major challenge was getting from America’s Times Square to Hollywood, where he struggled to get anyone to help him. But then, a chance encounter with a stranger gave him the advice he needed: “You’ve got to have a story. A story people want to be a part of; your journey.”
This advice stuck with Leon, and it’s one of the reasons why he chose to undertake his journey on a motorbike and a Beetle, which added character and charm to his adventure. His book, “Go Be Brave,” is a testament to the power of having a compelling story and using it to inspire others to be brave and magnificent in their own lives.
The central message of “Go Be Brave” is that everyone has their truth, and if they are willing to speak it and take action to change their lives, they can become magnificent. In a world where social media has positively and negatively impacted our society, Leon emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with our humanity by spending time in nature and disconnecting from technology. To help readers achieve this goal, “Go Be Brave” provides exercises and principles to guide them in the right direction. For example, Leon suggests spending three hours sitting in nature to remember what being human is like instead of glued to an Instagram feed. He encourages readers to be brave and vulnerable, to speak their truth, share their pain, and stand in their power.
Ultimately, “Go Be Brave” is about making people feel something. Leon believes that Maya Angelou’s quote, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” is the essence of his book. It’s about inspiring readers to go out and feel something, to be brave in the face of adversity, and to live a fearless, wiser, and truly magnificent life.
Despite his travels, Ted Talks, and seminars, Leon has no plans to retire from being kind. “Kindness and bravery, you retire when you cease to exist,” he says. His book, “Go Be Brave,” which includes 24 (and 3⁄4th) new adventures, is now available for pre-order and will be released worldwide on April 25th. Leon will also be appearing at Barnes and Noble in L.A. at the Grove in June, where he’ll no doubt inspire even more people to go out and be brave in their own lives.
Check his website for dates and times https://www.leonlogothetis.com/
New York Herald 