About

Hey there! I’m Connor Michalek, and I’m the creator behind this website, Mindful Mindsets, where I share my passion for travel, exploration, and high-altitude trekking with the world. Born and raised in Chicago, I now reside in the great state of Texas. And although, these are fantastic places to live (I mean who doesn’t enjoy a slice of deep-dish pizza or some mouthwatering southern barbecue) – my heart has perpetually been captivated by faraway lands, leading me to set foot on 33 countries and 6 continents so far in this lifetime.

My love for travel began at the age of 18 when I embarked on a life-changing journey to South America. Over the course of three months, I immersed myself in the local culture by living with host families, taking Spanish classes, and embarking on daring treks through vast mountain ranges. Since then, I’ve collected a wealth of unique experiences: receiving sacred tattoos from Thai monks, hitchhiking through Mozambique, riding camels in Egypt, sleeping in the desert with a local tribesman in India, and eating jungle rat in the Peruvian Amazon.

With that said, I graduated from university in 2015,  and set an ambitious goal for myself: to live and work on as many continents as possible. Over the years, I’ve taught English, Science, Math and Art in rural Thai villages, sold gas and electricity door-to-door in Australia, volunteered at animal shelters in India, and worked on economic empowerment projects in Malawi, East Africa. These experiences have taught me that travel is about adaptability, awareness, appreciation, and finding enjoyment in the diverse world we all call home.

As my twenties drew to a close, I realized that my nomadic lifestyle would need to evolve. Thus over the recent years, I’ve settled into a career in software sales in the US. But I still cherish my passion for meaningful travel. My approach may have changed, but the lessons I learned and the personal growth I experienced during my years of travel continue to influence my life. I strive to maintain a global outlook, valuing the importance of exploring new cultures, fostering understanding, and appreciating the beauty and diversity of the world around me.

Fortunately, I’ve found a way to merge my love for travel with another passion: high-altitude trekking. This exhilarating pursuit has led me to conquer some of the most challenging treks across the globe, including Everest Base Camp in Nepal, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and breathtaking routes through the highlands of Bolivia and Peru. And even recently, I embarked on an awe-inspiring journey to northern Pakistan, where I trekked through the formidable Karakoram mountain range all the way to K2 Base Camp.

In early 2023, amidst a fulfilling career in technology sales, I faced a pivotal moment due to the tech layoffs that rippled through the industry. This unexpected turn of events became a catalyst for transformation, prompting me to convert this challenge into a remarkable opportunity. A couple of months into that year, I made a decisive move to fulfill my most ambitious bucket-list dreams, leveraging this period to delve into my profound passions for travel and trekking. 

From April 20th 2023, I ventured off to the remote corners of West Africa to the breathtaking vistas of Nepal, from the rugged terrain of Iraqi Kurdistan to the majestic summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, just shy of 23,000 ft. Along the way, I embraced the unknown, confronted my fears, and drew strength from the awe-inspiring natural and human beauty that surrounded me.

This quest was not just about challenging myself physically, but also about immersing myself in new cultures, forging deep human connections, and living life through the values of enjoyment, appreciation, adaptability, and awareness. Throughout this journey, I tested my limits and faced both mental and physical challenges as I tackled some of the world’s most formidable treks. Along the way, I witnessed breathtaking landscapes, engaged with local communities, and learned invaluable lessons about resilience, perseverance, and personal growth.

One of my goals during this trip was to inspire others to pursue their dreams and not shy away from taking risks. I believe that without risk-taking, life can become monotonous, causing time to blend together and eventually leading to regret for not chasing one’s dreams. I am deeply passionate about throwing myself into new and unfamiliar situations, taking pride in my achievements, learning from others, and aligning my actions with my values. I believe that embracing these principles is key to being successful in the game of life.

By sharing my experiences, insights, and lessons learned throughout this past year, I hope to have inspired others to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and work tirelessly toward achieving their goals. I believe having a “Mindful Mindset” can serve as a testament to the power of inspiring others to embrace the beauty and wonder of the world around them, embracing challenges, and courageously following dreams. By embracing the unknown and aligning our actions with our values, we can unlock our true potential and inspire others to push their own boundaries.

As I embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, I aimed to convey the transformative power of travel, high-altitude trekking, and the life-enriching experiences that can be gained through such endeavors. By chronicling my journey, I hoped to encourage others to explore the vast and diverse world we all share, uncover new insights, forge lasting friendships, and develop a deeper appreciation for the rich mosaic of cultures and landscapes that make up our planet. In doing so, I believe we can all achieve success in life and contribute to a more connected, understanding, and compassionate global community.

So, we’ve taken this incredible journey together. We’ve explored the world, pushed our limits, and celebrated the rich array of human experiences and natural wonders that our planet has to offer. I’ve invited you to follow my journey, share your thoughts, and be inspired to embark on your own life-changing stories.

Here’s to the road less traveled, the challenges we’ve faced, and the power and inspiration that drives intentional travel 🙂

***P.S. In crafting this website, I have meticulously complied over 100 in-depth travel guides encompassing the majority of countries I’ve either visited or lived in, providing immediate value to all of you. These guides cover everything from itineraries, bucket list suggestions, top local foods, to-do lists, and more, much of which I have personally experienced and integrated into my travels over the years.