Portrait of a Luxury Safari Guide - Cameron Scott of South Africa

Cameron Scott, my guest in the most recent episode of Tools For Nomads, had a close encounter with a leopard as a small child in South Africa. The experience left an indelible impression on his life and completely altered the direction of career as an African travel expert and safari guide, as well as world class wildlife photographer. He has his dad to thank for that. They used to visit wildlife parks every year when he was a child.

Cameron really does have the heart and soul of a leopard. When you hear this revealing conversation he’ll open your mind to the healing powers of an African wildlife adventure. His photography tips will prepare you for your next encounter with the great outdoors, be it at your backyard bird feeder or deep in the world of the African bush.  

Cameron's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/camscott_wild/

Royal Ngala - Cameron's company:
https://www.royalngala.com/about

Transcript

Thom Pollard: 0:00

The following is an interview with Cameron Scott of Johannesburg, South Africa, luxury African travel expert and guide, environmentalist concierge and host as well as world class and professional photographer on Thom Pollard in tools for nomads, I'll introduce you to inspiring, insightful, passionate people. Nomads like me who are driven by their creativity, people with a drive and curiosity to reveal the answers to life's big questions. Wherever you're listening to us today, be sure to subscribe, give us a rating and review. The YouTube version of this interview will be on our YouTube page. Find all the necessary links in the show notes to this episode. If you haven't guessed it already, you're listening to the sounds of two enormous African male lions greeting the new day. Their deep tan bodies and burnt orange mains blend in naturally with the dry grass that they're laying in. As the roaring comes to an end, one of them falls back, exhausted looking from his morning revelry. And then the second does the same and all is silent. The camera pans left and within a dozen yards from this seemingly primordial scene is an open topped safari vehicle inside of which and I might add fully exposed to the elements and sharp claws of the lions are several people staring silently, but joyfully at the display of nature that they just witnessed. The footage is filmed by African luxury travel expert and Safari guide Cameron Scott, whose earliest memories include close encounters with some of the big five as they call it in Africa, which refers to the five animals that are more likely to kill you than you them if you're out on a foot hunt. As a young boy cam was deeply influenced by the regular trips he took with his father, they having left to the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg to experience the African bush. A very close encounter with a leopard set him on his path to bring the beauty of these animals to others. And they'll tell about that in this enlightening revealing emotional and insightful interview. He thanks his father for these experiences his mother is well. They were separated when he was a young boy and he was always armed with a very inexpensive cardboard box type of camera. In a sad note sometime after this interview was conducted last September, during which he speaks so fondly of the experiences with his dad cams father passed away unexpectedly. This episode is dedicated to the memory of cams Father, and to parents everywhere who helped inspire their children's curiosity and dreams into becoming a reality. Cameron's company in Africa is Royal Ngala. The word Ngala translates to lion in Africa's Shangaan language. The lion is a symbol of strength and promise and a key figure in his company royal ngala. He strives to raise awareness for the symbolic big cat and multiple charity projects around the world. Their slogan is taking you home where Africa is the birthplace of the human species. And their intent is on mending that magical bond between the clients that they bring out into the bush and Mother Nature. Here's Cameron Scott from his home in Johannesburg, South Africa. Cameron Scott, I am so excited to talk to you because I I'm pleased that we had the opportunity to get to know each other this week before recording this interview. You're living a life that as a little boy myself personally, is what I literally dreamed of. And I went off in different directions. I love my life. I did things that I'm so happy that I've done. But on on just a small twist of fate and I could see going that direction working in in the wilderness of Africa and with great lions and leopards and I love what you've done and I'm looking forward to hearing your story so I can share it With the world.

Cameron Scott: 5:01

Thank you. It's an honor to be here. And it was an honor to meet you as well. But I heard about it. I was like, yes. What do you mean? Of course, this is insane.

Thom Pollard: 5:14

It's it is interesting with the magic of the internet that people on two different continents and two different hemispheres can communicate instantaneously. I'm in the mountains of New Hampshire, in the Northeast of the United States. And you are in South Africa and and you've devoted your life to learning about and teaching people about the incredible animals, the big animals, lions. Yes. So, Cameron, I was so inspired by the story of when you are with your dad as a little boy. And you had the experience of of seeing close up, leopard come out of the woods or the jungle? Can you share that story with me again,

Cameron Scott: 6:06

you know, this story for me is, I think if I have to think back to what started at all, this could very well be that moment. So like I say, I've been fortunate enough, you grew up in Africa, we surrounded by these beautiful parks and reserves all the time. So it's really like not really a stone's throw away. But I mean, it's a couple of hours drive in the car. And you could either spend your time as a family down at the beach, or, you know, I would say in the bush, we would do that was definitely my father's influence from a young age. And he loves the bush as much as I do. And I'll just never forget, I can't remember anything before this moment or anything after this moment. But I was driving in the car with him. And we obviously drive on opposite sides of the road to the causing us. So the driver sits on the right hand side. So I was leaning against the left hand side window, which would be your driver's side, I think I was bored out of my mind back then I can't remember. So too, I'm so young as a five years old. And this leopard, walked down to the long tall grass walked out, I didn't know if it was female or male, I'd never seen one before with my own eyes. And the leopard walked out. And it was walking next to our vehicle just in front of the bumper just walking out walking out. And I remember just being so lost in this moment. And just like in complete all of this animal environment. Because you know, a leopard is one of the most beautiful things to find also one of the most conducive, so it's just super solitary. And the lives are so private. And this individual just brought, you know, walked out for 20 meters or so an extra vehicle. And it's like time stood still, and just wandered back into this long grass. And that was it. But I never it changed my life. Because then, you know, I needed to figure out how I'm going to share these moments with people back home. It just it was the moment that I think really inspired that. That wonder and that love for big cats, leopards, especially but I mean, I've got I've got a bangle here with a lion on my wrist, you know, the cat, the big cats really, really speak to me. So it just became something that spoke just to the inner knee, you know, like your salt. And I was like, That's it. I've got to do something one day with these animals. But that was five years old. So I went every year with my father once or twice to the Kruger National Park. And it just became a lifestyle.

Thom Pollard: 8:58

Wow, you had said in a previous conversation that, you know, here you are a five year old kid you growing up in, you're not a family of means per se you and and somehow, someway, when you went on these excursions these little mini expeditions as a kid you always had one of those little cameras that I think that people are most familiar with these, these tiny little cameras made of cardboard, and some weddings I've gone to there's one on each table so people can take

Cameron Scott: 9:33

you with that. That's all I had. I couldn't you know, I had to have something with me because like I said, I would come back so inspired and so full of energy about these incredible animals that I'm seeing. And, you know, with separated parents, I was like I needed to share this experience with my mom. You know, my mom raised myself and my two younger sisters alone. And I needed to really share the magic of what happened. And I mean It was, it was so terrible, they're made out of that lightweight plastic, you would think you would tear it open from like that had like a plastic cover over the hardboard backing, you have to tear open that they have like 50 exposures. And I would probably just like burn through a spool within the first afternoon. And I remember my father being irritated, just now we're going to now we're going to reload, like every every other day with a new, you know, like I said, we weren't made of money. But I was very fortunate that I had parents that could, that could obviously see a passion and decided to water that and nurtured my whole life. And until I could do it, you know, dimensioned for my own son.

Thom Pollard: 10:46

Yeah, that's, that's really beautiful. You know? Well, you were ahead of your time now in the age of the digital you and with your professional cameras that you use to take your incredible pictures, you can rattle off 200 frames in a few seconds if you so desire just takes more editing afterwards. Yeah, so you got into the the world of photography, but not in the realm you wanted to if you were a wedding, you were filming weddings and taking pictures, I think and you were like this, I don't think this is for me. What happens there?

Cameron Scott: 11:23

Yeah, so that exact story. And I remember like it was yesterday. Obviously, coming out of school, I wasn't very interested in school at a young age, I kind of knew where I wanted to go after school, I wanted to just move into the bush and be with the animals in some way, or do something wildlife related. So that was always my focus. And then straight out of school, I needed to do something. My stepfather was in the entertainment industry. So as as a as a DJ as a as an emcee for big events and corporate events. So he, you know, he had opportunities with big clientele big corporate companies, where he would be doing team builds and stuff, he was like, I knew we need a photographer, just walk around, I'll pay you pennies per day. But you'll get fed and you can come with and have a good time. I was like 18 And I'm like, awesome. Let's go you know, why not so, so did that. And that also got me involved and got me a little bit out of my comfort zone got me speaking to people, all adults, all successful individuals. And here I am this 18 year old kid with the with a camera hanging around my neck. But there was more about socializing and the pictures. But I did that for a few years. And I was 23 at the time, and I like I was editing a wedding. And I was like 2000 images in two editing. And I love people don't get me wrong, but editing them for hours and hours and hours and hours was just like killing it really was. I made a decision then I literally I remember I had Photoshop. And it was like CS three or something really old. I minimized it straightaway. And I opened up Google and I typed in for Gaza courses. F G A S A Field Guide association of South Africa that's what it stands for. So for Gaza courses, and a thing popped up. And as you as you know, I'm a big believer in law of attraction and and signs and following what feels right to so two nights before this, I watched an incredible other show that we get called caught in the act, where there's with guides from around the country sending their best footage of incredible things I've seen, and one of them came from the owner of lions cents. One of the top properties here in in the country. Beautiful safari lodge. They've got a few properties under the name. And it was this interaction between a big leopard that was hunting a Warthog and got hold of a warthog within the registered via Hina and then the leopard Aina started fighting in the water got away so for the guests they got this incredible experience of seeing this like water being taken down and almost kill but then interrupted and everyone got away fine. So as I typed in for Gaza courses, Lion sands popped up. I was like, oh geez, I know lion stands. It took like amazing logic just saw on TV. So I clicked on that. Long story short, sent an email out to the guy at the bottom called Ellen Ron Keaney, who is a huge, huge influence in my life and One of the most influential figures, I mean, he's incredible. He's like a father to me. And he just said, you know, send us some information about yourself. I did. And we'll get back to you if you know you're successful type thing. And the next day, I got an email saying, Hey, we enjoyed your sort of motivational letter, we'd love to meet you in person. And that's when I really just panicked completely, because I just had my son, he's six months old, I hadn't told my partner that this was even a thought. My family didn't know no one knew anything, right. But I think in myself, I knew that if I didn't do something now with my life, my son was six months old, I'm editing wedding photos, that I may never be able to do this again. And I went and there are about 75 applicants, they took only five of us and gave us we were awarded this internship to live and learn at this top property in the country. For six months, we lived in a small tent, one man tent each in the middle of the wilderness. No fences, got leopards, lions, elephants, everything moving around you all day and night. And it changed my life completely. I put my all into it. I went from being a student in school that scraped by completely scraped by to eventually, I was I was acing my tests at about 96 97% for every single one. And because this was my passion, right, this is what I had time for. And I, I was chosen. Fortunately, at the end of this course, one of the only individuals to make it to actually work at mine, Sans, and that became my home became my family. And it just started the entire journey. For me, it changed my life, that one decision. When I just knew that I needed to do something, I had this calling, and I went for it. And it changed my life. I haven't looked back, not once.

Thom Pollard: 17:05

Cameron, the probably the most interesting thing in the world, to me, is when somebody feels something deep inside, and they and despite everything pointing the opposite direction. It's so true and so real, that they almost don't even know how to do anything but go in that direction. And what seems to happen in that moment, at least on in those times, when it's happened to me is that all semblance of fear and anxiety are vanish. And I feel nothing but but serenity. Don't get me wrong. There's still that like, oh, boy, man, I hope this works out because you don't know. But that's a beautiful moment in life. And that's that to me, that's, that's as beautiful as anything in a life that I wish for every human being to have those moments and man, you did it. And so there you are, you know, not long after in Lion sands going from this guy, this young kid working kind of for his dad snapping pictures and doing weddings and boom, you're living literally only one layer of tent fabric away from the claws of a leopard. I know. I don't you know what I mean? But that close, literally like that's, I can't even imagine that that is so cool. So talk about a different level of fear. Not like gosh, I have a son I kind of really want to be there for him. But now you hear roar when the lot. What's it like? So tell me about that. You're this 20 some odd year old, young man. And you wake up that first morning? What is it? What's it Sound Like? What's it like to be in a park like that? Where there's all these wild animals?

Cameron Scott: 19:02

It's almost like, How can I put this? That silence is definitely right. Because it's like being shell shocked in a weird way. Because you go from city life, cause horns, people talking dogs barking just and because it's constant that what I'm looking for that stimulation we getting is constant, right? We as humans channel that out. Eventually we block it off, but it's around us all the time. And then you put it into a place that's so far removed from that. And all you're hearing is like wind through the trees, birds and animals and there's nothing like it because I mean the lion roaring is it's one of those things and and I've been guiding for a long time. time. Every time is like my first time. It is so powerful it is it moves you in a way that you cannot explain it can bring it to emotions it can you just realize that you are you're so far down the food chain as a human being it just puts you in a place where you are vulnerable. You humbled and you just incomplete, like astonishment of what's happening in front of you right now. And, and it never gets old. I mean the physical feeling, you can feel that that roar. It you can feel your chest like your cavity vibrating. It goes right through you. I mean lions walking the herd up to five, six kilometers away.

Thom Pollard: 21:00

You're listening to my September 2021 interview with Cameron Scott of Johannesburg, South Africa. In part two of our interview cam reveals the secrets revealed to him in a lion kill of a waterbuck and his transformative experience visiting the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Tools for nomads is brought to you by top drawer. Top Tour's mission is to make durable, sustainable tools for creatives who work to make the world better. I fell in love with the top drawer brand when they invited me to do a presentation for them in 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts, and I never looked back. They make tools for travel writing accessories for everyday carry from pens to Japanese how shoes journals, amazing photo albums finely crafted paper bags, eyewear, handkerchiefs, even lighters and keychains. Check them out at top drawer shop.com or visit one of their dozen plus meticulously outfitted shops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Berkeley, Chicago, and Tokyo. top jaw shop.com. Now back to my interview with Cam. Hey, Cameron. So I really want to hear your story that that gave me goosebumps the other day when we were talking, you said that you witnessed something a hunt, take place on one of your guided trips. That really was as if you needed another perspective shift or another portal opened because you're already this. There's a certain enlightenment going on here. But could you tell me about that hunt when you saw the lions going after the waterbuck. And I've already got goosebumps just in anticipation of it,

Cameron Scott: 22:53

I get I get them still thinking about it. Because that meant that memory is so vivid. We were we were after a family of a little pride of mine that we had known very well. They were to lioness, a young male lion about three years of age three and a half years of age. So he was on par in terms of size with a full grown lioness now, he was still gonna get quite a bit bigger. And they had two young cubs. And one of we called them to heal this rock Gilders rock pride. And one of the lionesses unfortunately passed away due to a bad injury from a buffalo time to take the buffalo down. You know, everyone thinks the lion is the king of the jungle. But in fact, you know, there are so many things out there that are I mean, Lions take on buffalo, there's if you go any which way it's a very large, very dangerous animal. So So back hips and legs were damaged quite badly, and she just never made it. But so we were fascinated with this with this prior to four and they used to hang around our property quite a bit. And we spent a lot of time getting to know them. And what had happened is they they locked on to two waterbuck and waterbuck. If those of you listening don't know it's a very Shaggy, quite a hairy antelope often found near water, believe it or not, and they were they locked in onto onto this one female. And it was so quick by the time I managed to position my vehicle in a place Do Not Disturb either one because you never want to put anyone at an advantage or disadvantage. You need to let nature play out and you just need to be a spectator. And I got into position and this female just shot us and she managed to surprise us waterbuck enough to grab on to it and then that that male came in and just did sort of a death choke around the neck and brought this female down. By this time it was right next to my vehicle that position and fought and struggled and got right next to us. And I remember I remember so well we didn't speak no one spoke. You know, it's almost like you present on that vehicle. There's no roof right? There's no ceiling, there's no sides, you're completely exposed to this world. And this is happening feet away from you. And everyone will go through a an experience in their own different way. I've realized, but I can't remember any one speaking I can't remember any sounds on a meme or anything. What I do remember those watching the moment? The the life left this antelope, right, wasn't gory, it wasn't terrible, wasn't sad. It was quite a beautiful experience to watch. You got these young lion cubs waiting to to feed, you know, it's, it's, it's the circle of life. And what fascinated me in the sewer we spoke about because it changed, it changed my life forever. And it just took me down this pathway of thinking differently. And looking deep within each person and myself as well. They, the the antelope part died. And they opened up and they removed, you know, the bits they don't want to eat. And it was so clean, it was like a surgery, there wasn't this big mess, we'd like people think. And they started feeding on this antelope. And in that same moment, I was watching them feed on a, I had my arm, my arm like this on the side of my vehicle. And it was hot. And I was in the sun a little bit. And I was covered in sun protection, you know. So mine was quite shiny. And I was looking at the veins in my hand. And I was like, you know, at the end of the day, I'm just meat and bones and beans. Like, physically, literally, that's what I am right? And I'm watching this animal of watch. The moment life left her she's not that animal anymore. She's just food for these lions. And I just, it just hit me I was like, Who the hell am I? Who is this person having thoughts in my head right now about this whole process? Because physically I'm just meat and bones and flesh and skin in here. And but there's a person there's a soul there's a being inside thinking very differently from everyone on my vehicle. And like I said to you the other day, everyone was just completely blown away. And they're like, we saw a killed so kill we saw killed. And it was amazing. Yes, we saw a kill, right? But I just went back and I was just changed forever. Because I was like, Who the hell am I and what is my purpose because we are just bags of meat and bones physically. And it just blew my mind. You know,

Thom Pollard: 27:55

some people would call that a religious experience. But it's but that you have this spiritual connection to these animals. That experience just suddenly, I don't know, I can just see how things went differently for you from there. So you, you're probably now I want to show people this,

Cameron Scott: 28:15

it changed me completely. It changed the way I saw my guests. It changed the way I saw myself. It changed the way I saw nature. The way I looked at animals because we knew are in the midst of life and death. In a real world situation like that in nature, the way the world is meant to be. And connected on a level so deeply. It has to change if there's a shift in your thinking right? And you know a lot some people in the vehicle maybe didn't think probably all of them didn't think the way I did about what it just happened. Like I said they're all amazed about watching a lion kill an antelope because that's what you see on TV. That's what you travel halfway across the world to witness. And it's exciting and mind blowing and sad and happy and there's emotions and you covered in goosebumps, but for me having lived be fortunate to live in this space and and learn in this space. And it was my home. It just took me to another place completely. It was it was it was a spiritual awakening, like no

Thom Pollard: 29:30

camera. That's that's really beautiful. And it's such an amazing story. The interesting thing that I think what people do is they project emotions onto things like this and you know, as a little kid I you know, some of my very first memories of my life were watching that TV show mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom with Marlon Perkins and and I wanted to be the cameraman watch the guy Jim Fowler, Jim will wrestle the alligator while I hover above in a helicopter. And I always thought how cool to be the cameraman of that to be that guy in there, like, behind the scenes, like almost touching it being close to death, but, you know, but bringing it home to people so they could experience it. But and I think what happens is though, the people project an emotion, good or bad, evil, or kind or love and, and, and in, in the bush in everywhere in life, I mean, but it is a lie and killing a beautiful waterbuck isn't good or bad. It just is this is a survival thing. And for million years or however long lions and waterbucks have existed. This is how it goes. And so when we can remove our emotion and judgment on it, it becomes something beautiful. Now granted, there's tragedy and, and life in the same app right next to your arm hanging out the window, that that's palpable that you can.

Cameron Scott: 31:11

Yeah, it's human nature. It's, it's a way we're wired to fly and understand something that, you know, that makes sense to us, when sometimes it doesn't have to make sense. And when you can see things from that perspective, sometimes I can just take that step back and just be present and watch what's going on in front of me. It really puts things into perspective for you

Thom Pollard: 31:39

to understand, so when you're when you get ready for one of your for lack of a better word you want of your expeditions, whether it's a few days or a week or longer in the bush, how do you kind of keep that productivity in that creativity? Is it something from within? Or is there are there things that you need with you to do that? Maybe it's just your four wheel drive vehicle, you know?

Cameron Scott: 32:08

So I'm very fortunate that I work with properties that I've got a very good relationship with. I'm know that if I'm bringing you to Africa, it's not what you think, you know, you're coming to places that are so beautiful. And, and luxury is definitely the word but the hospitality aspect you're looked after. So well. You know, if you're here in winter, you're getting to bed, there's a hot water bottle that's been in there for an hour already your beds nice and toasty and warm. You've got like a little message on your pillow. Something special about African knights, you know, there's little stories you are looked after so extremely well. But from a private guiding perspective, right. There's a lot that needs to be prepped. So when I travel with my clients personally, things like the right clothing is very important, right? You want to be ready for the if it's raining, if it's super hot, do I have this clothes pair shoes, sunblock, good good hats. I don't want my shirt to be the color of a racing cone or you know, the orange cones or something, you know, you want to stand out too much just want to blend in nicely. Because at the end of the day, you you're entering, I say their world in terms of the animals, but it's our will to we just been so deeply disconnected to some extent. So we've got to be very respectful of the area we're entering. And, and we've got to know what to do. So as a private guide and a photographer, camera gear has to be prepped memory cards, extra batteries, lenses, lens wipes, filters, lenswood everything and anything right. You gotta have that. Then you need backup power banks. I always carry power banks with me two, three at a time because we're on safari and a lot of guests are using cell phones right now. Oh, my my apples dying. I've got you know, but that comes with experience. Why not killers, obviously, a good set of binoculars. I'm very fortunate that I have the best pair of binoculars in the world that are used the Seraph skis, they are the syrups. The optic is like nothing I've ever seen in my life. They are phenomenal. And I will allow my guests to use those because it just enhances that experience so much more. It's an investment in myself and it's an investment in my company in my company to know that my clients are using gear with me they're using the very best and they're getting the best results out of that moment. Because let me tell you wildlife photography is not It's not fun and games, it's it is real. Preparation is key knowledge is huge. But at the end of the day, you can only capture what's happening in front of you. You can't influence it in any way, right? So it's a very specific type of art to capture images and moments that can deliver a message in just by just by looking at and you've got to you've got to be present for hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours to be able to capture some of the cool stuff, you know, you know how to do this, right? Some of the time people film for five, six months to get an hour and a half documentary out there. So

Thom Pollard: 35:41

that's beautiful Cameron. So when you're, you know, you're, you're inspired. So I can't imagine that you're lacking inspiration, but outside of, of this work, are there other things that you like in your life that that kind of inspires creativity or something, whether listening to music, or are you a book reader, do you paint, you know, journal?

Cameron Scott: 36:07

It's a good question. There's a few. There's not there's not one thing. You know, there's a few. I enjoy time with with good friends and family is very important to me that they are an inspiration to me and my son is is definitely one. He's incredible, but he inspires me to just keep pushing. But if I'm going to, I would listen to audiobooks. I love YouTube. You know, I've realized that, you know, the world now, more than ever is at our fingertips. If there's something you don't know, it's a how to video on YouTube, right? So I love that. I love learning more how to this. For this for this podcast. I don't connect my GoPro Hero nine to two as a webcam. Yeah, you went to YouTube a minute. You know, I was like, oh, that's simple. And now I know. So that's a passion of mine. I love learning through through YouTube. Because it literally is at your fingertips. And that's something that I'll do almost every night.

Thom Pollard: 37:19

Hey. So you did you went to Rwanda very recently. And it seems like it was kind of side by side with an opportunity to go watch the wildebeest migration, which is some of the My earliest memories of watching, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom as a little boy, but the Rwanda, the jungles, and the gorillas was transformative for you. And some of the photographs that you've shared on your Instagram page, the little the tiny hand grasping the finger of a mother, gorilla. Wow. Like.

Cameron Scott: 37:55

So I'm a very big believer in law of attraction, energy, you know, frequencies, spiritual ties, to one another to our planets or our home. And, you know, you're like me, you know, you're an adventurer, you know that there's a calling, you do sometimes go against the grain. You go against the naysayers, you have to, you have to get out there and you've got to you've got to be willing to fail, right? That was my biggest thing was was failing. So I, I often get asked, you know, how do you do what you do? You know, how do I go do what you do? So well. You'll go back many, many, many, many years and put in a lot of hard work, right. But the main thing, if I think about myself, was believing in myself to a point where it didn't matter who said, What, right, I just had to stay focused on the end goal. And I'm still working towards that, you know, the goal is to have a business that is doing so well inspiring people from all around the world, to connect to the natural world, but in turn, teaching them how to capture beautiful images, and also get out there and experiences transformative moments, right, because that's what it is. So that's, that's something I carry with me all the time. It's a message I want to get out there to people, because I feel like there's so many people like you and I that have not taken that next step. They're on the verge of changing their whole life. Right? Whether it be starting a podcast, or writing a book, or singing or dancing or whatever, it's you know, you know what you you know what you have a passion for, and it's fear. That stops it completely right. And I just want to tell people listening and watching that You are once you step into that arena of assaults, right? And you take in, you take it on now, you know you're fighting, there's a lot of people that will be bystanders inspectors, they'll watch you fighting, they're gonna watch you fail, they're gonna laugh at you, we're gonna tell you, you can't do this, you didn't study enough, you know, what makes you think you're able to do that what? You know, it's impossible, right? That's, that's constant, that's going to be constant. And I've just always used that as fuel not to prove anybody wrong, but to keep myself going in the right direction. So you're going to be in that arena, and you're gonna get chewed up and you're going to be sped up more times and you can imagine, right different times but it's going to happen, you know, there's not an opportunity that you might fail you're gonna fail there's no doubt about it, you're gonna fail high but I want people to just fail hard and fail often and and learn from it and because you grow every single time you grow from it, and I want you know, like I told you, I came from very humble beginnings very, very poor background, extremely poor background in Africa. And that has just been something that has kept growing and I don't know why you know, and it doesn't matter why I just know that it's there to calling it's that feeling and I just want people out there listening and they can they bout to take that step just to take that step. I think that that speaks to the the nomadic individual in in all of us and we are we are inquisitive by nature, we are explorers, you know just channel channel that energy within yourself and in taking places you couldn't imagine. You know

Thom Pollard: 41:50

Cameron Scott's company is Royal and Gullah, you can find his exceptional Instagram account at cam Scott underscore wild. But before warned the photography and images in it are beyond breathtaking. And you will get stuck in there. I promise. There are links to his company Royal and golla on that Instagram profile. And you can message him there. Ken, thank you. I look forward to visiting you in South Africa as soon as possible. Thanks for visiting tools for nomads an up close and insightful look into the lives and habits of passionate and creatively prolific people like cam Scott, who embrace and cherish the nomadic lifestyle tools for nomads is brought to you by top drawer, where nomadism isn't simply about being on the move. It's about loving and living life where the things we carry directly impact our productivity, our well being and even our identity. Visit top draw shop.com or visit one of their dozen plus, meticulously outfitted shops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Berkeley, Chicago, and Tokyo. Top door shop.com Thank you for visiting. I'm Thom Pollard. See you next time on tools for nomads.