Get the book that will take you from battling burnout from a day job to pursuing your biggest and scariest dreams. I am Derek Thomas – formerly a headteacher, now helping aspiring entrepreneurs and travelling the world. Not ready to commit? You can read the first chapter for free as well.
What readers are saying
Whether you're standing at a crossroads or seeking inspiration to move forward, these pages hold something for you. The story speaks to anyone who has ever wondered what lies beyond the familiar.
It starts with a question that won't leave you alone. A young teacher stands before her class, wondering if there's more to life than the routine she's built.
Doubt creeps in quietly
The first crack appears
Something has to give
She leaves the classroom behind. What follows is a journey into wild country and wilder truths about who she really is.
On the trail, every step demands something honest. The climb becomes a mirror, reflecting back what she's made of and what she's capable of becoming.
The body learns first
The mind follows slowly
The spirit finds itself
Coming down from the summit, she carries something new. The real climb was never about reaching the top—it was about becoming someone who could stand there and know it was worth every step.
The old life feels distant now
She knows who she is finally
The journey continues in a new way
Stella Maris Primary School was founded to give orphans and vulnerable children in Moshi, Tanzania, the chance of an education, daily meals, and a brighter future. My purpose in supporting the school is to help fund a dedicated teacher to lead an entrepreneurial curriculum — one that encourages pupils to work on projects, collaborate, and learn how to monetise their skills. These children, just 8 or 10 years old today, will be stepping into a world transformed by artificial intelligence and rapid change by the time they are 18. Our goal is to prepare them not only with knowledge, but with creativity, resilience, and the ability to create their own opportunities. Every contribution goes directly toward equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in the future.
She spent fifteen years teaching before trading the classroom for the mountains.
Her story began in Denver, Colorado, where she taught high school English before the mountains called her away. What started as a weekend escape became a complete transformation, leading her to guide climbs across the American West and eventually to write this book.