About Me

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 I’m Richard — born and raised in Manchester, the world’s greatest city (greatest, not the prettiest, ha). I’m all about travel, fitness, and new experiences, and here you’ll find the highs, the lows, and the moments that made me stop and think.

I’m not a “travel expert.” I’m just a regular guy who uses travel as a way to grow, connect, and push myself out of my comfort zone. I don’t travel to escape life or fight burnout — I travel to make life bigger, richer, and more interesting.

The travel bug bit early. Family trips around Europe planted the seed, but it was a teenage visit to New York (second-greatest city… or maybe third? Still debating 🤔) that showed me travel could be more than just a holiday. It could change how you see yourself and the world.

In my 20s, I was all about ticking boxes — big itineraries, “must-see” lists, do everything now, sleep later. Then came India. Full culture shock. New languages, unfamiliar customs, different ways of life. It forced me to slow down, be present, and keep an open mind. That trip changed everything — travel became less about lists and more about connection, learning, and inspiration.

Now in my 30s, I’ve travelled to over 50 countries across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. My style has shifted — I aim for the sweet spot between planning and leaving space for the unknown. plan with purpose, travel with heart. 

I still love an epic shot for the ’gram (@rjharcourt), but the real memories are in the unplanned moments that don’t make it online: the conversations, the random adventures, the laughs you carry for years.

That’s what Two Sides Abroad is about. It’s not a how-to guide, and it’s not about clout. It’s a conversation between mates — real talk, practical tips, funny stories, and honest reflections. 

If something here inspires you to book that trip you’ve been putting off, or helps you see a place in a new way, then job done.