I am Florian, a born and raised German in his mid 30’s. After finishing high school I joined a fantastic trainee program acquiring my degree in Business Management and after that started a classical career in an international corporate dedicating myself to a classical and hierarchy focused career. End of 2015 I decided to quit my “old” life in the corporate world with a well paid job, a nice place which I called home, all the amenities of what we generally call a good and fulfilled life.
Why? I can’t really tell you exactly why. First it was mainly just about taking a break and enjoy life for a while before starting a new job. Since I wanted to be free to really enjoy, emerge and be open for whatever would happen along the way I cut all the safety ropes, quit my job, declined the offer of an sabbatical, got rid off (almost) all my stuff, packed a backpack and left home to explore what else was out there.
The journey began in New Zealand. I hiked the 3.008km long Te Araroa Trail – The Long Pathway – from the southern to the northernmost point of the country. What started out as a physical and outdoor challenge quickly developed into a life changing experience which disrupted my life more than I would have ever expected. Next to an amazing hike it also started a strong process of self reflection and inspiration. It led me to a state of mind which I had never experienced before: true happiness and inner peace with myself.
But when I arrived at Cape Reinga I also had the feeling that I was not done yet. So I continued only led by impulses and curiosity instead of plans. I explored the art of brewing coffee, went up high into the air, lost myself in the spiritual world, went far south to islands of infinite ice and a lot more walking. All of the above nourished me with amazing impressions and inspiration which was the fuel to further explore myself.
What started out as a year-long break has just developed into a journey with open end and open destination. I continued hiking for 1.5 more years afterwards through Canada, South America down to Antarctica and back from Mexico all the way to Canada on the famous Pacific Crest Trail.
But also after I had returned to Germany to do some “grown-up-things” the journey just continued. I met a guy in a hostel in Colombia on night on my travels and he told me about a business idea he had. Call it coincidence or call it faith – he happened to live just across the street from where I stayed after my return. It took not long and we started our first company together: campo-golf.de.
But also this was only the first step. Soon we started the project Studio Feuerwerk to share our experience from campo with others and I did my first steps on stage as a keynote speaker sharing my story and experience. And the latest heart-project I finished was to write my first book. I always wanted to put this amazing journey into a very special format. And after two years of long nights and a lot of help it has finally arrived – my book: Do What Make Good – Der Anfang von 8500 km Glück.
I am very excited about what the future will bring. But one thing is sure – it will be a constant change and full of surprises…
See more in this interview with Lapaloma TimesScreen Shot 2017-12-11 at 11.46.23.png

dwmg_1

You got to do what you think is best for you! A few years ago I climbed Aconcagua and shared my tent for almost three weeks with Matt. Whenever I asked him for advise like “Hey Matt, should I wear the thick head or the thin one?” he would look at me and only reply: “You know what, you got to do what is best for you!”. What started out as a running joke slowly but surely became a life motto and a guidance for many decisions. I used it everywhere, even in the office life and even made it into my bosses farewell notice when I left my old life. “Why would he go when he has a heated office, free coffee she asked? Well, I guess you got to do what you think is best for you!” were her last word.
Do What Make Good! But happened to this perfect and grammatically correct sentense? It happened in one of the many huts in New Zealand. The discussion circled around life which is no surprise since you have time to reflect and focus on the really important things on a long distance hike. No matter how you twist and bend it – at the end we all have the choice to make decisions and to decide which turn we take. It’s up to us to figure out what is best for us and then also to do it. It happened that also a Korean hiker was in the hut this evening with a limited English vocabulary. He was very engaged in the discussion as well and wanted to express that he strongly felt the same thing – in his words he said: “Do What Make Good!”. It might not grammatically be perfect but it came from deep insight and just nailed it.
The story behind the Do What Make Good logo. fullsizeoutput_307cThe Do What Make Good logo combines a few aspects. The logo reduces “Do What Make Good” to the D and G. The inner part of the D & G is a Koru – the unfurling fern. The Koru in the Maori culture is a very strong symbol and stands for new life, growth, change and strength. It is a perfect symbol for what this change in my life, the trail and New Zealand has done to and for me so far. The Koru also accompanies me for the rest of my life as a reminder of this (My Koru).

Therefore the Koru became an integral part of the new logo. The inside of the D and G are symbolised Korus – very similar to my own one. A big Thank You to Arno Schurmans for converting my ideas into this beautiful artwork! Amazing job!