Bike-Packing Scotland and Breaking Free of Cultural Expectations with C.D. Seventeen

Sep 12, 2023

C.D. Seventeen, a techno music artist, DJ, painter, and poet, shares her transformative solo bikepacking journey through the Scottish Highlands and Orkney Islands. She discusses overcoming social anxiety through DJing, the connection between DJing and her poetry, and the impact of her bikepacking trip on her healing process. The podcast also explores cultural influences, breaking free from societal expectations, and finding solitude during the journey.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Exploring DJing and Overcoming Social Anxiety

02:27 • 5min

Bikepacking journey and poetry

07:07 • 13min

Discussion on High-Value Positions and Advertisements for US Bank and Women Who Travel Podcast

20:30 • 3min

Cultural Influences and Upbringing in China

23:20 • 13min

Seeking Joy and Purpose

36:43 • 13min

Breaking Free of Cultural Expectations and Individuality

49:50 • 2min

Breaking Free: Solo Biking Journey and Challenging Societal Expectations

51:40 • 10min

Getting Lost in Time and Finding Solitude

01:02:10 • 11min

Reflections on Courage and Freedom of Speech

01:13:27 • 3min

How can travel serve as a path to healing and self-discovery?

Today, I’m joined by C.D. Seventeen, a techno music artist, DJ, painter, and poet, to talk about what it was like growing up in the Yunnan Province of China and how a bike-packing trip through the Scottish Highlands and the Orkney Islands helped her reclaim her power.

In this episode, Seventeen opens up about her challenges coming out of that environment to pursue an unconventional path and what she had to overcome to follow her dreams. We also explore her book The Weight We Carry, which contains poems from her solo bike-packing journey. She shares how this transformative trip contributed to her healing, what the adventure was like, and how it continues to impact her to this day.

This story just might inspire you to, as Seventeen wrote on the back of her book, “jump on a bike, go on a journey, dive deep into the self, and let the weight of your human identity dissolve into the wind.”

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide and suicidal ideation.

How has travel brought about a transformation in you? I'd love to hear your story and hope you’ll share it by sending me an audio message.

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Tune In To Learn:

How DJing helped Seventeen overcome her social anxiety
Why she chose to move to the UK and study psychology instead of following her passions
Why speaking out about the Chinese education system and cultural expectations is important to her
The beauty of Seventeen’s culture and village life in the Yunnan Province
How writing in a foreign language taught her to embrace flaws and new possibilities
The pivotal moment that led her to take a solo bike-packing trip around Scotland
Seventeen’s quest for individuation and how her book reflects her transformation during the journey
What she’s learned from breaking free of the rules
Her advice for bike-packing Scotland and meeting others on the road
And so much more

Resources:

Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport
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Today's Sponsor - US Bank
Check out Seventeen’s website
Stay at the Orkney Island BNB and Rua Reidh Lighthouse
Milk & Honey by Rupi Kaur

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This episode is sponsored by US Bank's Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card, with the ability to earn up to 5x the points on travel-related expenses like hotels, and rental cars, this card will get you the most return on your next trip.