Robin Esrock's success as a global adventurer, travel writer and international TV personality was no accident, although it did start with one. Struck down on his bike at a Vancouver intersection, Robin hobbled away with a broken kneecap, and one year later, a modest $20,000 insurance settlement. It was just enough for him pack up his things, quit his job, and set off on a one-year solo round-the-world backpacking adventure to 24 countries. He named his journey Modern Gonzo, and committed to record his year of living dangerously, with online weekly reports, photography, videos, and interviews with every person he met. In doing so, he pioneered a new era of multi-platform, switched-on and wired-in travel journalism, leading to adventures beyond his wildest dreams.

Robin could look back on several careers before stumbling upon this exciting new one. The 36 year-old rode the new media boom in the late 90's, working in London for the BBC, Reuters and FilmFour. In Canada, he founded a record label before working in a music agency with clients including Coldplay, Norah Jones and Avril Lavigne. Once he discovered travel writing however, his own rock star began to shine. Robin's stories have been published in over a dozen major newspapers worldwide, including the Chicago Tribune, South China Morning Post, Sydney Morning Herald, Toronto Star and Dallas Morning News. He is a currently a columnist for the Globe & Mail, Sympatico.ca and Outpost Magazine in Canada, while Forbes Travel, MSNBC and Travel+Leisure magazine named him amongst the top adventure writers in North America. His Modern Gonzo website and social media channels enjoy a cult-like status amongst travel blogs. From humble beginnings, Robin's adventures have been read, and subsequently watched, by millions around the world.

Noticing the fascination and misconceptions surrounding the profession of travel writing, Robin conceived the idea that became the first TV series to show the truth behind the byline. Word Travels (www.wordtravels.tv) took Robin and co-host Julia Dimon to 36 countries on 6 continents, filming 40 action-packed half hour episodes. In addition to hosting, Robin developed, wrote, and co-produced the show. It airs on Travel Channel and National Geographic International in over 100 countries and 18 languages. In Canada, it has become a popular fixture on OLN and CityTV, and will soon be airing on Outside TV and the Halogen Network in the USA.

Heli-yoga in the Rockies, racing supercars in Italy, volcano boarding in Nicaragua - it's all in a day's work. Having visited 100 countries, Robin continues to write, blog, tweet, and film his ongoing adventures (his visit to China's Death Hike has over 485,000 views on Youtube). Living proof that sometimes, life is just an accident waiting to happen.