Scott Stoll

Author, Artist, Adventurer

Biography

Scott Stoll once asked himself, “If I could do anything, what would I do?” His answer resulted in a quest for happiness around the world on a bicycle (4 years, 32,344 miles, 59 countries and 6 continents). His adventures are chronicled in his best-selling and award-winning book Falling Uphill, a tale described as having moments from pure survival to pure enlightenment. He was honored to be the Cultural Ambassador to Argentina by the US Department of State, and received Hostelling International’s Spirit of Adventure Award. But actually, he’s most proud of his honorary diploma from a primary school and all the kids that he’s inspired. 

Since Scott returned home, he’s studied beside a Buddhist master for 20 years, until the master passed away. His explorations of the meaning of life also include research into optimistic thinking as a community professor at the University of Cincinnati. See the results here.

• Learn about Scott’s mission and how this website works. Start here.
• Read stories about Scott in the Press Room.
• Book Scott for a motivational talk or virtual visit.
• Contact Scott.

Scott’s bio — The short story

In 2001, Scott Stoll left behind beloved San Francisco and began the first pedal strokes of his trip around the world, which almost ended five days later when the terrorists struck New York City on 9/11. After a month-long deliberation, Scott decided to continue his trip during what would become a unique moment in history, being one of the few Americans to travel abroad and the only one to travel the world on a bike. Citizens of other countries would often regard Scott as “the bicycling ambassador.” Unlike most modern-day adventurers loaded with electronic gadgets, Scott traveled the world with nothing more than a paper map and, of course, the prerequisite open mind and an open heart.

Before his epic journey, Scott came from a modest background. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raised in Waukesha before returning to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee for his degree in the fine arts and graphic design, including a semester abroad at the University of Sunderland, England. Scott has also worked and lived across the US; however, after living life like the indigenous inhabitants in over 59 countries, Scott has been called “a citizen of the world” and has worked hundreds of truly odd and dirty jobs to provide for his journeys.

To fund his adventures, Scott spent a decade working in advertising and graphic design from Washington, DC to San Francisco, being labeled at times as an art director, graphic designer, production artist, photographer, copywriter and some other not-so-flattering job titles. Scott has freelanced in dozens of ad agencies, including TBWA/Chiat/Day, when they won the prestigious “Agency of the Year” award. Scott has also won a handful of industry awards for his design and is proud to have written for the New York Times. Prior to his journey, he also founded this award-winning website, The Argonauts Inc. It was like a social media blog about adventure before blogs and social media were invented. More recently, Scott has been an author, motivational speaker, Honorary Committee Member of Hostelling International, radio correspondent, Northside Education Committee Member, adjunct graphic design professor, community professor at UC, artist-in-residence and more.

If you want to read the long version of Scott’s story, read his award-winning travel memoir, Falling Uphill. You will feel like you are riding a bicycle alongside Scott all the way around the world.

What will the future bring?

Of course, Scott is always dreaming of the next adventure and next book, but currently, he is enjoying his adventure at home, because he has learned that even traveling around the world on a bicycle is too fast. More importantly, he has learned how to appreciate all the surprising little adventures right here at home. In fact, one of his main goals is simply to build a community of people passionate about bringing great ideas to life in a way that is mutually beneficial to everyone involved and the world at large.

Scott has been surprised at how his adventure keeps growing. As an example: he was honored to make a Spanish edition of his children’s book in Argentina as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Cultural Outreach Program. He was their Cultural Ambassador, which was a great opportunity to inspire a lot of people. Even years later, kids (now young adults) write to tell him how he inspired them to dream, and now they are taking the steps to make those dreams a reality. This is what Scott loves most. He feels he is living his life’s purpose and helping others to do the same. And he hopes to live vicariously through the dreams and adventures of many more people.

Visit Our New Kid-Friendly Website

I teamed up with like-minded people to teach kids how to turn dreams into reality using our simple 3-step formula 1) Dream it! 2) Map it! 3) Play it!

Dreamaplay.com is full of fun, free, evidence-based resources for kids and their parents, teachers and health care providers.

A bicycle ride around the world begins with a single pedal stroke.

Scott Stoll

When I started the #1 collection of bicycle quotes on the web, I never imagined that I would be one of the people quoted. My quote is featured for the month of February in the 2015 Bicycle Bliss Calendar. The publisher’s website description of the calendar reads: “With inspiring cycling quotes by luminaries such as H. G. Wells, Scott Stoll, and Mahatma Gandhi.” I can’t even believe my name is in that sentence! Since then, it has been shared thousands of times, including the Adventure Cycling Association’s #TGIF quote. More about this quote.

Falling Uphill

One man’s quest for happiness around the world on a bicycle

If you really want to know what makes Scott tick, Falling Uphill is his magnum opus, the best-selling, award-winning book about his 4-year journey searching for the meaning of life (as featured in the New York Times), including many harrowing adventures, like being thrown in prison, mugged at gunpoint, nearly dying of dehydration, and equally as many heartwarming moments. More info.

Scott’s favorite pictures of Scott

For more photos and information about Scott Stoll, please visit our press room.

Scott’s short film

Here is a short video about my trip around the world on a bicycle. It was a YouTube featured video and in the Boston Bicycle Film Festival.

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If you could do anything, what would you do?
ScottStoll.com

Thanks for riding alongside me on this adventure we call life.

Cheers,
Scott