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Who is Toyota World Runners?

March 31, 2022

Or, what is Toyota World Runners?

on HOW IT STARTED:

Hi, thanks for checking in.


This is our first ever blog post, so we figured an introduction was in order.

At the time of writing, TWR is 27 months old. Our first YouTube video went live on January 17th 2020. In that time we've had plenty of opportunities to figure out what this brand is all about.


With humble beginnings of starting and growing an Instagram account and YouTube channel we initiated our journey and launched ourselves into the world of content creation and brand building.


ON THE TRIP:

It all started with an idea.


Back in 2017 I was struck with the idea to attend a festival in Argentina that would be based around the solar eclipse that was happening in December of 2020.


However, I was dead set on driving.


Stacey and I started dating in April of 2019 and about 3 months into our relationship I divulged that I was going to drive to South America. It was a bit of an ultimatum for her, but luckily she is an avid world traveler and was equally as stoked on the idea. Behind the stoke came all the questions of HOW, and the other logistics of such an undertaking, but we'll save that for a future write up.


I had concluded that we would start a YouTube channel and build up an online income somehow so we could make the trip possible. It was all a mystery still at that point, but the desire what alive and strong.

on us:

Stacey and I are 90's babes. 93 till infinity! We both hail from beautiful Vancouver Island and grew up in neighboring towns. I'll spare you the sappy details, but it's safe to say our interests, dreams and values align perfectly. She also shared this strange addiction to Old trucks which was a like magnet for me!


We both have interesting stories of careers and travel. Perhaps another post about that? I've always had a passion for creative endeavors, yet have often locked myself into worldly pursuits of finance and money while stifling my creative pursuits. Stacey helped free me of that.


Every year since she left high school she had gone on an epic trip for 1-2 months backpacking and exploring incredible parts of the world. I remember creeping her Facebook album called 'being a life liver' and was always left inspired and in awe. She has been the largest motivator of this pursuit in starting TWR and our trip.


ON COMMUNITY:

Y'all are rad people!

Around a year into our content creation journey we realized something very cool was happening... People were enjoying our stuff! That was a neat feeling. It also sparked the realization that this is a genuine community of people who share similar values.


Values of adventure, honest living, being a life liver! And of course, badass old trucks!


With that knowing, we will be doing our best to create something that makes you feel a part of this community, because you are! The people we've met, had conversations with and who engage with us on our socials are truly what keep us excited to keep going!


So, I'll leave you with this - what do you want to see that would make you feel even more connected to this community? Maybe a forum to post and ask your own questions and share your builds? I think that would be pretty sweet! Maybe a discord channel to have conversations on? We're all ears!


Thank you so much for being here and reading.


Until next time, remember,

BE RARE

and, 

 EVERY SEASON IS CAMPING SEASON.

A Hard Goodbye

By Stacey Tourout • July 23, 2023
What is your idea or perception of familiar? What does the “comfort of your own home” look like to you? I know for us familiar looked a lot different seven months ago. Familiar used to be coming home through the same door, sleeping in the same spot, buying the same groceries, hugging the same people. Mexico gave us a new sense of familiar that we weren’t expecting. Familiar is the smiles and greetings from strangers. Familiar is patience as we learn a new language, and familiar is the phone in our palm for Google translate. Familiar is being open to laying our heads anywhere, and familiar is feeling safe. Familiar is not knowing the food you’re purchasing, and letting your taste buds be the judge. Familiar is being so excited about the unfamiliar, that you’ll never know familiar again. Let’s just say the comfort of our home has transitioned from four walls to a million new, way more colourful walls. We love it here.

Soul food in the South

By Stacey Tourout • July 12, 2023
The incredible contrast between temperature, flora and fauna that Mexico elevation reveals will make sure you never feel prepared. Whether you’re coming down a mountain into the hulk green sauna, playing hide and seek with perfect surf breaks or slowly rolling the window back up when you see a pine tree. Mexico touches your skin with different hands around every exaggerated bend.

Cheer for Chiapas

By Stacey Tourout • July 6, 2023
Scrolling on my phone maps around our current location, I notice a think line I haven’t seen in awhile. I pinch, and zoom in to get a better look… a border. Guatemala awaits our arrival, but Mexico still has its strong hold on us. Chiapas could potentially be our last state if we choose to skip the eastern section. This thought throws my stomach out the car window while driving over the bridge. See ya later tummy. It feels like Mexico has warmed up to us just as much as we have to it. In the early days we questioned more and enjoyed the nervousness of our first date with a new country. We moved quickly. Now, , more comfortable with our surroundings, the language and the culture, we’re finding it hard to leave.
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