Laurence Gonzales – Travel Quote of the Week

Quick Summary

In this article, you will discover Laurence Gonzales’ survival wisdom, especially the quote “Don’t get comfortable. Get confident,” can reshape your approach to travel and personal growth. Besides this, you’ll learn why facing discomfort during your journeys can lead to real confidence and lasting transformation.

Who is Laurence Gonzales?

Laurence Gonzales is an American writer, journalist, and survival skills expert. He is perhaps best known for writing the best selling book Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why.

Gonzales was born in St. Louis, Missouri but moved around the United States as a child. At the age of 17 he left home to join a traveling caravan of musicians—an early indication of his interest in adventure.

Gonzales went to school for journalism, and in 1972 he landed a gig at Playboy Magazine. While there, he began writing about the how and why of plane crashes. This eventually morphed into a decades-long study of human decision making in stressful situations—a topic he wrote about for National Geographic Adventure, Rolling Stone, Harper’s, and Men’s Journal among others.

In 2004 Gonzales published Deep Survival, an in-depth examination into the art and science of staying alive. In this book he recounts asking his father—who flew bombing runs during World War II—how he managed to get comfortable with such risky missions. His response is this week’s travel quote: “Don’t get comfortable. Get confident.”

Why This Quote Matters for Travelers 

While chances are slim that you’ll ever face anything even remotely as dangerous as a bombing mission while traveling, I believe Gonzales’ father’s words can teach you something incredible important: comfort is the enemy of personal growth, especially on the road.

I believe that the type of travel experiences that make you a strong person only happen if you’re willing to endure some sort of mental or physical discomfort. Whether you’re facing your fear of the unknown in a faraway land or pushing your body’s limits to hike a high-altitude mountain, pain and distress are part of the story.

Personal growth comes from doing things that are hard. And once you succeed, you get confident. True, earned confidence.

Growing up I had a lot of people tell me I was special—that I was destined for big things (I’m sure I’m not the only person in my generation with this story). I’m grateful for having had such loving people in my life. But when, at age 24—after 7 years of undergrad and grad school—I found myself without a job and unsure about my future, it didn’t do anything to help me.

No, it was only through trying—and often failing miserably—to do hard shit that I began to feel confident. I went through some really rough times and made a ton of mistakes but for the first time in my life, I could define myself positively based on concrete results. I could say without wincing that I was someone who was willing to try difficult things in spite of the possibility of failure.

This philosophy has carried over into the way I travel. I now define myself in part by the activities I do. By the places I’m willing to go, and the activities I’m willing to try. There are many people out there who have accomplished more than I have at my age—my Grandma survived the depression, fought in a war, and had two kids by age 25—and I don’t pretend to be any sort of life-style guru. But I do believe that if I—with all my faults—can do this, anyone can. 

So if you’re interested in becoming a stronger human being—in becoming more than what you are now—I ask you this simple question: what are you doing to make yourself uncomfortable? If the answer’s nothing, as it was for me in the past, let’s change that.

Share Your Thoughts & Favorite Quote 

I publish a new travel quote ever week, right here. Do you have a particular one you’d like us to feature in the future? What do you think about this quotation? Let us know in the comments below! 

About the Author

Andrew Scott is the founder of Authentic Traveling and a travel educator who has traveled to over 30 countries. He believes in helping individuals discover deeper, more intentional journeys, with a focus on mental preparedness and purpose-driven travel.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Who is Laurence Gonzales and why is he featured in this article?

 Laurence Gonzales is an American author and expert in survival psychology. He is known for his book Deep Survival, which explores human behavior in life-threatening situations. His insights offer valuable lessons for travelers seeking personal growth.

2. What is the main message of Gonzales’ quote?

 The quote “Don’t get comfortable. Get confident.” encourages travelers to embrace discomfort and challenges. It’s through overcoming tough experiences that real confidence and self-growth are built.

3. How can I apply this message to my travels?

 Push yourself to try new and difficult things while traveling—whether it’s exploring unfamiliar places, speaking a new language, or tackling a tough hike. The key is stepping out of your comfort zone to grow mentally and emotionally.