US Edition
Sailing from Oregon to Hawaii after quitting his job turns a man with a cat into social media star
- Oliver Widger, a 29-year-old former tire company manager, sailed from Oregon to Hawaii in April with his cat Phoenix, gaining over a million social media followers.
- After a paralysis-risk syndrome diagnosis and hating his strict 9-to-5 job, Widger abruptly quit with no money or plan and $10,000 debt to pursue sailing.
- He learned how to sail primarily by watching YouTube tutorials, purchased a $50,000 boat on the Oregon coast which he spent months refurbishing, and documents his journey in his 'Sailing with Phoenix' video series.
- Widger faced technical challenges like a rudder failure and three hours of repairs while acknowledging his inexperience and using safety tools such as a satellite phone and emergency beacon.
- His story inspires many feeling trapped by work, and he manages life onboard and social media, with his arrival likely in Honolulu and plans to avoid Hawaii's animal quarantine for Phoenix.
96 Articles
96 Articles
Man Quits His Job To Sail Around The World With His Cat
At one point or another, we've all daydreamed about quitting our jobs and disappearing. One 29-year-old Oregon man actually did it.When Oliver Widger was diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome, a painful skeletal condition that can sometimes cause paralysis, he realized that life is precious, and he was wasting too much time doing something he hated."The world kind of sucks and, like, I don’t think I’m alone in how I felt with my work," Widger tol…
Helena Independent Record
Oregon man goes viral after quitting job to sail the Pacific with his cat
Oliver Widger says he decided to chase his sailing dream after being diagnosed with a neck issue that could ultimately paralyze him.
Oregon man sails to Hawaiʻi following medical diagnosis
HONOLULU (KHON2) -- After being diagnosed with a potentially paralyzing neck condition, an Oregon man decided to cash out his retirement, buy a boat and sail to Hawaiʻi with his cat. Oliver Widger, a 29-year-old former tire shop manager, bought a $50,000 sailboat, fixed it up and set sail toward the islands with his cat Phoenix. HFD extinguishes ambulance fire in Wailupe For Widger, his diagnosis showed him that there's way more to life th…
Man, 29, Leaves Corporate America and Cashes Out His 401K to Sail the World with His Cat
“I work a corporate job at a tire shop. I absolutely hate this life,” Oliver Widger said before quittingSailing With Phoenix/Instagram Oliver Widger and his cat.Oliver Widger gave up on his corporate job to chase a life of leisure on the open seasThe 29-year-old set sail from the Oregon coast and is headed to Hawaii for his first stopHis only passenger is his cat PhoenixAn Oregon resident is giving up his life on land and setting sail across the…
Novice waterman sailing to Hawaii with a cat and minimal experience | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Last spring, Oliver Widger quit his corporate job of 11 years, liquidated his 401(k) and bought a sailboat. His goal: to set sail from his home in Oregon and voyage around the world, starting with a first leg of 2,400 miles to Hawaii.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
