{"id":20125,"date":"2018-11-27T11:53:24","date_gmt":"2018-11-27T11:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/flashpacknew.wpengine.com\/?p=20125"},"modified":"2023-07-06T16:41:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-06T15:41:51","slug":"type-fun-fitness-travel-challenge-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/solo\/wellness\/type-fun-fitness-travel-challenge-adventure\/","title":{"rendered":"How type II fun can transform your life"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>What&#8217;s your idea of fun?<\/p>\n<p>For ultra-endurance athlete Mark Beaumont, there are two kinds.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, the 35-year-old smashed the world record for circumnavigating the globe by bike, cycling around the world in under 80 days (he finished in 78).<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BY3HYgPHVNp\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"12\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BY3HYgPHVNp\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\"> View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a> <\/p>\n<p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BY3HYgPHVNp\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\">\u202aMeals-on-Wheels breakfast on the go!. . . #80days #ArtemisWorldCycle @kogabikes @panaracer_world @alturacycling<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mrmarkbeaumont\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\"> Mark Beaumont<\/a> (@mrmarkbeaumont) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2017-09-10T12:52:27+00:00\">Sep 10, 2017 at 5:52am PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>This staggering feat saw him tackle an average of 240 miles daily from Paris across mainland Asia and Australia to Canada and back again, cycling over 18,000 miles through two points on opposite sides of the world.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the kind of crazy mission that channels a specific term Beaumont has coined: &#8220;type II fun&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is where the challenge can be a bit miserable at the time, but you look back on it very fondly when it\u2019s over,&#8221; Beaumont tells <a href=\"http:\/\/www.menshealth.co.uk\/fitness\/what-it-takes-to-cycle-around-the-world-in-80-days\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Men&#8217;s Health<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Life is about doing stuff that takes you out your comfort zone and this kind of type two fun will end up being your fondest memories, I guarantee it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The difference between type I and type II fun<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-413 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/It-Jordan3.jpg\" alt=\"Hiking along Dana Biosphere Reserve\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Type II fun is a concept that Beaumont explores more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Around-World-80-Days-Adventure-ebook\/dp\/B077MPH4XF\/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1543317109&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=mark+beaumont\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">in his book<\/a> about his 80-day cycling quest (named in tribute to the classic adventure novel by Jules Verne).<\/p>\n<p>Under his approach, type I fun is the obvious variety: Secret Cinema, hot tubs, knocking back Aperol Spritz with your mates into the early hours; whatever floats your boat.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.flashpack.com\/solo\/wellness\/travelling-alone-stress-less\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Solo travel gets rid of this major stress trigger<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Type II fun is a whole different and more subtle beast.<\/p>\n<p>Type II fun involves pushing yourself\u00a0\u2013 potentially to the absolute edge of your stamina\u00a0\u2013 to achieve a result that you can be proud of.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the kind of challenge that gives you substance and purpose, even if it feels pretty hideous at the time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why type II fun is important<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12337 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Chile-white-water-river-rafting-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2800\" height=\"1800\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Type I fun delivers instant gratification, and it&#8217;s fleeting.<\/p>\n<p>You feel great in the moment because you&#8217;re satisfying an immediate need (whether that&#8217;s bingeing on Amazon Prime or eating your body weight in pasta).<\/p>\n<p>But that feeling only lasts as long as the experience itself: you don&#8217;t learn anything new about yourself, and it doesn&#8217;t affect you on any deeper level.<\/p>\n<p>Type II fun, on the other hand, can build you up in ways you never even imagined, and lead to satisfaction in a lasting, more profound way.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13151 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chile_153-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2880\" height=\"1920\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Research shows that when we set <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/gb\/blog\/the-leaders-code\/201608\/why-you-want-be-stretched-outside-your-comfort-zone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stretching goals<\/a>, whatever these may be, we install confidence in ourselves.<\/p>\n<p>The mere act of aiming for an ambitious challenge &#8211; effectively punching above your weight &#8211; means you introduce purpose and meaning to your life, in place of mundane routine.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s fuel, essentially; encouraging you to higher levels of performance and commitment. You&#8217;re aiming for something <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/supersurvivors\/201805\/the-paradoxical-secret-finding-meaning-in-life\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">bigger than yourself<\/a>, and so become a bigger person as a result.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is a type II fun challenge?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-967 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/ItCroatia2.jpg\" alt=\"Mre\u017enica\u2019s kayaking\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You don&#8217;t have to go the whole hog <em>\u00e0 la\u00a0<\/em>Beaumont and battle headwinds, bum sores and five hours&#8217; sleep a night in order to realise type II fun.<\/p>\n<p>It could be anything that involves pushing your own limits. But introducing a physical element is a good idea, simply because you&#8217;ll feel better for it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Read more: <a href=\"\/insights\/2017\/12\/06\/travel-challenges-self-esteem\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">7 travel challenges to boost your self-esteem<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>As Beaumont himself says, &#8220;Scaring yourself a little bit while staying fit and healthy is a great combination\u2026 try it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>With that in mind, here are five great challenges that tap into the power of type II fun.<\/p>\n<p>Dive in and get set to stretch yourself like never before (plus, load up on good old-fashioned type I fun with some celebratory drinks in the pub afterwards = win).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hike the Everest trail in Nepal<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14893 size-large\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Nepal-adventure-solo-travelers-13-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Nepal adventure solo travelers\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Muscle up for this legendary nine-day expedition through the hazy foothills of Nepal. You&#8217;ll be following in the footsteps of mountaineering greats as you follow an off-radar route through Sherpa villages in the shadow of Everest, Lhotse and more of the world&#8217;s highest peaks. Hitting the top point at 5,000 metres with the Farak Ri viewpoint, amid thin air, fluttering prayer flags and the whole of the Khumbu Valley spreading out before you, will be a literal and emotional high.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/adventure-trips\/nepal-small-group-adventure-solo-travellers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Get involved<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Climb a glacier in Norway<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4938 size-large\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Norway-adventure-guide-1024x770.jpg\" alt=\"Norway adventure guide\" width=\"1024\" height=\"770\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Jostedalsbreen glacier in Western Norway is the largest of its kind in mainland Europe, and navigating its icy crevasses is no mean feat. Grab your ice picks and crampons as you rope up for an epic few hours on the icy terrain. After dodging\u00a0ice towers, crawling through caves and heaving your way up steep, glacial steps, you&#8217;ll be drunk on the power of nature\u00a0\u2013 and ready to tackle absolutely anything.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/adventure-trips\/norway-small-group-tour-solo-travellers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Make it happen<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Come canyoning in Jordan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13245 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Canyoning-in-Jordan-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2800\" height=\"1800\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you want to throw yourself headfirst into a full-on challenge, Jordan&#8217;s Wadi Mujib is your guy. Canyoning in this desert ravine is the kind of escapade that will definitely make your heart skip a beat. Haul yourself over giant boulders,\u00a0 rappel down slippery chutes and generally put your grit to the test amid churning flumes. A day here will make you feel like a true Bear Grylls: pumped up and ready to roar.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/adventure-trips\/jordan-adventure-holiday-for-solo-travellers-aged-30-40\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Feeling brave?<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Summit Rainbow Mountain in Peru<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-15866 size-full aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Rainbow-Mountain-Andes-Hike-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"869\" height=\"579\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s a certain point on the summit hike up Peru&#8217;s Rainbow Mountain, at 5,200 metres, that you may start to doubt yourself. The Andean air is thin and freezing, and each new step feels like an enormous challenge. This is a huge act of physical and mental stamina, and yet the multi-coloured summit is worth it, bringing with it a rush of sudden emotion. With an overnight camp at 4,000 metres, you can get up there nice and early to see the peak come alive in a dazzling prism of colour. This is your moment: the one you never thought you&#8217;d achieve.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/adventure-trips\/peak-of-peru\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hit the clouds<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tackle North Africa&#8217;s highest mountain in Morocco<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13867 size-large\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Mount-Toubkal-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" \/><\/p>\n<p>At just over 4,000 metres, Mount Toubkal in Morocco is a lesser behemoth than Rainbow Mountain: but it&#8217;s still the highest peak in North Africa. Getting here involves a demanding two-day hike through ancient mule trails in the Atlas hills, culminating with a dawn scramble over scree fields. The fabled &#8220;roof of north Africa&#8221; is your prize, offering an incredible view across Morocco that (on a clear day) stretches from the Sahara to the Atlantic Sea. Hear that cry of elation? That&#8217;s you smashing the limits of your own self-belief.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/adventure-trips\/mount-toubkal-in-morocco-small-group-adventure-solo-travellers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The journey begins<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Images: Shutterstock, Flash Pack, Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What&#8217;s your idea of fun? For ultra-endurance athlete Mark Beaumont, there are two kinds. Last&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":77794,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9030],"tags":[356,644,771,730,464,433,443,684,491,362,465,434,607,658,735,638,498,1255,339,93,787],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20125"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20125"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20125\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandbox.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}