Seven months. Thousands of miles. One sky full of Northern Lights. And a man who refused to miss any of it.
Thom Barrett was handed a stage IV prostate cancer diagnosis. Rather than retreating into the silence of fear and waiting rooms, he did something extraordinary! He loaded up his vehicle, pointed it toward the wilderness, and spent seven months overlanding and skiing through some of the most magnificent landscapes on Earth. This is the story of that journey. Raw. Honest. Breathtaking. Alive.
Some people fight cancer from a hospital bed. Thom Barrett fought it from a mountain peak.
Chasing My Northern Lights is not a book about dying. It is a book about the fierce, urgent, and almost defiant act of choosing to live fully, loudly, and without apology.
It is about waking up before sunrise in places so remote and so beautiful that illness, for a moment, becomes irrelevant.
It is about skiing powder runs and navigating mountain passes, about sitting alone beneath the celestial curtain of the Aurora Borealis and understanding, in one luminous instant, what truly matters.
Barrett's voice is immediate and unfiltered. He does not dress up the hard days, the pain, or the fear. But neither does he let those things define the narrative. What he offers instead is something rarer and more valuable: a living, breathing testament to the idea that our most difficult seasons can become our most meaningful ones, and that adversity, when met with courage and motion, has the power to transform everything it touches.
What awaits you inside:
- A raw, unfiltered seven-month odyssey through breathtaking wilderness undertaken in the shadow of a terminal diagnosis
- The celestial dance of the Northern Lights, witnessed by someone who fought hard to stand beneath them
- A perfect blend of practical overlanding, van-life insights and an emotionally rich memoir, offering lessons in both survival and self-discovery.
- Honest reflections on mortality, courage, and the art of choosing beauty over fear
What would you do if you had seven months left to live?
This is the book for anyone who has stood at a crossroads and wondered whether they are brave enough to take the road that calls to them. It is for every cancer patient, every caregiver, every person who has ever lost something precious and had to figure out how to keep moving. And it is for every traveler who knows deep in their bones that the road itself is the answer.
This isn’t just a story. It’s an invitation to find meaning in the wild.
Get your copy today and join Thom on a journey that will change your outlook on life, survival, and the pursuit of hope.
Thom's journey mirrors an enthralling adventure novel, distinguished by his resilient spirit against life's challenges. As a former PwC partner, his 35-year career was a testament to his business acumen, creative flair, and passion for technology, all intertwined with an ever-present zest for adventure.Now enjoying the tranquility of Cape Cod in retirement, Thom dedicates his creativity to crafting bespoke furniture. His commitment to community shines through his work with Habitat for Humanity and his role as a set builder for the Cotuit Center for Performing Arts. Beyond the serene Cape, Thom's heart beats for exploration - his travels have taken him from the vibrant villages of Central America to the untamed beauty of North America's landscapes.Gazing into the future, Thom's ambitions are limitless. He is poised to delve into the majestic allure of Antarctica and undertake a momentous trek along the western coastline of South America, journeying from Ushuaia, Argentina, all the way to Colombia. His thirst for adventure doesn't stop there; he plans to complete an awe-inspiring circumnavigation of Australia the following year.Yet, amidst this vibrant mosaic of exploration and giving back, Thom is engaged in a deeply personal and valiant struggle. For the past eight years, he has been bravely facing cancer, which has recently progressed to stage IV. Despite this, Thom confronts this challenge with the same courage and zeal he brings to every facet of his extraordinary life.Thom's story is more than a collection of extraordinary experiences; it's a source of hope and motivation. His writings, born from a rich life and bravely fought, aim to empower readers. Whether grappling with a health crisis or standing beside someone who is, Thom's narrative is an inspiring call to action - to embrace and cherish every moment of life. His words, a blend of adventure and resilience, are a testament to his journey and a guiding light for others navigating their paths. Up until now, Barrett has published two books, Living While Dying and Chasing My Northern Lights.
