Episode 2: Walking the seven wonders with Jon Montoya - 'Against the Odds' podcast series

This week we’re talking to adventurer, traveller, former ballet dancer and above all – walker – Jonatan Montoya. Jon has set out on a staggering journey – to go around the world on foot, visiting each of the world’s 7 Modern Wonders, a massive journey of over 80,000 kilometres. The sheer ambition is enough to take your breath away. We catch up with Jon 2,000 miles into his journey. Despite sore feet and having to learn camping skills rapidly, Jon had made it to the first wonder of the world, the Temple of Chichen Itza in Mexico. It’s been a sharp learning curve, but Jon has loved the people he’s come across: ‘’People are so kind, I have fallen in love so many times along the way.” His ‘Against the Odds’ moments in his life include his mother’s well-meaning but misguided childhood health tips, surviving a near-miss car crash while selling bootleg records on the street, avoiding becoming a professional ballet dancer, and his own mental health struggles as he grew up. Jon’s motivation for his mega walk is to raise awareness and understanding of HIV. He reflects on his own fear of being infected with the disease as a teenager, a fear that grew to the point that he became celibate. We discuss the cultural barriers to improving the HIV infection rates in Mexico. “We are taught that heterosexuality is the normal and correct way to be, and when you have this inner dialogue, it’s hard to talk about HIV.” Since recording this episode, Jon has put his walk on hold and is looking for different ways to promote AIDS awareness. In case you were wondering... The Seven Wonders of the Modern World are: the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum, the Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Petra, and the Great Wall of China. To find out more, you can contact Jon: buenviajemyfriend@gmail.com