Ben Southall now lives in a wooden house amidst the tropical rainforest in Gold Coast. From his balcony, he enjoys views of the sea and forest. Daily, he jogs along trails or cycles to the beach to surf. His home also serves as the office for the adventure tourism company he founded with two employees, operating without a boss or performance targets.

Ben and his girlfriend. Photo: QQ

In his youth, Ben held various jobs, from selling fish to working in a call center. Tired of the corporate environment, he chose a lifestyle of working for six months and traveling for six months. In 2008, he spent 12 months driving across Africa, crossing the Sahara desert, and conquering five mountains.

This experience proved advantageous, helping him secure a position in Tourism Queensland's "The Best Job in the World" campaign in 2009. The role required him to be an island caretaker on the Great Barrier Reef for six months, with a remuneration of 150,000 AUD (approximately 128,000 USD). Ben received free accommodation in a villa, tasked with exploring the islands and sharing his experiences online.

On his first day, his duties merely involved clearing leaves from the pool, eating seafood, and watching sunsets. However, for the next six months, he worked 18 hours daily. By day, he learned to dive, shear sheep, and fly helicopters; at night, he edited videos and wrote blogs. One day, he answered 124 interviews. Sleep deprivation and being away from his family exhausted Ben. In his final week, he was stung by a venomous jellyfish, collapsing and requiring emergency hospitalization.

The Great Barrier Reef, where Ben worked in 2009. Photo: Visual China

After completing his contract, Ben became famous but declined to use his fame to earn a living. He opened an adventure tourism company, personally designing itineraries and accepting a maximum of 10 adventure-seeking guests per group. His annual work plan interweaves trips such as trekking in minus 30 degrees Celsius in Northern Europe, hiking Everest Base Camp, or driving across the African desert.

His flexible schedule allows him to pursue his passion for sports, have time to pick up his son daily, and relax on weekends. His current work still presents its own pressures, requiring detailed planning to ensure group safety and attract clients seeking an "internet detox" and a return to nature.

To date, the 51-year-old man has completed 32 marathons, 15 treks to Everest Base Camp, and has never missed a total solar eclipse.

In his office, he still keeps the job offer letter from years ago. Recently, his son placed a sticker over the title, changing "The Best Job in the World" to "The Best Dad in the World".

Reflecting on the past 17 years, Ben said a perfect job does not exist. "The best job in the world is not a position bestowed upon you, but a career you create and master yourself", he stated.

Bao Nhien (According to QQ)