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Drew Binsky on Visiting Every Country in the World—and Where He’s Headed Next

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Drew Binsky in a red shirt holding a camera


On Oct. 29, 2021, Drew Binsky, a 30-year-old American, arrived in Saudi Arabia and instantly became part of a rarified group of travelers: Those who have visited every country in the world. For those counting, that’s 193 UN-recognized nations, plus two observer states and two more countries that Binsky visited for good measure (his total country count is 197). To date, only about 250 people have visited every country in the world.

 

 

Binsky, a popular vlogger, documented his trips on YouTube and Instagram and shared the stories of the people he met, including the world’s shortest man in the Philippines and a Dutchman who has 26 Guinness World Records for his ability to withstand subzero temperatures. In the last five years, he has made 1,100 videos, and together they’ve racked up 4.5 billion views—it’s safe to say he’s a well-known traveler. We sat down with Binsky to talk about what inspired his epic adventure, what he learned along the way, and what’s next.

Men’s Journal: How did the idea for this journey come about?

Drew Binsky: After studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, I taught English in South Korea. And that’s when I started a blog—it was a way for me to share my eating and partying experiences around the world. The “ah-ha” moment was meeting a good friend and mentor of mine, Lee Abbamonte, who visited every country when he was 31. I wanted to beat his record. To this day, we remain really good friends and golf buddies. We have traveled to seven countries together and he really helped show me the way for traveling.

You started as a blogger, but now you’re more well-known for making videos. What inspired that transition?

Shall we say who inspired me? Deanna, my wife, inspired me to make videos. She’s the one who bought me a camera. I’m a minimalist, so I wouldn’t have bought one for myself. I switched from blogging to video after visiting North Korea. I made a little documentary about my three days there and it was viewed by 10 million people. I had no idea what I was doing, didn’t know how to use a camera, didn’t even know how to tell a story, but it worked out.

I switched to video (and stopped blogging) after that one went viral in April 2017. My first few videos were the $10 series: what $10 gets you to Vietnam, then Cuba, Moscow, Azerbaijan, and Bangladesh, etc. I basically took 10 bucks and went around and saw what I could buy. I’ve done like 55 videos now in that series, and it’s my most viral series.

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The UN recognizes 193 nations and two observer states (Vatican City and Palestine), but you say you’ve been to 197. What are those other two countries and why did you make that distinction?

193 is the official UN list of nations, and I added four: the Vatican, Palestine, Kosovo, and Taiwan. What travelers can add is up for debate; you can also add Kurdistan and Somaliland, for example. Basically, those four are the ones that are the most recognized by other countries. But it is subjective. It’s kind of a personal preference.

You were planning to achieve your goal of visiting every country by 2020. How did COVID-19 change your plans? How were you able to knock out those last few during a time where so many borders were closed?

The funny thing is I visited 99 percent of the world’s countries and then the world shut down. I had six countries left—Ghana, Ecuador, Venezuela, Palau, Jamaica, and Saudi Arabia—and was supposed to finish in May 2020. The coronavirus put an 18-month delay in my plans. During the pandemic, I went to countries that were open and that I’d previously enjoyed, like Mexico, Egypt, Afghanistan, Tanzania, Dubai, and Turkey. It’s hard for me to stop moving.

Traveling the globe isn’t cheap. How did you fund your travels?

I started by teaching English at the beginning, then I was a budget backpacker for a while, and then I started making videos in 2017. I started making money from ad revenue, and now I sell courses and have merchandise. There are a lot of ways to monetize. Hopefully I’ll keep it going. I have an NFT project coming out that I’m excited for called “Travel Tokens.” They’re detailed illustrations from all my favorite places around the world.

What were some of your favorite experiences along the way?

I really like traveling into countries that are considered dangerous or where people are scared to go. Some of my favorites were Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Venezuela. I’ve also met so many cool local friends who have taken me around. I’ve been blessed to have had so many incredible experiences. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact favorite.

One interesting story was when I was in the Central African Republic, I met a local friend and together, we went on an eight-hour drive to visit a Pygmy tribe. The tribe was living in a very remote area in the middle of the jungle. These people are some of the shortest people in the world—around four feet tall on average.

It was really fascinating to go there, immerse myself in their culture, and see how they hunt for gazelle. I watched them shoot one with a bow and arrow, bring it back, cook it over a fire, and eat it. It was a special experience, and probably the remotest place I’ve ever been to. It was the kind of experience that makes you think about what’s truly most satisfying in life, and what that means.

Another favorite story was my trip to Greenland. The island is home to over 50,000 people and most of them live in the western part. We went to study the remotest city on the island’s east coast, called Ittoqqortoormiit. Only around 300 people live there, and they are very self-sufficient, especially in how they get food. They eat polar bears, whales, and walrus all year round. They have no jails, no post office, and they rely on the cruise ships which come once a month or once every quarter to help out with their needs. I was able to really feel the culture there, and I was so surprised at how happy the people were, despite living in complete isolation and in really freezing cold weather.

Drew Binsky in a red winter jacket standing on top of a snowy mountain
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What was the hardest part?

Getting visas is the hardest part. For instance, having to convince the Afghan embassy in Malaysia to let me go was hard. I was visiting Malaysia, and I went to the Afghan embassy and then I had to convince them that I’m a good person, that I would come back alive, and that I’m a journalist. Then I had to wait until they approved my entry.

Libya was really hard, too. They don’t issue tourist visas; they only give business visas. I had to pretend to be an undercover oil consultant to get in there. I don’t like lying, so that was a difficult trip.

What do you think has been the biggest lesson you learned while on this journey?

I learned that in some ways it doesn’t matter where you’re from. Everybody needs to eat when they’re hungry. Everybody needs to love each other. Everybody needs to laugh. Everybody smiles and everybody cries.

One example is when I was in Yemen, I was in a car with a couple of girls, which was very unusual—in Yemen, women aren’t allowed to drive with men that they don’t know. But they were blasting music that I listened to, like ‘90s hip-hop. That was a moment where I could tell people are really the same.

Is there anything you hope others take away from following your travels?

I want other people to feel inspired to travel the world. I want them to learn about the world, because traveling is the best education that anybody can have. The more that people learn, the wiser we become and the more open-minded we all are.

Now that you’ve visited every country, what’s next?

I’m going to get a bigger team and try to make better videos (including more blockbuster or flagship videos, like the coldest city in the world, which is where I’m going next in Russia). I’m focusing on my travel hacking course, which is a class I sell for $150. I want to just continue growing my community, continue to inspire, and continue to create. Those are my biggest goals. Right now, I feel like I’ve only unlocked five percent of my potential. I’m really excited to see what’s next.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.


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10 Best Porters to Drink Right Now

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A bottle of Deschutes Black Butte Porter




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Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

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Barbell Back Squat


The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.

“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.

If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.

Directions

Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.

Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

Circuit 1

Marius Bugge

A. Barbell Back Squat

Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts renegade row
Marius Bugge

B. Renegade Row

Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side

Circuit 2

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing renegade row Dumbbell Bentover Row in gym
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bentover Row

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 
Marius Bugge

B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 

Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 3

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat

Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Marius Bugge

B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift

Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Circuit 4

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing pullup
Marius Bugge

A. Pullup

Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Marius Bugge

B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press

Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 5

A. Dumbbell Pushup

Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps

B. Biceps Curl

Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps


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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout

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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout




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