Yooshita Fathi … Breaking Stereotypes

Yooshita has traveled to 108 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. A giant Happy New Year to all of you country counters! We are back today with a new episode after a small break. Over the past year, you've likely heard me mention many times the Extraordinary Travel Festival on this podcast. In November, I had the privilege of organizing this incredible sold-out event in Bangkok, hosting 250 participants over four action-packed days. With 30 inspiring speakers and lively evening events and some amazing sponsors, it was a truly memorable experience. I'm excited to share that planning is now underway for the next festival in 2026. Stay tuned for updates! Today, we are speaking with Yooshita Fathi. I had the pleasure of meeting Yooshita in Bangkok at ETF after seeing her for years on social media and having many common acquaintances. Besides travelling to over 100 countries, Yooshita has lived in 9 different countries. She shared many stories and experiences but I will definitely not forget her story travelling to Mozambique. Thanks to Tembo for his guest introduction and whose role will become more clear during our conversation. Tembo epitomizes the type of person we all hope to meet on the road. Besides producing my own podcast, I also love binging podcasts. I subscribe to dozens of them and listens to scores of them every week. And I have also been fortunate to be a guest on many podcasts as well. I want to thank Yulia Denisyuk for hosting me on her podcast, Going Places. And I just met Yulia at a Travel Massive event in Chicago where I also ran into patron Ted Nims. I also want to mention and recognize three other podcasters who have all hosted me on their podcasts. Of course I subscribe to Francis Tapon's WanderLearn, Palle Bo's Radio Vagabond, and Matt Bowles's The Maverick Show. All three also appeared at the Extraordinary Travel Festival. Thanks guys and great to see all of you in person. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons. You know them, you love them! Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Adam "one-away" Hickman, Steph "Phuket" Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe "BC" Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Phil "Marmaduke" Marcus, Sam Williams, and Scott Day for supporting this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. My patrons will hear extra content with Yooshita that you will not hear and be part of our members only FB group. I also want to welcome Scott Day to our patreon community. I have had the pleasure of meeting Scott a couple of times when he passed through Bangkok. And I virtually connected with Scott after appearing on Francis Tapon's podcast several years ago. A quick thank to Arvi Bahal who gifted me a stupendous gift, his book The Tireless Traveler. Arvi has completed 193 as well as the South and North Pole, and is on the waiting list for Virgin Galactic. This book is a true treasure. Arvi did a limited run and is not even selling these but gifting his limited supply. Check out his podcast from the other year. I was in Boston for this recording while Yooshita was in Spain.. Please listen in and enjoy. Thank you to my Patrons - you rock!! …. Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Adam Hickman, Steph Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Phil Marcus, Sam Williams and Scott Day.Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review!About Yooshita Fathi Counting Countries Stay in touch with Yooshita:https://www.instagram.com/yooshitaa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/youshita-fathi/ https://www.tiktok.com/@yooshitaaa About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who've spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space. Theme music for this podcast is Demeter's Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi. About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia. Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask! The United Nations states that there are 193 member states. The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories. The Traveler's Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands. The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1301 regions. The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 unique parts of the world. SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world. And the video that explains it all! Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way. An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori. Disclaimer: There are affiliates in this post. Yooshita Fathi Counting Countries