BUCKiT® #42-Andrew McCarthy: Actor, Director and Award Winning Writer Talks About How Traveling Alone Has Helped Him Face His Fears and Gain a Deeper Understanding of Himself

Halfway through the grueling 500 mile El Camino de Santiago trek which winds its way through mountains, forests, and endless fields - and where towns are a day apart at best, a former Brat Pack member and famous actor falls to his knees crying uncontrollably. He has a total meltdown, but it’s a turning point for Andrew McCarthy who would go on to travel the world for a living and become an award winning writer and critically acclaimed novelist. If you remember the 80’s Andrew McCarthy needs no introduction. He’s a famous actor appearing in iconic movies like Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo’s Fire. He’s also a well respected director, having worked on series including Orange is the New Black for Netflix and The Black List and The Enemy Within for NBC. What might surprise many people is that Andrew McCarthy is also an award winning travel writer and his first novel, a coming of age story, landed him on the New York Times bestseller list. He’s definitely a “tick it before you kick it” kind of guy who faces his fears head on, constantly talking on new challenges - and reinventing himself, while staying true to his passion. Andrew’s work with National Geographic Traveler magazine takes him all over the world and I caught up with Andrew recently after he had just stepped off a long flight from Budapest. He was in desperate need of a pick me up, the conversation quickly turned to what makes the perfect cup of tea – after all he’s been all over the world in search of the answer.