An Oregon Man Quit His Job to Sail With His Cat—and Landed in...

An Oregon A staff member from a tire shop, having resigned and liquidated their pension funds to embark on an international journey with their feline companion, was greeted by throngs of enthusiastic supporters as they reached the island. Hawaii .

Oliver Widger, who was 29 years old, gained widespread attention online when he left his management position at a tyre firm approximately four years back, due to being diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome – a condition associated with the potential for paralysis.

His perspective shifted after receiving the medical news, prompting him to purchase a sailboat aimed at sailing across the globe while chronicling his journeys alongside his feline companion, Phoenix.

He set sale for Hawaii in late April, sharing the ups and downs of his daily life on the water with over one million followers on TikTok and 1.7 million on Instagram .

On Saturday, Widger and Phoenix eventually arrived at their last stop — Hawaii — where they were enthusiastically welcomed by a throng of applauding supporters following their lengthy trip.

Widger acknowledged he was jittery when confronted with the awaiting throng and expressed that he felt rather peculiar—nothing like being sea-sick, yet not entirely steady following his voyage.

"I just get this feeling that I gotta cling on tight so I don’t topple over," he explained.

Among those in the crowd at the Waikiki Yacht Club on Oahu was Governor Josh Green, who honored the 29-year-old adventurer with a special recognition and a celebratory welcome party.

In an Instagram share, Green penned that 'Oliver embarked on his journey with no formal training — only bravery, curiosity, and plenty of heart — setting off from Oregon in pursuit of something more profound.'

'"His voyage embodies the seafaring essence within each one of us: the urge to discover, to expand our horizons, and to have faith in the sea," he further stated."

Oliver, we're delighted to welcome you to Hawai'i. May these islands provide you with rest, rejuvenation—and Phoenix, a well-deserved serving of poke.

Following the conference, Widger was swarmed by fans – many of them brandishing cameras and happily requesting photos together.

Widger, known as @sailing_with_phoenix across his social platforms - has gained tens of thousands of followers daily since he began sharing his once-in-a-lifetime voyage with his beloved pet.

Around a year ago, he decided to leave his 11-year job at the tire company, cash out his 401k, sell all his belongings and buy a sailboat, driven by his chronic neck injury and a long-held dream.

His impulsive choice resulted in him having 'no money, no plan,' along with $10,000 in debt.

Widger said, "The doctor explained that my spine resembles that of someone around 115 years old... learning this really threw my whole perspective into disarray." Fox News Digital .

He later bought a sailboat from around the 1990s and has been living aboard it over the last year, sharpening his captain abilities prior to venturing into the open sea.

While spending time refurbishing the $50,000 vessel, Widger took it upon himself to learn sailing primarily via YouTube tutorials and made the move from Portland to the Oregon coastline.

In late April, Widger and Phoenix kicked off their 24-day adventure to Hawaii.

"I became an internet sensation exactly when my journey began. Thus, the last nine days have been completely madness, right?" Widger shared with Fox earlier this month.

'Cause I'm crossing an ocean, and then I also went viral at the same time. And it's like these two crazy things,' he added. 'It's just a weird feeling, but it's incredible, man.'

The scariest point of his trip, Widger explained, came when a rudder suddenly failed.

The highlights of his trip, however, overshadowed the brief moments of fear, as he fondly remembered seeing dolphins and whales while sailing through calm stretches of the Pacific Ocean.

'Being in the middle of the ocean when it was completely glass in every direction was an absurd feeling,' Widger said.

He explained how he never truly felt alone while under the starry skies, as he stayed connected with friends through video calls and other means.

Nevertheless, Widger conveyed a sense of melancholy over not getting to experience the open seas as sailors did in earlier times, devoid of contemporary aids such as Starlink internet satellites.

His remarkable journey has now captured nationwide attention, a phenomenon Widger attributes to how his tale struck a chord with individuals globally.

"I believe many folks feel like they're working tirelessly at their jobs throughout the day, regardless of how much income they bring home. At this stage, everyone seems focused merely on making ends meet, which can be quite draining," he stated.

'It’s simply because the world is in a strange state right now, and I believe people have realized that breaking free is achievable.'

Widger mentioned he was considering heading to French Polynesia next, though he acknowledged that his primary objective has been making it to Hawaii rather than mapping out subsequent steps. He added that his vessel requires some maintenance work before he can resume his voyage.

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