Expedition Overland began out of desperation.

Throughout the years, many of you have asked us, “How did Expedition Overland start?” We’re glad you asked!

XO’s founder, Clay, had traveled to Uganda for a volunteer film project in January of 2010, and upon return, he learned that six months of planned film work was canceled due to the recession.

Clay and wife Rachelle were expecting their third son in a few months and had recently traded in their Subaru for a used Toyota Land Cruiser. As he was sitting in the garage one night, trying to figure out how to pay the bills, Clay looked at the 2001 Tacoma and 2000 Land Cruiser and thought, “What if we started a show about overlanding?”

As the head of a small production company for the previous six years, Clay knew he had the experience and gear. He called up his close friends and asked if they would take a trip with him. He would cover the costs. If you know Clay’s friends, you won’t be surprised to learn that they were ready and willing.

Clay and Rachelle decided to call their project “Expedition Overland.”

The Merriam Webster Dictionary definition of expedition:

1. a journey or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose

2. the group of persons making such a journey

Clay and Rachelle dreamt of overlanding the Pan-American Highway, from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, so they set their sights on a trip north to the last frontier, the Yukon and Alaska. Three seasons later, and a multitude of countries later, the Pan-American Trilogy was complete.

From there, Expedition Overland continued to inspire, educate and entertain with the launch of Return to the Mackenzie, “Oh Hey There!” With Jeff, the OVERLANDER series, PROVEN: Expedition Overland’s Gear and Tactics, The Great Pursuit, the Arctic SOLO Series and the Walthall SOLO Family Series.

The couple continues to lead a team of “ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” and share via documentary-style video and photography, the sights, struggles, and unique people and places they meet along the way!

From these humble beginnings, Expedition Overland has now been going strong for just over a decade! Click here to watch our first episode and see for yourself where it all started.

 

Plus, join us as we celebrate 10 years of Expedition Overland here!