About Me

How I Got Here

Welcome, my name is Arie Hoogerbrugge and this is the short story of my experiences that got me to this exact place in time prior to this website being started in November 2019.

Think of me as an adventure seeker, entrepreneur, and lifelong explorer. My journeys have taken me across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and finally to the heart of Belize, where I now live immersed in the jungle. This page shares my story and how I arrived at the life I live today.

Early Life & Background

I was born on May 18, 1973, in Grimsby, Ontario, thanks to my parents, Arie (Sr.) and Gerty. I grew up with two younger brothers, Jason and Ryan. To friends, family, and random interactions with people, I am described as adventurous, interesting, unusual, and definitely different compared to anyone else they have ever personally met.

Entrepreneurship & Career Adventures

My first job was delivering newspapers at age 10, which funded my growing passion for reptiles and amphibians. By high school, I had over 50 types of reptiles in my parents’ basement — a hobby that evolved into multiple businesses.

In 1995, I founded Reptiles Unlimited, a wholesale business supplying reptiles, feeders, and a private-label product line to pet stores across Ontario. I later opened The Reptile Store in Hamilton, complete with a reptile party room hosting thousands of educational birthday parties. These ventures taught me the importance of reliability, reputation, and excellence, lessons I carry into every adventure I undertake.

I also explored other career paths, including seismic exploration in Alberta, heavy equipment operation in Prince Edward Island, and long-haul trucking for Voortman Cookies across North America. Each of these experiences tested my limits, taught resilience, and gave me a unique perspective on life, work, and adventure.

⭠ A 7ft African Rock Python in my bedroom back from my high school days. Still one of my favorite snake species.

Epic Bike Touring Adventures

In 2011, I completed my first expedition bike ride across Western and Northern Canada — 6,500 km in 14 weeks — an experience that would ignite my passion for long-distance cycling. Over the next two years, I biked 26,000 km across Canada, the US, and Mexico, documenting every step of the journey. You can read more about my adventures here

Long Haul Trucking

In 2013, I needed a career change and took an AZ truck driving course, eventually driving long haul for Voortman Cookies. Truck driving isn’t on most people’s radar as a respected profession, but unless you’ve been in the “big boy’s seat,” these opinions are very misguided. In all my work experiences, driving a truck was the most formidable, most difficult, most challenging, and most rewarding accomplishment of my life.

Voortman Cookies ran a specialized operation, delivering to grocery stores via independent distributors, unloading trailers by hand at storage units — many not designed for a 71-foot vehicle. All my coworkers had 20–30+ years of driving experience; I had six weeks of driving school. Navigating storage units, rain or shine, day or night, tested every skill I had.

I regularly drove in New York City, eventually transitioning to California, but also traveled throughout the Lower 48 and every major city in America. Backing a truck and trailer through a narrow storage unit gate in New York rush hour was the hardest, most stressful challenge I’ve ever faced — but also one of the most rewarding.

I often said, “While you eat, I am driving. While you sleep, I am driving. While you spend time with loved ones, I am driving.” Truck driving becomes your life — you give up almost 95% of your personal time. Over 6½ years, I drove about 1.2 million km (30 times around the Earth), delivered nearly 400 loads, and moved roughly 13 million pounds of cookies by hand.

Life in Belize – Embracing the Jungle Lifestyle

I first visited Belize in 1997 and was captivated by its wildlife, rainforests, and daily adventures. Today, I live in the village of Scotland Halfmoon within the Community Baboon Sanctuary, one of the densest populations of Black Howler Monkeys in the world. My home is surrounded by a rich diversity of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and large cats, including jaguars and pumas.

Since settling permanently in Belize, I’ve rebuilt my home to accommodate the unique jungle environment, planted hundreds of coconut and fruit trees, and documented my experiences in my blog series. Living in the Belize jungle has allowed me to fully embrace an adventure-focused, non-conformist lifestyle, where every day offers new discoveries.

Reflections & Philosophy

I live simply, intentionally, and with a focus on experiences over possessions. Adventure, challenge, discipline, and hard work drive my life. While my path has been unconventional, it has taught me the value of persistence, self-reliance, and living boldly.

Through my blogs, I share my journey — from long-distance bike tours to jungle wildlife encounters — hoping to inspire others to pursue their passions and embrace life with courage and curiosity.