The Rotary Club of Barrie recently welcomed guest speaker Leah Zecchino, introduced by Aaron Hesson, whose story reminded us of what can happen when curiosity outweighs comfort.
Leah is a professional freelance photographer and visual storyteller whose work blends travel, environment, and personal growth. A solo, nomadic traveller, she has built a life on the road, quite literally, living and working out of a van as she travels the world. Through photography, YouTube, and social media, Leah documents not only where she goes, but what it means to choose an unconventional path.
Her journey is rooted in a desire for freedom and a willingness to step outside familiar boundaries. With support from her father, who helped convert vans for long-distance travel, Leah designed a lifestyle that allowed her to pursue education and adventure side by side. She attended both Limerick University and Wilfrid Laurier University, proving that learning does not need to follow a single, fixed route.
Leah spoke about resilience, independence, and defining personal limits, mentally and physically, on her own terms. She shared how challenging convention has shaped her confidence and worldview, and how growth often begins the moment comfort ends.
In addition to her creative work, Leah is also deeply committed to environmental stewardship. She has already planted over 800,000 seedlings and is on track to reach one million trees planted within the next two years. This commitment to the planet runs parallel to her travels, reinforcing the idea that exploration and responsibility can go hand in hand.
Later this month, Leah will once again be stepping beyond her comfort zone as she heads to the French Alps to photograph a wellness ski retreat. It is another chapter in a journey defined by courage, adaptability, and an openness to new experiences.
We thank Leah for sharing her story and inspiring us to reflect on the paths we choose, and the possibilities that open when we dare to walk them.