A Doctor’s Radical Escape from Burnout
Gary Grant, a 47-year-old general practitioner, has taken a bold step to escape the overwhelming stress of his profession. After years of dealing with the pressures of working in the NHS, he decided to sell everything he owned and embark on a journey across the world in a campervan. His decision came after experiencing severe burnout, which he described as something that “was going to kill him.”
The Struggles of a GP Post-Pandemic
Since becoming a GP in 2008, Gary found the job both rewarding and challenging. However, the aftermath of the pandemic brought an increased workload and more complex cases. Hospital waiting times skyrocketed, leading to longer days filled with difficult decisions. He often returned home exhausted, struggling to find balance between his professional responsibilities and personal life.
After separating from his wife in 2021, Gary was left to co-parent two young children while living alone in a rental property in Lytham St Annes. The constant pressure of work took its toll, and he eventually reached a breaking point. He decided to leave his rental property, sell his belongings, and buy a converted minibus where he now lives full-time.
A New Perspective on Life
Over the past four months, Gary has been sharing his travels on TikTok, documenting his adventures across Europe and beyond. He has visited destinations such as Qatar, Greece, Turkey, and Bali, and is planning trips to the US, Mexico, and Guatemala. His experiences have transformed his perspective on life, and he now feels “liberated” and “free” from the constraints of his previous career.
“I’m fully aware of how midlife crisis this sounds,” Gary said. “But it has been very, very liberating. It has been about getting away from a life that had become a constant stress and finding a way out, even if it seems quite radical.”
Despite being technically homeless and jobless, Gary does not feel scared. Instead, he embraces the freedom that comes with his new lifestyle. He believes that his experiences so far have been life-changing and that he will never regret his decision.
The Impact of the Pandemic on Healthcare
The pandemic had a significant impact on the role of GPs, making their jobs “ridiculously tough.” Gary noted that the demand for healthcare services increased at the same time as there were fewer doctors in the industry. This led to longer hours and more complex cases, often requiring GPs to handle situations that should have been managed by specialists.
He also mentioned the mental health challenges faced by patients during the pandemic, which made his job even more demanding. Trying to help someone in just 10 minutes was extremely difficult, and the pressure mounted over time.
A Change in Routine
Gary’s days became increasingly long, with him often being the last person to leave the surgery. He would return home exhausted and repeat the process the next day. By the afternoon, he would often tell himself that the stress of his job was going to kill him.
In December 2024, Gary took some time off work, which he described as a “freeing” experience. Being removed from the demands of his role allowed him to see himself in a different light. He realized that he was a different person when not under the pressure of his job.
Making the Leap
On December 6, Gary officially stepped back from his job. He questioned why he was stressed out for several days a week, doing a job he no longer enjoyed. He decided to take a break and make a change.
He moved out of his rental property and sold most of his belongings, keeping only essential items like clothes and photographs. He bought a converted minibus for £10,000, which serves as his base when in the UK. Despite its lack of basic facilities, he has adapted to the lifestyle.
Exploring the World
Gary has used the money from his sales to fund his travels. In January, he took his children on a seven-day trip across seven European countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, and France. He has also embarked on solo trips to Sicily, Norway, Turkey, East Timor, Qatar, Greece, and Slovakia, as well as a month-long stay in Bali.
His experiences have helped him realize that life is short and that he should not feel trapped. He has become a much nicer person and feels free from the constraints of his previous life.
Sharing the Journey
Gary has been documenting his journey on TikTok under the handle doctorbinfire. One of his most popular videos, which shows him sipping a cocktail on a beach in Bali, has gained over 200,000 views. He said the response “blew my mind.”
As he continues his travels, Gary remains focused on living life to the fullest. He plans to work digitally or remotely in the future, enjoying the freedom that comes with his new lifestyle. He believes that his experiences have changed him for the better and that he will never regret his decision to leave behind the stresses of his previous career.
