If you'd like to know more about me feel free to check me out on facebook: facebook.com/robmclarkson

I'm an easy going person with an insatiable curiosity about the world. In September '16, I quit my job and drove across the country from my small town in New Jersey out to Seattle to move here. My passion is empowering others, and I love meeting new people, learning from them, sharing stories, exploring new places, and building ideas from the ground up.

I enjoy reading, writing, staying fit/active, cooking, everything outdoors, and I can talk forever with you about philosophy, politics, and life. Above everything else, I value spending time with friends and family, and having great experiences. I'm proud to have worked for the Bernie Sanders Campaign, co-hosted a TEDx Conference, and directed Youth Hockey Tournaments. Out here in Seattle, I'm a volunteer at FareStart, making shelter food deliveries and working in the kitchen with the homeless and less fortunate every week. I’m also the VP of Sales for Common Fibers, a carbon fiber fabrication company.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've been fortunate to travel quite a bit, and whether it was backpacking, exploring, or living in different countries, I've learned how similar we all really are. I want to keep meeting people and learning from them, and do my part to help and empower others like they've helped and empowered me.

I enjoy and like to keep small things from different places around the world. My wallet is from Israel, my necklace is from New Zealand, my bracelet is from France, my belt is from Italy, and, funny story, I had sunglasses from Australia, but I lost them in the back of a taxi in Vatican City. I found the same frames in the US, but I accidentally broke them in Canada. What can you do.

Interests

• writing
• cooking
• reading
• hiking
• camping
• scuba diving
• ice hockey
• health and fitness

Music, Movies, and Books

I really enjoy good, meaningful lyrics. Here are my three favorites:

A Certain Romance, by The Arctic Monkeys
All My Friends, by LCD Soundsystem
Hard To Concentrate, by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Some of my favorite Directors include:

Wes Anderson, Alejandro G Inarritu, Richard Linklater (Boyhood is my favorite movie), Quentin Tarantino

I love reading and I'm beginning to read more books. Some of my favorites and books on deck are:

The Defining Decade, by Meg Jay
Walden, by Henry David Thoreau
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey
The Theory of Everything, by Stephen Hawking
Peace is Every Step, by Thich Nhat Hanh
Why I Am Not A Christian, by Bertrand Russell
Creativity, Inc, by Ed Catmull

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've swam through an underwater ship, 100ft below the surface, and stood on it's deck. It was the most incredible experience.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A smile, some stories, and lunch/coffee on me!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, England, France, Israel, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, United States