About this episode
Noraly Schoenmaker was living a comfortable life in the Netherlands, building a career as a geologist, when her world was suddenly turned upside down. For some, heartbreak might mean retreating inward, but Noraly chose something radically different. She walked away from the life she knew, packed up what she could, and set off to explore the world on a motorcycle. It wasn’t a wild whim — her work had already taken her to far-flung places like Panama and Indonesia, exploring gold mines and studying sand. But this time, it was her journey. Over 20,000 miles later, through countries like Iraq, Iran, and India, she found freedom, connection, and perspective — one road, one meal, one encounter at a time. Noraly Schoenmaker is the creator of the hugely popular Itchy Boots YouTube channel. What began as a solo motorcycle trip has evolved into a global journey, with Noraly riding through remote regions, wild landscapes, and across entire continents — from South America to North America, and from Europe to Africa. Her background in biology and geology adds a thoughtful layer to her travels, and when she’s not riding, she calls the Netherlands home. Noraly is also the author of FREE RIDE . 🔗 Show Notes & Links: Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio . 🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode: We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out! 💡 Got an Idea? Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website. ⭐️ Leave a Review: Enjoying the show? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app goes a long way in helping others discover the show. 📱 Follow Us: Join our growing community on Facebook and Instagram . Let’s stay connected! 🙌 Support the Show: Love what we do? Help keep the adventure alive by supporting us. Your contribution allows us to keep bringing you great content week after week. 📤 Share the Show: Know someone who would enjoy this episode? Share it with them! Word of mouth helps us grow and reach more riders around the world. 📬 Join Our Newsletter: Be the first to hear about new episodes, bonus content, and more! Sign up for our newsletter at Adventure Rider Radio . 🙏 Thanks for Listening! We truly appreciate you being part of our adventure community. Until next time—ride safe and keep exploring! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★