Bronx native Barrington Scott has spent the last three years living abroad and working as a chef. He is currently based in Australia, and has seen and done things that many of us could only dream of.
His love for the world and adventure travel was something that was instilled in him at a young age. Now, he’s on a quest to become a certified dive instructor.
“I remember the trips I would take with one of my foster families and the countless hours I would spend watching the Discovery Channel and National Geographic, those things all started my love for travel,” Barrington told Travel Noire.
Once of age, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Surprisingly, being deployed, going through training and field operations, created a certain adrenaline rush that he now seeks throughout the world.
“When I’m venturing abroad with my backpack, Nike cap and apparel I feel liberated. It’s the best feeling in the world, almost like a high, and to be honest it saved my life.”
In 2017, Barrington was facing some pretty dark times. He sold all of his belongings and purchased a one-way flight to Southeast Asia, with no intention of ever returning. He told himself that he would travel until he ran out of money, and once he did, he would end his life.
“I was struggling with past trauma, chronic depression and PTSD, despite appearing so energetic and happy,” he said. “Everyone thought it was just another impulsive and spontaneous decision of mine, but I was ready to end my life.”
He spent a year traveling, and was able to enjoy life-altering experiences. Somehow, scuba diving became that one thing that really calmed him and put him in a better headspace, almost like meditation.
“I’m such an upbeat and hyperactive guy most of the time, and it’s easy to become unbalanced and flustered. Diving calms my spirit and forces me to get out of head, while focusing on being in the moment despite being meters deep underwater— with only a tank keeping me alive.”
Barrington will soon head to his next home base, Honduras, where he plans to become a full-time dive instructor. It has been a passion of his to be able to teach other Black and brown people how to find the beauty in the ocean, like he has.
He also wants to continue to push the narrative that Black people do dive, while creating more representation in the industry, too.
To follow more of Barrington’s journey, you can follow him on Instagram at: @Bj.thetraveller.
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