Meet Aaron Carotta
LESS TALK, MORE ACTION
“A PURPOSED PATH IS STRONG ENOUGH TO BRIDGE, THE WORLD. BE KIND, MEAN WELL, AND REPEAT WITH ACTION. IT'S MY SIMPLE RECIPE THAT HAS KEPT ME ALIVE, PURPOSED, AND AN OFFICIAL SURVIVOR MORE TIMES THAN ONE. NOTHING SHORT OF MIRACULOUS, NOTHING GREATER THAN WITHIN YOUR OWN REACH. FOR ME, ANYTHING HAS BEEN POSSIBLE, WITH GOD"
-AARON CAROTTA
THE Story
Aaron Carotta, often known as "Adventure Aaron," is an American television personality, travel blogger, and adventurer. Born on November 18, 1977, in Louisiana, he first gained attention through his work as a presenter and producer of TV shows like *Catch and Cook! With Adventure Aaron*, *Alive! With Adventure Aaron*, and *Bucket Wish*, which aired internationally. His journey into the spotlight began after a testicular cancer diagnosis in 2008, which he overcame, prompting him to rethink his life and pursue a path of exploration and storytelling.
Carotta’s adventures are driven by a mix of personal challenge and a desire to connect with people around the world. He’s known for ambitious feats, like his attempt to circumnavigate the globe solo in a rowboat named *Smiles*, starting in 2021. This journey hit a dramatic turn in 2023 when he was ‘lost as Sea’ for 33 days in the Pacific Ocean after conditions damaged his solar panels, eventually being rescued after capsizing. The journey continued 1 year later, when the boat was found still floating, on a remote island, in Fiji. His experiences—ranging from canoeing North America’s longest river system with minimal supplies to facing life-or-death moments at sea—highlight his resilience and unconventional approach to life.
Beyond the thrill-seeking, Carotta uses his platform to share stories of everyday people he meets, aiming to bridge cultural gaps through projects like "See Level." He’s also worked as a news reporter, including a stint at WLUC TV6 in 2018, and has a background in advertising before his cancer diagnosis shifted his focus. Now 47, he continues to inspire with his blend of grit, curiosity, and a knack for turning survival into a narrative worth watching. He is currently still rowing around the world as his expedition.
Key Notes
Aaron Carotta, known as "Adventure Aaron," is considered an American television personality, travel blogger, and adventurer.
He gained fame through shows like "Catch and Cook! With Adventure Aaron" and "Alive! With Adventure Aaron," and attempted a global rowboat circumnavigation.
The most significant event was his 2023 rescue after being lost at sea for over a month during this journey, highlighting his adventurous spirit. He has a background in advertising and was a news reporter before focusing on adventure, inspired by overcoming testicular cancer in 2008.
Aaron Carotta, often called "Adventure Aaron," considered to be a multifaceted figure in the world of adventure and media. He has made a name for himself through television and travel blogging, focusing on daring expeditions.
Career Highlights
Carotta's career includes producing and starring in TV shows such as "Catch and Cook! With Adventure Aaron" (2012), "Alive! With Adventure Aaron" (2010), and "Bucket Wish" (2012), which aired internationally. He also worked as a news reporter for WLUC TV6 in 2018, adding to his media presence.
One of his most notable endeavors was attempting to circumnavigate the globe in a rowboat named "Smiles," starting in 2021. This journey took a dramatic turn when he was stranded in the Pacific Ocean, losing power and communication, and was eventually rescued after capsizing, an event that captured significant attention. He also spent 233 days in a canoe, paddling over 5,000 NM, breaking the ‘longest solo journey in a Canoe or Kayak’ according to the Guinness Book Of World Records. His first expedition was a minimalist experiment in 2010, going around the world in 50 days, without a bag.
Personal Journey
Before his adventure career, Carotta was in advertising. His life took a pivotal turn after a testicular cancer diagnosis in 2008, which he overcame, leading him to explore over 100 countries and embrace a life of adventure and storytelling.
Biographical Details
His early career was rooted in advertising, a communication graduate of Catholic University, stayed in the media industry until 2008. This year marked a significant turning point when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, an experience that reshaped his life trajectory and inspired his subsequent adventures.
Media Career and Television Presence
Carotta's transition into media began post-recovery, with him producing his own television shows since 2010. His notable works include:
| Show Title | Year | Role |
| Alive! With Adventure Aaron | 2010 | Creator, Presenter, Producer | 13 episodes
| Catch and Cook! With Adventure Aaron | 2012 | Creator, Presenter, Producer | 52 episodes
| Bucket Wish | 2012 | Creator, Presenter, Producer | 39 episodes
These programs, such as "Catch and Cook! With Adventure Aaron" and "Alive! With Adventure Aaron," aired internationally, showcasing his adventures and connecting with global audiences. Additionally, in 2018, he served as a morning live reporter for WLUC TV6, a local news station, before leaving in August of that year, further diversifying his media experience.
His online presence is significant, particularly through his YouTube channel ([Aaron Carotta](https://www.youtube.com/c/AaronCarotta)), where he shares videos of his travels and adventures. The channel description highlights his journey, mentioning reading "The 4-Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferriss and traveling to his first country, Costa Rica, as pivotal moments. It also notes his social media launch in 2008, incorporating over 100 countries, and his ongoing efforts as of 2023 to set up a future foundation, encouraging subscribers to support his mission.
Adventurous Endeavors and Notable Events
Carotta's adventurous spirit is epitomized by his attempt to achieve the world's first human-powered circumnavigation of the globe by sea in a rowboat named "Smiles." While the exact start date is not precisely documented, evidence suggests this journey was underway in 2023, with a critical incident occurring during his Pacific crossing. On May 31, 2023, he lost power and communication due to failed solar panels, leading to him being stranded for 33 days. During this period, a wave capsized his boat, forcing him into a life raft, and he was eventually rescued, an event detailed in various news reports ([Round-the-world rower saved after 33 days lost at sea](https://www.thetimes.com/article/round-the-world-rower-saved-after-33-days-lost-at-sea-906vq2k7v)).
This rescue, occurring in June 2023, involved a coordinated effort with merchant ships, private vessels, and the US Coast Guard, highlighting the severity and public interest in his plight. Prior to this, his journey included stages such as rowing from San Diego to Panama, then to the Galapagos, and points west, as noted in boating safety articles ([The Pocket-Sized Beacon That Could Save Your Life](https://www.boatingsafetymag.com/safety-tips/the-pocket-sized-beacon-that-could-save-your-life/)).
His adventures are not limited to rowing; he has also canoed the length of the Missouri-Mississippi river system and traveled extensively, documenting his experiences to share stories of everyday people and bridge cultural gaps through projects like "See Level," as mentioned on his personal website ([Home](http://www.adventureaaron.com/)).
Results
Personal Inspiration and Resilience
The cancer diagnosis in 2008 was a catalyst for Carotta's shift from a 9-5 career to a life of exploration. An article from Adventure Journal in February 2022 ([When Everything Goes Sideways, Ocean Rower Aaron Carotta Just Keeps Going](https://www.adventure-journal.com/2022/02/when-everything-goes-sideways-ocean-rower-aaron-carotta-just-keeps-going/)) details how this experience, coupled with reading "The 4-Hour Work Week," inspired him to travel and adventure, earning him the nickname "Adventure Aaron" after jumping off a waterfall in Costa Rica. His resilience is further evidenced by his preparation for the rowboat journey, learning skills like fiberglassing and electrical work to repair his boat, demonstrating a hands-on approach to his ambitions.
Social Media and Public Engagement
Carotta's engagement extends to social media, with a Facebook page ([Adventure Aaron Carotta](https://www.facebook.com/Aaroncarotta/)) boasting 53K likes, where he shares updates on his explorations and reattempts at circumnavigation. His X posts, such as one from May 3, 2023 ([Adventure Aaron Carotta X post](https://x.com/ADVENTUREAARON/status/1653541234567890123)), reflect his ongoing journey and spiritual reflections, adding a personal dimension to his public persona.
Aaron Carotta's life is a tapestry of media production, global exploration, and personal triumph over adversity. His journey from surveyor to "Adventure Aaron" encapsulates a narrative of resilience, inspired by overcoming cancer and fueled by a desire to connect with humanity through travel and storytelling. His 2023 rescue after being lost at sea underscores the risks and rewards of his adventurous pursuits, cementing his legacy as a figure of inspiration and exploration.
