Former American Soccer Player Dived Into Cycling and Hiking Adventures in New Documentary

The life story of former Gator player, McKenzie Barney is nothing short of an Oscar-winning script. That’s right, Barney’s story is one of heart, or perseverance, of never giving up and more importantly, never stopping. Many a time during her career, it was presumed that she was done. But presumptions failed. Barney had other ideas as we are about to find out. 

The story of Barney’s journey from a soccer pitch to a bicycle’s saddle is a testament to the extraordinary transformations she has been capable of. Barney has even set foot in the world of making documentaries and her film, “Cycling the World” tells the story of her remarkable evolution. Let us delve into this article to learn about the incredible adventures that unfold in her life. 

Barney’s quest for self-discovery  

Barney developed a knack for filmmaking that encouraged her to earn a telecommunications degree in 2012 from the University of Florida. She even made a comeback to her alma mater on October 23 presenting her documentary exhibiting her prowess in making documentaries. 

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As reported by Florida Gators, having interviewed renowned sports personalities and celebrities along with politicians and producing work for National Geographic, she realized that certain chapters of her life are yet to be uncovered. Therefore, Barney embarked on a journey of self-discovery starting with thru-hiking that involved immersing in wilderness for months.

This experience ignited a spark in Barney to explore the vast landscapes. But again her unique journey took a surprising turn as she swapped her hiking interest with cycling. Her background as a soccer player instilled within her the mental and physical strength to adopt transformation. 

An extra-ordinary cycling adventure 

Barney’s resilience and determination encouraged her to carry on with her daring decision to cycle from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi in Vietnam in less than 30 days. The fact that he had no formal training in cycling made her caliber stand out. On the 22-day trek, the former soccer player embarked on a solo journey carrying only her clothes on the back. 

This was not the end, her indomitable spirit paired with her thirst for adventure encouraged her to take up a cycling adventure covering the distance from Istanbul to Amsterdam. The cross-continental cycling spree continued accomplishing ambitious trips starting from Cairo and ending in South Africa. 

Her African cycling odyssey has been hindered by many obstacles, however, Barney drew inspiration from the mantra, “At the end of the day, you can only control the controllables.” The  “Cycling the World” documentary chronicles her pedaling voyage across 28 countries covering a total distance of 18,000 miles.   

Navigating through the uncertainties as she followed her passion, McKenzie Barney weaves a series of incredible stories that find their way to reach the audience through the documentary. Her journey serves as a reminder that venturing into uncharted territories can lead to inspiring experiences.

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