Ian Usher

He has since presented inspirational talks for companies in both the USA and Europe. In November 2013, he spoke to an audience of 900 at the VolksTheater at TEDxVienna. The talk, “A Life Unlimited”, can be viewed online.

His stated goal for the eBay auction was a “fresh start,” so, following the sale, he travelled across the globe in pursuit of a series of 100 goals, which were achieved in 100 weeks. His two-year “bucket list” ended in New York City in the crown of the Statue of Liberty on 4 July 2010.

Usher on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2009, achieving the 43rd goal on his list of 100.

Usher visiting the Great Wall of China in November 2009, achieving the 64th goal on his list of 100.

Usher visiting Christmas Island in December 2009 to see the march of the red crabs, achieving the 67th goal on his list of 100.

In 2008, after the break up of his marriage, Usher listed his “life for sale” on eBay. He gained world wide notoriety. The final price ended up at $399,300.

He wrote two books, 2008’s A Life Sold and 2013’s Paradise Delayed. In A Life Sold, he documented two years of travel. The movie rights were purchased by Walt Disney Pictures, which commissioned the a project called Life for Sale. It was scheduled to be produced by Andrew Panay. Paradise Delayed is about living on a remote Panamanian island in the Caribbean, where Usher wrote about the challenges faced in developing an off-grid lifestyle.

In 2001 he moved to Australia where he worked in sales, marketing and management.

Following school, he lived on a kibbutz in Israel and travelled through Europe. He gained a Bed teaching degree in Outdoor Education at Liverpool Polytechnic in 1985.

Ian Usher (born 25 July 1963) is an English traveller, author and public speaker. He is best known for his 2008 “life for sale” listing on eBay following divorce from his wife, Laura.