What if you could trade your daily grind for the billionaire lifestyle without a billionaire’s bank account? In a recent episode of Step Into Me, I had the privilege of reconnecting with my old friend Mark Jensen, whose story is a masterclass in courage, intention, and living true to yourself.
From Centre Stage to the Open Seas
Mark’s journey didn’t begin on a boat. Decades ago, he worked in the Australian entertainment industry, acting on stage, appearing on TV, and working on breakfast radio in Sydney. Like many, he followed the conventional path, setting career goals and climbing the “success” ladder.
But everything changed in 2007, when a friend handed him a copy of The Secret. Mark, ever the skeptic, watched it expecting to roll his eyes, until one question stopped him cold.
“I’d been goal setting for work… But this kernel of truth said that’s wrong. Goals have got to be about me and my life. So if money was no object, if I had plenty of money and didn’t have to work, what would I do? And I’d always dreamt someday I’d sail around the world.”
Turning Dreams Into To-Do Lists
Inspired, Mark wrote down his dream, attached a date, and started budgeting. At first, the numbers seemed impossible. But as he scrutinised his list, he realised how many “essentials” were actually optional. Over time, the dream became less about money and more about what he truly wanted.
“As the weeks went by, I just kept on crossing more things out or adjusting them and thought, ‘Well, I don’t need that much money.’ Clothing, two pairs of shorts and two t-shirts for the next year. That’s fine. So it started getting to a point where some of the numbers were getting realistic…”
In a little over a year, Mark had sold what he didn’t need, bought a boat in the Caribbean, and set sail. He didn’t wait for retirement or a windfall, he made his dream happen, one crossed-off expense at a time.
Lessons from Loss and Living Boldly
Mark’s decision to sail the world was more than just a pipe dream, it was deeply personal. His father, a lifelong sailor, passed away just before he could chase his own retirement dream. Mark took his father’s death as a powerful reminder not to wait for “someday”.
“My dad died at 65 and I’m 65 now… He retired and was waiting for the six months for mum to retire and then they were going to go cruising up down the east coast of Australia. And anyway, while dad was waiting for mum to retire, he died, had a heart attack. So, you know, I mean there’s so many things in there… “
The Reality Behind the Romance
Life at sea isn’t always smooth sailing. Mark described his first year as tough, with tight budgets, constant problem-solving, and the loneliness of leaving friends behind. There have been dramatic moments too, like a close encounter with pirates in the Gulf of Aden, and the less glamorous realities of boat maintenance (yes, unclogging toilets included).
But there have also been moments of pure magic, like anchoring off deserted islands, snorkelling in crystal waters, and living the billionaire lifestyle in St. Barts, without having to spend like one. Mark and his wife Marjorie, whom he met along the way, now share this evolving adventure, sometimes by boat, and sometimes on land by camper van, but always on their own terms.
Words of Wisdom
For anyone wishing to follow in Mark’s footsteps, his advice is practical and profound:
- Use your job to fund your dream, and don’t waste money!
- Get clear on what you want, not what others expect.
- Allow yourself to get bored—your deepest desires often surface in quiet moments.
- Test your dreams before committing fully as sometimes a “taste test” is enough to know what’s right for you.
Mark also shared the daily affirmation that keeps him anchored: “Today, I, Mark, will enjoy myself.” It’s a reminder that joy is a choice, and that being a little selfish is sometimes the most generous thing you can do for your own life.
“I say that out loud every day… Any day that I’m not enjoying myself I think, well, it’s not midnight yet, do something to enjoy yourself, go enjoy yourself, do something. So even though I’ve got to do the boat maintenance, I’ve got to unblock the lavatory pipes, I can still say, right, when that’s finished I’m going to enjoy myself… and I do, every day.”
Mark’s story is proof that you don’t have to wait for permission, or perfection, to start living your dream. Maybe it’s time to write your own dream life list, and see what happens when you turn it from a wish list into a to-do list. If you were to swap your career goals for a life goal, would you choose the billionaire lifestyle too?
Listen to Mark’s story on the Step Into Me podcast.
Ready to live life on your terms? Read more blog posts from Step Into Me and find the courage to be true to yourself.
