How Watching Bald and Bankrupt Helped Me Keep My Travel Dream Alive
Watching a bald British guy wander through Soviet ghost towns or dusty Tibetan alleys might not sound inspiring, but somehow, it changed how I see my own dream.
Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of travel YouTubers. It helps me imagine the life I want to build, one where I work online and explore the world slowly.
One of the channels that really stuck with me is Bald and Bankrupt. He doesn’t go to fancy resorts or luxury destinations. He visits forgotten places. He talks to locals. He gets invited into homes. And I think that’s what pulled me in.
So I started digging deeper into who he is, how he started, and where he’s at now in 2025. The more I found, the more inspired I felt.
Quick Takeaways
- Benjamin Rich, aka Bald and Bankrupt, is a British travel vlogger known for raw adventures in post-Soviet countries.
- He started his YouTube channel in 2018 with just $200 and now has over 4.41M subscribers and 690M+ views.
- His vlogs focus on authentic connections, remote locations, and local cultures,not tourist hotspots.
- He earns a modest living and lives simply, with an estimated 2025 net worth of $1.5M–$2.1M.
Who Is Bald and Bankrupt?
Benjamin Rich, born on 1 July 1974, is a British travel vlogger and author who began documenting his journeys on YouTube under the name Bald and Bankrupt in 2018. Now 50 years old, he also goes by the pen name Arthur Chichester.
Before YouTube, he was stuck in a dead-end job he hated. In his own words:
“Six years ago, I was 44 and miserable… Then I took a chance and decided to start a YouTube channel. I also went from having $200 in my bank account to having, well… let’s just say a lot more.”
Today, he’s one of YouTube’s biggest raw travel creators with over 4.41 million subscribers and 690 million views.
Channel Snapshot (June 2025)
| Field | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Rich |
| Also Known As | Arthur Chichester, Mr. Bald |
| Born | July 1, 1974 (age 50) |
| Occupations | Travel vlogger, author |
| Channel | bald and bankrupt |
| Years Active | 2018 to present |
| Genre | Raw travel vlogs |
| Subscribers | 4.41 million (June 2025) |
| Total Views | 691 million |
| Languages Spoken | Russian (fluent), Hindi (basic), English |
What Makes His Channel Different
Most travel influencers showcase drone shots, coworking cafés, and curated luxury. But Bald and Bankrupt documents unfiltered reality.
He goes to places with cracked sidewalks, border tension, and communities most people overlook. And still, there’s beauty. There’s laughter. There’s trust.
He speaks fluent Russian, conversational Hindi, and uses those skills to connect authentically. People open up to him in a way that doesn’t feel staged. It feels lived-in.
This isn’t travel for views. It’s travel for truth.
What Happened Over the Years
His journey hasn’t been smooth, and that’s part of what makes it real.
- He was banned from Russia for three years in 2022 after filming at a restricted spaceport.
- He caught severe COVID in Serbia and nearly died.
- He’s been arrested, lost, and pushed into dangerous zones on purpose.
But through it all, he kept going. In fact, some of his most powerful content was born from those setbacks.
He also published a book, The Burning Edge, about traveling through irradiated Belarus, under his alias Arthur Chichester.
What He’s Exploring in 2025
Benjamin’s content this year is as daring as ever.
- Tibet, navigating cultural restrictions and Chinese surveillance
- Eastern Ukraine, documenting the human side of frontline life
- Bolivia, Chechnya, and other post-Soviet regions few others show
He’s still chasing truth, still raw and unfiltered, and people are watching.
Is He Rich Now?
Yes, and self-made.
He reportedly earns $13K to $40K per month from YouTube ads alone, totaling more than $500K per year. His estimated net worth in 2025 is between $1.5 million and $2.1 million.
He also sells T-shirts and recently wrote a book filled with stories, failures, and advice to help others “change their lives to one of adventures.”
He doesn’t live like a millionaire. He travels light, films solo, edits on a laptop, and lives simply.
What I Learned From Watching Him
Honestly? You don’t need a perfect plan or big budget to start chasing a better life.
Benjamin didn’t begin this journey when things were going well. He started when everything had fallen apart.
That makes me feel like maybe I can start from where I am too, even if it’s slow, messy, or uncertain.
His videos remind me that travel isn’t about beaches or pretty pictures. It’s about connection. It’s about being curious, being open, and being brave enough to step outside your world.
What This Means for Dreamers Like Us
Even now in 2025, his story feels personal.
- Start from where you are He had $200 in his bank account. No experience. Just a bold step.
- Connection is the real currency His best moments happen in kitchens, buses, and street corners, not resorts.
- Bravery doesn’t need a passport You can start being brave before you ever book a flight.
- Stillness is okay He’s hinted at slowing down after 2026. Maybe that’s part of the lesson too. Travel isn’t about rushing. It’s about showing up.
I’m Still Here, But I’m Planning
I’m not hopping on a plane to Chechnya tomorrow. But I am learning. I’m saving. I’m staying inspired by people like Bald and Bankrupt who show that travel doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.
Maybe you’re in that phase too.
Thanks for reading.
