Yellow Camo Crew: Introducing Charlie Wellman

Meet Charlie Wellman : an adventurer, mentor, and fitness enthusiast who brings purpose to every aspect of his life. With over 40 years of experience in the hotel industry, Charlie combines his professional network with his love for the outdoors to help lead unforgettable team building experiences with On Purpose Adventures.

We're thrilled to have Charlie on the On Purpose Adventures team! His journey with us began as a kayak guide for our sister company, Nature Adventures .

Basically, Charlie is having the best, most fun kind of retirement. He loves being outdoors, bicycling and kayaking. We are able to provide him more consistent paddling on Shem Creek. He receives lots of love in our client testimonials.

One day Charlie mentioned he wanted to do more, so we introduced him to the mission of On Purpose Adventures. He immediately saw the potential to help and offered his expertise in connecting the dots. Thanks to his large rolodex of connections, he's helped us reconnect with his former hotel and brought in two incredible events right off the bat, one with 100 participants and another with 200!

Read on to learn about Charlie's adventures, what drives him, and the activities he loves to facilitate for teams seeking connection.

Can you share a favorite adventure with our readers?

A day that combines a long mountain bike ride at Santee Coastal Reserve, followed by a kayak trip in one of the many obscure blackwater creeks in the Francis Marion National Forest. The adventure is great exercise, with added bonuses of wildlife sightings, immersion in wilderness, and history.

What attracts you to On Purpose Adventures?

On Purpose Adventures gives me the opportunity to stay connected to my Rolodex of meeting planners and hotel sales contacts that I amassed in my 40 plus career in the hotel business.

What is something that gives you PURPOSE?

It’s hard to pin down a specific, so I’ll go with a few examples:

• Keeping fit, mentally and physically.
• Being an initial mentor to dozens of people who have gone on to become highly successful professionals.
• Staying committed to the “little things”. I borrow words from the String Cheese Incident to illustrate:

➡️ Take time to give thanks, make time to be giving

➡️ I'm gonna stop and think twice about the way that I'm living

➡️ Did I say a kind word? Am I proud of my actions?

➡️ You know a job well done gives me satisfaction

What is your favorite team building activity to facilitate and why?

Our “Holy City Wanderer” Scavenger Hunt is our most popular activity for good reason. It promotes the team building angle that is at its core, while also providing participants an up close and personal immersion into Charleston’s beauty and charm. Bonus: it’s really fun! 

Do you have any upcoming adventures planned?

I’m due for my “upstate adventure” that includes biking the Swamp Rabbit trail in Greenville, coupled with kayaking Lake Jocassee, a hike up Table Rock, and a stop at the “Fats” mountain biking trails near Augusta on my way home.

Questions Fast Round

What is your favorite outdoor hobby? As stated, I’m a bike/kayak “nut”. The road bike gets miles in and around the neighborhood or out in the country. The mountain bike gets dirty on traditional MTB trails, as well as wilderness “gems” in the Ace basin and Francis Marion forests.

The kayak gets wet in wilderness creeks, mystical Carolina Bays, and the always popular and easily accessible Shem Creek.

What is your favorite indoor hobby? Dreaming up my next outdoor activity.

Tell us something not on your resume that shocks others. By the end of 2024, I will have ridden close to 4,000 miles for the year, and close to 17,000 miles since 2020. 

Thank you Charlie Wellman for sharing your journey, wisdom, and infectious enthusiasm for the great outdoors and meaningful connections. Your dedication to fitness, mentoring, and the art of living with purpose inspires us all.

The final stretch of the year isn't the time for Cohesive Leaders to hit cruise control. In my latest Cohesion Corner™ with Dr. Troy newsletter, I share strategies to keep your team motivated, focused, and productive, all while embracing the holiday spirit.

Click here to discover tips on decluttering, proactive management, setting boundaries, and more to help you wrap up 2024 with momentum and cohesion!

All the best,

Ben-Jamin Toy

Ben-Jamin Toy works with elite clients spanning the globe, from well-known Fortune 500 companies to special ops forces representing five countries. He is the founder of On Purpose Adventures, a driving force in purposeful, unconventional, and effective team building for over a decade, and co-founder of Cohesion Culture™. A sought-after facilitator, consultant, and speaker, Toy continues to focus his heart, soul and substantial knowledge of culture wellness into each learning experience, promising a fun and engaging encounter with tangible results.