STORIES FOR SURVIVAL RESULTS

This year’s Stories for Survival competition received a record number of entries, taking us on an incredible journey around the globe – from illegal logging in the Amazon to a sandstorm in Oman, and even a research expedition in Antarctica.

The 2025 theme, The Turning Point, inspired a wave of deeply personal reflections on how outdoor adventure or a connection with nature can transform a life. Others took a more abstract approach – one even explored the ultimate journey: the afterlife.

With so many thoughtful, heartfelt, and beautifully written pieces, it was more challenging than ever to narrow down the shortlist. We also considered how each entry embraced both the theme and the travel writing element, with some pieces being discounted as they did not unfortunately fit the brief.

Each of the following entries will be profiled in full here on our website or on Pure Travel, our partner platform — later this year.

2025 Finalists

Sheila Train – When the Sky Turned Blue Again

Nicola Shearer – One Wild Impulse

Jules Green – A Postcard from the Past

Bhavana Kulkarni – Afterlife Whispers

Keyuan Cao – Not Just Bali

Xavier Clot – My Father’s Forest

Saroj Kumar Senapati – The Secret Language of Kyoto

Kitti Németh  – A Descent into Presence

Barry Saich – The Fear & The Beauty

Gürkan Avcı – The Dust of Akşehir

Renato Bernardo – The Day the Ice Saved Me

Tenise McCoy – Pursuit of Self

Congratulations to all the writers and thank you to all those who supported this initiative  – we have so enjoyed reading all the entries. To see the competition page at Pure Travel please click here>>