From open heart surgery in New Zealand at the age of four to cycling solo half-way around the planet, Jeremy Scott has led an amazing existence.
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He will share the inspirational story of his "incredible journey" as he helps to launch the Heart Foundation's Big Heart appeal in Canberra on Monday.
"My presentation really opens people's eyes to what anyone can achieve in life," Mr Scott said.
"Through my journey, I started to appreciate how lucky I was and how many people are affected by heart health."
As a youngster, he had a huge hole in his aorta valve until renowned cardiologist Sir Brian Barratt-Boyes performed the vital operation.
Mr Scott's talk is illustrated with photographs from his adventure in the saddle, in which he crossed 29 countries and pedalled almost 52,000 kilometres.
The physical trip was filled with highs and lows, from breathtaking scenery and hilltop views to scary personal encounters with the Iranian military and the Filipino Mafia.
Extreme temperatures ranged from 20 degrees below freezing in the Turkish mountains to more than 50 degrees in the deserts of Western China.
Mr Scott listed wild dogs, wolves, bears and crocodiles as some of the animals that gave him restless nights while camping.
He endured "snow blizzards, sandstorms, floods and typhoons", which all helped to provide "a constant reminder of just how insignificant we are in the big picture".
Many of his experiences are documented in his large-format coffee table book, The Long Road from a Broken Heart.
Mr Scott gives 10 per cent of the money from sales to the Heart Foundation.
The inspiration for his remarkable ride came while living in Britain in 2004.
Reading a magazine aimed at Antipodeans far from home, he was absorbed by a series of articles on cycling trips to "different corners of the world".
Mr Scott felt little cogs turning in his mind as he realised he had to get from London to Auckland.
"At the time, I didn't even own a bicycle," he said. "But seven years later I was on my way."
Now he uses two-wheeled transport whenever he can as it is "very therapeutic and just keeps the legs turning".
The launch is at 10am Monday at the Hellenic Club, Woden.
