Zero DeanAuthor · Photographer

2010–2012

ZDXP: The Zero Dean Experience

A social media experiment in which people from all over the world helped decide where I went, what I did, and who I met on an epic road trip across the United States.

In 2010, after quitting my job, terminating my lease, and selling everything that wouldn’t fit in my car, I began an unconventional journey beyond my comfort zone. An aspect of that journey became known as The Zero Dean Experience — promptly abbreviated to “ZDXP”. Initially branded as “A 24/7 Internet Reality Experience”, ZDXP was a social media experiment in which I invited people from all over the world to be directly involved with decision-making aspects of my adventures as I crisscrossed the United States on an epic road trip covering over 60,000 miles.

ZDXP was many things: A travel documentary, a photo journal, a real-life interactive adventure, and an opportunity to pursue my passions while intentionally living beyond comfort. With an emphasis on real-life situations and interaction with followers via social media, ZDXP was touted as an “Internet Reality Experience”.

ZDXP allowed people from all over the world to be directly involved in my adventures by having them suggest places for me to go, things to do, foods to eat, and people to meet. I also accepted invitations, challenges, and requests as I traveled.

At its core, ZDXP was simply one man’s passionate journey beyond his comfort zone in search of love, adventure, and stories to tell. This journey beyond my comfort zone spawned countless learning experiences that I then shared with others. These lessons would eventually be edited and compiled into my first book, Lessons Learned From The Path Less Traveled.

The choose-my-adventure aspect

One aspect of ZDXP was the Choose-My-Adventure Project. This project encouraged followers to play an active role in my adventure — deciding where I would go, what I would do, and who I would meet. Giving people the opportunity to make decisions for me pushed me to do things and go places that I wouldn’t necessarily choose on my own — this ensured that I had new and unusual experiences and didn’t just stay in my comfort zone.

Additionally, it allowed me to connect with people by providing them with a meaningful experience and letting them live vicariously through my actions. All the while, I relayed the experience in writing, photography, and videos. I fulfilled dozens of requests and challenges while traveling through dozens of states coast-to-coast. It was a truly amazing experience.

Project features

  • Live interactive video broadcasts while on location (well ahead of its time in 2010).
  • Followers could track me in real-time on a map (also well ahead of its time).
  • Prizes & giveaways while at various locations – including souvenirs and travel mascots.
  • Live “quick polls” — which are choose-my-adventure/decision making done while on location (long before it was popular or easy).
  • Audience participation challenges (photo contests, caption contests, etc).
  • ZDXP group meet-ups in various cities.
  • Photo scavenger hunts.
  • Dozens of challenges fulfilled across the country.
  • Tours of Facebook, Pixar, Industrial Light + Magic, Dreamworks, and more.

You can view some of my photography from my journey on 500px.

Videos (2010–2012)

ZDXP press (2010–2012)

Read ZDXP feedback