In the quiet isolation of the pandemic, when the world was battling anxiety and despair, Michael Zervos found himself reflecting on a simple yet profound question: What makes people truly happy? Struggling with depression during those years, the American filmmaker with Greek roots imagined a journey that would not only take him across the globe but also connect him with people’s happiest memories.

The Record-Breaking Expedition

On 17 January 2024, Michael boarded a plane to Russia via Paris, carrying nothing but a year of preparation and a logbook that would soon be filled with stories. His ambitious goal: to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to visit all sovereign countries (overall), previously set at 543 days. By the time he returned to Detroit, Michigan, on 30 May 2025, he had smashed the record, visiting nearly 200 countries in just 498 days. Alongside the global record, he also earned the title of fastest male to visit all sovereign countries.

A Dream Born Out of Darkness

Michael Zervos’s record-breaking adventure didn’t start with a map or a passport—it began with a question born out of pain: What makes people truly happy? During the pandemic, when loneliness and depression shadowed his life, the American filmmaker with Greek roots searched for light in the darkest of times. 

That search became Project Kosmos, a global mission to gather people’s happiest memories—an idea that would soon carry him across nearly 200 countries and into the Guinness World Records.

Food, Friendship, and First Impressions

Michael’s journey was not a checklist of countries but a celebration of experiences. In Africa, strangers greeted him like family, offering food, rides, and conversations. In South Sudan, he described the atmosphere as “electric, equal parts joy and resilience.” Local markets were, to him, a “marathon of flavor,” where he discovered cultures through their plates. In the Middle East, from Lebanon’s blend of ancient and modern to Saudi Arabia’s glowing deserts, he was struck by the warmth of new friends. 

Visiting Greece, his ancestral homeland, became a deeply personal pilgrimage, connecting him to his grandfather’s birthplace. Asia offered him both vast wilderness and bustling hospitality. In China, he was awed by both the Great Wall and simple home-cooked meals shared with locals. In Japan and South Korea, roadside eateries left him in food comas, and in Vietnam, he wrote, “It was a perfect mix of travel, history, and community.”

Stories of Happiness

But Project Kosmos wasn’t just about travel; it was about connection. In each country, Michael asked the same question: What is the happiest moment of your life? The answers were as varied as the landscapes he crossed. Some spoke of reuniting with loved ones, others of personal milestones like getting a new house, while many recalled small, intimate joys like playing with a pet or watching a sunrise. These moments, captured in heartfelt videos, revealed a truth: happiness is universal, yet deeply personal. For Michael, collecting these stories was healing. He saw strangers smile, laugh, and even cry while remembering their happiest memories. In turn, they gave him the strength to push forward on his demanding journey.

Lessons from the Road

Michael’s logbook became a diary of cultural contrasts and personal revelations. Michael also made it a point to contribute to the communities he visited. In South Sudan, he handed out food in small villages. In Fiji, he connected with women’s groups working for empowerment. These acts of kindness were his way of returning the generosity he constantly received on the road. For him, it wasn’t enough to pass through a country; he wanted to leave a trace of hope, however small, just as people left an impression on him. 

By May 2025, Michael’s epic voyage was nearing its end. In Mexico, Jamaica, and finally Toronto, he felt the weight of exhaustion mixed with gratitude. On 29 May, his logbook entry read, “Tomorrow I’ll be finished,” a swirl of emotions filling the page. On 30 May 2025, when his flight landed in Detroit, his family and friends welcomed him home. After 498 days, he had not only broken world records but also stitched together a global tapestry of happiness. Michael’s adventure doesn’t end with the Guinness World Records titles. 

Through Project Kosmos, he is now working on a book that will share the happiest stories he collected, ensuring that his mission to spread joy continues.