The Journey On Podcast with Warwick Schiller

Guest: Julie Veloo
Release Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this captivating and deeply human episode, Warwick Schiller welcomes Julie Veloo, a Canadian humanitarian, equestrian, polyglot, and expedition leader whose life and work have become intertwined with Mongolia. The episode explores Julie’s unique journey—from moving around the world for her husband’s mining career, to launching her own late-in-life horsemanship in Mongolia, to transforming the lives of Mongolia’s most vulnerable through the Veloo Foundation. Through stories of extreme climate, incredible endurance rides, and vibrant Mongolian culture, Julie and Warwick discuss how real-world adventure, charity, and personal growth are inseparable on the steppe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Julie’s Background and Arrival in Mongolia ([04:33]–[12:02])

• Julie’s Upbringing and Global Experience

  • Originally from Canada; youngest of six.
  • Traveled and lived globally—in Papua, Australia, the US, and finally Mongolia.
  • Fluent in multiple languages: French, Spanish, German, Mongolian.
  • "I became an ESL teacher... I love how when you speak a different language, you understand the different culture." [15:33 – 15:50]

• Moving to Mongolia

  • Moved with her husband for his work as a mining engineer.
  • Had little knowledge about Mongolia beforehand—agreed to move before locating it on a map.
  • Arrived amidst Mongolia’s arctic winters, but acclimated due to her northern Canadian roots.

The Veloo Foundation: Mission and Early Challenges ([05:04]–[44:33])

• Work with Disadvantaged Children
  • Focus on children and families scavenging in Ulaanbaatar’s garbage dump—the coldest capital city on Earth.
  • The foundation provides kindergartens, libraries, a sewing center, summer camp, and is building a medical clinic.
  • "We have kids who scavenge in the garbage... Kindergartens, libraries—it's all to benefit children and families who scavenge to survive." – Julie [05:04]
• Life in Ulaanbaatar
  • Winters reach -30°C to -50°C; the main challenge is not having enough fuel for heating.
  • Pollution crisis: burning trash and coal for warmth creates hazardous air, especially for children [18:41–19:40].
• From Charity Support to Direct Action
  • Initially intended only to fund existing charities, but with no organizations working with the dump children, Veloo became a frontline solution.
  • "Nobody was helping these people... You either become a frontline organization or you don't help." – Julie [35:52]
• Breaking the Cycle
  • Early on, there was public denial in Mongolia about the existence of child scavengers; changing these attitudes was part of the Foundation's work.
  • "There are still people in the garbage dump, but there are no children." – Julie [37:53]
• Impact on Families
  • By caring for children, parents are able to seek stable jobs and retraining opportunities, breaking cycles of generational poverty.
  • "The knock on effect... I thought you were only helping the kids, but you’re actually giving the parents an opportunity." – Warwick [43:25]

Kindergartens, Libraries, and Evolving Goals ([44:33]–[54:29])

• Scope and Scale
  • Nearly 400 children currently supported. Expanding to 600+ with a new solar-powered kindergarten.
  • Community libraries offer academic support and digital access to older kids.
• Success Stories
  • Former beneficiaries have received scholarships, excel in language skills, and now attend university abroad.
  • Emphasis on nutrition: “If you provide adequate nutrition to children under the age of five, their brain develops... That’s the most critical thing.” – Julie [44:18]
• Fostering Bigger Dreams
  • Plans for dual-language, Montessori-style education to give disadvantaged kids the same global opportunities as wealthier city children.

The Adventurous Side: Charity Rides Across Mongolia ([54:29]–[90:08])

• From First Ride at 50 to 50,000 KM
  • Julie first rode a horse in Mongolia at age 50, transitioning from terror to “this is how it’s meant to be.”
  • “I became a horse person overnight, which was grossly unfair to my husband, but there you go.” – Julie [63:46]
• The Gobi Gallop
  • Annual 700km charity ride, billed as the world’s longest charity horseback ride.
  • Open to experienced riders; intense—10 days, two horses per person, up to 14 hours per day in the saddle.
  • “Everybody breaks on the Gobi Gallop. Some do it loudly, some quietly, but everyone does.” – Julie [71:38]
  • Importance of endurance: “This is like running a marathon… and then getting up the next day and running another one.” – a participant [71:38]
• The Blue Wolf Totem Expedition
  • 4,000km, 120-day ride – the longest charity ride in history.
  • Routes are anthropologically and historically significant, tracing ancient paths and stopping at Bronze Age monuments.
  • Deep personal growth and connection: “You feel this connection between the earth, the sky, and the horse… this rightness of being part of the unbroken history of horse and people.” – Julie [71:38]
• Steel Horse Gallop
  • Parallel motorcycle charity ride for non-equestrians, traversing Mongolia’s wilderness, converging nightly with the riders’ camp.

Mongolian Culture, Language, and Life ([55:47]–[117:12])

• Learning Mongolian
  • “Buckets of trouble.” – Julie [55:47]. Mongolian is challenging with foreign sounds, complex vowel rules, and unfamiliar syntax.
  • Cultural differences in comprehension—“If you do not pronounce it exactly correctly, they don’t get it.”
• Ger (Yurt) Life
  • Julie co-owns a ger factory—profits support the Foundation. For every international sale, one is donated to a homeless Mongolian family.
  • Traditional customs: “Women own the Ger, men are the head of household, but the women control the finances.” – Julie [112:29]
  • Hospitality: Doors are unlocked, visitors call out, always circle clockwise, and sacred respect for the altar/fire and family’s two central poles.
  • Notable rule: “Really don’t whistle in a ger—it means someone’s going to die.” – Julie [117:12]
• Nomadic Resilience and Cleanliness
  • “Mongolian people are very clean—and I don’t know how they do it.” – Julie [120:31]

Mongolian History, Spirituality, and Legacy ([90:08]–[109:40])

• Deer Stones, Herixors, and Ancient Sites
  • The landscape is scattered with monumental Bronze Age and Turkic relics—rarely fenced, always accessible, embodying Mongolia’s reverence for the past.
• Mythology and Shamanism
  • Creation myths, ley lines, spiritual ovoos (stone cairns), and shamanistic practices are woven into daily life and expedition routes.
• Genghis Khan’s Enduring Relevance
  • “Genghis Khan is like one step removed from God.” – Julie [90:34]
  • Modern identities and national celebrations (Nadam) rooted in Chinggis Khaan’s legacy.
• Personal, Tangible Connection to History
  • “When you’re out there, there’s this sense of smallness, not just on a global scale, but in a historic sense.” – Julie [105:51]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Courage and transformation don’t belong to the young—they belong to the willing.” – Warwick Schiller [03:20]
• “There are still people in the garbage dump, but there are no children. And there hasn’t been since 2019.” – Julie Veloo [37:53]
• “If you provide adequate nutrition to children under five, their brain develops. That’s the most critical thing.” – Julie Veloo [44:18]
• “Everybody breaks on the Gobi Gallop. Some people do it loudly and publicly, some people do it quietly and privately, but everybody breaks.” – Julie Veloo [71:38]
• “You will not survive this conversation… At the end of it, you will have changed. The current you will not survive.” – Warwick, paraphrasing Dr. Jennifer Zeligs [79:28]
• “Mongolian people are very clean—and I don’t know how they do it. It’s magic to me.” – Julie [120:31]
• “I want to ride the horses and play with the babies—that’s what I want to do.” – Julie [125:43]
• “By the end of this Blue Wolf Totem expedition, we will have crossed a million dollars raised for the kids—from horse people around the world coming and riding with us.” – Julie [127:54]
• “I don’t take any salary from any of this. All the money stays in Mongolia… it all goes to the Mongolians.” – Julie [127:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:04] – Julie’s introduction to her humanitarian work in Mongolia
• [15:33] – Julie’s early career, love of languages, and approach to culture
• [44:33] – How the foundation’s programs impact generations of families
• [54:29] – The origin of the Gobi Gallop and Julie’s riding journey
• [71:38] – Horseback adventure, healing, and personal transformation
• [90:34] – Genghis Khan in Mongolian identity and national history
• [112:29] – Mongolian hospitality, gender roles, and ger rules
• [117:12] – Non-Western customs: “don’t whistle in a ger”
• [120:31] – Nomadic resilience and domestic cleanliness
• [127:54] – All donations and ride fees stay in Mongolia

Resources & Further Connections

• Veloo Foundation: veloofoundation.com
• Horse Trek Mongolia / Gobi Gallop / Blue Wolf Totem: Look for “Gobi Gallop” or “Blue Wolf Totem Expedition” online, or visit Horse Trek Mongolia
• Moon’s Gift Gers: Traditional Mongolian yurts for sale worldwide
• Recommended Book: "The Secret History of the Mongol Queens"

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is friendly, lively, and laced with awe—about both Mongolian culture and the power of humanitarian adventure. Julie blends humor and humility with deep cultural and historical respect. Warwick’s curiosity brings out both the challenges and the transformative joys in Julie’s story, making the episode not only informative but also profoundly moving for listeners of all backgrounds.

This summary covers the fascinating tapestry of personal growth, adventure, cultural immersion, and service that defines both Julie Veloo's story and the spirit of The Journey On Podcast.