Why bother doing anything difficult or burdensome if one has the option to take the easy route?

This man sounds like he has a real passion for what he does. He's been doing it for quite a long time, and like you pointed out, he could've checked out and got a salary job at some company. He didn't. He gets to live his life doing something exciting that he loves.

Living your life always doing what's safe doesn't sound very intriguing.