'One of the proudest accomplishments of my life'...

Fair warning... Today's Digest won't be for everyone. In fact, what I (Porter) am about to discuss brings in far more negative feedback than any other subject I mention.

Today, I'd like to tell you about one of the proudest accomplishments of my life. And for some of you, what I'm going to share could literally change your life...

Six years ago, I asked a handful of the most impressive people I know – people like Casey Research founder Doug Casey, Agora President Bill Bonner, and Sprott U.S. Holdings CEO Rick Rule – to join me as founding members of The Atlas 400, a private wealth-and-travel club.

I wanted the first members of the club to represent the kind of people we were seeking – intelligent, successful, and open-minded. And that's exactly what we've found...

Today, Atlas 400 members include some of the most intelligent and interesting people I have ever met... the world's leading horse-racing bettor, one of the world's best-selling authors, several hedge-fund managers, and a managing director at one of the world's largest financial institutions. There are folks from small towns who have made fortunes in real estate and who have developed lucrative small businesses.

These members share some major similarities: They are all self-made, they're all outstanding at what they do, and they got there through hard work. They're the type of people you'd love to call friends, neighbors, or business partners.

But here's where most people get confused...

This isn't a ritzy country club we've created. We don't just take extravagant adventures around the world... And it's not a haven for big egos. (We actually have a "no a**hole" policy.)

It's also not about money... In fact, The Atlas 400 is a nonprofit organization and is completely separate and independent from Stansberry Research.

Instead, the purpose of our club is simple: To bring intelligent, likeminded, and successful people together to exchange ideas... enjoy new experiences... and make new friends among equals.

How do we do this? Five or six times a year, we host amazing adventures around the world...

In October, we made a return trip to Germany – site of the club's first-ever event. Porsche's CEO invited Atlas 400 members to race Porsches on the private test track in Leipzig, Germany. Executives from BMW offered a similar experience at their top-secret test facility. And the trip culminated in Munich, with members celebrating Oktoberfest in the festival's most coveted tents.

Our members also recently returned from an adventure throughout British Columbia.

Our days were filled with kayaking, glacier trekking, guided wilderness tours, fly-fishing, and much more. Our home for the trip was one of British Columbia's best-kept secrets. It's a lodge located on a remote cove, just a few hundred yards from the Pacific Ocean.

But what got members really excited is that the lodge came with a fleet of helicopters. The helicopters flew the members to the best fishing locations... to the top of the most scenic ridgelines... and to the middle of massive glaciers.

We're already planning our adventures for 2016. We've arranged an excursion through New Zealand. Our travels will take us from the cities on North Island to the scenic, adventure-filled landscapes of the South Island. And in typical Atlas 400 fashion, we'll stay in some of the most luxurious lodges in the Southern Hemisphere.

But this is just one of the events we have planned for next year. In January, we're headed to hunt Cabin Bluff in southern Georgia. In August, we'll explore Maine's coastline. And in October, we're headed to Bhutan to hike through the Himalayas.

These trips are always incredible experiences, but they serve a larger purpose...

To get people out of their daily routines... out of their comfort zones... and place them in a faraway land with a group of likeminded people.

That's the way to build relationships and to make long-lasting friendships.

It's easy to open up and be yourself when you've spent the day with someone in a race car or ziplined across Patagonia with them. It's deeper than your typical business-conference interaction.

Again, The Atlas 400 is a social club, not an investment club.

In general, we believe "business first" is the wrong way to go about life. Focus on your relationships... Opportunities will inevitably spring from them.

The point is, getting into the room with the right people is the hard part.

But once you've made friends with someone, traveled together, and exchanged information, it's natural to be invited into special deals, parties, and events.

I can honestly say that almost every good thing that has happened to me in my life happened because of someone I knew – a relationship I had made.

If today's Digest interests you, pay close attention...

The club's board of directors has decided to raise the initiation fee from $25,000 to $30,000, effective January 1, 2016.

Our window for 2015 membership applications closed at the end of October. But in light of the change to our fee, we've decided to reopen the opportunity to interested candidates for the last six weeks of the year. If you've ever considered joining us, there will never be a better time.

The Atlas 400 is for successful people. Our excursions aren't cheap. But if you're in a position to enjoy the fruits of your labor, I urge you to apply for membership.

If you're interested in membership, please click here to begin the process. Or feel free to contact the club's director, Gray Zurbruegg, by phone at (410) 864-0878 or via e-mail at gzurbruegg@theatlas400.com.

One of my proudest professional accomplishments is undoubtedly being the founder of The Atlas 400.

There are few things I enjoy more than the experiences that I get to have routinely with my fellow members.

Imagine yourself in the company of 100 of the world's most accomplished people, traveling the world, enjoying new friendships, having new adventures, discovering incredible opportunities... perhaps seeing your life and yourself in a whole new way.

I know that if you give our club a chance, it will become one of the great tokens of your success, one of the things that you consider to be the true trophies of your life.

There's nothing else like it.

New 52-week highs (as of 11/24/15): American Financial (AFG), Lancashire Holdings (LRE.L), Public Storage (PSA), and Valero Energy (VLO).

Regards,

Porter Stansberry

Baltimore, Maryland

November 25, 2015