Travel Reflections Looking Back at 2019
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Looking back at 2019 travel reflections as a conscious travel wellness leader. Not every transformational travel adventure has a happy ending or story; however the lessons taken from the trip, that is where growth can happen.
"Nothing has gone wrong. Trust the process."
I’m not usually the type of person to look back and think behind me. I’ve always been more of a “create your future” and look ahead, because that’s where change can happen: both in the moment and the moments ahead of us.
However, with a monumental (and crazy hard) year behind me, I wanted to look back and reflect on some travels that stood out, with some of their stories for 2019.
2019, I traveled more than any other year in my life, clocking over 52,000 sky miles internationally and nationally with American. Travel is fun, and always an adventure for me; however, it’s important to also note, that not all travel is easy. And, “fun” is a matter of perspective, not a common definition.
Sharing some 2019 highlights, here’s a look back at Live Free Warrior travels and travel lessons from 2019:
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
MOST MEMORABLE TRIP
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
September, Boston, for the Jimmy Fund Walk walking with a sprained ankle for 13.1 miles, and for the first time with my entire family and my husband. Living 10-years in Boston, this city has my heart, and many memories. Sharing this experience after being 16 years cancer free only adds to those beautiful Bostonian adventures I’ve had.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
View this post on Instagram
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
MOST PRODUCTIVE TRIP (TROPICAL DESTINATION):
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
October, Sanctuary Cap Cana scouting and filming for the upcoming Punta Cana Wellness event this upcoming May, drone filming and learning about the once-was-a-castle magic land in the secluded portion of Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
View this post on Instagram
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
MOST PRODUCTIVE TRIP (DOMESTIC DESTINATION):
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
August, Chicago, speaking at the Global Business Travel Association convention (the biggest convention for business travel in the world) on behalf of Sanctifly inspiring other business travelers how to develop greater health resilience to frequent travel. Learning what a HUGE, clean, and artistic city Chicago is. This is always the place I picked up running, jogging through the various parks that are located throughout the city. No wonder the Chicago marathon is held here, it’s really beautiful in the summers!
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
View this post on Instagram
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
MOST CHALLENGING TRIP:
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
May/June, Portugal, speaking and filming with my husband for an entrepreneurial convention. We fought, we struggled, we didn’t do our best, and perhaps took on too much. Lessons learned...and THAT’S transformative travel for you, Warriors (and honesty). However, realizing how great the food is, how friendly the people are and what a beautiful country Portugal is that deserves a re-visit and experience ASAP.
Plus, have you ever ventured a flight on TAP Portugal Airlines? They are one of the most sustainably focused airlines I’ve been on, recycling everything on board possible, cutting plastic waste.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
View this post on Instagram
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
MOST PEACEFUL TRIP:
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
December, Christmas, Connecticut, taking a few days of and being surrounded by people I truly love, appreciate and adore. Plus, the look on Javi ‘s face when I surprised him with a trip for New Year’s makes every bit worth the effort, and exactly what I love about gift-giving.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
View this post on Instagram
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
MOST EDUCATIONAL TRIP:
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
November/December Tulum over Thanksgiving and my birthday, staying at Olas Tulum seeing how a truly sustainable hotel operates, and observing the rapid changes in the region. Scary, a mix of emotions, and a serious call for action to speak up and make more #conscioustravel choices.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
View this post on Instagram
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
MOST EDUCATIONAL TRIP (VERY CLOSE 2ND):
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
October, YO1 Wellness Resort, Catskills, taking a three-day wellness retreat adventure with my Mom. Learning about my dosha constitution, eating the cleanest foods available, and experiencing Ayurvedic medicine was an eye-opening and educational trip that taught me a lot about my personal self and well-being needs.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
View this post on Instagram
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
MOST UNEXPECTED TRIP:
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
September, Mexico City with Javi. I unexpectedly took the trip with him in a time we were also moving, and figuring US out. I never really liked Mexico City, nor staying there.
However, we had the best weather in any of my trips to Mexico City with pure sunshine, a visit to a Castillo touring like tourists on a Sunday, and ended up spending one of the evenings singing and playing the piano together into the late hours of the night past 1am.
This trip changed my perspective of Mexico City, this trip, and brought light, and the reminder that change is always possible, even for a destination.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
View this post on Instagram
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
MOST SURPRISING UPGRADE ON A TRIP:
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
May, Chicago, entering The Gwen Chicago in downtown and getting the full suite completely to myself. Did I ever share with you Warriors the room tour of this suite? Let me know, you need to see that comfy bed and huge bathroom! We all need those little surprises in life, especially in travel, to be free, rewarded for being ourselves, and treated to some ME time.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
View this post on Instagram
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
MOST [ ] TRIP:
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="normal" color="#c9c9c9" thickness="1" up="20" down="20"][vc_column_text]
Whatever is next! I didn’t know what else to add to this last one. The year isn’t quite over, and I still have one more trip to go. There are many flights, travels, and destinations that haven’t been mentioned here, ones that I definitely could share more stories and life lessons reflecting back on them.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_single_image image="23712" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]
For now, cheers to 2019 and the travels and life lessons you’ve given me! I’m so thankful for the life I have, the opportunities offered, and the incredible people (like YOU) that I continue to connect and share with. I’ve damn-well worked hard for it, no lifestyle worth living is ever easy, nor just given to you.
But, if I can give you any tips from this entire post, it’s to work hard for what you want, have a clear vision of what you’re passionate for, good at, and after, and never give up during the process. Wellness Travel content, directing, consulting and storytelling has my heart, combining all of my passions of wellness, creativity and travel.
Cannot wait for what’s in store for 2020!
Warriors, your turn: what’s your most memorable trip from 2019? Share in the comments section below.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="20"][/vc_column][/vc_row]