Chelsea Yamase (@chelseakauai) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to share her journey from shy Hawaiian surfer to million-follower creator. Host Ross Borden explores Chelsea's 11 trips to Indonesia and her philosophy of prioritizing raw, authentic experiences over Instagram-perfect locations. Chelsea dives into growing up in Hawaii and how she learned to free dive at a later age. She offers candid insights about earning 80% of her income through quality brand partnerships over quantity, organizing epic women's adventure retreats from Patagonia to the Galapagos, and why she recently put everything in storage to search the world for a new place to call home. Whether you're an aspiring travel creator or simply interested in conscious tourism, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on building an authentic creative career while grappling with your impact on the places you love.

To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com

00:00 - Introduction to Chelsea Yamase 

01:14 - Living in Bali and Upcoming Scooter Adventure 

02:06 - Exploring Lesser-Known Indonesian Islands 

04:05 - Philosophy on Travel and Authentic Experiences 

05:41 - Balancing Tourism Recognition vs. Protecting Places 

09:33 - Growing Up in Hawaii 

11:28 - Free Diving Journey and Underwater Passion 

14:35 - Travel as a Path to Mindfulness 

16:19 - Social Media, Mental Health, and Inspiring Young Women 

19:09 - My Soul Track App and Affirmations 

20:49 - Business of Being a Creator 

23:55 - Running Retreats and In-Person Events 

26:14 - Three Countries Passport Question 

30:38 - Leaving LA and Searching for Home 

32:38 - US Culture vs. European Lifestyle 

35:39 - Community and Third Spaces 

36:07 - Closing Thoughts