Episode 144: Finding Your Zone of Genius Through Culturally Immersive Travel with Kelsey Wilson & Amanda Cisneros

Have you ever dreamed of experiencing travel in a way that fully immerses you in another culture—where you’re not just a visitor, but an active participant in the local community? That’s exactly what Kelsey Wilson and Amanda Cisneros have built with Travec Travel, a company specializing in culturally immersive travel for families and individuals. But beyond that, their journey is an inspiring look at how leaning into your Zone of Genius can create a career and life that feel deeply fulfilling.

In this episode of The Innovative Therapist Podcast, we explore how Kelsey and Amanda discovered their unique strengths and built a business that aligns with their passions. We’ll also discuss how immersive travel experiences can be life-changing—not just for their clients, but for them as entrepreneurs.

Kelsey and Amanda’s partnership was almost serendipitous—what they call an “arranged marriage” of entrepreneurship. Though they didn’t know each other long before starting the company, their shared passion for travel, language, and culture quickly solidified their vision.

Amanda, a seasoned Spanish teacher, had extensive experience leading student trips abroad, but she always dreamed of expanding that model to families. Her Zone of Genius is in crafting detailed itineraries, logistics, and building deep connections between travelers and local cultures. Meanwhile, Kelsey had worked in global travel sales and had the entrepreneurial spirit to bring that vision to life. Her Zone of Genius lies in helping potential clients find the right travel experience for them, empowering them to believe in themselves and take the leap.

Together, they launched Travec Travel just two and a half years ago, and since then, they’ve built a company that fosters meaningful, intentional travel experiences.

Unlike traditional travel companies that often cater to tourists without deep cultural immersion, Travec Travel offers:

Travec Travel has evolved significantly since its launch. Initially, the founders thought they would primarily work with families looking to live abroad long-term. However, they found that their real niche was in planning short-term, intentional family travel.

Through collaboration with schools, Travec Travel now organizes capstone trips for students in Spanish immersion programs, as well as customized experiences for individuals and families looking for meaningful, connected travel. Their signature destinations include:

And they’re in the process of expanding to Puerto Rico and Chile!

One of the themes we explored in this episode is how travel—and learning a new language—can be a deeply creative process. It activates different parts of the brain, challenges perfectionism, and pushes us out of our comfort zones in the best possible way.

For Amanda, the creativity comes in designing seamless, enriching itineraries that allow travelers to fully experience a new culture. For Kelsey, creativity shows up in how she connects with prospective travelers, helping them navigate their fears and embrace adventure.

They shared how seeing their clients—especially single moms—gain confidence and independence through travel has been one of the most rewarding parts of their work. They also reflected on how entrepreneurship has given them the freedom to do work that lights them up while balancing motherhood and creativity.

This conversation reminded me of the importance of leaning into what excites us, whether that’s through entrepreneurship, creative projects, or travel. Amanda and Kelsey are proof that when you align your work with your Zone of Genius, not only does it feel fulfilling, but it also creates meaningful impact for others.

I’d love to hear from you—have you ever had a transformational travel experience? Or have you discovered your Zone of Genius? Send me a message and let me know how this conversation impacted you!

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💡 If you’re intrigued by the idea of immersive travel experiences for you or your family, check out Travec Travel’s upcoming trips at www.traveltravec.com and follow them on social media on Instagram or Facebook!

This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.