Go Solo Live

Becky Gillespie was 22 when she moved to Tokyo for a year. After that experience, she was hooked. Now, she’s a permanent resident of Japan and completely in love with the city. On the show, Becky discusses the cultural differences (and the language barrier!) between Japanese and American culture, her trip to New Zealand, and her thoughts about Colombia.

Key Takeaways:

*Why did Becky go from living in Ohio to living in Tokyo for a year? How did her family take it?

*Becky did this trip in 2004 and travel has drastically changed since then with the advancement of technology.

*How has social media helped Becky travel?

*What was Becky’s first living abroad experience like?

*Becky has been to 53 countries and Japan is the safest one she’s been to.

*Did Becky struggle with the language?

*Becky loves, loves the food. It’s also so incredibly clean there for the number of people that live there.

*What kind of challenges did Becky face while she was there?

*Becky accidentally flashed her doctor due to the language barrier.

*In Japan, people are afraid of tattoos and you’re not allowed to go into the hot springs if you have them.

*Becky now has permanent residency in Japan. How does Becky’s family feel about her going away for long stints?

*Becky is now in New Zealand. How does she like it so far?

*What’s Becky’s lifestyle like right now? How does she structure work?

*What’s going on in Colombia?

*How does Becky find her travel partners?

*What advice does Becky have for someone who wants to travel, solo or with a partner?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Patreon.com/gosololive

Girlslovetravel.org

Connect with Becky:

Website

Instagram

Leave a Review:

Did you like this episode? Please leave an honest review on iTunes with your feedback! Also, please subscribe to the Go Solo Live podcast on iTunes, to get notified when a new episode gets released. I appreciate your listening to this week’s show. And tune in next week for another great guest.

Leyla Alyanak has been zigzagging all over the world for the last two decades (actually, it’s been a little bit more than that). As a journalist, she’s traveled into war zones and even got lost in the Amazon rainforest. These days, her solo trips are much calmer and deliver such an enriching cultural experience that she doesn’t plan to ‘cool down’ anytime soon. At nearly 65 years old, Leyla has been to 86 countries, thus far, and currently resides in France. Find out more about Leyla and her travels on this week’s episode!

Key Takeaways:

*Leyla is currently living in France; where are some of her favorite places to go?

*Why did Leyla decide to live in Europe?

*What are some of the pros and cons of traveling all over the world?

*How does Leyla manage her time and the logistics of this nomadic lifestyle?

*Moving within Europe is so easy, but getting a visa into Europe can be very difficult.

*Has Leyla ever been in a situation where she thought she wasn’t safe while traveling solo?

*Leyla has had to travel to war zones as a journalist. There’s nothing romantic about getting shot at or killed!

*Countries coming out of conflict are a different story. They are mostly safe for women to travel to.

*Use the same common sense in a foreign city the way you would when you walk out your front door.

*With that being said, do some research on the differences in culture. A woman walking alone in the afternoon can send the wrong message to certain cultures.

*Leyla was left alone/abandoned in the Amazon rainforest by her guide. She thought she was never going to make it out.

*What kind of tried-and-true lessons has Leyla learned over the years?

*Right now in the world today, there is such an ‘us vs. them’ mentality taking place. When you start traveling, this perspective changes.

*Where is Leyla’s favorite place to go to?

*The first thing Leyla does when she gets to a new city is to hop on a bus!

*Jennifer always plans with the idea that she’ll be back ‘next time’; that way she doesn’t overplan and stress out!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Patreon.com/gosololive

Connect with Leyla:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

Leave a Review:

Did you like this episode? Please leave an honest review on iTunes with your feedback! Also, please subscribe to the Go Solo Live podcast on iTunes, to get notified when a new episode gets released. I appreciate your listening to this week’s show. And tune in next week for another great guest.

BB Peters is one of the founders of Boom Goddess Radio and an Account Executive at Natural Awakenings Magazine. As a daughter of immigrant parents, BB was accustomed to being very independent and traveling solo in her own backyard at a young age. As BB got older, she would often take solo work trips, but even then she would still find herself traveling solo in her own city. On the show, BB encourages you to take baby steps within your own state if you don’t feel comfortable jet-setting 5,000 miles into the unknown.

Key Takeaways:

*How did BB get started in solo travel?

*When BB was 11, she had to help her immigrant parents with the language barrier when they first arrived in the United States.

*There are a lot of women out there solo traveling for work, but because it’s work, they don’t really count it as real solo travel.

*You don’t have to be this huge world traveler to reap the benefits of solo travel.

*BB shares a story about a quick solo trip she took right in her backyard.

*Jennifer loves to take people on ‘challenge’ weekends where they get to practice using public transportation for the first time.

*Don’t take your own backyard for granted. There’s a ton of things you can do solo within your own city!

*Has BB ever been fearful of her safety while traveling solo?

*What advice does BB have for women who are on the fence about traveling solo?

*Instead of getting stressed when something goes wrong, just accept and embrace it. You’ll be much more open to change that way.

*You don’t have to jump into solo travel with both feet. You can take baby steps!

*How does BB’s family react to her solo adventures?

*BB recently took a trip to Costa Rica! What was that trip like?

*How can a woman stay safe while traveling?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Patreon.com/gosololive

Connect with BB:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Leave a Review:

Did you like this episode? Please leave an honest review on iTunes with your feedback! Also, please subscribe to the Go Solo Live podcast on iTunes, to get notified when a new episode gets released. I appreciate your listening to this week’s show. And tune in next week for another great guest.

Jennifer Huber won a free trip to Vietnam and got to experience a new culture like never before. She went across the world solo and even got hit by a motorbike (nothing bad happened), but it’s crazy moments like that where you just have to laugh. On this week’s episode, Jennifer discusses her Vietnam experience, how she won a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, and some of her favorite go-to places that help her save money while traveling solo!

Key Takeaways:

*Why did Jennifer decide to solo travel?

*Whenever Jennifer took a business trip, especially international, she’d always take a couple of days off just to explore the city.

*When you’re traveling solo, you’re definitely forced to get out of your own bubble compared to if you were with a friend or partner.

*What kinds of things does Jennifer do when she’s in a foreign country?

*Jennifer won a free airline ticket and got to travel to Vietnam.

*The motorbikes in Vietnam do not stop for anyone — anyone!

*A motorist (going in the wrong direction) actually ran over Jennifer’s foot and he didn’t even stop. Moments like these you just have to laugh.

*Jennifer shares her experience of what food is like in Vietnam.

*The guides in Vietnam mostly learned how to speak English by watching YouTube videos.

*Does Jennifer have any budget tips for travelers?

*What’s next for Jennifer?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Patreon.com/gosololive

Pomelotravel.com

Connect with Jennifer:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Leave a Review:

Did you like this episode? Please leave an honest review on iTunes with your feedback! Also, please subscribe to the Go Solo Live podcast on iTunes, to get notified when a new episode gets released. I appreciate your listening to this week’s show. And tune in next week for another great guest.

Carol Perehudoff, also known as Wandering Carol, is a luxury travel blogger. With slightly over 15 years of experience as a travel writer, Carol has had her fair share of fascinating stories and adventures. Through hard work and sticking with it, she has made a career out of her two favorite things — traveling and writing! On today’s show, Carol discusses how she became a travel writer and also offers advice how you can start building a career for yourself… today!

Key Takeaways:

*How did Carol get her start traveling?

*Are you scared to travel? Take baby steps. It’s a muscle that gets stronger every time you exercise it.

*Carol once had to say to her husband, “You know I am a travel writer, did it not once occur to you that I will travel?” His reply was, “No!”

*Carol and her husband have been together for over 9 years, so he is more than used to having Carol jet set off alone to exotic locations by this point.

*Keep in mind, when Carol’s husband stays home, he isn’t losing out or missing out. In fact, he’s gaining. Everyone needs their alone time.

*Where has Carol traveled to that has really made a big impact on her?

*Where was Carol in her life when she decided to travel solo?

*How did Carol make her career as a solo traveler and also get speaking gigs from it?

*Carol is amazed by how technology advances so quickly. When she started, she had to get her worked passed by editors. Now, anyone can start a blog and start writing and traveling, on their own terms.

*Why does Carol love the South of France so darn much?

*Carol shares her story about meeting this shady/creepy guy in a foreign country and why you need to be alert as a solo woman. Trust your gut instincts!

*Despite getting one or two bad vibes from people, Carol has met so many amazing and wonderful people throughout her travels that the bad apples definitely do not ruin the bunch.

*When you’re traveling solo, you are dependant on the kindness of strangers.

*What’s next for Carol?

*Carol is the spa expert. Where in the world should you go to for the ultimate spa experience?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Patreon.com/gosololive

Connect with Carol:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Leave a Review:

Did you like this episode? Please leave an honest review on iTunes with your feedback! Also, please subscribe to the Go Solo Live podcast on iTunes, to get notified when a new episode gets released. I appreciate your listening to this week’s show. And tune in next week for another great guest.

Phylecia Jones is a budgetologist, speaker, and world traveler. Phylecia is all about living the life you want as long as you plan accordingly for it. What’s the point of putting extra financial stress on yourself and paying everything off (with interest) from a trip you took two years ago? On today’s show, Phylecia offers simple tips that you can do today to start building a travel budget, stop doing that credit card dance, and to get a better control over your finances for more meaningful travel.

Key Takeaways:

*Who is Phylecia and what does she do?

*When Phylecia and her husband got married, they had to sit down for about a week to get both their finances straight.

*You want to get all the boring financial stuff out of the way first before you budget for travel.

*Believe it or not, Phylecia doesn’t use spreadsheets when she does budgeting!

*One of the ways Jennifer saves money is by having roommates.

*When Phylecia and her husband got married, they discussed what they wanted out of their marriage for the next 30+ years. Travel was a top priority for both of them and with that means they were certain things they have to give up on (no brand new cars for example).

*Phylecia has created a ‘travel’ account that gets funded every month. If there’s no money in the account, then they go camping.

*When Phylecia was younger, she would often do a credit card dance with her money to fund these elaborate trips. No more!

*How do Phylecia and her husband plan a trip and decide what to do once they’ve hit new soil?

*There are tons of websites out there that teach you how to ‘backpack’ it and get your money to stretch. Phylecia is here to tell you to rethink not how you spend, but how you can use your money to really fulfill you.

*Open a brand new bank account and start putting $10 or $15 here and there into it. Those small numbers add up over time and bam! You’ll have a travel account before you know it.

*Don’t live your life in regret. Just go ahead and do it. It’s never too late.

*Phylecia puts her vacation account right up there with her 401k and IRA.

*Be sure to get your debt in check. Phylecia and her husband did not travel for three years because they were working on removing their burdens first and foremost.

*It is time to start asking for what we want.

*Interested in setting up a budget? Phylecia can help you!

*What’s next for Phylecia?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Patreon.com/gosololive

Connect with Phylecia:

Website

Budgetschool.co

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Leave a Review:

Did you like this episode? Please leave an honest review on iTunes with your feedback! Also, please subscribe to the Go Solo Live podcast on iTunes, to get notified when a new episode gets released. I appreciate your listening to this week’s show. And tune in next week for another great guest.

Talek Nantes has a lot of experience traveling the world and makes five to six international trips every year. Her mother traveled from Cuba to New York while she was still pregnant with Talek and owned a travel agency; this exposed Talek to the world and she does not remember a time where she wasn’t learning about different people and their cultures. On this week’s show, Talek has some age-old advice for the newbie traveler as to what to do when you've stepped foot in a foreign country and things to be aware of so you don’t get ripped off!

Key Takeaways:

*What inspired Talek to travel solo?

*What was Talek’s big ‘ah-ha’ moment when it came to solo travel?

*So many women think solo travel is something only ‘college-aged’ women do. Not true!

*The more time passes, the less likely you are to travel alone.

*If you’re afraid of danger, start slowly, travel to countries that speak English or travel within the United States.

*It’s easier to travel these days with the use of technology!

*When Talek travels to a new country for the first time, what are some of the things she does to get familiar with the surrounding areas?

*Talek has been to over 100 countries and does about five or six international trips a year.

*What was Talek’s trip to New Zealand like?

*Where has Talek traveled to, throughout her life?

*What advice does Talek have for those who might not feel very comfortable traveling to China?

*What kinds of resources does Talek like to use while researching for a new trip?

*Do your research, but don’t over-plan! It takes some of the excitement out of it.

*Always asks how much something costs before buying it. It may sound dumb, but very rarely do we do this consistently. Talek spent $80 on a manicure because she didn’t do this.

*Don’t be afraid to be a bit assertive and impolite. Sad to say, but people try to take financial advantage of women because they don’t think they’d protest.

*What’s next for Talek?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Patreon.com/gosololive

Possumpete.com.au/

Skyscanner.net

Momondo.com

Rome2rio.com

Connect with Talek:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

Leave a Review:

Did you like this episode? Please leave an honest review on iTunes with your feedback! Also, please subscribe to the Go Solo Live podcast on iTunes, to get notified when a new episode gets released. I appreciate your listening to this week’s show. And tune in next week for another great guest.

Leah Walker is a Texan woman with a heart for France. Leah first experienced solo travel when she went to Costa Rica as a college student. Fast forward to now, Leah is living in France and works as a brand ambassador and social media expert. Leah knows there’s a lot of blogs out there telling you how to quit your job and travel the world. They make it sound easy, but it’s not! It takes time to build a career and it takes time to save the money you need to see the world. You just have to make it a priority.

Key Takeaways:

*What inspired Leah to leave Texas and travel solo?

*The first place Leah ever went to solo was Costa Rica in 1997. She and her friends got chased by a guy wielding a machete. It was very rural back then.

*Later in life, Leah really loved to travel and didn’t want to wait for her then-husband’s schedule to see the world. She was bitten by the bug and ready to go.

*Unfortunately, Leah mother was diagnosed with cancer at 60 and she ended up passing away at 65. This had a profound effect on her. Life really is short.

*Leah used travel to heal from her mother’s passing and to escape the pain.

*Leah ended up winning a month-long trip to Europe from a writing competition and she could choose which cities she wanted to go to.

*Leah’s ex-husband really encouraged her to take her writing seriously and to follow her dreams. She could not have done it without his support.

*There’s a lot of blogs out there on how to quit your job and travel the world, but it’s not easy.

*Why did Leah decide to live in Paris?

*How has travel evolved for Leah over the years?

*What does Leah’s lifestyle look like in France?

*How can someone start and get a career as a brand ambassador?

*Oprah once said, “If it’s on your ass, it’s not an asset.” This phrase made Leah re-think her shopping habits.

*Some people keep ‘wishing’ to travel. Stop wishing! Start saving!

*Leah understands that there are people out there who really can’t afford to pay rent and are struggling. Get your basics covered first before travel. This message is for the people who have a disposable income and still ‘wish’ they could travel … while buying those $$$ designer bags.

*On social media, people may make it look rosy, but the reality is it took Leah some time to set herself up in France. For example, it took her a year and a half to get a French bank account.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Patreon.com/gosololive

Connect with Leah:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Clara Chorley had always wanted to travel to Africa, but due to fear mongering and stories of it being dangerous, it kept pushing her back. However, her deep desire to visit slowly crept up on her, until one day, and after 14 years of procrastination, she couldn’t ignore it anymore and decided to take the leap. Since then, Clara has traveled the world and there’s one thing that she’s consistently noticed throughout every situation: People are inherently good. Don’t let stories of woe and dread hold you back from solo travel and being transformed!

Key Takeaways:

*What got Clara started on this path of solo travel?

*The United States is so huge and Clara has noticed that a lot of Americans don’t leave the country.

*In Europe, it’s just easier to go to a neighboring country and be immersed in a completely different culture.

*Clara has seen that there’s a lot of fear-mongering when it comes to traveling to ‘dangerous’ places.

*How does Clara know when a place is going to be okay?

*It’s very important that you go and get current and recent information about a country. Some places used to be dangerous, but have recovered from their turmoil.

*Why did Clara visit Africa? It took her 14 years to take the plunge to go.

*After reading the book We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families, Clara was READY. She didn’t want to wait anymore. She Had To Go!

*Through Clara’s work, she speaks with so many people who are in the late 50s who have ‘put it off’ and are miserable for doing so.

*You don’t need to make the full jump, you just need to be a little awakened so you can see what you’re missing and push yourself closer and closer to your dreams.

*Where has Clara traveled to that has really made an impact on her life?

*When you’re dealing with risk, you do need to test yourself so you know what your boundaries are.

*We’re designed to feel alive, that’s why we crave it! It’s our birthright.

*Remember, people are inherently good.

*What kind of work does Clara do and how does she help others?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Patreon.com/gosololive

We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families, by Philip Gourevitch

Connect with Clara:

Website

Clara in LinkedIn

Leave a Review:

Did you like this episode? Please leave an honest review on iTunes with your feedback! Also, please subscribe to the Go Solo Live podcast on iTunes, to get notified when a new episode gets released. I appreciate your listening to this week’s show. And tune in next week for another great guest.

Katrina McGhee took a 20-month career break. Although this might seem scary and like career suicide, when Katrina came back she was rejuvenated and transformed. With a new vision and focus, she then took the next challenge to pay off her student loan debt. Katrina is now in her late 30s and is completely debt-free! Prior to her break, Katrina felt lost and miserable. She was unhappy with her corporate job and was afraid that this was ‘it’ for her. Is this really all life had to offer? Katrina decided no, it wasn’t and put steps in place to change her life around. Find out how she did it in this week’s episode!

Key Takeaways:

*Katrina was recently featured on Forbes!

*Katrina took a 20-month career break. After coming back, Katrina decided to pay off her student loans. She is currently debt-free!

*Katrina quit her job in 2013 and solo traveled when she was 31.

*The interesting thing was, Katrina didn’t think travel was possible but she stacked the odds in her favor so that she would travel, by joining an MBA program that had study abroad options.

*When Katrina was in her corporate job, she felt so stuck and really sad. She decided to get a life coach to help her out of the rut.

*When Katrina was working on her MBA, she quit her high-paying job to study full-time. She was a bit older than the average student (she was 29).

*When Katrina returned back to corporate, she felt even more stuck. She thought her MBA would be the answer; she found out that it wasn’t. She just didn’t know what to do next. She was 31 and thought, ‘Is this really it for me?’

*When you’re ready for a change, be intentional with it. Set up the plans; once you do, you’ll be at peace.

*Katrina gave her job an 8-month notice that she was quitting to travel around the world, and they were supportive of it!

*How did Katrina plan financially for her travel?

*Once Katrina had the budget, where did she first start on her travel journey?

*After traveling the world, Katrina went back home and spent 4-5 months just recovering. She needed time to adjust back into American life.

*What’s next for Katrina? She’s quitting her current job in February and her lease ends in March.

*What does Katrina currently do for a living? She has created a location-independent career while she was saving money/working.

*Katrina has a free gift available on her website to help you travel and find your way.

*Part of making a real change is by surrounding yourself with possibilities and hearing people’s stories of how they made travel possible for themselves. It’s possible to do this!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Patreon.com/gosololive

Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert

Connect with Katrina:

Website

Kmcgheecoaching.com/travel

Instagram

Leave a Review:

Did you like this episode? Please leave an honest review on iTunes with your feedback! Also, please subscribe to the Go Solo Live podcast on iTunes, to get notified when a new episode gets released. I appreciate your listening to this week’s show. And tune in next week for another great guest.