Go Solo Live

Gloria Coppola began her first solo trip to Saint Lucia after going through a divorce. The experience was humbling and enlightening. It made her realize that the time to really do things isn’t tomorrow, or when the kids grow up, it’s now! Her next solo trip came directly after the unexpected death of her second husband. She was sad, depressed, and lost, but she felt compelled to go to Egypt. That trip ultimately transformed her and helped her heal from the sudden loss and propelled her into a completely new mission in life.

Key Takeaways:

*Where was Gloria in her life when she decided to embark on her first solo trip?

*After going through a divorce, Gloria needed some self-care!

*How did Gloria’s family take the news that she was traveling solo?

*Gloria had to climb 94 steps up to the spa, but instead of taking it negatively she decided to shift her perception.

*Gloria felt so happy that she decided to take the trip.

*What kind of challenges did Gloria face?

*The time to live is now. Don’t wait till the kids grow, or till you retire, to do the things you truly care about.

*What other solo trips has Gloria been on since then?

*One month before Gloria and her second husband were to go and explore to Egypt, her husband died.

*When Gloria was in Egypt, something inside her got unlocked. When she came back, she sold everything and lived in Hawaii for 7 years.

*Our purpose is very, very important.

*What do Gloria’s children think of their mom jet-setting across the world?

*Gloria consciously chose to step out of a very materialistic paradigm that so many of her friends have fallen victim to.

*Some people aren't able to leave their job, but that doesn’t mean they are unable to change things.

*Gloria talks about Peru, and how all the signs were leading her there.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

@GoSoloLive on Twitter

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Gloria:

Website

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Laura Kay is an introvert by nature. However, Laura found herself becoming a much better person for her family, every mini solo trip she took. Finally, she decided to take the plunge and travel way, way out of her comfort zone. But you know what? The rewards paid off, because she was able to see more of the United States on her own terms. Now, she can’t wait to embark on her next solo trip, which will be traveling from L.A. to San Diego!

Key Takeaways:

*What kind of ‘baby step’ solo trips has Laura taken?

*When Laura came back, she felt like she was a better person for her family.

*What advice does Laura have for those who feel guilty for traveling alone?

*Where was Laura in her life when she decided to take the leap and really travel alone?

*The night before the trip, Laura was thinking of bailing out on it.

*Being alone and single, you sometimes get some very attractive attention from that. Laura shares some of her stories!

*You can always share information about yourself, just be aware, be safe, and do it in a place where you feel comfortable.

*What kind of challenges did Laura face while on her solo trip?

*It can be a big scary world out there — what would Laura do to calm herself?

*Laura’s next solo trip is in San Diego and L.A.!

*What’s next for Laura other than the solo trip?

*What was Laura’s biggest lesson from going on her solo trip?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Laura:

Website

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.

Susan Marean’s first solo trip came from a tragic accident at the age of 25 years old. Susan took a plane ride by herself so that she could grieve a very sudden family loss. Now, fast forward 20 years later, Susan is a single mom of three boys, and decided it was time to take some time off and go on a transformative backpacking solo trip for two days. She came prepared, studied the maps, trusted her compass, and even got lost in the wilderness, but she can’t wait to go back and experience it all over again! Solo travel has helped her get a fresh reset to her life!

Key Takeaways:

*Where was Susan in her life, when she decided to go on a solo vacation?

*Susan wanted to be alone to help her grieve and process a very traumatic accident that happened to the family. She was still in shock!

*How did Susan’s family help support each other during this tough time?

*What advice does Susan have for those who currently haven’t taken their time to fully grieve?

*Though, despite the tragedy, there is a happy ending to it all.

*After the death of Susan’s parents, it really shook Susan’s perspective on life up. She realized she had lost her identity.

*Susan was doing everything for everyone else, except herself. She was the perfect mom and wife.

*Susan went back to school and divorced her husband while she was in freshman year.

*Today, Susan has her Master’s degree, but she’s also a single mom with student loans.

*This was the first time Susan had ever been alone since she was 25-years old. So, she decided to take a two-day solo backpacking trip.

*At first, Susan was very worried about her safety from another person, not an animal.

*Susan ended up getting (slightly) lost in the middle of nowhere, and she began doubting herself.

*It’s so healthy to be able to get away and unplug yourself from the world.

*It’s important to travel with intention, but it’s just as important to travel with no expectations.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Susan:

Website

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.

Lisa England embarked on her first solo trip at the age of 19, to Nepal. When Lisa visited the country, Nepal was going through a civil war at the time! Lisa just knew in heart that she had to go see this country and she had to go see it now! In fact, Lisa wanted to dive headfirst into the culture so fast, she ended up going to the hospital several times for food poisoning. Today, Lisa is in a committed relationship, and still finds ways to explore new cities solo. Discovering a new city is one of the best ways to help empower yourself, and it gives you a great refresh from the same old routine.

Key Takeaways:

*What was going on in Lisa’s life when she decided to take her first solo trip?

*What were some of Lisa’s highlights from her trip to Nepal?

*How did Lisa navigate being sick in a foreign hospital at the age of 19?

*Hospitals like Nepal do not have the same luxuries the way U.S. hospitals do, like nicely painted walls, and sugar in the medicine.

*Lisa got sick so many times because she wanted to dive right into the culture. Her friends did the same thing, and it took them about 18 months to finally get used to the food.

*How has solo travel continued to be apart of Lisa’s life, now that she’s gotten older?

*If you find yourself on a solo work trip, take advantage of it!

*Don’t be afraid to ask the locals what you should check out.

*What have been some of Lisa’s most recent trips this year?

*What are some of the top things Lisa must check out, when she’s in a new city?

*Lisa is in a relationship, how does solo travel work around that?

*More women believe that if they didn’t travel solo, they’d be a hot mess at home.

*Schedule a time for self-care! You will thank yourself for it, before you get back to your ‘usual’ routine.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Lisa:

Website Email Lisa: [email protected]

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.

Jen April has been traveling solo for the last two decades! Her most memorable and fun trip was when she embarked on a solo journey to Europe (back when the internet wasn’t a thing). Jen still continues to travel by herself, because it empowers her to reconnect and rediscover her true self. Discover more about Jen and her solo journeys, on this week’s episode!

Key Takeaways:

*What is Jen’s favorite solo travel experience? *Why did Jen travel to Europe solo?

*Travel existed before the internet. How on earth did Jen survive?

*What did Jen’s family and friends think about her traveling solo?

*As a young child from a small town, Jen just wanted to get away from all of that!

*Through our daily routines and expectations, we can often lose our sense of self.

*What has been the hardest part about solo travel for Jen?

*How has Jen’s growth transformed over the years?

*It’s so easy now to get in touch with people from a different country, because of the internet.

*What has been the hardest part of being a solo traveler?

*What advice does Jen have for women who want to solo travel, but are afraid to?

*Jen just did a solo trip to Ecuador. What’s Ecuador like?

*What’s next for Jen?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Jen:

Website Jen on 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.

Leticia, also known as Tish, Ward has been a solo traveler since 1998, but her mother always knew she had wanderlust, ever since she was a young girl. Tish is about to turn 40 this year, and to celebrate, she’s going to embark on a four month cross-country solo trip to visit several of the United States national parks, and she’ll also be visiting Belgium for two weeks, during that time. Find out how this fantastic woman empowers herself by traveling solo!

Key Takeaways:

*At the time of this recording, Tish is about to turn 40.

*Why does Tish want to take a four-month cross-country solo trip?

*Four months seems like a lot of time for a solo vacation.

*Tish has been traveling since 1998 on her own. Technology back then was definitely not the same, and your likeliness to get lost was tripled!

*Tish loves being able to pick and choose what she wants to do while traveling solo.

*How did Tish get started traveling solo?

*The world is such a small place!

*Solo traveling is perfect for introverts who want some alone time, and some socialization.

*What were some of Tish’s fears when she started?

*Unfortunately, Tish is afraid of traveling to India alone.

*How did Tish’s family react to Tish wanting to solo travel?

*Do not fear the unknown.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Connect with LaTrisha:

Website

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.

Melissa Berg took her first solo trip, at the age of 39, to a yoga retreat in Mexico. Melissa’s husband and children were shocked she was even going, but when she came back after reconnecting with herself, she was a transformed woman. Melisa’s solo vacation brought a whole new wellness to her and it inspired her to facilitate retreats for women, just like herself, to help find themselves!

Key Takeaways:

*What was going on in Melissa’s life when she decided to travel alone?

*Melissa didn’t even want to tell anybody at work that she was going to Mexico for vacation.

*Melissa was very nervous about going.

*When Melissa landed in Mexico, she was shocked! The airport there was nothing like the airport in the U.S.

*Once Melissa got to her resort, how did she shift gears? Did she still have anxiety?

*When Melissa found herself alone without her group, she went out and explored!

*Wherever you are in your life, you can always travel alone. Melissa is married with kids!

*How did Melissa’s family react when she came home? Did she feel empowered?

*When Melissa came back, she definitely felt like a transformed woman.

*When you’re researching a new place, don't just assume. Ask questions and set your intentions for the trip you’re about to go on. What do you want to gain from the solo travel experience?

*How did it feel for Melissa that she wasn’t connected to her phone for most of the trip?

*Melissa has renewed excitement for what’s going to cross her path in the future.

*Melissa is now facilitating some fantastic retreats for women to help them find themselves.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Melissa:

Website

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.

After ending a three-year relationship filled with vacation compromises, Rebecca Thompson decided, no more! She went on her first real solo trip to Aruba, to start 2017 off with a bang. It was a fantastic experience. Although she first thought she’d spend a majority of her time in solitude, that couldn’t be further from the truth. She was able to spend time with other solo travelers on the island, and experience Aruba to its fullest! As she looks towards the year, and where she wants to go to next, you can definitely tell she suffers from wanderlust!

Key Takeaways:

*Where was Rebecca in her life when she decided to take a solo trip?

*Rebecca recently got out of a three-year relationship, and was reminded of what her life looked like pre-relationship.

*Rebecca’s Christmas gift to herself was a solo vacation to Aruba.

*What was holding Rebecca back from saying, ‘yes,’ to herself?

*We’re running out of time!

*Why Aruba?

*When Rebecca thought about a solo vacation, she thought she’d experience some solitude. It was the exact opposite of that!

*Our dreams are right there, and ready for us, if we’re willing to grab them.

*What’s on Rebecca’s wishlist of places to go?

*How connected was Rebecca to her home while she was away? Was she on Facebook messaging friends?

*There’s always this fear of missing out when you’re on social media.

*Rebecca will be living in 12 countries for 12 months. You can check out her journey on her website!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Rebecca:

Website

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.

Tatiana Bredikin always believed she’d go to the Grand Canyon, but as she got older and older, she started to think that the Grand Canyon just wasn’t for her. Well, as an avid and passionate rafter, an opportunity struck, where she was able to go with only a week’s notice. The rapids at the Grand Canyon were huge and scary. The first time Tatiana saw them, she cried from fear. But she’s so glad she went through the fear, because it transformed her in the best possible way. Here’s her story!

Key Takeaways:

*Why was Tatiana drawn to the Grand Canyon?

*The Grand Canyon has been a 7-year wait list for Tatiana.

*As Tatiana got older, she thought more and more, the trip wasn’t going to happen for her.

*Although people often take a year to prepare for a trip like this, Tatiana was presented with the opportunity with only a week’s notice, and seized upon it.

*There are a variety of ways to experience the Grand Canyon.

*Tatiana felt so empowered when she started doing her own rafting trips, without the men.

*What was the group dynamic like, when she went to the Grand Canyon? Tatiana was definitely an outsider at first!

*Where was Tatiana in her life, when she decided to make the leap and trek through the Grand Canyon?

*Even though Tatiana was in a group, she really was a solo traveler because she didn’t know anyone in the group!

*Was the Grand Canyon Tatiana’s first solo travel trip?

*When Tatiana first saw the Grand Canyon rapids, she was incredibly scared. They were so big that she cried from fear.

*When you take baby steps while traveling solo, it starts to empower you.

*What was Tatiana’s first accomplishment throughout all of this?

*During an intense rapid, Tatiana flipped her boat!

*Every trip is going to be different. Sometimes you have to reach inside, and find the support you need.

*Even if you go back to the same place, you never get the same trip. The experience is always different.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Tatiana:

Website

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.

Cindy Ladder was 56 when she decided to take her first solo trip to New York. A 30-year marriage had ended and even though she has two grown boys, Cindy was lonely and wasn’t sure how she was going to move on. Going to New York for the very first time inspired a new meaning to Cindy’s life. She got to see new sights, try new things, and live life to its fullest.

Key Takeaways:

*Where was Cindy at in her life when she decided to do a solo trip?

*Who is Cindy?

*Why didn’t Cindy want anybody to travel with her?

*Why did Cindy want to travel to New York or Washington, DC?

*What did Cindy’s children say when they found out she was traveling alone? They were shocked!

*Cindy discusses the bus trip she took to NYC and the considerations she went to towards picking the bus.

*When Cindy eventually got on that bus, she was worried.

*Cindy discusses what her first trip traveling alone was like.

*Pro tip: The weather in NYC was amazing in October.

*Cindy discusses the benefits of traveling with a tour group.

*Cindy was excited. She got to ride the NYC subway. The experience was something else!

*Despite New York’s reputation for being rude, Cindy says everyone was very friendly and helpful.

*What kind of ways does Cindy stay connected with the people she met in NYC?

*Cindy was able to find a really good balance between alone time and group time.

*Who was Cindy one year ago? How has she changed?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Transformviatravel.com

Transform via Travel on Facebook

[email protected]

Lamers Tours

Connect with Cindy:

[email protected] 

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.