Jenny Pao - How Scent Helps You Find Your Center in Life and Travel

Jenny Pao is the Founder of the aromatherapy and wellness company Nectar Essences. She believes anything you love including plants will love you back. 

I never leave home without her oils. They help me ground even when I am traveling between time zones. Jenny talks about how essential oils and flower essences can boost immunity and even fight viruses when we travel. 

Jenny also talks about how flowers are wise magical tools and friends that can help us when we need a lift when we’re on the road. We are all spirits that are blossoming like a flower, after all. 

You can read about Nectar Essences here: https://www.nectaressences.com/

And be sure to follow my adventures on Instagram to never miss an episode: @jenninecohen

Music provided by Namorados da Lua: https://www.namoradosdalua.com/

Susie Crippen - Co-Founder of J-Brand Jeans - How to Trust that You Know

Susie Crippen and I met while on safari in Kenya, a place she’s been coming back to for years and now calls it home. Susie started her career as a stylist, and at 38, went on to start the luxury denim company J-Brand. After successfully selling the company, Susie transformed her life yet again, starting a fashion company that uses local textiles and supporting women in Uganda. In our interview, she talks about finding the balance between the healthy ego and discovering the soul’s path.

You can learn more about Susie's dress and social impact company here:  https://thisis4.com/  

And be sure to follow my adventures on Instagram to never miss an episode: @jenninecohen

Music provided by Namorados da Lua: www.namoradosdalua.com

Luca Borghesio - Luxury Safari Camp Owner and Conservation Pioneer - Living as a Contrarian

It really began in the 60’s, when a 4 year old Luca Borghesio wanted to impress his dad and slept all alone in a tent in the family Italian vineyards. He wanted to prove he could go on safari!

Luca came to Kuku Group Ranch, the Maasai 283,000 acres reservation where Campi ya Kanzi is, in 1975 when he was just 11 years old.

Twenty years later he came back with his then-girlfriend; now wife, Antonella.

Together they engaged the local Maasai landlords and formed a unique partnership, creating the community-owned lodge Campi ya Kanzi.

More than 20 years and 3 kids (Lucrezia, born 2002, Jacopo born 2007 and Lorenzo, born 2009) later, this is their home and they share it with Campi ya Kanzi guests. Together with amazing Maasai who with them built the lodge, like Parashi, Matasha, Samson, Pashiet, Lengou… and host the guests with Luca and Antonella.

As Campi ya Kanzi is a partnership with the local community, by choosing it for your African safari, you will not only enjoy a unique and pristine wilderness and amazing wildlife, but you’ll actively protect them and help the Maasai community.

You can learn more about Luca and Campi ya Kanzi by visiting: https://maasai.com/

Music provided by Namorados da Lua: www.namoradosdalua.com

John Reeve Moller - Kenyan Safari Guide - How to Relax the Soul

John Reeve Moller’s childhood dream was to be a guide, and he’s been living that dream for over 30 years now. His zeal for wildlife, wild places, and the tribes of Africa keep his passion for his work alive.

Born and raised in Kenya, he has worked in Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Botswana to name a few, and has run camps in Iraq and Afghanistan, building invaluable experience in remote and extreme environments.

‘What I love about wild game and its habitats is that every day is a different story. The wilderness and the wildlife are nature’s own author: you read that story from dawn to dusk, and yet it never repeats itself. You learn something different on a daily basis. The ‘early morning news’ is the tracks and signs left from the night before… That tells you what is near you, what has passed, and what is about to happen. It is an exciting and fulfilling occupation, one which I am passionate about, one which I live for. Having the privilege of sharing that with others simply adds to the experience.’

He loves taking long walks in far-flung places, and being a larger-than-life character with a past of beautiful and incredible experiences to draw on, he will always add something special to your time with him. It is an exciting odyssey being guided by John, and one that you’ll never forget.

Music provided by Namorados da Lua: www.namoradosdalua.com
 

Toby Strong - Emmy Award Winning Cinematographer - How to Maintain the Magic of Our Wild Lives

Toby Strong is a multi EMMY and BAFTA award-winning cinematographer. He has worked on most of the BBC’s landmark wildlife and documentary series in recent years. Having filmed in over 80 countries and on every continent, Toby is used to producing top-end images in the harshest environments, from mountains to deserts, to jungles and oceans. 

You can see some of Toby’s images on Instagram: @Tobystrong1 

You can find Toby’s website at: https://www.tobystrong.com/  

Music provided by Namorados da Lua: www.namoradosdalua.com

Rachel Payne - Recovering CEO - On the Magic of Surrendering to the Unknown

Rachel Payne is the most powerful and potent woman I know. Rachel is a tech entrepreneur, inventor, philanthropist, executive, former congressional candidate, and self-proclaimed recovering CEO. She recently sold her company, Fem Inc, an AI platform for media and entertainment companies. She’s a great friend and we recently returned from an epic sailing and white-water rafting trip together in Patagonia.

“It isn’t about comparing one day to another. It’s about letting those places occupy a space in your heart and in your mind, so whatever joy you drew from that experience stays with you.”

Twitter: @rachelpayne

Learn more about The Everyday Magic Project: www.everydaymagicproject.com

Music provided by Namorados da Lua: www.namoradosdalua.com

Terry Owens-Alvarez - WHite Water Rafting Maven - On Living Half the Year on the River and How to Have Courage to Start Again

Terry Owens-Alvarez is an interior designer based out of Truckee, California, who spends nearly half of her year in a remote part of Patagonia on the Futaleufú River overseeing Bio Bio Expeditions headquarters with her husband, Lorenzo.

“I never wanted my life to be ordinary…I wanted an extraordinary life. Don’t be afraid. Take risks. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“We like to incorporate into our lives things from our travel that keep us bonded together. The little tricks we use to get to know our guests, we use them at home too. At dinner, we always talk about the highs and the lows of the day”

Learn more about Bio Bio Expeditions’ amazing trips here: www.bbxrafting.com

Yossi Ghinsberg - The Art of Survival in Our Everyday Live

Yossi Ghinsberg is an Israeli adventurer, author, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and motivational speaker. He’s most known for his survival story when he was lost in an uncharted part of the Bolivian Amazon. Yossi’s book about the experience, Jungle has been published in 20 different languages and was recently turned into a movie.  

He’s shared the stage with world leaders such as Bill Clinton, Richard Branson, Nassim Taleb, Wayne Dyer, and many other luminaries.

Yossi has delivered hundreds of Keynotes around the world about bringing Amazon survival skills to businesses.

“It easy to be a hero on an adventure – when adversity arises when the situation demands it, To be a hero in the day to day is unnatural. To rise above the mundane is extraordinary.”

You can learn more about Yossi and his work here: https://ghinsberg.com/ 

Music provided by Namorados da Lua: www.namoradosdalua.com

Zarina Kopyrina - Neoshamanism From Siberian Russia

Zarina Kopyrina is a musician, shaman, and healer from Yakutia in Russia’s Northern Siberia. She’s the most radiant woman I’ve ever met, and she seems to carry with her a pure white light from the North.

Zarina is the founder and creator of the Olox Neoshamanism project which brings together ancient and modern technologies to maintain a balance between the ‘three worlds’. Zarina channels animals and their sounds and teaches us how to call forth their spirit. My favorite sound that Zarina has taught me is the reindeer breath, which helps the reindeer with their energy as they migrate across the Arctic.

“It’s all about consciousness. When I go to do something, I remember that I’m a Yakutian girl, and I’m responsible for each movement I make and each word I say. Everything is a kind of ritual. This is especially true in crowded spaces and cities where it’s hard to be centered. I remind myself about my roots and my ancestors and it brings me back to my center, to my happy childhood, and to my homeland”.

Learn more about Olox, their music, and tour schedule at: www.olox.life

Music provided by Namorados da Lua: www.namoradosdalua.com

Kristjan Kristjánsson - Icelandic Blues Legend - Insights From a Tiny Fishing Boat in Reykjavik

I met Kristjan in Reykjavik, Iceland where he invited us onto his tiny fishing boat for a ride around the bay. Kristján Kristjánsson also known as KK (pronounced Kao Kao) is an Icelandic blues and folk musician. KK was born in the US, but later moved to Iceland with his family. He attended music school in Malmö, Sweden for four years and then played his way across Europe from 1985 until 1990, when he returned to Iceland. He has been nominated for the Gríma Prize twice and has been awarded the Icelandic Music Prize twice In 2007 he toured to Shanghai with Magnús Eiríksson ("Maggi") and Óttar Felix Hauksson in advance of the release of their next recording there and in Iceland. In 2010 he played with his band at the World Expo in Shanghai, representing Iceland.

KK talks about having the courage to accept the things you cannot change, and about the importance of meditation.

"Whatever you are looking for, you’re going to find it. Everything you do in life, if you do it with passion, you are going to succeed. It doesn’t matter what you do, do it with heart, because the heart understands the heart’."

You can learn more about KK and find his music here: kk.is

Nahuel Alonso - How to Release the Ego and Get Comfortable with the Uncertain and How Five Minutes of Nothing Can Give You a Life of Everything

Nahuel Alonso, founder of Esencia Patagonia believes that nature is life, and if we pay close attention to it, we will connect to it, in order to connect more deeply to ourselves. Nahuel lives in and grew up in Bariloche, Argentina, where he creates magical experiences, creating some of the most memorable experiences. In this episode, Nahuel talks about how to ‘flow in the uncertain’.

“To learn something, first you have to unlearn something and not know all of the answers. Five minutes of ‘nothing’ each day, can bring you a life of everything to be your real self. When things arrive to you at the right time, it’s like a domino effect. I really believe in the power of manifestation. And then you are surfing. We are all energy and we are all connected.”

You can learn more about Nahuel and Esencia Travel here: http://www.esencia.travel/

Instagram: @nahuelpatagonia

Flin McDonald - Feng Shui Consultant and Energetic Douser - How to Have a Spacious State of Mind

In this episode, I sit down with Flin McDonald – energetic douser and pioneering Feng Shui consultant. Flin teaches us about how to be aware of and how to read energy to connect deeply to ourselves, plants, and animals no matter where we are in the world. Flin and I just took an amazing trip to Patagonia and Antarctica where she taught me how to introduce myself to any new land in order to have a higher consciousness, create a peaceful connection, and tread lightly.

Learn more about The Everyday Magic Project: www.everydaymagicproject.com

Follow my adventures on Instagram: @jenninecohen

Music provided by Namorados da Lua: https://www.namoradosdalua.com/

Sunniva Sorby - Polar Explorer - How to Live Like a Traveler in Your Own Neighborhood

Sunniva Sorby is a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and was a part of the first historic Women’s South Pole Expedition in 1992-1993. She’s also an expedition leader and public speaker and has been to Antarctica countless times. Sunniva is about to embark on her newest project, Hearts in the Ice where she will conduct a citizen science campaign in the Arctic to raise awareness about climate change. She will live in a trapper’s cabin in Bamsebu, Svalbard, Norway for 9 months which includes the winter where she will be in complete darkness.

“I know it sounds silly, but I try to pretend that I’m a visitor, even in my own neighborhood. It’s just a part of my energy and makes me show up places grateful for the randomness for the people around me or where I end up”.

Check out about Sunniva’s project Hearts in the Ice: www.heartsintheice.com

Ben Stookesberry - Expeditionary Kayaker - On Finding Purpose in Between Adventures

This episode was recorded just after midnight along the banks of the Futaleufu River, in Southern Chile with world-renowned adventure kayaker Ben Stookesberry.

Ben has taken his kayak around the world in search of big water and first descents. He has logged more than 70 of them in 15 different countries and is also a photographer, filmmaker and the founder of Clear H2O Films. Stookesberry’s documentary Kadoma, which showcases the many perils of kayaking the remote Lukuga River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A 2016 expedition took him on a 46-day crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap in search of never-before-paddled rivers that end in the Arctic Ocean. This adventure is depicted in the film Into Twin Galaxies.

You can follow Ben on Instagram: @benstookesberry

And check out Ben’s adventures here.

Anthony Sandberg - Founder and President of OCSC Sailing - Why Deep Listening Matters More Then Relating

Anthony Sandberg is a lifelong sailor, adventurer, entrepreneur and the owner of OCSC Sailing - the world’s premier sailing school. He’s also one of my closest friends and we just traveled together around Chile, Argentina, and Antarctica for a month.

In this episode, you’ll learn about how Anthony has found an incredible amount of success and his business and his life. His secrets? Be present, surround yourself with your tribe, make time to mentor, stop multi-tasking by getting your ‘butt in a chair to do the work’, and get clear on what you want and then make it happen.

You can learn more about Anthony and OCSC here.

Daniel Fox

What is your everyday magic?
I find magic in the little things and the unexpected. I find magic in the mystery, the complexity, and the beauty of Nature - including us, since we are a product of nature. Life is not easy. Life is not fair. It is not meant to be fair. It is not meant to be perfect. It is meant to be lived, to learn and grow from it. There is something so profoundly peaceful, magical, and spiritual, once you have accepted the journey of Life, the dynamics of Life.

What strategy and tactics to you utilize to live your best life?
STOP BREATHE RELAX LISTEN
It is my most powerful mantra. Its purpose is to create a place where I can ground myself and not get caught up in the craziness that is around. STOP and create boundaries. BREATHE and get a new perspective. RELAX and welcome clarity. LISTEN, not with your ears but with your heart and mind so that you can open yourself to the signs Life is giving you, the guidance it is showing you. These 4 words have helped me manage my way out of challenging and struggling situations. They have giving me a way to connect with life, with the world, and with others. By following them, I have come to understand who we are, individually and collectively, how we learn, grow and adapt.

PERSPECTIVE
Everything is about perspective. There is so much more to what we see, hear and know. There are treasures, worlds of wonder that remain hidden, away from our existence, away from our consciousness. Not because they are unreachable and unattainable, but only because we let ourselves be blinded by limited perspectives, by strict and rigid cultural narratives that limit our well being. When I look up to the sky, I see the clouds that hide the blue sky behind. When I do see the blue sky, I am blinded of the Universe that lays beyond. At night, when I look up and marvel at the sky saturated with stars, the gargantuan and unimaginable world of wonders that exist beyond, outside of our realm of comprehension, still remains hidden to me. When I look at someone, despite being able to see them, touch them, and feel them, what is inside of them, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually is a complete mystery. Understanding perspective is creating humility. And humility brings mindfulness. 

GUILT
There is no need to shame the human race with guilt, constantly pointing the finger at ourselves on how bad of a species we are and have been. How could we do the things we have done in the past? Simple, we did them because in that moment we thought it was best. Some of them were good and some turned out to be real bad. And that is ok. We learn through feeling the consequences of our actions. And now we are feeling them. But remember, change is hard. Nobody wants change. The reason why we are 7 billions on the planet is not because we are a bad species, but because we are extremely good at learning from our mistakes, we rise in face of challenges, we shine and figure our way out when the shit hits the fan. This is who we are, this is what we do. this is what life is about. That said, not feeling guilty doesn’t take away responsibility and accountability. 

What are your top 3 tips for success?

1. Never Stop Exploring (yourself, life, knowledge, etc)

2. Don’t feel guilty! Come to peace with who you are, with your past and the decisions you made.

3. Don’t envy! It is never greener next door. We all have our own baggage, we all have issues and insecurities. Stop believing you don’t have what is needed to be at peace and successful.
   PS. Be of integrity, all the way across. Don’t be a hypocrite.

What one book do you want to give everyone you know because you believe it has the power to change lives?

Nature is the best book in the world. You can look anywhere and see/read something that will change your life. That said, there are 3 books that for me are classic and should be read by everyone. 

1. The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

2. The Spell of the Sensuous, by David Abrams

3. Feel the Wild, by me, Daniel Fox (yes I do believe my book has the power to change lives!)

About Daniel

Daniel Fox is a Solo Wilderness Explorer, Awarded Photographer, Inspirational Speaker, Published Author, Artist-in-Residence, and Social Agent of Change, who uses his photos, videos, and stories to inspire the public to experience nature as a framework, mindset, and mentor for personal transformation. He believes in the Power of Nature to Nurture, Awaken, Transcend, Uplift, Restore and Elevate the human spirit.  He is the founder of W.I.L.D., an initiative that raises funds to send underprivileged youth to wilderness immersion camps. He is a FUJIFILM X-Photographer, a SanDisk Extreme Team Member, Kokatat and AquaLung Ambassador.

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Kelly English

What is my everyday magic?
That's an easy one.  The fact that I have every day!  I open my eyes, I'm healthy, happy and have friends and family in my life that I love and care about.  EDM - appreciating what I've got and acknowledging that I am so happy and so fortunate to be where I am.  Sounds cheesy, but it's true.  Happiness is the new rich, right? I'm loaded.

What strategy and tactics do I utilize to live my best life?

• The number one has many different adages: "Don't cry over spilled milk."  "Don't sweat the small stuff" on and on.  Life is too short to let little things get to you.  I don't let much get to me and I think that keeps me exponentially happier than people who let small stuff bother them.  The big picture is what matters (health, family, friends, happiness).

• Do what I love, not what I should do to make more money (sometimes this means working less and spending less $).

• Forgive.  Life is too short to hold a grudge.

• Spend as much time as I can outdoors.

• I tell my family and boyfriend I love them every time I talk to them.  Many of my friends too, actually.

• BE PRESENT.  It's easy, just engage curiosity.

• Be alone.  Though I can be an incredibly social creature, I like to hibernate now and then.

• I love to travel, but I LOVE being home and relish every moment.  I have so much fun tinkering around in my house.  Learning to mount shelves, though less glamorous, can be as much as an adventure as hiking in the high Andes of Colombia alone.  Just depends on your attitude.  

Top 3 tips for success:

1. Give yourself time in the morning.  Whatever that means to you.  When I'm working on the field, I like to run or stretch and have a big coffee before I start my day.  This means that my day is so much less frantic and early questions don't stress me out.  I wouldn't call myself a "morning person", but I relish a little bit of time to center myself after the rise and shine.  When I'm at home, I spend time making the perfect coffee, then sit down to get work done so I can have a clear-headed mid-morning work out.

2. Find something you can do that creates a meditative state.  For me, it's running.  I can get so much sorted out in my brain when I go for a run and the endorphin kick just helps with my general state of happiness.  I was injured for 2 months, so turned to yoga (with a bit of biking)...It wasn't quite as effective for me because I had to concentrate so hard on not falling over, but I know it's great for many folks.  Same with plain old fashioned meditation.  I truly believe that having a ritual of some sort to clear your head makes you a more sane, more rational, more forgiving, more introspective person. My businesses were born on runs.

3. Don't be afraid of rejection.  The worse they can say is "no."  As long as you're prepared for the worst and hoping for the best, a "no" will never be the end-all of anything.  I always use the words "cautiously optimistic" when it comes to many aspects in life.  

Favorite Books (I can't limit it to just one!):

1. Fountainhead: encapsulates independence, individuality and perseverance.  Roark shrugs off norms and trail blazes despite negative press.

2. Count of Monte Cristo: not because I'm a huge fan of spending a lifetime planning revenge, but the story is just so good and the bad guys get their asses kicked such a strategically awesome way that you just can't put the thing down.

3. One Hundred Years of Solitude: so metaphorically pertinent to today.

4. Travels with Charley: Steinbeck's well-written diary of a road trip has so many current themes even though  it was written in 1960.  It's a great read and a great reminder to engage strangers in order to learn about different parts of the US.  

About Kelly
Born and raised California, I was always curious as to what lay outside the border.  College in Boulder, Colorado, a few years abroad and a semi-nomadic lifestyle have provided me with many adventures and endless stories. I've worked in active travel, reality TV travel and now run by own companies.  

It took me awhile to discover that happiness comes from within and it doesn't live in some foreign land.  Now I spend every minute I can on my houseboat in Sausalito trying out new business ideas, filling my brain with knowledge and attempting (and usually failing) home improvement projects.

As it turns out, adventures manifested themselves in my life in a myriad of ways including:

• 54 countries visited

• 2.5 languages spoken (English, French, .25 Japanese, .25 Spainsh)

• 26 full marathons run

• 2 companies started (one successfully up and running for 7 years, one brand new)

• 1 year in corporate america

• 11 years working for Backroads, an active travel company

• 10 seasons working on Survivor

• 2 natural disasters of epic proportions survived (quake of '89 and tsunami of '04)

• Countless freckles

Russel Zink

What is your everyday magic?

• Discovering context, logic and connections between people, music art, society, and nature

• Being honest

• Figuring out how to simultaneously contribute and have fun

• Seeing the humor in everything

• Being inspired by everyday heroics

What strategy and tactics to you utilize to live your best life?

• Have goals and deliverables that are tangible

• Prioritize getting the most important things done by being organized and reflecting which allows for a surplus of time to just enjoy life

• Get enough exercise and eat well for clarity

• Focus on the good and the potential to make it happen

• Consider opportunity costs to make the best decisions

• Be mindful of other people's time

What are your top 3 tips for success?

1. Ask lots of engaged questions and be curious of yourself and others

2. Use inductive reasoning to assess trend/direction/opportunities - and be comfortable with risk

3. Be generous with your energy and gifts

What one book do you want to give everyone you know because you believe it has the power to change lives?

"Being Peace" by Thich Nhat Hanh - very absorbable, can calm almost any monkey brain down

About Russ
I'm number four of five siblings. My mother was a pianist & teacher and my father was a physicist. I am so lucky to have one intergalactically-amazing adult daughter a wonderful, kind and generous partner.

I love the outdoors & nature nature, music, dogs, art, gardening, and architecture. With a background in Information & Business Strategy development along with alignment & implementation, I enjoy geeking out on structured change, problem solving.

I value everyday heroes, kindness & creativity, leadership & communication.

Ivy Lee

What is your everyday magic?

My everyday magic begins the moment I open my eyes. I greet the new day of life with a smile, look over and give my partner a good morning kiss. It is this inherent gratitude for each moment that I root in to be present throughout the day. When I am present, I am more aware of the magic happening around me. My senses are open and I can delight in simple beauty and abundant pleasure. My perspective is open and I can recognize the happiness, blessing, lesson, and humor in what’s going on, no matter what the situation is. I have experienced the most impressive everyday magic happen when something initially perceived to be as unfortunate turns out to be wonderfully fortunate. All is possible when I am fully present in the moment, rooted in gratitude, and open.

What strategy and tactics do you utilize to live your best life?

My best life is achieved by acknowledging that I am responsible for my own happiness and freedom, and aligning my life choices accordingly. I have made big life decisions in moving to a different city or different country, switching a job from one industry to another, leaving a lucrative corporate career to pursue a passion and calling, ending or mending or creating relationships. I don’t let fear hold me back. We often have fear of change, fear of unknown, fear of not having money, fear of failing, fear of rejection, fear of being alone. I don’t let the doubts in my mind overshadow the ways in which my spirit yearns to expand and evolve. I believe that I am most courageous when I listen to my heart, and I am most happy when my heart is full.

What are your top 3 tips for success?

1. Self-care every day.

2. Learn continuously.

3. Give generously.

What one book do you want to give everyone you know because you believe it has the power to change lives?

There are so many books that I love. Here is one: “Peace Is Every Step” by Thich Nhat Hanh.

About Ivy

Ivy Lee is an acupuncturist, healer, teacher, and wellness mentor. She is versed in various modalities including acupuncture, herbal medicine, essential oils, bodywork, yoga, breathwork, meditation, visualization, sound vibration, and energy work. Her healing sessions are integrative and transformative in balancing and aligning the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. Her teachings and intuitive guidance on wellness cultivation and strategic life design help to elevate the quality of health, career, and relationships. She is grateful to receive wisdom from Buddhism, Daoism, Tantra, universal consciousness, and life experience. She is based in Oakland, California, and travels throughout the world.

For information about sessions with Ivy, contact luminaewellness@gmail.com

Michaela Trimble

What is your everyday magic?

Simply waking up every day is magic in itself. In my job as a freelance travel writer, I usually wake up in many different destinations within a month's time. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I give myself at least 30 minutes for a self-care ritual. It kick-starts my day in the best way possible!

What strategy and tactics to you utilize to live your best life?

I often battle with the lack of balance in my life. I'm constantly traveling, always on the road, and I find this can throw off my rhythm if I'm not careful. An essential tool for my well-being is to continuously focus on the positives. Do I get lonely on the road? Sure. Do I miss my family and loved ones? Of course. But do I adore my job and this opportunity I've been given? Definitely! To equalize this, my mother and I have a ritual. Each evening, we text each other three things we're thankful for in our day. It may sound silly and small, but this makes me look for the positives of my day. It really helps elevate the thoughts I let in my brain!

What are your top 3 tips for success?

I'm usually on the road most of the year, and I have a tried-and-true formula that keeps me in balance no matter where life takes me. I begin my day with a music meditation using the Dreamcatcher playlist on Spotify; the songs are by acclaimed Native American artists who perform flute music. It's totally ethereal, and it connects me with the Earth and my own basis of spirituality. I find this very easy to incorporate into my day, as I let the music play in the background while I'm flowing through my morning routine. I travel with a small pack of essential oils. I pick and choose scents and make morning combinations based on my mood. This self-care act feels luxurious and serves as a moment of nourishment. Finally, I try to get some form of exercise every day. Most of my trips and stories tend to be active in nature, so this is quite easy for me, but even on my off days, I try to get my heart rate up. It makes me an all-around happier, more balanced person.

What one book (or movie) do you want to give everyone you know because you believe it has the power to change lives?

Whether within my personal life or my career, I find it easy to get caught up in the day-to-day minutia of life. I try to read Don Miguel Ruiz's Four Agreements at least every year; it helps me take a step back and find perspective in difficult situations. It's like hitting a life reset button. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the four agreements include: be impeccable with your word; don't take anything personally; don't make assumptions; always do your best. When I incorporate his practices, it helps me eliminate self-limiting beliefs that can rob me of everyday magic!

About Michaela

Michaela is a contributor for Vogue, Travel + Leisure, GQ, Men's Journal, National Geographic, Robb Report, AFAR, Conde Nast Traveller UK, Hemispheres, American Way, Rhapsody, Outside, and more. Based in South Florida, she's a South America expert who travels the world to report on inspiring, impactful adventures. In addition to travel writing and photography, she consults with brands to build their content strategy through digital and creative direction. She has been to all seven continents, and my passion to explore the world knows no end.