Until the latter part of last year, my husband and I had been diligently working our ways up our respective corporate ladders in finance (Josh) and psychology (me). Suddenly, in the summer of 2009, our worlds were turned upside down (in a great way) by an inspiring volunteer vacation on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana! Then and there, we decided to quit our day jobs and venture out, focusing on travel and volunteering as a full-time gig. We knew that friends and family would want to hear about our adventures and I have always enjoyed writing. So, it seemed fitting that I document our travels in my first attempt at a blog.
In short, the experiences we've had over the past year and a half have been motivating and life-affirming. The inspiring people we've met and the beautiful places we've visited have captured our hearts. Our trajectories have been permanently and irrevocably shifted... for the better! :)
Because of this shift, Josh and I have spent the past year trying to figure out how to continue living and working in a way that is true to our passions and our core values. We both believe that careers in the outdoor sports and/or adventure travel industries would be inspiring and fulfilling. Personally, I have been reaching out to other professionals in this field, striving to link my background and skills in behavioral psychology with my love for travel and fitness. Is it possible that turning people on to sustainable, meaningful travel experiences is the vehicle for me to 'be the change I want to see' in myself and in the world? After lots of literal and figurative searching, I may have finally found part of my answer... on a stunning beach in Costa Rica!
On our most recent jaunt, Josh and I traveled to Bahia Ballena/Uvita, a small fishing village on Costa Rica's wild Pacific coast. We had organized the trip on a whim after chatting online with the progressive, eco- and community-conscious owners of Bodhi Surf School. After learning about the amazing work that Bodhi owners Travis and Gibran were doing in their local community as well as their commitment to sustainability, we were so excited to pitch in and perhaps barter our (ever growing) volunteer skills for our very first surf lessons!
During our time in Uvita, we woke to the bright sunshine and the calls of monkeys and parrots in the trees, tried our hand at surfing with Travis and Gibran, planted trees around the town's soccer field, sampled the fresh, fabulous seafood and rubbed elbows with the hard-working locals. After just a week, we were hooked... Hooked on surfing, hooked on Bahia Ballena, hooked on the peace, simplicity and Pura Vida (pure life) we found in Costa Rica. For more on Bodhi's amazing social responsibility efforts, you're welcome to read my post about Travis and Gibran in the blog.
From the time we waved goodbye to our gracious hosts and surf instructors, I have been dreaming up ways to return to Bahia Ballena/Uvita. But more than anything, I have become committed to sharing this inspiring space and its beautiful people with others. Little did I know how quickly my dream could become a reality!
Over the past month, I have been coordinating with Travis and Gibran at Bodhi Surf School to develop a very unique surfing, yoga and behavioral life coaching retreat. You can find details about The Empowered Self - Yoga & Surf Retreat on Bodhi's website. I am SO excited to be able to provide travelers and retreat-goers with this opportunity that encompasses all my favorite things - sun, sand, adventure, fitness and the tools to make lasting life changes through behavioral psychology! My role, as the retreat leader and Behavior Coach, will be to provide retreat participants with practical tools and skills so that they are empowered to initiate lasting behavior change in their everyday lives.
On our most recent jaunt, Josh and I traveled to Bahia Ballena/Uvita, a small fishing village on Costa Rica's wild Pacific coast. We had organized the trip on a whim after chatting online with the progressive, eco- and community-conscious owners of Bodhi Surf School. After learning about the amazing work that Bodhi owners Travis and Gibran were doing in their local community as well as their commitment to sustainability, we were so excited to pitch in and perhaps barter our (ever growing) volunteer skills for our very first surf lessons!
During our time in Uvita, we woke to the bright sunshine and the calls of monkeys and parrots in the trees, tried our hand at surfing with Travis and Gibran, planted trees around the town's soccer field, sampled the fresh, fabulous seafood and rubbed elbows with the hard-working locals. After just a week, we were hooked... Hooked on surfing, hooked on Bahia Ballena, hooked on the peace, simplicity and Pura Vida (pure life) we found in Costa Rica. For more on Bodhi's amazing social responsibility efforts, you're welcome to read my post about Travis and Gibran in the blog.
From the time we waved goodbye to our gracious hosts and surf instructors, I have been dreaming up ways to return to Bahia Ballena/Uvita. But more than anything, I have become committed to sharing this inspiring space and its beautiful people with others. Little did I know how quickly my dream could become a reality!
Over the past month, I have been coordinating with Travis and Gibran at Bodhi Surf School to develop a very unique surfing, yoga and behavioral life coaching retreat. You can find details about The Empowered Self - Yoga & Surf Retreat on Bodhi's website. I am SO excited to be able to provide travelers and retreat-goers with this opportunity that encompasses all my favorite things - sun, sand, adventure, fitness and the tools to make lasting life changes through behavioral psychology! My role, as the retreat leader and Behavior Coach, will be to provide retreat participants with practical tools and skills so that they are empowered to initiate lasting behavior change in their everyday lives.
With this retreat, I have created a unique opportunity to bridge behavioral psychology with the burgeoning industries of adventure sports, eco-travel and voluntourism. I also realize that, in connecting with Bodhi Surf School, I have stumbled upon a very special group of people who are putting their passion for this planet above other personal gains. I hope to be responsible for bringing a different segment of travelers to experience the Costa Rican rainforest and marine ecosystem so that Bodhi Surf and I can inspire them toward conservation!
A renewed sense of self, a new career path, a surf retreat in Costa Rica... These amazing changes and opportunities are only possible because Josh and I chose to step outside the box. Back in the summer of 2009, we could easily have spent our week of vacation time sleeping in, eating out, watching reruns, painting the apartment... But, instead, we chose to travel to Montana.
For us, travel has been a catalyst. Travel has ushered us into all sorts of new and unexpected situations and then shut the door behind us so that we couldn't turn back. Sometimes, travel has left us feeling stranded, confused, ignorant and downright uncomfortable! But, all along, each of our journeys has helped open our eyes and introduced us to the 'us' we never knew. Travel has pushed us to be better, more gracious, more cognizant citizens of this small planet that we share. And, for that, we are eternally grateful!
In writing this blog, my hope is that readers can grasp a small glimmer of how stepping outside of the box can enhance their lives. Then, with a bit of planning and little luck, they too can leave it to travel to help them shine!
Cheers,
Meg
