THE WANDERLUSTERS MIND PODCAST

Abby Lewtas 4/6/19 Abby Lewtas 4/6/19

Learning from travel and letting life unfold with Kenan Kreis.

Kenan is a traveler who has 'been on and off the road a lot in the past 8 years. When he is “home” he spends a lot of that time on road trips in the western United States. Kenan previously worked in film as a camera man and dedicated his life to working when in the right job, he purchased a house and escaped the usual 9-5 work life now returning to souther California during summers to occasionally work. Kenan has been to around 42 countries and is now on a journey to uncovering the next chapter in his life. He believes that all humans are equal, no one better than another and that we are just one part of this great planet.

After consistently working as an editor and camera operator Kenan had the itch to travel. When a friend told him ‘you just have to make it happen’ he did and a 11 month journey unfolded.

About Kenan

Kenan is a traveller who has been on and off the road a lot in the past 8 years. When he is “home” he spends a lot of that time on road trips in the western United States. Kenan previously worked in TV & film as an editor and camera operator. He then purchased a house and escaped the usual 9-5 work life now returning to southern California during summers to occasionally work.

Kenan has been to around 42 countries and is now on a journey to uncovering the next chapter in his life. He believes that all humans are equal, no one better than another and that we are just one part of this great planet.

“You just have to do it [travel], you have to make it happen.”

— Kenan Kreis

In the episode...

Growing up Kenan travelled mainly within the States with his family.
When I met Kenan on his first solo trip.
The first time Kenan was faced with culture shock in simply having to cross a road to get his dinner.
Kenan believes that we shouldn’t hold ourselves higher than anyone else and that we are all equal.
The paradox of travel, being with people and being completely alone and how it forces you to face yourself and think about your life.
The filtered ‘best’ moments of peoples lives that you see through Instagram.
What its like to return home from travelling after such a long time away.
How travel helps you learn about yourself and is a form of personal growth.
Whoever you are around greatly influences the way you show up in your life.
How Kenan’s life has allowed him to travel so much.
‘The formula’ that Kenan feels pressures from in his life.
How Kenan leans into trusting his path despite external influences.
Looking at and learning from the good and the bad experiences of travel and your life.
Kenan describes his twin sister as being completely different to him yet when she started leaning into some travels with him she became more relaxed and started to enjoy the journey.
Kenan describes himself as very shy, yet travel has opened him up especially in social settings.

Rapid

The last place Kenan visited? Thailand
A place that Kenan tells everyone to visit? Thailand
Scariest place Kenan has travelled to? India
Kenans favourite thing about travel? Freedom
Kenans next trip? Into the inside of his mind in a Vipassana meditation practice.

Why Kenan continue to seek out travel and live abroad? Personal growth, adventure and thinking about the bigger questions in life.

“We need challenge as humans, to learn and grow.”

— Kenan Kreis

Margot Andersen - 7 years in London and returning home to help others in repatriation.

Margot spent 7 years living in London before returning 'home' to Australia approx 12 years ago. Whilst she loves being back and firmly believes she made the right decision to do so, the return journey was not quite as straightforward as she had anticipated. However it is these experiences that led her to start a network group called Insync aimed at helping repatriates reconnect as they return; as well as develop several career management and leadership programs in her consulting business to support both individuals and the organisations that they work for. She regularly writes and speaks on the topic of repatriation, global mobility and global careers and is passionate about helping people leverage the amazing experiences they have had as they return ‘home’.

Margot moved to London on a working visa and ended up staying there for 7 years. She faced challenges returning to the professional world when returning home before establishing her own successful business.

About Margot

Margot spent 7 years living in London before returning 'home' to Australia approx. 12 years ago. Whilst she loves being back and firmly believes she made the right decision to do so, the return journey was not quite as straightforward as she had anticipated.

However it is these experiences that led her to start a network group called Insync aimed at helping repatriates reconnect as they return; as well as develop several career management and leadership programs in her consulting business to support both individuals and the organisations that they work for.

She regularly writes and speaks on the topic of repatriation, global mobility and global careers and is passionate about helping people leverage the amazing experiences they have had as they return ‘home’.

“We are all hardwired to connect and belong and contribute and when we cant see it for ourself its very difficult to ask others to help us on that journey.”

— Margot Andersen

When coming home...

Challenges and Emotions Margot faced - Re-establishing herself in the professional world and in her career. Losing confidence and momentum in certain areas of her life.
How Margot supported herself - Spent time with people who understood the journey she was going through. Participated in short courses. Got involved in the local community.
Points about mindset - Get clear about why you want to come home
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

You can do more than you think you can - the magic is on the edge of your comfort zone.
Things wont always go 100% to plan.
I want a rich, full life, there is an enormous world out there to go and appreciate but you have to decide what we want and go after it

Advise to herself for returning home - Plan, aknowledge why you have come home and connect with others.

“Patience hasn’t been a big thing and we have to learn to be a little bit patient.”

— Margot Andersen

Michelle Legge - 3 years 'leggin it' on a motorcycle through Europe

Michele Legge and her husband Ron are a West Australian couple in their 50s who decided not to wait until they retired to have a big travel adventure.

They spent 3 years motorbiking couch surfing house sitting and slow travelling around Europe. Michele welcome to the show and thank you for joining me.

Slow traveling with only 9kg lead and taking time to do the things you enjoy.

About Michele

Michele Legge and her husband Ron are a West Australian couple in their 50s who decided not to wait until they retired to have a big travel adventure.

They spent 3 years motorbiking couch surfing house sitting and slow travelling around Europe.

“I dont feel guilty just sitting and drinking coffee and doing whatever!”

— Michele Legge

When coming home...

Emotions Michele faced - Suffered with the idea of consumerism as she only travelled with 9kg. Realised she didn't need all this 'stuff.'
What had changed - Not much really Michele realised how important her female friendships were.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

Don't spent your life asking 'what if.'
Life is short so don't take your health for granted.
No adventure is better than any other.

Advise to herself for returning home - Things will sort themselves out. Tears won't change anything.

“You cant get time back and its important to take time to do the things you really like doing.”

— Michele Legge

Amanda Kendle - 5.5 years of teaching English aboard.

Amanda is a lifelong travel addict who has lived and worked in Japan, Slovakia and Germany before returning to her hometown of Perth, Western Australia. She runs a travel blog at NotABallerina.com and is the host of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, all about how beneficial travel can be for us in so many ways. She lives with her seven-year-old son and two cats and is always on the lookout for excuses to take her son travelling.

Five and a halve years of teaching English in Japan, Slovakia and Germany to travel blogger and podcast host.

About Amanda

“I always think about a Christmas I spent in Tunisia in Northern Africa. I went there by accident as it was the only place that had available flights left.”

— Amanda Kendle

When coming home...

Emotions Amanda faced - Resistance, hard work.
What had changed - Many friends had left, no friends from home wanted to hear about her trip, missed out on pop culture for 5 years so just couldn't relate to those around her. Couldn't contribute to the 'normal' conversations and didn't feel like she could fit in.
Biggest stress - Fitting back in with her friends, cost of living due to mining boom in Perth.
How Amanda supported herself - Having the job and Friends from the english learning school. Once she had children she found common ground with old friends as she was at a similar stage of life. Started a travel blog and looked and started planing for more travel.
How did her mindset change - Didn't want to have a 'liner' career path. Money became less important. Much more open minded.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

Get outside of your comfort zone.
Adaptability.
Open minded and empathetic to others.

Advise to herself for returning home - Step back and remember to be empatheic to those around me.

“I realised how much I had grown from travelling and that I really wanted to give that to other people.”

— Amanda Kendle

LINKS

Website: notaballerina.com and amandakendle.com

Amandas Instagram: @amandakendle

Facebook: NotABallerina

Twitter: @amandakendle

Pinterest @amandatravels

The thoughtful travel podcast

The Thoughtful Travel Podcast features chats with travel writers, photographers, travel bloggers and other travel lovers about topics centered around why we love traveling and what we learn from it. Abby featured in episodes