THE WANDERLUSTERS MIND PODCAST

Abby Lewtas 12/3/19 Abby Lewtas 12/3/19

Stepping into her passion after travelling the world with Chloe Santarossa.

Chloe Santarossa is a Holistic health coach, yoga teacher & personal trainer. She believes that life is meant to be lived to the absolute fullest! Along side health and fitness, she loves to travel and live freely enjoying life and everything it has to offer. It is Chole’s mission to inspire you to live a life full of passion so that you are motivated to jump out of bed everyday feeling amazing with the confidence to do anything your heart desires. She is here to empower you in making healthy sustainable choices through full body nourishment so you can feel strong, sexy and confident.

Chloe started travelling the world after a break up and after returning home and dabbling in a few jobs she decided to set up her own health and wellness business.

About Chloe

Chloe Santarossa is a Holistic health coach, yoga teacher & personal trainer. She believes that life is meant to be lived to the absolute fullest! Along side health and fitness, she loves to travel and live freely enjoying life and everything it has to offer.

It is Chole’s mission to inspire you to live a life full of passion so that you are motivated to jump out of bed everyday feeling amazing with the confidence to do anything your heart desires. She is here to empower you in making healthy sustainable choices through full body nourishment so you can feel strong, sexy and confident.

Chole set off on her first soul searching adventure after ending a long term relationship. She headed for Europe and her travels unfolded from there.

“Just do it [Travel] because you will not regret it at all.”

— Chole Santarossa

In the episode...

After coming out of a long term relationship, Chloe went on a soul searching journey to rediscover herself, which she confesses, in the beginning, her intention was just to party and have fun meeting new people.
How easy it is to meet like minded people and talk about common interests.
Chloe and I met in Central America.
Having an intention when you travel and a way to give back.
Chloe went on a 26hour bus ride to work on a conservation project deep in the amazon. They had to trek into the project, crossing 14 rivers along the way and lived in a cage, hiding from monkeys in an extremely primal and unique way.
Travelling meant she had to step outside her comfort zone and face her fears many times having to figure out ‘little things’ like boarder crossings, language barriers, currency etc. Its all about working towards an end goal. This mimics life as there are so many times when you are faced with uncertainty and fearful situations that you need to push through to reach the end goal.
The fear mongers that scare you when you are going to travel on your own or to a country slightly different.
Staying smart when travelling, you can avoid many problems that a lot of people face.
Live a life thats inspiring and passionate. Have a career and community that you are passionate about and that you are excited to come home to.
Chloe worked through my life coaching program where she had an incredible transformation which reignited her spirit to set up a life which she is passionate about and doesn’t have to ‘run away’ and travel all the time.
We are the creators of our lives if you are willing to do the work, hold the vision in your mind and keep taking the steps towards what you want.
Chloe now travels for a month at a time with her partner. They have relationship goals and always sets and intention and purpose for their travels.
You can choose to live a life that inspires you.
Chloe was excited to come home and tell all her friends and family about her travels but realised that they had not had the same experiences that she had and it would be difficult to have those conversations. She also felt lost and unable to find her place.
Its ok to outgrow people, look for the people that have similar interests, attend workshops so you can up-skill yourself.
Chloe’s advise to people who are holding back about having travels and adventures - Just do it as you will not regret it. It will help you to have more confidence and expand your experiences that will later help you in your life.

Rapid fire round

What was the last place you visited? Egypt
A place you tell everyone to visit? Croatia, Switzerland, Central America, Colombia, Brazil
Scariest place travelled to? San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Your favourite thing about travel? The freedom to decide what you want to do and the experiences you want to have.
Wheres your next trip? Sri Lanka & The Maldives

Why Chloe continues to seek out travel and adventure? Being fulfilled!

“We are all fearful of certain things and I think a little bit of fear is good, and when you overcome that it helps you grow as a person.”

— Chole Santarossa

Connecting with people to really understand cultures with Claudia Neiman

Claudia is an organised creative which, although may sound oxymoronic, means that she is able to address problems in a open way and is willing to turn things upside down if that makes the most sense. Claudia is passionate about learning and the environment and her goal in life is to be happy (happiness is defined both by fulfilment and the ability to enjoy this feeling).

Claudia has travelled to many different cultures and spent a lot of time living in Spain. She is not in Finland working on projects surrounding cultural differences around the world.

About Claudia

“If you are going to experience other cultures, you are going to experience culture shock and if you don’t, its like learning how to swim without water.”

— Claudia Neiman

In the episode...

Claudia has travelled to many countries with differing cultures.
Claudia felt outside of her comfort zone when she was in Brazil and decided to hitchhike and got into a car with a local.
She spend her first day in class in Spain with the teacher stereotyping Americans.
You have to really understand the culture, you really have to spend quite a bit of time in that place.
The real reason Claudia travels is for the people, the food, the experience that is like nothing that she has had before.
How travel teaches you that there are so many different ways of doing things, not only one way!
Claudia’s biggest insight and learning from travel is seeing how we are all connected and how we can get to know people even if we dont speak their language.
Until we actually connect and have conversations with people we actually have no idea about their lives and their culture.
If you haven’t had the experience of being a foreigner in another country, its really hard to know how difficult it can be to be judged for how you look, your race, sexual orientation, gender etc
Claudia attempts to understand many different perspectives and be open to other peoples opinions.
Travel has taught Claudia that we are all just looking for the place where we fit in.
When everyone follows their own path and does their own things, it makes like interesting.
Travel is what YOU make it! Whatever feels right for you can be the basis of your travels. Do what FEELS good for you.
How travel should not just be about bucket lists and ticking a box.

Rapid fire round

What was the last place you visited? Cordoba, Spain
A place you tell everyone to visit? Granada, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal
Scariest place travelled to? Has not really travelled to “scary” places but has had scary moments in Rio, Brazil.
Your favourite thing about travel? Treating herself, people and food.
Wheres your next trip? Scandinavian trip….Sweden, Estonia, Iceland.

Why Claudia continues to seek out travel and adventure?

“The biggest reason that I travel is to put myself out there, to meet other people, but also to question these ideas that I have about myself and who I am and how I see the world.”

— Claudia Neiman

Learning from the French by finding joy in 'living' with Alex Morton.

Alex, 25, is a self-proclaimed lifelong explorer who has started her own website design business, Alex Morton Creative, to achieve her dream of working remotely from anywhere in the world. Over on her blog, she delves deep into life- and entrepreneurial stories, and she loves meeting and connecting with other female travellers, business owners, and wanderlusters.

Alex moved to France to study abroad and returned to California for University. She knew this trip was not the ‘be all and end all’ of her travels.

About Alex

Alex, 25, is a self-proclaimed lifelong explorer who has started her own website design business, Alex Morton Creative, to achieve her dream of working remotely from anywhere in the world.

Over on her blog, she delves deep into life- and entrepreneurial stories and she loves meeting and connecting with other female travellers, business owners, and wanderlusters.

Alex, originally from California, has always been called to France - from the language to the culture to the appreciation of the simple things. Her life in France began in 2013 when she arrived in Paris to study for a semester. She later returned and 'cemented' herself into her life in France. Since then, Alex has been au pairing, teaching English, falling in love and is now making arrangements to become a full resident!

“Put yourself out there for opportunities but do not stress out if it doesn’t work out.”

— Alex Morton

When coming home...

Emotions Alex faced - Found it to be like a puzzle on how to fit back in with her community, friends and family, including how her thinking had shifted.
What changed for Alex - Was really excited to come back to take advantage of her university experience. Had a feeling that she would return to France.
The biggest stress - Getting caught up in the different identities that she had in different communities and how she would show up in the world.
How Alex supported herself - Focused on university, found people that she could talk to and who could relate to her. Pick and choose who support you.
How Alex used her mindset - Aimed to feel comfortable and feel grounded in a place that is not her home. Not feeling like you have to stay in the town where you grew up.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

Be adaptable and be open to experiences.
Cultivate relationships you have with your friends and family.
Treat everyone as an adventure and be ok with not knowing.

Advise to herself for returning home - Dont stress about having a plan in place because everything will change. Put yourself out there for opportunities but do not stress out if it doesn’t work out.

“People are not going to be like you and are not going to do things they way you are used to doing things.”

— Alex Morton

Paralympic gold medal, 60 countries and a never give up mentality with Richard Colman

Richard was born in 1984 with Spina Bifida. Richard took to sport at a young age he was involved in many sports before the love of athletics took his full attention. In 2006 Richard won a Bronze medal in the T53 800m at the IPC World Athletics Championships in Assen, The Netherlands. In 2008 Richard won a Silver medal in the T53 200m and a Bronze in the T53 400m at the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Paralympian Richard Colman merges sports and travel with passion, energy and refusing to give up to ensure he lives his best life.

About Richard

In early 2009 Richard spent six months travelling Europe competing in a number of countries. During this trip, Richard managed to visit thirty-two countries. Richard has now visited sixty countries with the aim of reaching 100.

Recently at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, Richard won a Gold medal in the T53 800m and two Bronze medals in the T53 400 and in the T53/54 4x400 relay. Richard currently holds a numerous Australian and Oceania Records.

Away from the track Richard has completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University and has also completed a number of other qualifications. Richard became the first person in a wheelchair to umpire an AFL match when he officiated as a goal umpire in the Geelong Football League in 2007.

During 2014 Richard became the first person in a wheelchair to travel down the famous Death Road in Bolivia during his postseason holiday to South America. Richard is an ambassador for a number of foundations and organisations.

Richard has set himself a number of goals he is slowly working towards not just in the sporting world but in all walks of his life. Richard will continue to try and prove to people that anything is possible if you have a go and always dream big.

“There are a lot of countries that do have a lot of discrimination against people with disabilities there are a lot of third world countries still to this day don’t admit that there are people with disability in their society.”

— Richard Colman

When coming home...

Emotions Richard faced - Sometimes it felt normal, some people around him seemed to be doing the same thing whilst he was achieving my goals. The longer trips seem harder to readjust. What is the next challenge, reassess the next goals.
What changed for Richard - No too much he ensured he weaved adventure into his sporting travels. Made sure he put himself out there to enjoy life and do things that other people wouldn't.
How Richard used his mindset - Growing up with a disability he becomes stubborn and resilient which helped foster a strongly focused mindset. Knowing that success is just around the corner. Taking action and really believing himself. Never give up attitude.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

Anything is possible.
There will be tough times but you have to believe in yourself.
Don't worry about the money.

Advise to himself for returning home - think about when I'm going to come home so that I dont have to endure a long winter. Go and travel now and don't wait to travel.

“No matter how bad things are, good days are around the corner and you cant give yo”

— Richard Colman

The richness of travel, art and culture with Olympian Peter Van Miltenburg.

My very special guest on TWM Podcast today is one of my Coaches mentor and life long friend, Peter Van Miltenburg. Peter is a former Australian sprinter who specialised in the 200 metres. In 1984 he was the Australian 200 metre champion. He also went to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics where he competed in the 100/200 metres.

Travelling the world for athletics, art and fun to foster a global perspective, deep compassion, connection and empathy with culture and people.

About Pete

Peter is a life member of the Anglesea SLSC where he still competes and coaches one of Australia's most successful beach sprinting teams. More recently he has been coaching at Xavier College, Kew, Victoria as the Head Coach of Athletics and Cross Country.

Peter has an intense passion for art and recently completed a Masters in Art Therapy and wrote his thesis “An art enquiry into the experience of loneliness and aloneness.”

“When I came home, I had a reality check. How lucky we are here and also in terms of letting go, I realised it is a big world it is a global world and people live their lives according to how their lives, it’s not right or wrong. Some people are multi billionaires and some people have nothing.”

— Peter Van Miltenburg

When coming home...

The differences Pete faced - Comforts of home were very alluring and he was very appreciative. He felt grounded and conscious of the choices he was making back home. Is not as connected to material things.
What had changed for Pete - Felt far more conscious of his life and and developed deep compassion other peoples lives.
Biggest stress - Now struggles with seeing people who struggle with the basics of life.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

Humanity and how precious it is - we are so connected, no matter where we come from.
Resilience - I can 'fall over' and I have the ability to 'get up.'
Humour - The one thing that connects people - there are some things that make everyone laugh and laughter is a global language.

Advise to himself for returning home - Whatever the experience is, good or bad, wherever you find happiness and love, wherever you provide happiness and love and share happiness and love that, wherever it is, home, or somewhere in some little country then seek that out and find what it is in life that you truely want and if that is where you are, then you are a very lucky person, if not go and find it.

“We really are connected in so many different ways.”

— Peter Van Miltenburg

“Whatever the experience is, good or bad, wherever you find happiness and love, wherever you provide happiness and love and share happiness and love that, wherever it is, home, or somewhere in some little country then seek that out and find what it is in life that you truely want and if that is where you are, then you are a very lucky person, if not go and find it.”

— Peter Van Miltenburg

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Abby Lewtas 31/7/18 Abby Lewtas 31/7/18

Cate Brubaker - An obsession for Germany to leading and helping others live a global life.

Cate is an author, teacher, and part-time nomad based in North Carolina, USA. For over 20 years she has helped all kinds of global souls successfully navigate international and intercultural transitions. She has lived, studied, worked and traveled in 36 countries on four continents and never says no to gelato.

Cate caught the travel bug in a big way where she continually returned to Europe, became independent and finally decided to lead a life helping others with re-entry and repartiation.

About Cate

Cate moved to Germany at 16 to live with a German family and attend a German school for her senior year of high school, then returned for a year of college, then to teach English for a year after college, then for several shorter stints to teach German for a study abroad program and do research.

Cate is also a workshops facilitator, speaker and worked with international schools in Europe, Latin America, and Australia. And, of course, she has traveled a lot including taking career breaks to travel with her husband.

“Going abroad just throw you off kilter in such a good way and it can make you question everything about yourself.”

— Cate Brubaker

When coming home...

Emotions Cate faced - Didn't want to go home and really resisted the transition. Excited to see family and friends, felt very disconnected. Conflicting emotions and Cate didn't know how to be the person she was in Germany back home. Feelings of guilt
Biggest stress - Felt like she had lost her life from abroad and her life from home.
How Cate supported herself - Wrote in her journal, had some amazing people who were wonderful support systems for her. Cate wrote chain letters with her connections abroad (in the 90s before the internet).
How Cate used her mindset - she set out with a new attitude, like she could do anything. She would 'just do it!' A lot of seeds were planted during this time and it took her 20 years to process the experiance.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock