14/01/2023
Hello all of you soon-to-be-travelers!
I'm so glad you're joining me here. If you have also purchased my book, you may start to understand that what I'm teaching is not just about travel. It's about the permission to reassess and reprioritize your life, including travel in order to create incredible memories for you and your family.
First a bit about me: I'm Zélie Pollon, an award-winning journalist, writer and former radio news host.
In 2005 my mom died suddenly and my world turned on its head. My job running a radio news station was stressful and toxic, and I suddenly had all the added work of dealing with my mother's possessions and property. I was working day, night, and on weekends and I was totally exhausted. My health started to suffer.
During this time someone asked me: "How is your son doing since his grandmother died?" And you know what? I didn't have an answer. I knew right then that I had to reprioritize my life. I needed to rest before my health took a dive, and I needed to spend time with son.
Within a few months my home was rented, I had quit my job, and we left for what was supposed to be a one year adventure. Five years later, and only because of COVID-19, we returned to the US. I came back a changed person. Travel had made my life better and richer, and showed me how much my quality of life and my friendships could improve by traveling. I wanted travel to become a permanent part of our lives.
Over the years people have marveled at my lifestyle design and praised me not only for the way I created so much time for my son, but the incredible opportunities I’ve been able to show him. We’ve been diving with Manta Rays in Bali, rode camels in Egypt, and celebrated the Day of the Dead in Mexico. We’ve walked along the Mekong in Cambodia, climbed every step of the Eiffel Tower, marveled at the ruins of Machu Picchu, ate grasshoppers in Colombia and explored the amazing volcanic landscape of the Galapagos islands. Our life has been rich and my son has grown into a sensitive, aware, confident and caring young man.
With every post, we receive feedback from friends and admirers:
“You guys are the best! love to watch you enjoying life and the world!” “Who can keep up?” “You are a phenomenal mom, Zélie” “I wish I had known you back when I was a young mother. I would have tried to follow in your footsteps.”
Dozens upon dozens of friends have contacted me for guidance
not only about travel but also on being a single mother. Almost all want to know how I do it. How am I able to travel as much as I do, showing my son Aiden the world and sharing our experiences over the years? Do I work? Am I independently wealthy? What about school? What about my son’s friends? Aren’t I afraid? How on earth do I this?
I love to share how I travel, but more than that I want to share WHY.
I travel because I see it as a critical means of combatting bigotry and small-mindedness. I see it as a way for children to learn about other cultures and people, religions and geographies. They learn about foods and environments, political systems and the many different ways we live our lives. I see it as a rich and fun way to build thoughtful, flexible and compassionate humans who are confident and easily interact with others. They are not afraid of difference and can build lifelong friendships across cultures and geographical boundaries. Sensitive and aware travel is one way I see to meet the challenges we face today (And there are so many challenges.). It is one way I see to build a more peaceful and kind world.
