Hello. Just hanging around waiting for you to share me.
About Me: What’s My Story?
What am I about? I remember 2 events that sparked my interest in travel. I was in the 8th grade with an archaeology project which got me thinking about travel to far away lands. However, I realized it required sitting for long hours, often years, on a mound of dirt hoping to find something. So no, not for me.
About that same time, I was watching a TV show about an oceanographer that sailed the seas. As it happened, a few years into highschool I won a scholarship to an oceanography class at Hawaii’s University for the summer. Well…. it didn’t take long to learn there’s a whole bunch of crap in the water that can tear you up. So definitely not for me.
Those events are what sparked my passion to travel and explore new places - just not in the dirt or under the water.
Why I’m Here:
I’m here to share my intel with you - stuff I’ve learned over the past 25 years for better health & wellness. You’ll learn habits you want to have and mistakes you want to avoid. Ready to get inspired?
Escaping My Unhealthy Life in a Box
Career
When I started a typical desk job - it was 40 hours/week with 1 hour for lunch. It grew into no time for lunch, then 45 hours and then 50 plus hours. Years inside my office box plodded along. My last job of 12 years was the worst as far as stress levels - which left me knotted and utterly drained. It was job burnout on steroids.
Too many years of chronic stress gave me a new health issue every 2-3 weeks. Internally I was a walking train wreck, and every fiber of my being was stretched taut like a rubberband. I didn’t even recognize “ME” anymore.
Chronic Stress
The scariest day was when my dentist told me I needed to get rid of the stress. I knew it was time to start planning my escape. Chronic stress causes lack of sleep, weight gain, mental fatigue, physical illnesses, and desperation. Five long years later I was finally able to resign. The struggle to get myself to work every morning became almost unbearable. Thank the Lord for His strength. Finally I made my move - a move that took me 2,100 miles away.
Journey Back to Me
After settling into my new location, every career direction I pursued I ran into closed doors. After a year it hit me - I love everything about health and travel so why not share my knowledge?
Meanwhile, the journey “back to me” was not easy. It took over 2 1/2 years of working on my mental health and my body healed and healthy again. Finally, I felt like me again.
I could turn on my ipod and sing in the car…. hadn’t done that in forever. I could sleep again which I had been a nightly struggle, and I could wake up without dreading the day. I also stopped getting sick, started losing weight, and I’m laughing again…. a lot.
Did you know stress affects your weight, sleep, digestive health, mental & emotional stability, and more. It was a long hard recovery. So, here I am.... working on my blogs. I’m happy to report: I’m stronger now at age 60 than I was at age 30? How’s that for a total 180? I’m so happy I found ME again.
One reason I’m successful - I’m keeping the fun in healthy, and indulging in a few guilty pleasures.... I mean who doesn’t love a nice slice of chocolate sometimes?
Amazing Results Sparked a Passion
My journey towards better health started around age 35. The desk job, driving a car, meal time, providing taxi service for my child, and watching a movie to relax before bed - that’s WAY too much sitting - and frankly I’m surprised my behind wasn’t like pancake flat. I had no energy, I felt weak, my feet stayed cold from lack of circulation, and I often found myself in a brain fog. Well, this is NOT working.
So I started walking 30 minutes during my lunch break 4 days/week. After a month, I started feeling better. I wasn’t as sluggish, and had a little more energy. A couple years passed and my sleep was deep, my digestion was doing it’s thing, and my energy levels got like crazy high. These amazing results sparked a passion to learn more about being healthy.
I decided to go deeper and added weights, kickboxing, and yoga. Now, I’m also doing HIIT and other body-weight training. Plus, I’ll do 20-30 minutes of fast walking to get the muscles & heart pumping in the morning and again in the evening. You’d think I’d be tired. My daughter gets annoyed when I visit because I don’t stand still when I talk to her - I’m bouncing in place. I can’t believe how amazing I feel.
Psst: if you hate the “E” word (exercise), then just call it activity. More on that in my blogs. I was discovering the benefits of being healthier. It brought me confidence, uplifted moods, balance, mobility, cardio heart health, strength…. and tons of energy.
FAQ: Quality of Life, Richer and Fuller
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Are you climbing the job ladder for a better life and paycheck? What you’ll get is the ability to buy more stuff with your paycheck - but you’ll lose the “better” life: relationships, you time, and precious memories.
I kept a bucket list for 25 years which always got lost under work loads. I gave up so much of my personal time including part of my weekends and evenings, and some vacations. Many times, I went to work sick. That’s not a better life.
IT’S NOT WORTH IT.
So much life lost. For what? More stuff? No job or fat paycheck is worth giving up your dreams or having your health destroyed.
Find balance in personal life and work life. You’ve earned and need time away. Don’t give the only life you have to your job.
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Are you sluggish and lack energy? Do you have trouble with activities requiring strength, stamina, balance, and flexibility?
Is your body stiff, have more than normal aches & pains, and do you have back pain? Is your posture beginning to hunch over?
Do you generally feel unhappy or unsatisfied? Do you feel stressed or anxious? Do you experience brain fog or lack of creativity?
The answer is: You need to restore your overall health & wellness.
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Your health journey doesn’t have to be hard. Plus, it’s easier and more motivating when you conquer your weekly goals.
I don’t believe in strict diets that leave you feeling hungry or unsatisfied because you don’t like what you ate. Strict diets don’t work.
There’s no strict exercise routines that make you grimace at the gym for an hour, or the cost of a gym membership. Strict exercise programs don’t work.
With a few simple guidelines to follow and a sprinkling of fun - you can improve your health.
You feel awesome, and you look GREAT.
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What an awesome and fun way to improve your health - mind, body, and soul. The longer the travel time, the more benefits.
But lots of mini-retreats throughout the year will help keep you in your happy place.
Here’s Your Motivation
What are you passionate about? Tavelling the world and snow skiing, surfing, or hiking to the most gorgeous waterfalls? Or, maybe it’s playing with kids/grandkids in outdoor activities like badminton, flying kites, or canoeing? These experiences enrich your life and are possible for almost everyone.
Imagine this: waking up refreshed and energized. You look forward to the day, and know with a little practice you can usually stay in your “happy place”. The weekend is coming and you have another mini-retreat planned. It’s an hour's drive and you’re going with a few friends to bicycle along a trail and stop for lunch at the river’s edge restaurant for your favorite foods. What a great way to enjoy your life’s journey.
Why You Need Healthy
Time is finite, and the clock is ticking. You can slow your aging clock down for mobility, memory, and independence. Travel accelerates emotional growth, reduces stress, and builds memories that outlast any stuff you buy. Combine health & travel to supercharge longevity and a richer life.
Modern life drains you. Sedentary routines, processed diets, and endless screens literally zap energy while a healthier lifestyle restores youth and vitality. Travel rewires your brain back to calm, improving thought, focus, productivity, creativity and re-sets priorities.
Healthy travel is preventive medicine. Walking city streets or practicing mindfulness on a beach are joyful ways to lower blood pressure, improve mood, and strengthen immunity.
Why This Approach to Health Works
I take my 25+ years of knowledge based on a lot of trial and error and confirm it with science-based evidence so I can share it with you.
No depriving yourself. I believe that you can be healty but still indulge in some simple pleasures like healthy desserts. Or, splurge on Saturday night on your favorite beverage, entree, and dessert.
No strenuous workouts. Think of fun outdoor activities instead of the gym to meet strength, balance, and mobility needs. No workouts longer than 35 minutes required. Maybe a few workouts at home with weights.
Taking mini-retreats to reset and rejuvenate. I love these little get-aways.
Sprinkle your day with fresh air, great food, fun activities, volunteering, relaxation, and social connection and you’re on your way to overall health & wellness, and the most unforgettable memories.
Your future self is waiting!
Rockin Healthy Vibes: The fun way to healthy. The Laughing Goats: Happy travel. Healthy life.
Inspiration & Laughs to Get You Started
Inspiration
Faith doesn't make things easy, it makes things possible.
Making someone smile will change their world.
Try to learn from your mistakes.
You live inside your body, so it’s wise to take care of it.
Laughs
I just did a week's worth of cardio right after walking into a spider web! Hmmm, do I need to stretch now?
Do you know what a Snaccident is? It's eating an entire pizza, a box of cookies, and a bag of chips by accident.
Why Should You Follow/Share Me?
Throughout my travel blogs - you’ll find * Win a Prize. This is where I’ll send you on a little scavenger hunt. If you win, I’ll send you a surprise. It’s really that simple.
You’ll also find Travel Tips for every travel destination so you don’t have to stress over things like what the winter temperatures are like, or if there’s poisonous snakes in the region.
Why follow/share me? Because I honestly want you to succeed and have your best life. Even if you’re already healthy and just want a few health tips or you like to travel - I’m here to encourage.
What Can You Expect?
If you're barely holding on like little Frog-Man up top.... then hop on board. Here’s to better mental, emotional, and physical health for you and any friends that need this too.
Disclaimer: remember I'm not a doctor or health professional. The information in this blog is from over 25 years of me personally trying and failing…. and finally WINNING…. Happy & Healthy.
Followers - my health & travel blogs are designed so most people are physically & financially able to join me.
Travel - vacations are proven to restore health, so don't forget to check out the travel tab up top: The Laughing Goats. And while I love new adventures, I only vacation 2-4 weeks at a time because I’d miss my community, church, family, animals, and my own bed too much.
Budget - you won’t need a big budget for your health or travel. Always look for discounts available if you plan to fly, bus, train, or cruise for travel. You will need to buy a good pair of tennis shoes for walking and maybe some equipment like dumb bells, inflatible kayak, or bicycle (for example). And, your food bill will go up slightly if you choose organic.
Our World - It's beauty, resources, and all living things should be respected & cared for. But: I wonder: does it have to apply to big nasty bugs or snakes?!!
Truth - when research data differs, I'll choose the most popular finding. I’ll also share what does and does not work (at least for me).
Opinions - I may offer some on occasion, but it's not a guarantee it will work for you since we're all different. That means we might disagree, and that’s OK.
Comments - I'd love to hear from you, but please be kind with criticism. It's impossible to please everyone.
Help - If you have questions, I’ll help in whatever way I can and try to answer in a timely manner.
Facebook Page - it’s coming soon.
Follow My Blogs/Vlogs - the true meaning of happiness is rockin your happy jam as often as you can. To find it look to things you're passionate about, including: music, comedy, food, activities, relationships, and don’t forget meditating with God or your higher power.