In partnership with The Travel Coach Network (TCN), the world’s first and largest searchable database of travel coaches around the globe to help people use travel as a tool for wellbeing, healing, personal growth, professional development, and transformative experiences. The TCN is also home to the world’s first and only ICF-accredited certification program for Certified Travel Coaches. Enroll today!
Reader mailbag!
Actually…readers of our regular Ask a Travel Coach column were curious so we turned the tables to ask the coaches: what made you decide to pursue this path?
My Travel Coaching journey embarked after facilitating travel experiences for women based on my own adventures travelling later in life. I found there was the need for a deeper, more personal level of support and that many women wanted help and guidance beyond the normal travel provider boundaries. I love being that reassuring “wing buddy” for my clients. Helping them with guidance, and advice, creating together purposeful travel experiences. It’s my “passion job” come true!
Gina Cambridge, Wanderlust Travel Coaching
wanderlustsolowomentours.com
The decision to become a travel coach stemmed from my deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of travel. Every journey has the potential to unlock new perspectives, broaden horizons, and foster personal growth. Through my own travels and experiences, I’ve witnessed firsthand how intentional exploration can shape lives. Helping clients uncover their “why” behind their journeys allows them to cultivate more meaningful and rewarding experiences. It’s not just a career choice—it’s my calling.
Shanell Varner, Moonglade Travel
moongladetravel.com
I began solo travelling and working with a life coach over a decade ago as a means to rediscover myself. I know the power that travelling and coaching can have on a person, which is why I combined the two into my business, One Girl Travel, and got certified as a travel coach. There is so much more to travel than just a vacation, it is a tool to grow, learn, and develop as a person.
Alessia Tenebruso, One Girl Travel
onegirltravel.com
I found my path to travel coaching as I started my group travel business. I quickly realized there’s baggage that comes along with travel, and I don’t just mean suitcases. People have so many fears, hesitations, and limiting beliefs surrounding travel, and I wanted to be able to guide them on their journey–not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally. I’ve since witnessed people transform through travel, and it’s been a truly magical experience.
Laura Ericson, Laura Ericson Group Trips
lauraericson.com
Travel has been my lifelong passion. My own transformation started the day I was invited to an authentic Bedouin meal in the Sinai desert, far, from anywhere. (Long story and even longer drive!). It irrevocably changed my travel habits from merely visiting places, to embracing diverse experiences, cultures, and people. Now, as a travel coach, I understand how to encourage others to appreciate personal growth, self-awareness, profound insights, and experience the world through different lenses.
Lynda Brandt, Travel Coach
linkedin.com/in/Lyndabrandtzurich
When the pandemic hit, I waved goodbye to my legal career and moved across the world from Australia to the Netherlands. Feeling lost and searching for belonging, I realized I wasn’t the only one going through these challenges. I discovered my calling to become a Travel Coach and guide others on their journeys to make any place feel like home. Seeing my clients transform through their travels and thrive abroad is truly fulfilling and inspiring!
Veerle Beelen Da Costa David, Unpackbyveer
unpackbyveer.com
Travel has always been at the centre of my heart and my universe. But I didn’t understand deeply enough how it connected to my million other interests and paths. Travel coaching was the answer to helping me find the golden thread: travel is intrinsic to us all. Whether we take an inner or outer journey – to explore is to LIVE. And while we’re in this body, we get to make the most out of it!
Tijen Ahmet, Living Wanders
livingwanders.com
I launched my business, Trip Scholars, as a website to support people in learning more about the world and themselves through travel. At the time, I hadn’t heard of travel coaching, but knew that eventually I wanted to work directly with travellers. It turned out that travel coaching was actually what I was planning to do— I just didn’t have a name for it yet! Now I’m certified and absolutely love coaching.
Erica Forrest, Trip Scholars
tripscholars.com
Having graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in psychology, I found traditional travel agent tasks uninspiring; I desired deeper client connections. Transitioning into a Travel Coach has allowed me to use my communication skills to craft unique client experiences. It’s no longer just a transaction; it’s about connecting on a deeper level and tailoring itineraries to match a client’s unique vision and goals.
Ariel Figg, Ariel Rene Travel
arielrenetravel.com
Talking about travel lights me up! Thanks to a nomadic childhood and career in well-being research, my brain is wired to seek out and celebrate new experiences. I know that travel, wellbeing, and personal development are linked and have always wanted to help others make this connection to improve their travel experiences. When I discovered travel coaching would allow me to do this, my path was clear!
Tracy Smyth, Travel Bug Tonic
travelbugtonic.com
In Spoleto, Italy, where I resided over 16 years, my realization struck. Watching tourists rush under a bright red umbrella, while I savoured my “capucco,” a local term for cappuccino, a woman’s question about my leisurely pace sparked an idea. Senior women crave intimate, immersive cultural experiences. Embracing this, I joined the TCN, becoming Italy’s ambassador. Now, with a 13,000+ following, I guide senior women on authentic global adventures, fulfilling their bucket lists.
Francesca Elisabetta, Senior Women Travel Coach
facebook.com/groups/3156607144630534
Curiosity and the courage to explore new paths shape my entire life. Not only in my professional career, also on numerous trips I leave my comfort zone and grow from it. Becoming a travel coach let me combine my passion for travel with my professional experience and build a bridge between coaching and travel. I accompany people to write their own (travel) story and realize their dreams, recognize their potential, overcome obstacles, and go their own way.
Ulrike Nehls, NOW.HERE
wearenowhere.world
In my 50’s, I overcame initial fears to embark on solo travel. Through practicing withshort trips, I gained confidence and I ended up loving travelling on my own. It was after walking the Del Norte Camino in Spain that I realized I had something to offer others. I decided to combine my love for coaching with my passion for travel and offer travel coaching to women who are experiencing a major change.
Linda G. Robert, Back in the Groove Again Coach
lindagrobert.com
As what I call a quiet driven professional, I was exhausted by the critical achiever’s monologue in my head and the burden of obligation. The best way to disrupt this pattern is to travel. Travelling with texture and intention is a catalyst for long-term change. Whether it’s a big, short, or virtual trip, you can disrupt stagnation. A travel and life coach will help you design the ideal itinerary to change your life.
Dr. Julie Kellogg, Travel with Texture and 5G Coaching
travelwithtexture.com
As an instructional coach, I struggled to find my WHY for coaching. Growing up a military brat and vacationing with my husband and 2 daughters led me to this “second chapter.” After retiring with 33 years in education, I now get to blend my coaching skills and my passion for travel as a Family Travel Coach. Through empowering families to dream about, design and depart on that next big vacation, I have found my WHY!
Laura Rahn, Seldom A Dull Moment Family Travel Coach
seldomadullmoment.net
I became a travel coach to bring intention into family travel planning. When doing it on your own, planning a family trip can be the opposite of mindful and meaningful. By shifting the focus away from the where and to the why, my coaching helps families re-center their purpose. I want all families to experience travelling as a time for deepening relationships- with ourselves, with our family members, and with the places we visit.
Krista Fabian, Fortuna Redux Travel Experiences
fortunareduxtravels.com
After my divorce, I travelled to Kosovo & Montenegro to rediscover myself and reconsider my long-time career. After returning, I was inspired during a meditation to search “coaches who help women travel.” When the results came back “travel coach,” I exclaimed, “Holy cow, that’s a job?” The rest is history. It’s the perfect match for my experience, skills and passions. I haven’t looked back since. I love every second of helping women in big life changes transform their futures.
Dawn Pick Benson, GlobeStory
dawnpickbenson.com
After living abroad for 6.5 years and travelling to more than 40 countries, pursuing my travel coach certification was a natural step. I’ve always been the trusted navigator for my friends and family’s travel adventures. I believe that travel transcends mere locations—it’s about the people, cultures, and lessons we encounter. The idea of travelling and planning an adventure may be daunting and I just wanted to motivate and inspire others to take the leap!
Kimberly Kephart, Kimberly Kephart Travels
kimberlykepharttravels.com
I thought everyone knew travel’s remarkable ability to foster meaningful connections and create long-term relationships in business. This approach is common in my husband’s industry. We have been hosting for decades but apparently this isn’t as a common sales strategy. This inspired me on a journey, launching a CRM and travel coaching business. Dedicated to supporting businesses who embrace client entertainment travel for client retention, I focus on travel’s power to nurture lasting partnerships.
Nikki Butler, Derivel
derivel.org
When I was living in New Zealand and Australia on working holiday visas, friends asked how I did it. I sent them the official government website to apply for the visa. Upon reflection, I realized they could have worked with a travel coach to help them discover what they were looking for on a trip and how they could prepare to make a long-term trip happen. I coach solo and/or long-term travellers.
Katie Hart, Fulfilled Passport Travel
fulfilledpassporttravel.com/travel-mentor
Taking a sabbatical to travel was the best gift I ever gave myself. Deciding to leave corporate life was step one, the second was figuring out what I wanted to do. Using the Japanese concept of ikigai I worked through an exercise to find my unique offering. With 20 years in recruitment and coaching, a passion for travel and the lived experience of three sabbaticals, my journey led me to the TCN and travel coaching.
Rebecca Thomas, Feel Good Getaways
feelgood-getaways.com
Turning my “mess” into a message! I spent many years suffering from mental health issues until I unintentionally found relief from travelling. Not only did it allow for healing, growth and perspective, but it provided so many other benefits that have significantly improved my life and gave me the breakthrough I needed. Today I help my clients use Travel as the catalyst for trauma recovery & mental health support for lasting transformation.
Monica Nieuwland, Trauma Recovery Travel Coach
monicanieuwland.square.site
I wanted my working life to mirror my love of travel, I wanted to surround myself with people who ‘got me’, who got as excited as me whenever travel was mentioned. I wanted to engage with those who hadn’t travelled yet, who are nervous to go it alone, to have that amazing feeling travel gives us. What better way to do that than become a Travel Coach, demystifying and simplifying solo travel for everyone.
Terri Reynolds, Terri Reynolds Coaching
terrireynoldscoaching.co.uk
In my mid-30s I was at a crossroads. I’d lost my job, my business and had -$0.57 in my bank account. Then a bucket list trip to Aotearoa presented itself and I said, screw it, maxed out my credit card and went on a 2-week adventure. That trip changed everything and I realized my calling was helping other childfree people at a crossroads do the same: make their bucket list dreams their reality.
Corinne Lennox, Bucket List Travel Coach
bucketlisttravelcoaching.com
In the first four decades of my life, living in the Philippines, Sweden, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada, an emphasis on cultural immersion made every place I visited feel like home. Showcasing Philippine folk dances worldwide, I sought connections that enriched both my life and those around me. These profound experiences inspired me to become a travel coach, guiding others to craft unique adventures beyond trends, fostering timeless stories, deep bonds, and personal growth.
Dík Michael Doroja, organiKAdventure
shoo.be/dik
I left the 9-5 to travel long-term after returning from a sick leave and feeling like I should be doing something more purposeful. I travelled to find relaxation and adventure; I ended up finding much more than that: connections, purpose, inspiration, new skills and new opportunities. It showed me that nothing is impossible. I naturally started encouraging people to go for their dreams, which made me become a Travel, Bucket list & Career Change Coach.
Kimberley Jeane, Go Places Now!
kimberleyjeane.com
Since I began travelling more, I’ve started setting intentions for my journeys, realizing that clear, heartfelt intentions are unstoppable. On my first solo trip, I fearlessly aimed to discover my professional passion, my “thing”. Four months later, in the Philippines, I met a person who I understood had come into my life to help me figure it out. We spent hours discovering possibilities of how I could do what I love the most – help people and travel. That night, I fell asleep knowing I’d become a travel coach.
Karmen Vikat, wanderalive
instagram.com/wanderalive
As a travel coach, I guide women towards intentional travel, finding joy and purpose in their travel beyond just booking their trips. My journey began during a time in my life when I felt my identity was lost: motherhood, family drama, and mental suffering. Travelling, especially solo trips, became my therapy, and I found myself again through travel. Witnessing the transformation of travel is genuinely unique and reaffirms my passion for what I do.
Jamillah Welch-Bercy, Travel Groupie
thetravelgroupie.com
Award travel eased my loneliness to a new country from Hong Kong. Supported by a Taiwanese American award travel community, I transitioned from novice to expert. Witnessing families’ struggles, I resolved to coach them. A thank-you note from a member’s successful redemption affirmed my purpose. Dedicated to enriching lives through meaningful award travel experiences, I share my mission through email newsletters, blogs, and as a group expert and moderator in various US communities.
Maria Fung, Maria Points The Way
mariapointstheway.com
As an experienced tour operator, I started wondering if there was something else to offer my clients. During a trip to Europe, I realized that I enjoyed activities more, based on my personal goals. At this point, I had a grasp of what I will later know as Travel coaching that I now apply to organize trips to Peru and Israel, as I am convinced this is the best way to empower travellers.
Aviel Haim, Certified Travel Coach
smartwayperu.com, avielenisrael.com
Travelling for the military ignited my passion for exploration, revealing the power of healing through travel. I wanted to find a way to connect with fellow travellers on a similar path. It started with discovering the TCN podcast and it fell into place that a Travel Coach was the right fit for what I wanted to do in travel; connect with others, find my community, and have the skills to assist other world explorers.
Tandi Bailey, Eir Wellness & Travel
eirwellnessgr.com
I decided to become a Travel Coach after my cancer diagnosis. The transition and grieving of my health ignited a profound desire within me to experience as much of the world as I could. I realized the importance of seizing every moment in life, and I wanted to show others how to do the same. As a Travel Coach, I empower others to use travel as a catalyst for healing through difficult life transitions.
Angela Perez, Serenity and Salud Travel Boutique
serenityandsalud.com
I love to travel. I have been a flight attendant for 18 years, own a travel agency for 4 years and have been worldschooling my daughter all her life. She is nearly 14 now. All of these inspired me to become a travel coach. I truly believe travel has the power to change lives, and I want to share my expertise to empower others to embrace the enriching journey of exploration and discovery.
Nina Magdziak Nayeem, NMN Travel
nmntravel.uk
Two months into a three-month solo journey, I was hit by all kinds of emotions: joy, awe, gratitude, excitement. And unexpectedly, also exhaustion, guilt, melancholy. Using my skills as a counselor, I stopped and allowed myself to process my emotions without judgment. Soon I felt ready to resume my travels. It was then that I knew I would become a travel coach and help other solo women travellers work through their feelings while travelling.
Kim Parker, Sola Travel Coaching
solatravelcoaching.com