This post is my 2024 reflections on travel and entrepreneurship.
As the holiday hustle winds down, I’ve finally found a quiet moment to reflect on the whirlwind that was 2024. It’s been a year of transformation—one where I took the leap into full-time travel and entrepreneurship after thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2023. This year was all about landing after that big life change. And oh, what a landing it was: magical, messy, and deeply meaningful.
I hope my reflections not only give you a glimpse into this extraordinary year but also inspire you to embrace your own big adventures—challenges and all.
A Sign to Reflect and Dream
Before diving into my reflections, let this be a little nudge for you: if you haven’t taken the time to look back on your year, it’s not too late! During my Design Your Best Year Yet workshop in December, I shared a free workbook to help reflect on the past year and set bold intentions for the next.
If you’d like a copy, you can grab it here. My gift to you as you start 2025.
2024 Reflections: Highlights in Travel and Entrepreneurship
Personal Life Achievements
This year was a kaleidoscope of incredible experiences, each one expanding my perspective and filling me with awe.
Exploring 10+ countries
After deciding to travel full-time, I embarked on an amazing adventure of immersing myself in new cultures. Instead of rushing through a checklist of destinations, I spent meaningful time in each place:
Indonesia: From the vibrant energy of Bali to the remote, magical islands of Raja Ampat, Indonesia set the tone of my year, spending most of January and February there.
Thailand: For the remainder of spring 2024, I took a night train from Malaysia to Chiang Mai and spent 3 weeks indulging in everything Thai. Each travel destination from this year was special and spectacular, but my favorite was Thailand - a food lover's paradise! I indulged in mango sticky rice, Pad Thai, and Khao Soi (a northern thai favorite!), savouring every bite.
Reaching new heights in the Himalayas (literally)
Backpacking in the Himalayas was a dream come true. I reached my highest altitude ever—17,000 feet (5000m)! I'll never forget reaching Larke Pass after 72h of food poisoning and dehydration. Despite the risk of needing a helicopter evacuation, I made it. Surrounded by peaks touching the sky and Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the icy wind, I felt alive and profoundly grateful for the choices that brought me there. I highly recommend Nepal in April to see the rhododendrons are in full blossom!
Hiking the Colorado Trail (486 miles)
On a whim, I thru-hiked the Colorado Trail with minimal preparation. I braved intense thunderstorms and rain, often hearing thunder roar like a drumroll from my tent. The golden sunrises, 13 moose sightings, infinite pikas, and the most glorious blue skies and cloud formations made it all worthwhile.
Learning new skills:
I spent 3 weeks in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I learned to make the most delicious Pad Thai and Tom Khai Gai (a heavenly coconut soup)
I traveled to the remote islands of Indoneisa, where I learned to scuba dive in one of the most extreme diving sites in the world, and almost got swept away by the currents. But it was worth it, I got to swim with reef sharks and see schools of barracudas and puffer fish - an experience I'll never forget
And I climbed the dense Indonesian jungle before dawn to witness birds of paradise perform their intricate mating calls. It felt like stepping into a live Planet Earth documentary!
Unique Living Experiences
From beach huts to campsites, overnight trains, and an RV in Montana, I experienced a wide range of accommodations while traveling the world - all for less than the cost of renting a one-bedroom in Seattle! Some standout moments:
Backpacking the Sunshine Coast Trail in British Colombia, complete with my first (Canadian) bear encounter!
Bike-packing around Taiwan, fuelled by milk tea and braised pork rice
Celebrating my 32nd birthday in Istanbul with a Turkish bath in a 300-year-old Ottoman bathhouse
A few more honourable notable mentions...
In Tokyo, I devoured sushi and ramen, savouring every bite, and spent my nights unwinding in a serene rooftop onsen
In the jungles of Nepal, I marvelled at the sight of wild elephants and rhinos in their natural habitat.
I stood in awe as a herd of hundreds of elk bugled in an open field in Montana, USA.
At 13,000ft in the sky, I found peace meditating in a Buddhist temple surrounded by breathtaking Himalayan views.
I zipped through Bali on a scooter, passing thousand-year-old temples and towered trees steeped in history
In Istanbul, I visited the iconic Hagia Sophia, the world's largest domed building for a thousand years.
Business Achievements
After I quit my full-time corporate job, I made the big leap into entrepreneurship. This year of transition was both thrilling and terrifying. Here’s what I managed to accomplish:
Creating Adventure Ready
I launched my first coaching program, Adventure Ready, from a beach, and welcomed my first clients within just a few weeks. Hearing how my program gave them the confidence to embark on their first thru-hike was incredibly fulfilling. I wasn't just building a business - I was helping others change their lives.
Expanding my reach
Returned to teaching online yoga after a two-year hiatus
Launched a free mindset challenge for thru-hikers, engaging over 115 participants
Recorded four meditation programs for the Petit Bambou app
Hosted my first one-day retreat in Spain with my mum - a dream come true
Sharing my voice
Featured on a podcast episode on Hikes & Mics that became the third most listened-to-episode in just two weeks. sharing my thru-hiking journey on the Pacific Crest Trail was incredible. Have a listen here!
Grew my email list by 213 subscribers
Published 14 blog posts and five YouTube videos—learning video editing from scratch. It wasn't easy, but seeing those videos come to life and engaging with my audience was incredibly rewarding. You can check out my YouTube channel here. Show me some love and subscribe!
The Challenges of 2024
While I’m proud of the milestones I reached in 2024, they didn’t come without struggles. Every high point was accompanied by a moment of doubt or difficulty, reminding me that growth often happens in the face of discomfort.
Constant travel made it hard to prioritize physical wellness. With all the constant moving places, I found it hard to create a healthy and consistent work out routine.
I deeply missed the sense of community and friendship.
I often felt like a fraud when my business didn’t gain traction as quickly as I’d hoped. There were days when my business felt like an absolute flop. I'd sit at my laptop, staring blankly, questioning if I was cut out for this (still asking myself this, btw!)
I found myself projecting into the future - planning the next adventure of wondering how to "make it" - and missed the beauty of the moment I was in. I wish I'd been more anchored to those magical and unique moments.
Social media became my measuring stick for success, and I often felt like I didn't measure up. Seeing others' highlight reels and successes left me feeing defeated.
These struggles were real, and at times, they felt overwhelming. But they also brought valuable lessons.
Lessons Learned from 2024 Travel and Entrepreneurship
Progress isn’t linear. Growth comes in waves, not straight lines. When my business wasn't progressing as fast as I'd hoped, I reminded myself the hardest climbs often lead to the best views.
Kindness matters—especially to myself. I'm learning to speak to myself with the same compassion I offer to others.
Consistency is key. Showing up, even when it's hard, builds momentum. It's the small, steady steps that lead to big changes.
Discouragement is part of the process. It’s okay to feel it; just don’t let it stop you.
Attitude makes the difference. A positive outlook transforms challenges into opportunities. When I started seeing obstacles as adventures, everything shifted.
My Guiding Theme for 2025: Consistency
As I step into 2025, I’m grounding myself in one word: consistency.
This mantra will be my anchor when things get tough:
When I feel like quitting.
When I’m questioning if I’m on the right path.
When I compare my journey to someone else’s.
When I’m working hard to grow my business.
No matter what comes my way, I’ll remind myself: If the going gets tough, keep going.
Your Turn: Make 2025 Your Most Adventurous Year Yet
What would your year look like if you embraced challenges as opportunities? If you made small, consistent steps toward the life you’ve always dreamed of?
That’s exactly what I help my clients do in Adventure Ready, my personalized coaching program designed to prepare you for your biggest adventures—whether that’s a thru-hike, a career change, or stepping into the unknown. Let’s make 2025 your most adventurous year ever.
I'd love to chat. Book a call with me today, and let's make 2025 your most adventurous year ever.
Here’s to making 2025 a year of growth, adventure, and self-discovery!
With love and adventure,
Chickpea
PS. Ready to turn your dreams into reality? Let's chat about how Adventure Ready can help you make 2025 your most adventurous year ever. Book a call today!
Hi, I'm Chloe! A mindset coach, yogi, mindfulness enthusiast, and adventurer at heart.
My journey in yoga and mindfulness has led me to a deeper understanding of living in the moment, inspiring my recent trek on the PCT.
This adventure wasn't just a physical challenge; it was a transformative experience that deepened my commitment to living freely and inspiring others to do the same.
Join me in embracing the wild, finding joy in the present, and living life to its fullest.
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