Guest Editor, yoga teacher and professional adventurer Heather Day was the first person who reached out to me with a deep desire to write here at The Girl Who Knows.
Typically I curate all of the writers, meaning I hand pick them after scouring the web and looking for the best-of-the-best writers + thought-leaders who would be a good fit for us. When Heather reached out, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only is she a yogi and world traveler, but she’s also an impeccable writer. It was an absolute no-brainer that I invite her on to be part of the tribe!
Since then, Heather has created some pretty magical posts all about her adventures abroad, solo travel and even how to write love letters (my personal fave). I’m so glad that she contacted me when she did and that I’ve been able to get to know her through her words the last few months. She is a total gem and I can’t wait for you to get to know her in our Q +A below!
xo
You and I have never met in person (yet!), so I have to say I’m extra excited to do this Q+A with you today. I feel like I’m getting to know you right alongside our readers today. So . . . tell us who you are, what do you do + create + love?
Born and raised a small-town girl in Maine, I’ve pretty much stuck to life deep in the woods for my whole life. I’m currently living the Pura Vida life in the northwest of Costa Rica, where I teach yoga at a small intentional community where Americans are actually the minority.
My big passion, though, is teaching others how to get up their courage to take on their own big adventure- whether that’s a job shift, a new side business, a giant road trip or a global relocation. So I’m an adventure and lifestyle coach! Because I really, deeply, whole-being believe that life is supposed to be adventurous . . . and I want to see everyone getting out to explore. Life’s too short not to explore what this world has to offer. Even if that’s the jazz club just down the street.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I know I could stand to be a bit more adventurous in my own life. I love that you’re doing that work, encouraging others to play and explore, it’s SO needed. You clearly have had a sense of adventure in you for awhile, I’m curious, did that have anything to do with why you first decided to start your own blog and business?
Definitely. I’ve heard the phrase, “Oh, wouldn’t it be nice if . . .” FAR too many times. From motivated, awesome, talented, passionate, completely capable women who were selling themselves short by convincing themselves their dreams were stuck on some high, unobtainable shelf. They sigh and moan over not being “ready” or needing to do ABC and Z before they could possibly do the things that they *really* want to do.
And it’s just not true, not to mention, it’s no fun!
I’ve lived an off-the-beaten-path lifestyle since I finished college, so I know first hand that it’s completely possible. I knew it was time to tell my story and teach others how to take this whole Life Adventure thing by the horns and giddy up.
You clearly love what you’re doing (it’s so inspiring). Tell us a bit more about why you feel the work you do in the world is so important.
I was once told that the Universe had made us all as unique and colorful parts of this mosaic of existence. And if we’re not shining our brightest expression of that color, there’s nobody that can replace us. And the Universe misses us.
And that hit home for me.
I think this world needs us to be our funky, wild, fully expressed and adventurous selves. Personally, I get high off of seeing the joy people feel when they take a little, or big leap towards what they really want. If you want to see Thailand? We’ll find a way. If you want to leave a marriage that isn’t fulfilling and go hike the Camino in Spain? Let’s start the passport process. I really want to see that light of adventure in everyone’s eyes!
Agreed, that light is priceless! So even though you get high off the work you do and the people you serve, there must be days that just flat out suck. How do you stay motivated and inspired through all the ups and downs of life?
Yoga, dance, and laughter! I’m a pretty simple creature really. I find if I take good care of my body and mind, the rest flows. Ah, and Jimmy Fallon. I’ve found there’s little that a good YouTube clip of his show isn’t good for. 
You’re not kidding. Jimmy Fallon is the best! So, switching topics a little, I’d love to know what your favorite (or predominant) sense is (of all your six senses). And how do you use your senses to help you live a more rich and fulfilling life? Why do you think the senses are so valuable?
I’m completely a feel (intuition) girl. I’m very connected to my body, and the many ways I receive that “inner knowing”, inspiration, and freedom through the felt sense. I must say that my sense of hearing comes in a very close second because I’m also a singer and music addict. But even music comes down to feeling.
How do I use it to live a richer, more fulfilling life? It’s my guide. My body gives me really, really clear signals when something’s good for me, and when something’s not so good. People, food, situations, all of it, which is particularly important since I’m always out in new and different situations. So if my awareness is sharp, my felt sense is the most trustworthy guide I’ve got.
As to why the senses so important . . . they’re how we imbibe the world! This whole existence thing is pretty juicy. If we’re going to really, really taste it all, we need to indulge all of our senses. Otherwise, we’re only getting one small nugget of the magic that’s all around. And nobody wants just a fraction of an adventure now, do we?
No way! You’re so right about that – without being present to what our senses are sensing, we’re missing all magic. Since you’re a sensory gal like me, I’d love to know – what are some of your favorite ways to indulge and light up your senses?
New places really get me jazzed. The new sounds, colors, smells, and I’m a rabid people-watcher. I love absorbing the energies and dynamics of people in a culture or place that I’m unfamiliar with and imagine what life is like for someone who spends their day-to-day there.
Music is my other medicine. Singing it, listening to it, dancing to it, it’s such an incredible vibrational therapy that just makes me move in ways that I still don’t understand. And the joys that we can’t intellectually understand are, I think, some of the best!
Music is medicine, isn’t it? I’m curious what else lights you up in life. We know places, people, and music. Anything else that you deeply love?
Wow. This question is like an invitation to close my eyes and time-travel! The mountains of Montana. Cuddles from a puppy. The smoothness of raw cacao butter on its way to becoming chocolate. The feel of salty skin. The smell of pancakes on a cold morning at Zealand Falls Hut in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The feel of a deep hip stretch at sunrise. The sound of a live symphony. The magic of Ani DiFranco’s spoken word poetry. The slow saunter of Costa Rican life.
Yum.
Yum indeed! So, what about your birthday (’cause I kind of adore them)? What’s your absolute ideal way to celebrate your birthday?
A delicious sunset dinner and mojitos at my house with the best of friends (potluck style). We get ourselves dressed up wildly (wigs, makeup, costumes, the works) and have ourselves a night out dancing. My birthday is in May so usually it’s warm enough for downtown gallivanting.
That sounds like FUN!! Sooo, what are you working on right now that feels amazing (like a celebration)?
At this moment, I’m scheming up my first-ever Adventure Camp expedition, Central America style. A small group of women will come down, we’ll do some personal work through fears, judgments, some language lessons, and yoga, and then? They’ll be set free for a couple days of exploring on their own – reconvening after to celebrate with beach time and wine.
This makes me super excited (you wouldn’t believe how much)!
I have a feeling I do (it sounds absolutely awesome). Before we go, I have just one final question: what do you know, for sure?
There’s no need to take yourself, or anything else, too seriously. Life is for having fun!
. . . . . .
I’m endlessly inspired by the amazing women I have the pleasure to meet in my life. And Heather Day is definitely one of those inspiring ladies. Thank you so much for sharing your words, your wisdom, and your infectious adventure spirit with us here at The Girl Who Knows! This place is a better one because you’re a part of it. Truly.
Go check out Sarah’s Contributor page right now. Take a peek at her website to learn more about what she does (and how you can work/travel with her) and of course, be sure to give her a shout and say hi over on social media!
I hope you enjoyed our Q + A with Heather and I look forward to introducing you to more beautiful souls and bright shining faces in the weeks and months to come. Thanks for reading!
xo,
Stephanie
