The Inspired Nomads™ Video Series
The Inspirational video series is here!
Want to get notified when the next episode is released? Sign up here and you’ll get an email straight to your inbox as soon as it’s ready! You’ll find out first, and get some great tips about long term travel along the way.
Welcome! Join me as I discover the rewards of leaving behind stability for a life of discovery. Each interview is with someone who left stability after they were 40 years old to pursue a more satisfactory life. My goal is to inspire those of you over 40 who yearn to break away from a life that’s crushing your heart and soul to travel, but think you can’t, to think differently and go do it! And, as we have moved into the pandemic, the episodes have now grown into ideas about the future of travel and thoughts on being grounded from travel.
Pandemic Update: During the Covid-19 pandemic, episodes focus on former nomads, grounded due to the pandemic. We discuss our thoughts on the travel climate, future of travel, and current circumstances.
If you think you should be part of the series, or know someone else who should be, click here for the questionnaire and we’ll be in touch with you to schedule a time if you qualify! In the meantime, scroll down and listen in.

Latest Interview:
Episode 2 - June 2019. Join Laura Oates, fellow wandering nomad and I. I found this interview so fun - really got to see a lot of my own experience and put more meaning to it through Laura explaining her reasons for traveling and what she's looking for, and found. If you're frustrated in your career or on the fence about full time travel, this is a great one to listen to.
Episode 3 - Jessica Fradono. Jessica has been traveling for two years! Join us for a great discussion about her amazing journey and great perspectives on different ways to travel abroad and important sacrifices you make when you travel full time. AND, the truth about how rich you need to be to have this life.
Episode 4 - Julie London. Join Julie and I as we have a talk about the basics. How to plan to travel long term, saving money, health insurance and more! If you're looking for some practical tips, you'll love this video.
Episode 5 - Kathryn Pottruff. This woman is one tough firecracker! She uprooted and changed her life and changed herself in the process. You'll love hearing from her.
Episode 6 - Richard Silver and I speak about an interesting option if you don't want to travel alone, thoughts on failure (this is a big fear that can come up when quitting a job) and more epiphanies about long term travel.
Episode 7 - Nadine Hays Pisani. I am so honored and excited to have interviewed Nadine Hays Pisani, author of the "Happier Than a Billionaire" series and all-around-amazing human being. I was blown away by all the epiphanies we discussed about living happier and how leaving stability is the start of it all.
Episode 8 - Heather Markel Join me as I finally tell you MY story! This one is filmed in Huacachina, Peru, and has some fun insights about why now is the time to follow your dream and what happens when you do.
Video #9 - Lilli Mixich Join Heather and Lilli who is a fascinating German woman that left stability to travel in Africa, in her car! She has great insights about life and making this travel/nomad life work long term, and insight on traveling solo.
Episode 10 - Flo Wong. I met Flo via Facebook and we met up in person in Cusco, Peru and not only is she a great guest, she's also now a new friend. Join Flo and I as we speak about one of the unfortunate reasons that propelled us to travel full time, as well as more tips on how to do it and why it's worth trading your stuff for this amazing experience.
Episode 11 - Cason Lane Cason Lane left stable income to pursue his passion - his own business which then allowed him to pursue his other passion - traveling the world. Join us for a talk about how to mix both these wonderful passions! Cason also gives some original tips at the end about how to make new friends on the road.
Episode 12 - Heide Leighty Join Heide Leighty and I as we discuss how to make it possible to full time travel, with your family! She shares great tips and has a fascinating story and a big glitch that she took well in stride.
Episode 13 - Jennifer Magee. Jennifer and I meet up in Franschoek, South Africa to discuss why it can be worthwhile to quit your job and travel, and how you might be able to take your job with you! All over some fantastic wine. 🙂
The Inspired Nomads - Inspiration Into Action - It All Works Out This is the first of a parallel series of videos to delve a little deeper into some of the epiphanies that have come as a result of these amazing interviews. I will challenge you to incorporate them into your own life. In this episode, I talk about how things always work out.
Episode 14 - Dot Bekker Join us in Africa as we discuss the value of leaving stability, especially when you've made unhappiness the thing most stable in your life! And, we'll even discuss some tips to make big changes to your life. Dot has a great story to tell, listen in for some excellent insights.
The Inspired Nomads - Inspiration Into Action - It's OK To Solo Travel The World You might want to solo travel the world but have some fears about what it's like or perhaps worry about being alone. This video will help you see another side to solo travel and give you some tips to overcome those fears!
Episode 15 - Angie House Heather Markel interviews Angie House and we discuss some of the hardships and rewards that go along with being a nomad. We talk about some of the changes you need to make to your thinking process if you come from a corporate world and want to become a nomad. We also discuss some ways to plug in to work opportunities, the importance of downsizing and the steps to do it.
Inspiration Into Action - Work for Fulfillment Instead of Retirement Join me for a fun chat from Portugal where I talk about the difference in working for fulfillment vs retirement and how you can take action to create your own work and life around more fulfillment.
Episode 16 - Ruth and Alan This is a fun and lively chat with a great couple, traveling the world in their motorhome, who happen to be parked at an IKEA for the interview! Join Heather Markel as she interviews them about how they sustain their life, their views on career and retirement, and some of the deeper advantages of long-term travel, and why you shouldn't hesitate to turn your travel dreams into reality.
Inspiration Into Action - It's About the Journey Not the Destination In this episode, Heather summarizes her journey so far, over the past two years, and what's ahead in year three. She shares photos and insights from those first two years and gives you some tips on how to live more fulfilled.
Episode 17 - Marilyn This exciting episode delves into some serious epiphanies about manifesting and following your heart. We also talk a lot about retirement fears and what money is like when you pursue something you love.
Episode 18 - Myles and Karen I'm sure you'll agree that Myles and Karen are hilarious as we talk about the nomadic lifestyle as a couple, whether we regret leaving stability and taking a bit of each culture with us.
Episode 19 - Lisa Dorenfest My first guest traveling the world by boat! Filmed shortly before the pandemic, we have a great chat about fulfilling dreams, and what it's like looking for work later in life with a big resume gap.
Episode 20 - Victoria Osborne The first pandemic episode - we talk about being grounded, thoughts on the pandemic and the future of travel. Victoria has done some very interesting travel by ship!
Episode 21 - Pandemic Edition - Sue Cockell Join Heather and Sue, two fellow long-term travelers, as we discuss life outside of travel, ideas on the future of travel, and ladies, you will not want to miss the huge reveal at the end!
Episode 22 - Pandemic Edition - Jessica Fradono Join Heather and Jessica Fradono, who you may remember from episode 3, for a frank chat about being an American stuck abroad watching events unfold.
Episode 23 - Pandemic Edition - Alison Armstrong Join Alison and I as we talk about what we miss most about travel and some great tips for traveling responsibly in future!
Episode 24 - Pandemic Edition - Julie London Join Heather and Julie as they discuss their experiences in the pandemic, what's really going on, the future of travel, and more.
Episode 25 - Pandemic Edition - Chaya Kowal Join Heather and Chaya for an engaging discssion about Chaya's adventures and her pandemic experience.