Interview by Prime Sarmiento

 

 

 

 

   I have conducted these Q and As for the past few months and I have interviewed some of the most intelligent and beautiful (inside and out) female travelers around the world. But it is only now that I'm openly gushing for an interviewee.

   Natalie Sisson aka the Suitcase Entrepreneur is an inspiration. And I'm proud to have her as a business mentor. Thanks to her – and the WE Mastermind* program that she co-created specifically to help budding women entrepreneurs – this humble travel blog is being transformed into an ultimate and fab resource for female travelers! (it’s in the works now, I’ll keep you posted!)

   One of Natalie's big hairy audacious goals (BHAGs) this year is to embark on the adventure of a lifetime – the Tour d’Afrique. Next week, Natalie will be heading to Nairobi in Kenya to cycle 6,445km for over two months to Capetown in South Africa. Natalie considers this “the ride of my life”. And to this end, she launched a “Human Powered Awesome" campaign to raise at least $10,000 for WomenWin.org – a leading global organization that aim to empower girls and women to improve their rights through sport.

In this interview, Natalie discussed about life long dreams, how to fulfill BHAGs and her secret to living a life of fun and adventure.

 

 

Q: Let's talk about your BHAG, why did you decide to go for this "Ride of my Life"? Is this the fulfillment of a life-long dream?

 

A:   In many ways yes. The idea to take the ride of my life was planted in my head almost six years while I was sitting on a slow boat on the Mekong river in Laos. I was talking to a random Canadian stranger at the time and since we had eight hours to kill, we discussed almost everything in life.

During that time, he told me about this amazing bike tour called Tour d’Afrique in which riders could bike just under 12,000km from Cairo to Capetown. My instant reaction was `That is insane. I want to do it’.

Strike forward to present day and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

 

Q: How are you preparing for this?         

 

A:  I’d like to say I’ve done more training but it is definitely hard to fit in longer rides when you’re running a 24/7 online business. I have to make time to schedule out and plan for rides as a part of my day or evening and weekend. I always feel 100% better when I’m on the bike too so I do look forward to it.  I don’t have a trainer but I do rope in training buddies from time to time.

My daily schedule is never the same, I try to tie in coaching calls on one to two days and leave the rest to work on the fundraising, training, content creation and relationship building.

I will be riding 120-200 kilometers five to six days in a row for two months so I simply need time in the saddle so I know what that feels like. I did a 160 km road race in November that I trained a lot for and that was hard but fun so I know I’ll be ok, it’s the long term soreness and chaffing I’m a little concerned about. That and camping at the end of a long day.

 

Q: Where do you find the energy, the time, the motivation to accomplish so many things in a day?

 

A: I have NO idea. I’m a naturally energetic person and I have a lust for life plus a curiosity for new things, so challenges like this are totally up my alley as they push me well outside my comfort zone. I also do not have a family and I don’t really watch TV.

 

 Q: How important is "fierce focus" in fulfilling this BHAG (or any BHAG for that matter)?

 

A: I always choose a word of the year, and this year I took two FIERCE FOCUS. This came out of having a 2011 year where I said yes to too many things and felt stretched and well unfocused.

Don’t get me wrong I had a tremendous year but sometimes at the expense of other things that are important to me. I realized that if you really truly want to achieve what you set your sights on, you don’t need to be distracted by things in your peripheral vision – hence the laser like focus on only doing those activities that contribute towards reaching your goals.

 My advice is to have these legacy objectives (aka goals) printed out and in your view at all times so you can remind yourself of why you’re doing what you’re doing. Simple yet effective.

 

Q: Is this your first time to visit Africa? What is it about Africa that fascinates you? Any favorite city and why?

A: Yes it is. I have been longing to go there for the longest time. It’s an undiscovered continent for me and I just have a feeling this trip will change my life. It’s one of the few trips that I’m actually a little daunted by – in a good way.

I’m just looking forward to the diversity, learning more about the cultures, the tribes and the changing environment I experience as I cycle through.

I’ve asked a lot of people who have travelled there about their experiences and each and everyone has something different to say so that fascinates me more.

 

Q: What do you think is an "act of human powered awesome"? 

A: To me it’s when someone does something that stretches them, pushes them beyond their boundaries and forces them out of their comfort zone. It’s something that tests them mentally and physically too.

It’s any act above and beyond what is normally possible for humans that makes it extra special.

It’s an act of courage, bravery and one that goes beyond just that person to impact others.

 

Q: What's your message to other women travelers who want to follow your path?

 

A:  Go where your heart is and don’t be afraid to go on as many adventures as you can in your lifetime. The world is yours to discover and yours to enjoy.

Share your experiences and good fortune along the way and return the favors that people do for you on your travels, to fellow nomads, so that this act of giving can be passed on forever.

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