 |
The Travel BratsAuthor: Sofia Blanno, Natalie Brouwer
Your one-stop media destination for inspiration to create a travel-filled life you don't need a vacation from. The Travel Brats are building a community around a love for travel, uncovering hidden gems with locals, and empowering exploration from your home city to around the globe. Language: en Genres: Documentary, Places & Travel, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
How Travel Can Change Your Life: Transformative Travel with Caitlyn Lubas
Episode 245
Monday, 9 March, 2026
The Trip That Started It All: Ghana 🇬🇭 Like many great travel stories, Caitlyn’s journey started with one life-changing trip. When she was just 18 years old, she signed up for a college course that included a trip to Ghana focused on social entrepreneurship. Instead of a typical tourist experience, Caitlyn and her classmates worked with women in a village, teaching business skills so they could sell beautiful batik fabric crafts and generate income for their families. But this wasn’t exactly luxury travel. Think: Sleeping in a mud hut Mosquito nets Being completely out of your comfort zone And navigating a totally different culture for the first time And honestly? That’s when everything clicked. Caitlyn realized travel could be so much more than vacations and pretty photos — it could be meaningful, challenging, and life-changing. The World Is the Best Classroom 🌎 One of our favorite moments from the episode was when Caitlyn talked about how travel became her real education. Her philosophy? The world is the best teacher. Travel teaches you things that classrooms simply can’t: ✈️ Adaptability ✈️ Confidence ✈️ Cultural awareness ✈️ Curiosity ✈️ Perspective Caitlyn joked that while she didn’t go to grad school, she basically “graduated from the school of life.” And honestly… we love that kind of “world schooling” approach. Why You Should Travel When You're Young 🧭 Another big takeaway from the episode was Caitlyn’s belief that traveling early in life is incredibly powerful. During college, she actually completed 12 internships to help fund her adventures. That hustle allowed her to explore the world while she was young and energetic enough to really absorb everything she was experiencing. Her mindset was simple: The earlier you experience the world, the more time you have to apply what you learn. And that’s such a Travel Brat mindset. Travel isn’t just something you save for retirement — it’s something that can shape who you become. “You Are Where You Go” 📚 At just 23 years old, Caitlyn turned her experiences into a book called You Are Where You Go. The idea behind the title is something we absolutely love: Every place you visit leaves a mark on you. The cultures you experience, the people you meet, the uncomfortable moments, the magical moments — they all become part of who you are. Travel doesn’t just change your scenery. It changes you. Transformative Travel vs. Just Travel ✨ One of the coolest conversations in the episode was about the difference between fun travel and transformative travel. Don’t get us wrong — beach days and margaritas are amazing. 🍹 But Caitlyn believes the trips that really stick with you are the ones where you: Learn something new Connect with locals Understand cultural traditions Step outside your comfort zone For example, she hosted a group trip to Mexico during Day of the Dead, where travelers didn’t just watch the celebration — they learned the meaning behind it and experienced it alongside the community. And that’s what turns a trip into something unforgettable. Some of Caitlyn’s Most Incredible Travel Adventures 🌍✈️ With over 100 countries visited and all 7 continents explored, Caitlyn has experienced some seriously unforgettable places around the world. During our conversation, she shared how each destination taught her something new about culture, perspective, and adventure. Some of the incredible experiences she’s had include: 🌊 Scuba diving in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – where travelers on her group trips get to explore vibrant underwater ecosystems and push themselves outside their comfort zones. 🦍 Gorilla trekking in Uganda – one of the most powerful wildlife experiences on the planet. Seeing these incredible animals in their natural habitat is something Caitlyn says she will never forget. 🎭 Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico – where travelers learn the deep cultural meaning behind the holiday and participate in traditions that honor loved ones. ❄️ Sailing across the Arctic – an adventure that combines raw nature, extreme landscapes, and once-in-a-lifetime exploration. And those are just a few highlights. For Caitlyn, every destination offers something different — whether it’s adrenaline, cultural immersion, wildlife encounters, or meaningful human connection. Her philosophy is simple: The more places you experience, the more perspectives you gain. And honestly… that’s one of the best reasons to keep exploring. 🌎 Caitlyn Lubas’ Travel Advice for Exploring the World 🌎 After visiting over 100 countries and all 7 continents, Caitlyn has learned a lot about what makes travel truly meaningful. During the episode, she shared some advice that really stuck with us — especially for travelers who want to experience the world in a deeper way. Here are a few of her biggest travel takeaways: Travel With Purpose One of Caitlyn’s biggest beliefs is that travel becomes more powerful when there’s intention behind it. That could mean: learning about local traditions supporting local businesses volunteering or giving back exploring your heritage or ancestry Purpose-driven travel often leads to much more memorable experiences than simply checking landmarks off a list. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable Some of Caitlyn’s most life-changing travel moments happened when she stepped outside her comfort zone — like sleeping in a mud hut during her first trip to Ghana. Those uncomfortable moments are often where the biggest growth happens. Travel teaches you how to: adapt to new situations communicate across cultures become more open-minded And those are skills that stay with you long after the trip ends. Connect With People, Not Just Places One of Caitlyn’s biggest travel philosophies is that the most meaningful souvenirs aren’t things — they’re human connections. Talking with locals, learning about their traditions, and understanding different perspectives is what transforms a trip into something unforgettable. As she shared on the podcast, the relationships you build while traveling often become the most powerful memories you take home. Start Traveling Earlier Than You Think Caitlyn is a huge advocate for traveling while you’re young. The experiences you gain early in life can shape your worldview, career choices, and confidence in ways you might not expect. The earlier you explore the world, the more time you have to apply those lessons throughout your life. And honestly — we couldn’t agree more. ✈️ Our Favorite Travel Brat Takeaway 💫 This episode reminded us of something we talk about all the time in the Travel Brats community: Travel is one of the most powerful tools for personal growth. It opens your mind. It builds confidence. It shows you how big and beautiful the world really is. And sometimes all it takes is one trip — like Caitlyn’s journey to Ghana — to completely change the direction of your life. 🎧 Listen to the Episode If you loved this story, you have to hear the full conversation. Caitlyn shares incredible travel stories, insights about purposeful travel, and advice for anyone who wants to explore the world more intentionally. Trust us — this episode will definitely give you the travel bug. 🧳🌍 See you on the next Travel Brat Tuesday! Until then… Stay curious, keep exploring, and remember: You really do become the places you go. ✈️💙
