Ep. 45 - From Minnesota Cabin to Peru Paradise - Laura's Adventure-Filled Life

 From Minnesota Cabin to Peru Paradise - Laura's Adventure-Filled Life Guest: Laura Dias, Retreat Host & Adventure Enthusiast Ever wondered what it's like to completely change your life and follow your dreams? Our amazing guest Laura Dias did exactly that! Born and raised in Minnesota (where everyone "goes up north" to the lakes), Laura has always been what she calls "joyously map obsessed." Laura's Journey Laura's adventure story began early - she saved up money from two jobs to take her first big trip to Europe right after high school. But the real magic happened when she moved to Peru about eight years ago. What started as a business trip to find alpaca products turned into something incredible when she met Carlos, a local guide who was only making $100 for leading 17-day jungle treks to Machu Picchu! Seeing how unfairly he was being paid, Laura suggested they start their own company. And that's exactly what they did! Retreats and Tours Peru was born, offering transformational retreats in the Sacred Valley near Cusco. What Makes These Retreats Special Laura's retreats aren't your typical tourist trips. They focus on the ancient energy of Cusco and the Sacred Valley, taking guests to less crowded places where they can really connect with: Amazing Incan history and stories The beautiful Quechua indigenous culture Stunning archaeological sites The transformational power of stepping outside your comfort zone The retreat season runs from April through November (avoiding the rainy season), and they currently host about 4 retreats per year with room to grow up to 32! Life-Changing Advice for Midlife Women Here's where Laura really shines - her philosophy on adding adventure to your life is pure gold: Start Small: You don't need to climb Mount Everest! Adventure can be as simple as: Putting cinnamon in your tea instead of honey Taking a walk down a path you've never explored Trying a new restaurant in your town Eating dinner at 6pm instead of 7pm Break the Routine: Laura explains that routines can hold us captive. When you do the same things every day, years can fly by without you even noticing. But you remember every trip you took and every adventure you had! Change Your Mindset: Instead of seeing challenges as problems, try viewing them as adventures. As Laura says, "Adventure is fun. A problem can be difficult. But if you can train your brain to see things as adventure... it's a much better way." The Science of Happiness Laura shares this brilliant insight: The word "happiness" comes from the same root as "happenings." You need things happening in your life to be truly happy! Plus, when you step out of your routine, your brain produces endorphins that make you feel better. She also reminds us that: Depression comes from thinking too much about the past Anxiety comes from thinking too much about the future Happiness lives in the present moment Perfect Timing for Empty Nesters For women whose kids have grown up, Laura has encouraging words: "You have more choice than you've ever had in your life!" While being a parent required routines and structure, now you can literally do whatever you want. The key is taking small steps to rediscover what that might be. Connect with Laura Ready to add some adventure to your life? Laura has a Facebook group called "Ignite Your Life" where she posts daily "sparks" - little adventure ideas to get you started. Look for the badge-shaped logo with a little road! Want to visit Peru? Email: [email protected] Facebook: Ignite Your Life group LinkedIn: Retreats & Tours Peru Laura's story proves that it's never too late to completely change your life and follow your dreams. Whether you're ready for a transformational retreat in Peru or just want to start with small daily adventures, the most important thing is to take that first step outside your routine. As Laura says, "Adventure calls you" - you just have to be brave enough to answer!