Meditation, Travel, and Vision Loss: Jordan Hankins on Healing, Self-Advocacy, and Rebuilding Life

Penn and Moses open with a call for listeners to mail physical birthday cards to Aftersight (to be read on air), emphasizing the meaning of handwritten notes over “one-click” social media greetings. They then welcome guest Jordan Hankins (joining from Austin, Texas) for a wide-ranging conversation on vision loss, identity, and rebuilding life with intention. Jordan shares her “before and after” story: years of grinding in real estate with freedom and travel as the goal, followed by a major crossroads as her vision rapidly declined. She describes a dark transition period, then a turning point—choosing to travel anyway—and how immersion in wellness communities (including Thailand) reshaped her outlook on healing, lifestyle, and personal agency. The discussion explores holistic health practices (nutrition, time outside, movement, acupuncture, herbs, meditation), the challenge of reintegrating into U.S. “grind” culture after experiencing slower, wellness-centered environments, and the practicality of returning to basics (real food, nature, reducing screen time). Jordan also explains why she began publicly documenting her journey—moving from “real estate Barbie” highlights to honest vulnerability—and the importance of boundaries when people reach out for support. The episode closes with meditation as a core practice Jordan credits with her transformation, her developing work teaching meditation, and early plans for accessible retreats (starting with Mexico). Penn and Moses underline the theme that life keeps bringing waves—growth is learning to ride them with better tools, self-awareness, and community. 2) Contact Info Guest / Platform Jordan HankinsSocials + Podcast: “Sighted by Soul” (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Podcast)Birthday Card Mailing Address (Aftersight)Aftersight 1805 Highway 42, Suite 220 Louisville, CO 80027Aftersight ContactPhone: (720) 712-8856Email: [email protected] CreditProduced by: Jonathan Price (Aftersight)3) Show CreditsPodcast: The Blind Chick (An Aftersight Original)Hosts: Penn Street and Moses StreetGuest: Jordan HankinsProducer: Jonathan PriceOrganization: Aftersight4) Chapter Markers00:00 — Birthday cards: why physical mail matters (and where to send it)02:19 — Guest welcome: Jordan Hankins joins from Austin04:30 — Austin vibes, community, and the Blind Travel Summit mention06:54 — “Before”: real estate grind, money, freedom, and travel09:17 — The dark season: fear, uncertainty, and deciding to keep living14:33 — The “screw it” moment: choosing travel as the turning point16:54 — Thailand: wellness communities, retreats, and reframing “healing”21:29 — Coming back to the U.S.: holding onto “mountaintop” energy28:27 — Practical basics: outside time, whole foods, movement, screens33:10 — Social media tension: sharing purposefully without losing presence35:30 — Why she went public: from highlights to real life and vulnerability42:24 — Meditation: YouTube beginnings vs deeper training/retreat learning44:41 — What’s next: retreats (Mexico) + balancing purpose with real estate60:57 — Riding the wave: tools, seasons, and not getting taken under63:07 — Closing: online meditation plans and a call to be kind to yourself