How a Kerry Way Hike Sparked a New Life

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My guest on this week's episode of Thrive Solo is the wonderful Cindy Sheehan.

In 2016, Cindy was a married Mum of four when she took a leave of absence from her office job in Colorado and joined two friends to go backpacking on The Kerry Way in Ireland. Little did she know at the time that that trip would be the beginning of a brand new life. By the end of 2017, she had quit both her job and her marriage to become a full-time traveller, and she has since travelled to nearly 50 countries. Cindy has settled in Palermo, Sicily for now, although who knows where life might take her next. Now while she lives a largely solo life, Cindy has a French, paraglider boyfriend — otherwise known as The Frenchman — who lives in France, and although the two of them spend more time apart than they do together, they meet when they can for travelling adventures. 

I know that you will love hearing all about Cindy’s solo life and travels. In this conversation she shares her transformative experience of leaving a 30-year marriage to travel the world, settling temporarily in various countries, and eventually obtaining an EU passport through Italian ancestry. She talks about the unique relationship dynamics with her French partner, the challenges and rewards of solo travel, and the profound sense of freedom it brings. 

Tune in for inspirational stories, advice on overcoming fears, and a celebration of living a joyful, independent life.

04:54 Cindy's Life Transformation

11:47 The Decision to Leave a 30-Year Marriage

14:35 Support from Family and Solo Travels

17:03 Meeting the Frenchman: A Unique Relationship

23:49 The Joys and Challenges of Solo Travel

28:39 Making Connections While Traveling

31:13 Multi-Generational Friendships

32:11 The Joys of Solo Travel

34:44 Memorable Travel Destinations

36:40 Settling in Europe: Portugal and Sicily

37:29 Navigating EU Residency and Citizenship

44:39 Living in Palermo, Sicily

48:29 Overcoming Solo Travel Fears

54:07 Thriving Solo: Tips and Reflections

57:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Follow Cindy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postsfromaflashpacker/

Check out Cindy's website: https://postsfromaflashpacker.com/

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And thank you so much for listening!