Preparing Your Body and Mind for Adventure and Transformation

By Becki Rupp, Health Coach and Personal Trainer

Special note: When this was originally written, the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Tens of millions of people were restricted to their homes with specific exceptions. Travel for pleasure and adventure was essentially halted. Yet many of us were still planning for and excited about the trips we would be taking, the cultures we’d be exploring, and the experiences we’d be having in the future. 

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As we look ahead to transformational travel experiences, each of us has our own definition of what may inspire the growth and change we seek. Some of us gravitate toward physical challenges to push us to the next level, while others are drawn to intellectual challenges that expand our minds. And yet it’s the combination of both that often leads to the most meaningful growth. 

Our “pre-travel time” allows us to do more than just figure out the next place to go and book it. It offers the opportunity to proactively prepare so we can make the most of the travel experience. 

When we invest the time, thought and actions into getting our bodies and minds ready, the payoff is richer and more meaningful memories, plus the potential to alter our trajectory for the future. 

Preparing Physically 

When my husband and I were planning our trip to Ecuador for fall 2019, we learned of a three-day village-to-village trek called the Quilotoa Loop (though the usual route isn’t actually a loop, it’s actually a point-to-point hike). We’d hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu a few years before, which gave us an appreciation for the history and geography of the Andes. We were excited to have a more intimate experience with locals in a relatively quiet corner of the Andes on this trip. 

Although we hike frequently in the Colorado Rockies, which are literally in our backyard, we’ve gotten a bit “soft” and spoiled by day hikes followed by dinner at home, a dip in our hot tub, and sleeping in a king bed.

So last summer we conscientiously chose longer hikes on back-to-back days, and camped overnight several times. We also used our GPS more and chose unfamiliar routes to refresh our navigation skills.

Ramping up our activity and refreshing our skills improved our comfort level and confidence as we set out for our trip. We knew this preparation would give us the energy to focus on the environment and people we’d encounter on our trip.

As you collaborate with your ExplorerX Travel Advisor about what activities you want to do on your trip, share what you’d like to achieve. Do you want to go on a hike that’s longer or more strenuous than you’ve done recently? Are you excited yet a bit anxious about an activity you haven’t done before? How do you want to feel at the end of the day, and the end of the trip?

Getting out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself physically can be a catalyst for incredible growth. That said, preparing for the activities before you leave is an important part of the overall journey.  

Obviously you don’t want to jump into the deep end of the pool if you don’t know how to swim! As you look ahead to the trip, and the time you have before you leave, gradually add in more of the activities you’ll be doing. For example, if your itinerary includes going out on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), find a local lesson even if your package includes instructions onsite. Then on your trip you’ll feel more competent and confident, so you’ll be able to focus more of your attention on your new surroundings, rather than concentrating on just trying to stay dry!

Even if you can’t mimic the environment of your trip while you’re at home, gradually increase your activity level to as close to what you’re expecting on your trip. Add about 10% more than “usual” each week – so if you normally hike 5 miles on a weekend day, add a half mile to each outing.  

Hone your observation powers during your activities too. In familiar places, notice different things like the doors on the houses in your neighborhood, what is on each corner, the trees and other plants in your environment. This will help you become more aware of what you see in unfamiliar settings too. 

You’ll likely be carrying more around on your trip than you do at home. If don’t have access to a gym, get creative with items around your house to build strength, such as your backpack, suitcase, and even books. Here are some ideas for using a backpack and a suitcase. 

Explore online workouts or activities related to your travel destination – there’s a YouTube video for just about everything these days, including Tanzanian traditional dancing, Nepalese-style meditation, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and more.

Of course, if you have any physical limitations, previous injuries or health concerns, check in with your doctor too.

Preparing Mentally

Part of your pre-departure preparation for an Explorer X trip includes travel coaching, which helps you get inspired, motivated and educated about this transformational opportunity. Depending on your preferences and aspirations for the trip, your coach may encourage you to read specific books, write in a journal or create a vision board, and other exercises to expand your mindset.

Even before you connect with your travel coach, consider doing your own mental exploration to prepare for your trip.  

If you’re not already writing in a journal regularly, get into the habit of writing, which will help you get comfortable expressing your thoughts on paper, and possibly out loud too. Even just writing one or two sentences a day can make a difference before, during and after your trip.  

Seek out content about your destination – but don’t overindulge. Strike a balance between understanding the history and context of the place and culture, while leaving room for surprise and discovery. 

I’ve been guilty of overindulging and setting my expectations for a specific type of experience, only to be disappointed when things didn’t work out exactly as I’d imagined. Now I focus on learning the context that will allow me to ask better questions and appreciate the culture more deeply when I’m there.

As you consider what you want to get out of your trip, reflect on some past accomplishments in your life that you’re proud of. What themes appear across your accomplishments? What strengths did you use to achieve them? What do you value most about the accomplishments? How might you use these strengths and values as you prepare for your next trip? And how might you tap into them during your travels?

One of my strengths is planning combined with adaptability. That hike of the Quilotoa Loop actually didn’t happen after all, which was disappointing. Yet I quickly shifted gears on the ground in Ecuador, and we had an amazing time exploring some other areas of the country.  

Find your motivation source to keep you on track with the mental and physical preparation for your trip. Would it be helpful for you to have an accountability partner? Do you work best when you have a specific plan to follow? Do you prefer to craft your own path for preparation? Do you stay motivated when you’ve told family and friends what you’re planning to do? Pick a strategy or two to support you as you get ready for your trip.

In the weeks or months before your trip, inevitably life will happen. Countless commitments and unexpected situations will vie for your time and attention – at work, at home, with your family and friends, in your community. 

As you attend to them, allocate time to focus on what you need to do physically and mentally to make the most of your upcoming transformational travel experience. 

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Becki Rupp is a health coach and personal trainer. She’s also the owner of Trailblazer Wellness, which exists to help people get more physically active, so they have the strength and stamina to enjoy the experiences they’ve dreamed of having. Visit https://trailblazerwellness.com to learn more, check out the Trailblazer Wellness Facebook page or contact Becki at becki@trailblazerwellness.com. © 2020, Trailblazer Wellness, LLC.