Interview with Sonia
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After almost 20 years in the corporate world (having moved to a new country, climbed the ranks, and collected promotions), I found myself facing the position I had been working toward for years.
On paper, it was everything I had wanted — or so I thought. The title, the salary, the recognition… But when the offer came, something inside me hesitated.
Yes, it meant more income. But also more stress, more hours, more responsibility, and far less time for myself. Was this really the life I wanted?
After an intense inner struggle, I decided not to go for the promotion. It was one of the hardest and most liberating decisions I’ve ever made.
I realised I no longer wanted to climb a ladder that led to a life that didn’t feel true to me.
The problem was… if I didn’t want that, what did I want?
I felt completely lost. My identity had been so wrapped up in that career path that I didn’t know who I was without it.
Over the next 12 months, I embraced my passion for travel, making 15 trips to 11 different countries. And for the first time, I felt like I was truly living.
I hadn’t realised until then how much I had been trying to fit into other people’s expectations.
Travelling allowed me to meet a happier, more expansive version of myself that I didn’t even know existed.
I built a global network of friends and transformed my life from the inside out. It felt like a rebirth. During that time, I also met my soulmate and discovered my true life purpose through these experiences.
This is when I returned to my background in psychology and began to explore how travel can be a catalyst for transformation — and how it can shape our lives so we can realise our authentic potential.
From this, I wrote and published my first book, How to Create the Life You Desire.
As I shared my story, I realised I wasn’t alone. Friends, colleagues, and even strangers started reaching out, seeking to travel with more intention.
This is how my work in transformational travel began: helping others use travel as a path to come back to themselves and live a life with purpose.
And as I grew my business and crossed the six-figure mark, something else started to happen.
More and more people began asking me how they could do the same. How they could turn their love of travel into a business that makes a real difference.
That’s why today, I mentor and support travel entrepreneurs.
Because I believe the world needs more meaningful travel experiences and more purpose-driven people leading them.
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My clients are travel professionals such as travel advisors, retreat leaders, tour operators, and travel coaches, who no longer feel fulfilled simply selling trips, itineraries, or logistics.
They are looking for something deeper.
They want to create travel experiences that have meaning and help people grow, reconnect, heal, or step into a new chapter in their lives.
At the same time, they are often facing real challenges in their business:
They struggle to clearly communicate the value of what they offer.
Their marketing isn’t consistently attracting the right clients.
They know their work is powerful, but their income doesn’t reflect it.
And they don’t want to sell in a pushy or inauthentic way.
My clients are people who are ready to move beyond transactional tourism and build a business that feels aligned, meaningful, and sustainable without having to rely on constant marketing or sales strategies that don’t feel like them.
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I help you build a business that is rooted in the transformation you provide.
While many mentors focus on visibility, funnels, or constant content, my approach is different:
We start with your offer, making sure it is clear, meaningful, and something people truly want.
We focus on guiding your clients through a journey so they are ready to work with you before you ever start “selling”.
We build a simple, repeatable system for you to attract and enrol clients without feeling pushy or salesy.
This work is not about quick tactics or chasing trends.
It’s about creating a business that feels aligned with who you are, reflects the depth of your work, and allows you to grow in a way that is sustainable over time.
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I tend to work best with people who are ready to take consistent action.
You can think of this work as learning by doing.
You’ll be supported, guided, and shown the steps, but you’ll also be expected to implement them. This is not about staying in theory. It’s about moving your business forward in a real, tangible way.
At the same time, we won’t do this in a rushed or forceful way.
We focus on taking the right actions, the ones that are aligned, effective, and actually lead to clients.
If you’re ready to be supported, challenged, and to move forward with clarity and consistency, that’s where you’ll see the biggest results.
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It’s not the right fit if you’re looking for quick fixes, shortcuts, or someone to do the work for you.
It’s also not for you if:
You’re not ready to take action or implement what we work on.
You’re looking for constant new strategies instead of committing to one proven path.
You are looking for quick sales in a way that feels pushy, aggressive, or misaligned.
This work asks for honesty, commitment. It requires trust, openness, and a willingness to take action, even when things are new or uncomfortable.
If you’re someone who is ready to engage, to take responsibility for your progress, and to approach this work with a clear and committed mindset, you’ll get so much more out of it.
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My first degree is in Psychology, and I also hold a Master’s degree in Leadership.
In addition, I am a qualified NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioner, and a certified Travel Coach.
Alongside my studies, I bring over 20 years of experience coaching people internationally, including my previous role as a manager in the corporate world.
Through my work, I help travel professionals create profitable, purpose-led businesses by turning their own story, skills, and passion into offers that truly serve others and make a real difference.
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If you fully engage with the work, you can expect to:
Get clear on your ideal client and create an offer they genuinely want and are willing to pay for.
Communicate the value of your work in a way that people immediately understand and connect with.
Stand out in your space without needing to compete on price or constantly prove yourself.
Build a simple, repeatable way to attract and enrol new clients.
Feel more confident talking about your work and inviting people to work with you.
Sell in a way that feels natural, not pushy or forced.
Create offers and structures that allow you to grow your income in a more sustainable way.
Our programs are not about adding more to your plate. They are about simplifying your business, focusing on what actually works, and creating a way of growing that feels aligned, consistent, and real.
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If you’re not sure you’re ready to work together yet, there are a few ways you can start getting a feel for my approach.
You can join my newsletter, where I regularly share insights, ideas, and practical guidance on how to build a more meaningful and sustainable travel business.
You’re also welcome to join my Facebook community, where I share trainings, reflections, and support around creating and selling transformational travel offers.
These are great places to start engaging with the work, explore a different way of thinking about your business, and see if this approach resonates with you.
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Great! Being ready to move forward is where things start to shift.
The best way to get started is with a conversation. So, I invite you to book a Discovery Call with me.
This is a space for us to look at your business, your offer, and where you are right now so we can get clear on what’s working, what’s not, and what your next steps need to be.
By the end of the call, you’ll have clarity on what’s really needed to move forward, and whether working together is the right fit for you.
If it is, I’ll guide you through the next steps. If it’s not, you’ll still leave with a clearer direction.
Your Journey with Travel Awakens
Travel Awakens blends blends strategy and mindset to help you gain clarity, grow your business, and truly serves the people you’re here to help.
While each entrepreneur’s journey is unique, this page answers common questions about how I work, and the kind of clarity, confidence, and momentum this process can unlock.
About Sonia Cruz Oro
Official Bio
Sonia Cruz helps travel professionals create and sell meaningful, transformational offers so they can attract the right clients, make a deeper impact, and build a more profitable and aligned business.
Having experienced her own transformation through travel, Sonia supports her clients in moving beyond transactional tourism and translating that depth into clear, meaningful offers that connect and create real impact.
On top of her first degree in psychology, a master’s degree in leadership and management, and certification as a neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) master practitioner, Sonia also brings to her practise more than 15 years’ experience coaching people internationally from her former role as a manager in the corporate world.
Sonia is the author of How to Create the Life You Desire. Her expertise has been featured on podcasts like “The Travel Coach Network”, “Soul of Travel” and "One Life", as well as magazines like CNN Travel, Medium, Authority Magazine and Thrive Global.
Sonia is originally from Spain but currently lives in Ireland with her husband.
Contact Sonia
Curious to hear more ? Email me at sonia@travelawakens.com and let’s explore how Travel Awakens can support your path.