FAQ

After 17 years in the corporate world—having moved to a new country, climbed the ranks, and collected promotions—I was finally offered the position I had been working toward for years: a high-level leadership role in a top-ranked multinational.

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 turned down 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, I didn’t know who I was without it.

During the next 12 months, I embraced my passion for travel making 15 trips to 11 different countries. And for the first time, I felt I was living life. I was not aware until that moment, how bad I tried to fit into other people's expectations. Travelling allowed me to meet a happier self, and more expansive version of me that I didn't know existed. 

I expanded my network of friends around the world, and I completely transformed my life from the inside out. As if I got born again, I met my soulmate and I found my true life purpose as a result of these travel experiences.

This is when I returned to my psychology background and began to explore how travel can be a catalyst for transformation, and shape our lives so that we 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 noticed something: I wasn’t alone. Friends, colleagues, even strangers started reaching out. They weren’t just looking for vacation ideas—they were seeking meaningful experiences. They wanted to reconnect with themselves, redefine their lives, and travel with intention.

This is how my work in Transformational Travel Coaching 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 6-figure mark, something else started to happen—more and more people started 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 aspiring travel entrepreneurs. Because I believe the world needs more meaningful travel experiences—and more purpose-driven people leading them.

My clients are mostly women (and some heart-centered men) who feel a deep call to create a meaningful online travel business.

Some are still in traditional careers, feeling the tension between safety and purpose. While others have already taken the leap and started their businesses—but they feel lost in the noise, unsure how to turn their vision into something that’s both impactful and sustainable.

What they all have in common is this:

• They are people with a growth mindset, who want to live a life with purpose and have the desire to make the world a better place.

• They want freedom—time, money, and location freedom.

• They want to serve others, change lives through travel and build a business that reflects who they truly are.

They’re not here to sell trips. They’re here to design experiences that bring people back to themselves.

Most coaches focus on strategy—what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. That’s important. But it’s not enough.

Your business can’t grow if you don’t grow first. And that’s where I work differently.

I guide my clients through the strategy, yes—but I also help them meet the resistance, the doubts, the fears, and the beliefs that quietly sabotage their momentum.

I bring in mindset work, nervous system awareness, and spiritual practice—not just to help them “do more,” but to help you build a business that feels good in their body, their soul, and their everyday life.

I also believe that business is an act of service.
That sales, when done with honesty and care, are just another way to support people.
So my clients don’t have to push, chase, or pretend.
They learn to lead from who they are—and the right clients feel that. And they come.

I know what it’s like to be at the beginning. I didn’t grow up an entrepreneur. I spent most of my life as an employee. I built my transformational travel business from scratch, without a clear map—but with a lot of heart, intention, and trial and error.

Now, I only teach what I’ve lived and proven works in the transformational travel space.

This isn’t a job for me. It’s who I am. And I am honoured to walk beside my clients as they build the business—and life—they were born to lead.

My first degree is in Psychology, and I also completed a Master’s degree in Leadership.  In addition I am a qualified NLP (NeuroLinguistic Program) Master Practitioner and I am, of course, also a certified Travel Coach through the ICF (International Coach Federation).

On top of my studies, I also bring to my practise more than 15 years’ experience coaching people internationally from my former role as a manager of people and teams in the corporate world.

For the past 5+ years, I’ve been guiding travellers to use travel as a tool for inner transformation—designing retreats, coaching programs, and soul-aligned offers that not only changed lives, but also laid the foundation for a thriving, purpose-driven business.

Now, I help entrepreneurs create profitable, purpose-led businesses in the transformational travel and wellness space by turning their own story, skills, and passion into offers that truly serve others and make a real difference.

A way to sample my work is by subscribing to the email newsletter which provides you with proven tips, the latest tools and powerful techniques. It's a must for anyone who wants to build an online transformational travel business transformational.

Yes, if you have any questions, just email me at sonia@travelawakens.com and I’ll be happy to walk you through the different options to see which one will be the very best for you. 

I can’t wait to see you succeed and am honoured to be the one to support you on this journey.

Let’s take off!