323 - A Car Wreck, a Lost Election, and 90 Countries Later with the Dynamic Duo, Dr. Evelyn Kelly and Natalie Kelly
From Comfort To Courage · 53:28
Show by Jen Josey
What do you do when one year knocks you down twice? In 1992, Dr. Evelyn Kelly survived a severe car wreck and then lost her race for superintendent of schools by just a handful of votes. Instead of sitting home with the disappointment, she and her daughter Natalie took her husband's advice, left the dogs in his care, and boarded a plane to Europe. That one trip lit a fire that has now carried this mother-daughter team, known as the Dynamic Duo, to 90 countries, all 50 states, and seven continents. In this episode, Evelyn and Natalie share how travel became their lifeline for mental wellness and their favorite way to bust through the comfort zone. You will hear about their whirlwind first trip through 13 countries in three weeks, the seaplane ladder at the Dry Tortugas that Evelyn swore she could not climb, a near belly landing in Israel, and why Antarctica stole the heart of a native Floridian. Natalie, who oversees Florida's behavioral health safety net system, breaks down how to travel on a budget, why organized tours save you time, money, and trouble, and how travel can help delay aging. They also tackle the biggest excuses that keep people home, from "who will take care of the dogs?" to "I'm too old." If you have been telling yourself you don't have the time, the money, or the energy to explore, this conversation is for you. Caregivers, busy professionals, retirees, and anyone stuck in the same daily routine will walk away with practical travel tips and a simple challenge you can act on this week. At 91, Evelyn is chasing 100 countries by her 100th birthday. What is your excuse? 5 Powerful Takeaways Discover how one hard year, a car wreck and a lost election, turned into the first step of a 30+ year travel adventure across 90 countries and seven continents. Learn budget travel strategies you can start today, from cutting the $8 coffees and unused streaming services to using a points credit card you pay off every month to fly first class. Find out why organized tours help you skip the lines, stay safe, avoid costly mistakes abroad, and see more places with less stress. Get the "90-mile radius" strategy that helps you break your daily routine, reduce stress, and support your mental wellness without ever boarding a plane. Hear why age is not a limit, straight from a 91-year-old who plans to visit 100 countries by the time she turns 100. 00:00 Courage Is Contagious 01:35 Silence Negative Self Talk 04:12 Meet The Dynamic Duo 06:48 Careers And Credentials 11:26 Travelers At Heart Mission 17:36 1992 Turning Point 22:44 First Europe Tour Lessons 26:19 How They Travel Every Year 28:40 Comfort Zone Breakthrough 30:16 Travel for Wellness 32:39 Budget Travel Strategies 35:24 Why Guided Tours Win 37:59 Favorite Destinations 40:10 Places Not Revisited 41:27 Courage Challenge Action 43:01 Badass Books and Habits 45:05 Advice and Doubt 48:00 Goals Strength Success 51:42 Connect and Wrap Up About the Guests Dr. Evelyn Kelly and Natalie Kelly are the mother-daughter travel team known as the Dynamic Duo and the voices behind Travelers at Heart. Dr. Evelyn Kelly holds a PhD from the University of Florida, a master's degree in religion, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee. She taught educational leadership at four universities, wrote for science publications such as Genetic Engineering News, and has authored 22 books on topics ranging from genetics and stem cells to travel and personal growth. Natalie Kelly holds a master's of science in communications and a bachelor of science in visual arts and communications from Florida State University, and has spent more than 35 years in government affairs, communications, public policy, and executive leadership, including roles in state government and Washington, DC. Today she works with the Florida Association of Managing Entities, overseeing Florida's behavioral health safety net system. Together they have traveled to 90 countries, all 50 states, and seven continents, and they are on a mission to show people that travel is a powerful tool for mental wellness, healthy aging, and a braver life. Resources & Websites Mentioned Travelers at Heart: https://www.travelersatheart.com Have a Love Affair with Travel by Dr. Evelyn Kelly and Natalie Kelly (available on Amazon) Have a Love Affair with the USA by Dr. Evelyn Kelly and Natalie Kelly (available on Amazon) 101 Unusual Diseases by Dr. Evelyn Kelly The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey Atomic Habits by James Clear Connect With Jen Josey To learn more about Jen Josey, visit https://www.therealjenjosey.com/ If you enjoy Jen's Witty Shirts, shop the whole collection at https://www.shopwittygoods.com/ New episodes drop every Monday Morning at 6am EST. See you next time.
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