Episode 124 - Nabila Ismail, Dose of Travel LLC
For many solo female travelers, building trust in ourselves is about so much more than finding confidence. Our journey is about creatively bonding all the parts of ourselves that make us US as we find ways to experience and express ourselves completely.
Travel For Personal Growth
What better way is there to discover the path that most closely resembles the joy in our souls than through travel?
This week’s guest, Nabila Ismail, knows this journey by heart. She is the founder of the Dose of Travel Club and solo female traveler, entrepreneur, and pharmacist. Nabila is a Pakistani-American who is originally from New York and calls the world her home. She’s been solo traveling for the past ten years with the mission to educate herself about the world and inspire other women of color to follow their dreams. Her personal travel brand is Dose of Travel, which combines all of her interests from healthcare, pharmacy, entrepreneurship, and travel into content and idea sharing online.
In the episode, Nabila shares her journey from retail pharmacist to full-time traveler and content creator, and how grateful she is to have found a way to express all that she loves. Nabila is also a writer, photographer, and consultant with health tech startups and brands. Her words, photos, and persona have appeared in Forbes Travel and Leisure Photos, GoodRx, BBC News, I24 News and more.
About the Dose of Travel Club
Nabila founded the Dose of Travel Club to create a safe, accessible, and inclusive place for travelers on a mission to see more diversity and representation in the travel space.
Travelers from diverse backgrounds can find space and camaraderie in Dose of Travel Club’s group trips.
Identity and Safety While Traveling Solo
Nabila has encountered a number of questions about safety, race, and identity as a traveler who creates content about her experiences and shares this content online. In the podcast, Nabila explains that she did not grow up with travel being a part of everyday life, and since starting to post about her journeys, she has found many folks who share the same challenges she has encountered abroad.
Education, Global Health, and Travel Medicine
While Nabila is not using her doctorate in Pharmacy in a traditional way, she remains committed to pursuing global equity in healthcare. Because she is traveling, she has the opportunity to see healthcare in action wherever she is. She makes connections with local pharmacists and engages in conversations whenever she can.
Her content has also shifted into more ideas around global health and travel medicine. This has allowed her to consult and volunteer with a number of NGOs and continue to make an impact in the way she has always intended. After posting about contracting Dengue on a trip to Bali – with the video even going “viral” – she has been able to use her platform to speak about infectious diseases and travel as well as access to healthcare on a global scale.
Christine and Nabila both share that travel is uniquely positioned to bring together all our worlds in a way that shows us the impact we want to make, and the path to making this happen within our passions and expertise.
Following Your Voice and Your Passions
Nabila is delighted by the way things in her life have turned out so far. She shares that even as recent as a few years ago, she would share that she wanted to utilize her degree in pharmacy while following her passion for travel. And the responses? Confused. She has now created a multi-hyphenated career path that leverages her expertise with her passion for learning about – and with – the world.
Christine shares that for herself and for many of her guests, we have had to get creative and find new ways of being during the last few years while travel was on indefinite hold. The Soul of Travel Podcast was one of these beautiful products and lives as a space where so many topics and ideas can be interconnected and shared.
“Learning to be okay in your own company is one really big factor of solo traveling, because once you feel confident with your own company, then you can take on anything else.”
Soul of Travel Episode 124 At a Glance
In this conversation, Christine and Nabila discuss:
The drive to create a welcoming space for other South Asian women travelers and entrepreneurs
How our passions can intertwine
The role of a different background (like pharmacy!) in giving us unique connections to destinations
How journaling while you travel can help you track your shifts in perspective
Sharing travel experiences as a content creator
Making travel meaningful and impactful
Join Christine now for this soulful conversation with Nabila Ismail.
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Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goal #3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Sustainable Development Goal #10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode
To learn more about Dose of Travel, visit the website at https://www.doseoftravel.co/!
Follow Nabila on your favorite social media network!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabila-ismail-pharmd/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doseoftravel/.
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doseoftravel
About the Soul Of Travel Podcast
Soul of Travel honors the passion and dedication of people making a positive impact in the tourism industry. In each episode, you’ll hear the stories of women who are industry professionals, seasoned travelers, and community leaders. Our expert guests represent social impact organizations, adventure-based community organizations, travel photography and videography, and entrepreneurs who know that travel is an opportunity for personal awareness and a vehicle for global change.
Join us to become a more educated and intentional traveler as you learn about new destinations, sustainable and regenerative travel, and community-based tourism. Industry professionals and those curious about a career in travel will also find value and purpose in our conversations.
We are thought leaders, action-takers, and heart-centered change-makers who inspire and create community. Join host Christine Winebrenner Irick for these soulful conversations with our global community of travelers exploring the heart, the mind, and the globe.
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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor). Nabila Ismail (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.
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WE WON A BESSIE AWARD! The Bessie Awards recognize the achievements of women and gender-diverse people making an impact in the travel industry. To view the complete list of 2022’s winners, visit bessieawards.org.
Soul of Travel Episode 124 Transcript
Women’s travel, transformational travel, sustainable travel, social entrepreneurship, women traveling solo, solo female travelers
Christine:
Nabila Ismail is a Pakistani American solo female traveler, entrepreneur, pharmacist, and many other things. Originally from New York, she calls the world her home. Anywhere she can bring a laptop, she's there. She's been solo traveling for the last 10 years with the mission to educate herself about the world and inspire other women of color to follow their dreams. Her personal brand is Dose of Travel, which combines all of her interests from healthcare, pharmacy, entrepreneurship, and travel. Now she's also the founder of the Dose of Travel Club, which creates a safe, accessible, an inclusive place for travelers on a mission to see more diversity and representation in the travel space. She's also a writer, photographer and works as a consultant with health tech startups and brands. Her words can be found in Forbes Travel and Leisure Photos, GoodRx and More. She has been featured on screen on BBC News and I 24 News.
Christine:
She was previously the host of the Good Pharmacist Podcast and the Dose of Travel podcast. In our conversation, we talk about her drive to create a space for other South Asian women travelers launching a travel business and how her passion for medicine, global health education, and her doctorate in pharmacy give her a unique connection to destinations where she travels. Love these soulful conversations. We rely on listener support to produce our podcast. You can support me in amplifying the voices of women by making a donation on PayPal. The link is in the show notes. Join me now for my soulful conversation with Nabila Ismail.
Christine:
Welcome to Soul of Travel podcast. I am so happy today to be joined by Nabila Ismail and she is calling us from Kenya. So I really appreciate you taking the time out of your travel schedule to join us. Um, I love that in these conversations I really get to connect with people literally around the world. So that's a fun part of this experience and we've been trying to make this happen for a while. So I'm really excited to be able to bring your story to the podcast today. Welcome.
Nabila:
Thank you so much for having me. I am also really excited that we're finally doing this. Um, it's about time that our timing aligned
Christine:
<laugh>. Yeah, uh, certainly it was so much easier at the beginning of this podcast to connect with women as in the pandemic. People weren't traveling as much and now I am realizing having a podcast, talking with women who are seasoned travelers, it makes it a lot more difficult to track people down. But, um, technology and co-working spaces like you're in today really allow for us to still stay connected. So I appreciate it. Um, for those of you joining, um, Nebula is a solo female traveler, entrepreneur and pharmacist and, uh, like myself and so many of the solo travel guests, a multi-passionate woman. And I can't wait to kind of hear how all of these pieces of your story are woven together. Um, I'd love to turn it over to you and give you a moment to introduce yourself and, uh, let our listeners know a little bit more about who you are and who you are in the space of travel.
Nabila:
Yeah, thank you. So, like you mentioned, I am a pharmacist by training. Um, and so I worked in the profession and then I always had like a passion for travel and had been traveling. Um, I started at 18 and so it's been a decade of traveling solo. And up until recently, about eight months ago, I actually left my full-time job to kind of give myself some time to breathe, travel some more after the pandemic. And like you mentioned, nobody was traveling. And um, somewhere along the way I kind of took content creation and um, influencing a little bit more seriously, which led to the launch of my travel company, um, where I organize group trips, um, mainly targeted for people of color to have a safe and inclusive space. Um, and yeah, and then it's kind of just led to a lot of other things like freelance writing and working with brands. And so it's been quite a journey, but that's my quick <laugh> bio there.
Christine:
Yeah, thank you for sharing that. Um, and it's, uh, I think, well, we'll get into it later, but really that, that tipping point for you and how quickly that part of your transition grew is pretty exciting and we'll talk about some of the tools and um, you know, ways that that happened, but I, I think that the content you're creating is just really unique and resonant for so many people. So I think that that is probably probably part of it as well. Um, you mentioned you started traveling uh, at about 18, but when did travel come into your life and what were some of those early impactful travel experiences that really begin to shape who you are and where you are today?
Nabila:
Yeah, that's always a good question cuz I'm not sure if I can quite pinpoint when travel happened because growing up I'm in the states, my family is a Pakistani, so I'm first gen. And when I was young, like from times that I can't even recall, I used to go back and forth, um, because my mom's entire family is there. So I feel like just being on a plane at a young age and going into a completely different world, um, was probably played a part. And then when I was in high school, I had a French exchange student who came to live with me and I went to go stay with her for two weeks. And so going to Europe at the age of 14, that was something I never really planned for and I feel like it was quite a dream to go to Paris, um, and live with someone.
Nabila:
So I think that was like a pocket of like inspiration and my love for travel. And then I think the biggest step probably was when um, I finished my first year of college and I moved to Spain to be in o pair for three months. Um, kind of combined like, oh, this would be a good work experience to put on my resume. I could practice my Spanish but I would also like could travel. And I think that's where I was at an age where I like understood that people did this, people could do this. Um, and I met so many other solo travelers and learned that like people took gap years and quit their jobs and whatnot or worked abroad and that's really when everything kind of opened up for me. And since then it's kind of been nonstop, um, of travel pretty much.
Christine:
Yeah, I think that perspective is so valuable because in the US we don't really think about travel. I think the same way that so many people around the world think about travel or especially in Europe, like it's so common, like you said, to take a gap year or to to have uh, be a foreign exchange student even, you know, it's not as common for the US students to think about it, but I think it's very common for European students to think about it and um, I think it is really important in, in shaping our worldview and our understanding. And uh, I'm getting ready to travel with my three daughters for a year and I can't wait to just kind of see who that shapes them into as well. But they are also most excited about Paris, so I think they could relate to <laugh> your experience of being a 14 year old and being able to go there. There's something, I don't know why that city has such a magical draw, I think especially for girls, but they all think it's beautiful.
Nabila:
<laugh>. Yeah, Paris has a choke hold on so many people and I quite like can't really figure out what it is, but it still holds that charm for me even now, like 10 years later. Um, 10 years plus, but okay, I'm gonna have to know more about this year abroad with your three daughters. That sounds like an incredible experience and I'm like so excited for you and them. Um, yeah, I hope to hear more about it either through this podcast or even later
Christine:
<laugh>. Yeah, I would love to share with you, um, you did mention that some of your earliest travel experiences were going back and forth between Pakistan and New York and um, some of the things that I've talked about with other guests is really how travel becomes a, like a bridge to understand. Uh, especially you said you're first generation growing up in the US like the gap between your US identity, your American identity and your lineage. Um, and I know for me international travel and then bringing group travel travelers actually to the region where I grew up in the US were ways that I really began to see things through new eyes and understand myself and understand where I came from. How did travel help you to really begin to value your culture and yourself and really begin to understand how all that works together?
Nabila:
Yeah, that's a good question. I would say that it kind of came to me late, to be honest. Like I said, I've been traveling for 10 years and maybe subconsciously that was one of the reasons why I traveled and enjoyed it so much because I think one of the big focuses while I traveled was like culture. Like that's why I was no pair, which means like even exchange. So I learned a lot about different cultures, like while I was there and then I did a lot of different projects and opportunities that allowed me to kind of really get into the weeds and learn more about the country that I was visiting. But it never occurred to me that like, like I never made me really like focus on my own culture and I kind of didn't really adhere to my culture or really like subscribe to it almost.
Nabila:
Like I was very, very much like removed growing up. Um, for reasons that I haven't really figured out or I guess we could probably like assume. Um, but up until recently, I'd say like the last two years, um, I think I spent a lot more time at home as an adult because of the pandemic. So I moved back home for a little bit to visit after being away from my family during the earlier pandemic. And I saw more of my like cousins and my friends and like went to a couple of more weddings and I think I started to realize, um, it was specifically when I was in Mexico, I was so fascinated to learn the language and to learn how to dance and um, just was really, really fascinated and something clicked and I was like, wait, for all this time I've already spoken another language and it's something that I was embarrassed of.
Nabila:
Like I actually wrote my college entrance exam or essay, um, about me growing up as like a Pakistani American and how I kind of was like ashamed of it growing up. And so I started to realize, um, just a couple of years ago that I had this culture and I was kind of losing it, the language was kind of leaving and then I kind of just got obsessed with it because it was the easiest one to relearn and to like assimilate into because it is me. Um, and so in the last two years that's kind of what happened. And then I also kind of noticed that there weren't other South Asian travelers, um, as many there are definitely out there, but as many, and once I posted I would see people comment that they'd be like, oh, I haven't seen another like South Asian or like a Desi, which is like a term that we use colloquially, um, like traveler.
Nabila:
And it's so cool that you do that. And then I would just see it and it'd be a pattern and I was like, wait, like is this something? And so that's kind of how the group trips also started to come about and it's kind of what's also led me on this like yearlong journey. Like I've mainly been focusing on the Middle East and actually after Kenya I am going to Pakistan to spend time with my grandparents and it'll be the first time let I go as an adult. So I'm like excited, nervous, like I dunno what to expect. But um, yeah, that's the long-winded way, uh, story of like how, um, culture has played a part and how I've rekindled with it.
Christine:
Yeah. Um, I love the moment that you shared in Mexico and realizing that, you know, you had been searching for something that was already yours really. And I think that that really is one of the power thing powerful things about travel. And I think also as a, a young person, like it's really natural to detach from anything your parents try to give you. And so even if that is this cultural identity, like you try to dismiss it and um, and then being able to settle back into that or embrace that part of you once it's yours, I guess, and not something that somebody's trying to like saddle you with, I guess. I don't know how to explain it, but I, I think that's a, a process that people go through in general, but then when you're looking at it from this broader lens, like it's such a, a different experience when it's a completely different, um, lineage or a completely different cultural identity that you're trying to work with.
Christine:
And then also, you know, the idea of speaking a different language and, and trying to find yourself in a different culture. I, I think that's also something that is so powerful in travel because like as we move through different places, we really do see parts of ourselves more clearly in our contrast with others and our similarities with others. And so I think that's so cool that you know, that you witnessed that and then you also said, you know, you didn't notice it happening until recently. And I think that's the other really important thing is a lot of times people talk about these huge aha moments they had from travel or these transformational experiences and we often assume it just happened like a light switch and mm-hmm. <affirmative> often I think that's not the case, is that it does take all of this layering before you see it or this uncovering before you see it. Um, so I love that, you know, you're just starting to see that and I think that gives a lot of people permission to not put that pressure on themselves that they're, that they have been traveling and seeking and maybe not found that revelation yet.
Nabila:
Yeah, no, definitely. Um, I also wanted to add that, another thing that kind of made me realize this was when I would travel to other countries, um, I am often people will assume or ask, they're like, oh, are you Indian? And I'll tell them I'm Pakistani, but they'll usually admire the culture or be like, oh my gosh, like I love watching Bollywood or something like that. And hearing, um, my culture being shared and like celebrated in a positive way, which it hasn't always been in my childhood and growing up. Um, I think that's also something that kind of made me like the way that I would admire the Mexican culture and wanna learn how to salsa dance or speak Spanish. Someone else would say the same thing and I'd be like, oh yeah, you're right. Like I do have like this beautiful culture. Like we have great dances in our language and our food.
Nabila:
Um, like things that I didn't really realize but hearing it shared so positively around the world, um, where we might not have anything else really in common, but people would be like, oh yeah, I've seen this. Or like, it's so cool that you're Indian and I haven't seen a Pakistani person before. It would always be, um, a point of conversation, but it was more so positive. And that's kind of what had also led to like this revelation. And you're right, it has not been an aha moment, nothing about like traveling, especially when I quit my job, I thought I'd have so many aha moments, but everything has been such a slow build. But um, I really recommend journaling because that's when you can kind of trace back and realize like, oh yeah, there have been small changes, but they're definitely there.
Christine:
Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, yeah, I I feel like that's such an important,
Christine:
Yeah, important processes, journaling, reflecting, integrating, and then, and then seeing those moments afterward. Um, you mentioned sharing on Instagram and kind of the feedback and responses you would get and recognizing that maybe there was a need for community and for travel that was serving other South Asian women and encouraging them to travel solo, which led you to creating your own travel company. Um, I'd love to talk a little bit about kind of the conversations that happen within this space and some of the obstacles that you see members of your community facing or how community has been supporting each other and really what changes you've seen in representation of South Asian women travelers as you stepped into this space. Because before you said you knew there were some, but you weren't always seeing it. And I think once we immerse ourselves, we start to see more than we recognized. But I would just love to hear from you what that experience has been like.
Nabila:
Yeah, it's been really interesting. They're, some of the challenges I guess are definitely the same ones that I experienced, but for whatever reason, I guess since I've been traveling for so long, they have like slipped my mind or like, I forget that they were challenges. Um, but a lot of it has been, um, definitely just the representation in the travel space, but also a lot to do with like race and feeling safe while traveling. Like a lot of the questions that I get is like, oh, where do you recommend to go as a person of color or a South Asian or Indian or Pakistani, um, woman like, or a brown traveler. Those are all like the terms that are used. Um, but where are some countries you felt safe or like, um, another question is like how did you get your community be to be okay with it?
Nabila:
It's not really common. Um, our culture's very family based. Um, for women specifically, I can only speak to women cause that's, that's how, how I identify. But um, that to go travel, um, alone, um, it just isn't something that like a lot of us have done or families have done, especially since, um, like a lot of the people who follow me are either first gen, um, and so they just didn't have opportunities to even travel. And so we weren't really, I wasn't really brought up with like travel being an opportunity or some, it was a luxury that I would get to do when maybe I retired. Um, and so I guess since posting about it, um, I have seen people just echoing that and saying that they're, um, it's so refreshing to see. Um, but they feel more comfortable going in groups like to go together.
Nabila:
Like it'd be so nice to have a like-minded group or someone with the same background who understands like how difficult this is to get approval from family or to like go do something, um, like for themselves even. Um, because travel again was like a luxury. Um, so yeah, I would say it's been a lot of different things. Um, but I think my journey specifically because I kind of followed the traditional route of going down and getting a doctorate, um, growing up I either had to get a doctorate or be a lawyer or an engineer. And so I got my doctorate in pharmacy and I went down that traditional path, but then I slowly pivoted into tech and then I became an entrepreneur and pursued something creative full-time, which also I feel like, um, going after your passions isn't always the easiest thing, um, or a luxury people even have. And so a lot of it has been more so about my career journey as well and how I've just completely changed course over and over again. Um, so yeah.
Christine:
Yeah, I think, uh, I think especially as women, we, we find all these roles that we are expected to step into and culturally then there's added layers to that, um, all over the world. You know, there's so many different, uh, ways that women feel they need to show up based on who they are and where they've grown up and all these other parameters. And I think creating conversations and safe space to kind of unpack some of that is really important. And it's so interesting how travel becomes the place where those conversations land. Like we could be having those conversations in a lot of different arenas, but travel somehow seems to pull those people together and allow for these conversations in a different way. Um, so I, I love hearing about that. And then you also, you know, mentioned that you do have your PhD and, um, chose to kind of follow that set of expectations, but then realized at some point that that wasn't in alignment with who you really wanted to be or didn't fully allow you to be who, who you wanted to be. I, I would love to talk a little bit more about how you do still bring that into your travels today. And I know that you're really passionate about global health and travel medicine and are an, um, ambassador with an n NGO to talk about, uh, education and global health. So it's like this beautiful space where you can bring both things together. What, what work are you doing there right now?
Nabila:
Yeah, so I do have my pharm d and I think because I'm not, that I'm not using it anymore in the traditional sense, it's still really important to me and brings me a lot of joy. Um, and so even when I was in pharmacy school, I was really focused on the global aspect because of my love for travel and culture and the world essentially. So I did a lot of work. Um, I want a research grant to go to Uganda and then I did my, um, clinicals in Zimbabwe for a short bit. And so that was kind of always the plan, even if I stayed on the traditional course of being a pharmacist and either working in a hospital or um, a community pharmacy. But now, um, because I'm traveling, I have the opportunity to see healthcare literally where I am. And so I don't know if it's just me because like that's the profession I went down to, but every time I walk by a pharmacy, I feel like I need to go in and talk to the pharmacist and be like, oh yeah, I'm a pharmacist.
Nabila:
Like hear how they're doing what their challenges are, um, and kind of just learn about pharmacy from their point of view. So I nearly do that in every country I go to. Um, and so I get to learn a little bit and like expand my network and meet a lot of cool people. And I have also kind of pivoted even my travel content to be about travel health and travel medicine. So last year I took a travel medicine course, um, which was really fascinating and has allowed me to lean into that. And because of my unique background, I don't only just talk about travel, I talk about healthcare. And so I have a good following from we're interested in both. And so it's allowed me to work with NGOs, um, and like consult. So like I mentioned, after I was a community pharmacist, I went into health tech and so I have a marketing background in tech and so I still do that on the side.
Nabila:
And then because I'm traveling, I will either volunteer at an NGO like I did in Lebanon for a month. Um, and then, um, I actually, oddly enough I got dengue fever over the summer in Bali and I posted about it. And so I have used my own experiences to talk about it. Um, and that's led me to do more work. Um, like in short, the video went viral <laugh> and I shouldn't expect it to. And then I kind of was able to use that as an opportunity to be like a speaker and like work with different NGOs to talk about infectious diseases and travel health. So that's kind of what I'm doing now and that brings me a lot of joy because it really truly ridges like the two things I'm passionate about, like you mentioned.
Christine:
Yeah, I think it's so amazing and I love hearing that you kind of find yourself in pharmacies all over the world and having those conversations because one of the things I talk a lot about with my guests is when you're looking at how to create a positive impact and align that with travel, that there's not only one way to do it and that usually the most effective way is to find the thing you're already passionate about and turn that into your impact. And I, I, I think most people have some underlying passion that can be turned into both travel and positive impact. Like, like we said, like travel kind of really brings everything together because you can bring what you're interested in somewhere else and so that helps you to, to kind of evolve in that way. Um, and also it's so interesting how these things that like no one would really want to have dengue fever, right?
Christine:
I'm sure you can speak to that firsthand <laugh>. Um, when I was traveling in Thailand, I, uh, I don't know, probably 20 years ago, definitely connecting with a lot of people that had malaria or had had dengue in the past and like hearing their experiences of how they were cared for, their access to healthcare. Those things were pretty interesting to me as well. And I have a background in sociology, so I tend to look at things from that lens. So I'll find myself also asking questions that people are like, why are you asking that? I'm like, oh, well, because I'm just trying to understand everything about everything. That's really my, my <laugh> my modem when I'm traveling. But I just think it's so interesting to see how people's people start to weave together all of their passions. And, and once you kind of find that spot of balance and harmony where you've gotten all the things together, is when you see that kind of growth, like you mentioned that this unexpected post went viral that allowed you to open all of these other doors. Um, what, what did that feel like for you to kind of step into that authentic space of your voice and your passions?
Nabila:
Honestly, I'm still in disbelief even just sharing that with you. I'm just like, how did that happen? <laugh>? And like, I'm just so surprised. And I guess I'm also just really happy I didn't give up because like even a few years ago I would say this like, I want to use my degree in pharmacy, but I want it to use it in some way that's like creative and I still wanna be able to travel and I would just get weird looks. And I would realize that like that is such a vague statement, like what does that mean? Like, I don't know what kind of career that is. And so when I was graduating, I was so panicked, I was like, I don't know what I want to be doing and like nobody else can help me because it's so big and like, I don't know if it even exists.
Nabila:
Um, and like to think that that was three years ago and now I've made like the switch where it's really hard to like define my career because like you said, it's so multihyphenate and I'm doing a lot of different things. But yeah, I'm just so happy that I'm, that I'm here and that somehow travel and healthcare go together. And I think I wouldn't have even realized that. Um, unfortunately I think the pandemic was kind of where those things like intersected for a lot of people and it was a unique way for me to take my expertise as a pharmacist. But having also traveled for so long and it was an article that I wrote for Forbes that kind of led me to go down this like niche, if you will, of like travel health or the traveling pharmacist. Um, and so honestly I'm just really happy to be here in that like people find that content and what I'm doing. Interesting. Um, because I wouldn't believe that I'd be here now.
Christine:
<laugh>. Yeah. It's interesting how much clarity the like off kilter and off balance way that we were living during the pandemic, like brought clarity. It's just like that enough of that shift to knock us out of our routine and our comfort zones kind of like had us opening our eyes to different possibilities. And I think so many people found new ways of being and obviously in travel we, we had to get creative if you were either a traveler or a travel professional, everything that we knew didn't exist anymore. So you ha you were already kind of thinking in a different way. That's really where this podcast came from. You know, I get really frustrated sometimes thinking about the fact that I launched a travel company weeks before the pandemic <laugh> and then because of the pandemic this happened and I, I really think for me this was my actual path and I would've stayed, you know, really focused on my travel company and not done this.
Christine:
And, and this was really important and now I can like bring them together. But also my travel business has a slightly different focus because much like you, like I kind of had all these things that were interesting. Like I'm like how do I bring like community, a sociological perspective and gender equity and sustainability together with travel? Like these things at some point seemed pretty disconnected and now they seem so obviously connected. So I think for people listening that that's a really valuable thing too. Just just like if something is really important to you, don't discount it. Like you will find a way to kind of weave it into your story.
Nabila:
Exactly. Yeah, I think that's a good message. Um, even if it doesn't make sense or you don't see where it'll take you, um, just keep at it.
Christine:
Yeah. Well is there any um, other advice? We've talked a little bit about your travel experiences, but for female solo travelers or people who really have found barriers to travel in their way, what would you share with them in order to encourage them to get out there and take those first travel experiences or things that would maybe help support them along the way?
Nabila:
Yeah, that's a good question. Um, I'd say really focus on like why you're looking to solo travel, um, and like focus on like what that means to you. But also I like to start small and like taste like test the waters a little bit. So if it's something so big and scary, maybe try like going, taking yourself on a solo date or starting small, like going on a road trip where you're still in your like home city, same language, like you have your sim card, your health insurance, you don't have to think about all these other things that might seem like daunting. But I think really learning to be okay in your own company is kind of one really big factor of solo traveling because once you feel confident with like your own company, then you can kind of take on anything else. And then I would also recommend following, um, like creators or people who inspire you and feel like you, like you see representation and identify with your values.
Nabila:
Cuz I think that always helps or it has helped even me in like a lot of ways, like even with like my career switch and um, like who I follow and places I go to, like I have changed and become more intentional with like the information I consume. And that's also kind of helped me shift my mindset from like having fear to kind of like being empowered and so just really consuming content that allows me to do things that I wanna do. Um, and so if there are naysayers who say like, you shouldn't travel alone or a woman shouldn't travel alone, like I would change that to look at people who are doing it and kind of just reframe my mindset. So I think those are like initial tips that I'd have for people who are looking to travel alone.
Christine:
Yeah, and I think it's so amazing how you mentioned kind of intentionally curating your social media and the content that you're consuming because there's so much out there but you can find what really supports you. And I think that that is such a cool thing. Like I'll notice every once in a while I must have clicked on something that wasn't right and my Instagram feed shifts and I'm like, what? This isn't me. So then I like have to pull back in the things that I really wanna see. But it is a space for me where I actually can learn a lot and feel um, like I'm being supported in my passions and be educated and it doesn't become as much the beast that it can be for some people. Um, and also, you know, kind of in finding your own voice, I would love for you to talk a little bit too for people who might also be interested in, um, content creation and um, trying to figure out how they can make their own way. What, what would you suggest to them in really trying to find their own way to stand out?
Nabila:
Yeah, uh, I would say it's not a race, it's a journey. So I've been at it for a really long time and I'm by no means like a huge influence or anything like that. But for me I've always stayed very authentic and I think that has been really helpful for myself. It's like a photo diary, a visual diary of everything and to really post content that you enjoy. Like don't do it for the numbers, um, stay authentic. Cause I think that's kind of what's going to make it in this content creation world. Like some people always say that it's so saturated and stuff like how am I going to make it? And the only advice I have is to be consistent and be authentic, like post what makes sense to you. Like I struggled in the beginning when I started because I would post about pharmacy and then I'd post about travel and I was like, I don't have a niche.
Nabila:
Like this is like scrambled. This is all over the place. And once I started to embrace that, that's exactly when all of this stuff started to happen. Um, and then I threw in like the South Asian bit, like cuz that was really important to me and I focused on the solo travel or the budget travel, but I would still like post something about pharmacy. Like you'll have travel photos and then you'll have something about my career. And so I would say stay true to who you are and post things that like fuel you and get you excited. Like that's, that's the best when you can speak from the heart and you don't have to like try to be someone else. I feel like the content creation comes a lot easier too.
Christine:
Yeah. And I think people resonate with it so much more. Like you might be an influencer that has so many followers, but you're not going to be resonating with everybody. So if you're creating that content that's so generalized that many people are following you, it, it doesn't have as much value, I would say personally. And so I think it's such an amazing space to create a positive impact and create community if you are being authentic to who you are and then finding the other people that have similar journeys and similar interests and uh, I think that that can be a way that we can really create more impact in that sphere. So I love that you shared that and I think it takes a pressure off too for people who are looking to get into this space because if you can just show up as who you are, that's easier, right?
Christine:
Like you don't have to try and fit this thing and put this thing. I do think there's a struggle in identifying who you are. I'm not saying that part is easy, but just expressing that and working through that part of your journey is also really authentic and people will resonate with that as well. So instead of trying to be everything to everyone, just being true to yourself and trying to reach your audience, I think that, um, in business and in, you know, create content creation that feels like the truest way to be from for me.
Nabila:
Yeah. Yeah. I totally agree. I think the last couple of years the rise in social media has shown that like you can literally post anything. I could be like your face look with no makeup on, you could be dancing in your basement. Like the barrier to entry has definitely changed and it's no longer about like a curated aesthetic form. Um, it's more just like run real. And I think that that's what people really like. And so it's been really interesting to see that shift. But yeah, <laugh>,
Christine:
Yeah. Uh, yeah, we, I mean we were even talking about it before we jumped on this call that we were talking about, is the sound right? Is the lighting right? Is this bright? And I was like, you know, as long as I can hear you and connect with you, that's the most important thing for me. Um, and I, I think that, uh, is one thing I love about podcasting too is that there's a low barrier to entry and a lot of people can get into this space and they can tell their story and their voice can be heard and it doesn't have to be done in a certain way. So I think it's so exciting. Um, well before we end our conversation, I would love for you to share how our listeners can find you. And then I also have, uh, a series of rapid fire questions to end our conversation.
Nabila:
Okay, cool. Um, yeah, you can definitely find me on Instagram or TikTok under dose of travel, um, or my website, ww dot dose of travel.co not.com. <laugh>.
Christine:
Great. Um, well what are you reading right now?
Nabila:
Oh, that's a great question. Uh, I don't know. I have to look at my app. <laugh>. I just d what yesterday? Um, oh, love on the brain. It's a little romcom.
Christine:
Excellent. Uh, what is always in your suitcase or backpack when you travel?
Nabila:
Uh, my camera,
Christine:
Um, to Sojourn is to travel somewhere as you live there for a short while. Where is someplace that you would still love to Sojourn?
Nabila:
Beirut, Lebanon.
Christine:
Uh, what do you eat that immediately connects you to a place you've been?
Nabila:
Oh, bk. It reminds me of Pakistan <laugh>.
Christine:
Uh, who is a person that inspired or encouraged you to set out and explore the world?
Nabila:
Oh, this is a good one. <laugh>, I would say my best friend, um, Anitha. Um, she's always been a support. She's also a South Asian and she's always been super supportive of me traveling, um, when it wasn't always common to do that.
Christine:
Yeah. If you could take an adventure with one person, uh, fictional or real alive or past, who would it be?
Nabila:
Geez, I wasn't ready for these. <laugh>.
Christine:
<laugh>.
Nabila:
Um hmm. I'm still gonna go with my best friend.
Christine:
<laugh>. Awesome. <laugh>. And the the last one, uh, soul of Travel is a space for honoring, uh, women in the tourism industry. Who is one person in the travel industry you would love to recognize here in this space?
Nabila:
Mm mm Um, I'd say Lexi Limitless. She's a travel creator, um, who has visited all of the countries. Um, and I just love her fierce. Uh, she's just really fearless and her travels. Um, so yeah, I'd say Lexi.
Christine:
Yeah. Well thank you so much for joining me. I'm glad that we finally got to do this. It was a really fun conversation and um, I'm grateful for you giving us your time today.
Nabila:
Thank you so much for having me. This was fun.
Christine:
Thank you.
You can find me on Facebook at Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community, or follow me on Instagram either @lotussojourns or @souloftravelpodcast. Stay up to date by joining the Lotus Sojourns mailing list. I look forward to getting to know you and hopefully hearing your story.