Explorer Chick

THE EXPLORER CHICK STORY
In a former life, I was a wife, full-time corporate employee, and mom to a crazy, murderous, orange tabby cat named Riley Kitty. I lived in a lovely two-bedroom Sears catalog home (Yes, you used to buy homes from the Sears catalog!) in Cincinnati. I volunteered for our neighborhood’s business development organization and directed fundraising efforts for the installation of a new mural at the main intersection. I belonged to the local country club, even though I didn’t play golf or tennis. My career in financial advisory services was promising and positively tracked. Talks with my husband of upgrading to a bigger house and starting a family found their way into conversations. I had it all.

And then, I didn’t.

“I can’t do this anymore.” I muttered those five words to my soon-to-be ex-husband in 2014 and transformed my life forever. The mold I was forcing myself into finally cracked.

My initial thought was, “Where am I going live?” I was essentially homeless and my future, erased and wiped clean. A blank slate. My life as I knew it was gone, just like that. Poof! Holy shit, that was scary.

Weeks later, as an epic hangover faded and my brain began to fire on all cylinders again, I realized I was a free woman. I was presented with the greatest gift of all: a do-over! I failed at the conventional American dream meaning those “rules” no longer applied. I could do whatever the hell I wanted! I made the decision to recreate the life that I wanted to lead. I couldn’t wait to take off running with boundless liberation.

But, first, I needed a vacation.

Not the same old, ubiquitous beach vacation. No. I needed a trip that made me feel alive. As an athlete and adrenaline junkie, I needed the kind of travel that would feed my adventurous soul while pushing my boundaries. Of course, there was one teeny tiny problem: I was out a travel buddy. I was rearing to go, but at the same time stuck. I felt completely at a loss. There was no way I was the only woman in this predicament.

The gears started churning and an idea was born. I decided I would create a company that brings together women looking to truly experience real adventures on their vacations. (Remember, no more rules to follow or someone to tell me, “No!”) There would no agendas! Hell, there is enough of that in a woman’s daily life! It would just be playing in extraordinary destinations with zero expectations attached. To put it simply, we would do cool shit in cool places with cool chicks!