We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Tolliday and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kelly, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks has been at the core of my most transformative moments in my life. I’ve always run towards challenges and uncertainty with a sense of curiosity. When a new opportunity presents itself, I’ve found that I more naturally lean towards the side of excitement, rather than fear.
I get lit up about the potentiality of new situations, and I think that’s why I’ve gravitated towards travel and entrepreneurship throughout my life. The unknown has never scared me, rather it’s excited me. You never know what adventure is waiting for you around the corner.
One of the biggest examples of how this has played out in my life is when I met my husband in Ireland. We were both traveling at the time, and we randomly met each other in a pub in Dublin. He’s Australian, and I’m American. We only knew each other for 2 days, touring around Dublin together, before we said goodbye and went on our separate ways on our trips.
When I landed back in the United States ten days later, Sam invited me back to Europe to spend his last few weeks of his trip together. I knew that he was special and that I wanted to see where this budding relationship could go.
“At the very least,” I thought, “the worst that could happen is that I get to go explore Europe a little more, and have a great story to tell in the end.”
Three weeks later, I was back on a plane to go meet Sam in Europe, and we had an incredible time together and made our relationship official. Five months later, I made the move to Sydney, Australia to start my life with him, after graduating college. And here we are, ten years later, now building our life together in South Florida, with our two beautiful daughters.
I’ve taken risks in moving overseas multiple times, teaching English in Thailand, traveling to new countries & starting different businesses. Even the very nature of my business in running group travel & retreats can feel risky, to some people.
I tend to think that the worst that can happen in taking a risk is that I learn a new lesson or uncover another layer of who I am, even if the “risk” doesn’t pan out the way I intended.
One of my favorite quotes is, “The best tends to work out for those who make the best of how things work out.” This applies to taking any leaps of faith in life – starting a new business, pursuing a new passion, having a family, leaving toxic relationships, traveling to a new place.
When you’re feeling risk-averse, it’s important to remember your comfort zone is not rooted comfort. It’s rooted in fear. And ask yourself, “In what ways am I holding myself back from leaning into my own potential and growth? How can I make the excitement bigger than the fear?”
Adventures fill our lives with stories to tell – so go make your own adventure.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Rising Nature Retreats offers world-class travel experience and wellness events around the world, infusing daily yoga and wellness, personal development workshops, adventure and cultural excursions and holistic cuisines. We help people elevate their wellness while they explore the world, and come home feeling rejuvenated and empowered to bring what they learn about other cultures and about themselves back home with them. We offer local events and classes in South Florida, multi-day international retreats and online programs and courses.
RNR is a merging of our passions of travel, wellness and yoga, and personal development. Both my business partner, Chloe Ravel, and I have spent the majority of our lives traveling and living all over the world, as well as studying and embodying the teachings of yoga, mindfulness and holistic wellness. We blend our areas of expertise to create well-rounded, powerful and accessible experiences.
Since 2017, I’ve run retreats across Australia, Costa Rica, USA and Greece, and every retreat that I run I walk away with a sense of purpose and clarity that this is the path I’m meant to be on.
It hasn’t always been easy – planning, coordinating and executing group international travel has its own set of challenges! In this business, we have to be in the business of travel planning, sales & marketing, customer service, local logistics & operations, on top of teaching and sharing our wellness practices and holding space for our guests.
The pandemic posed a threat to the way in which we do business, but we were able to find local & virtual opportunities to keep our community thriving, until international travel could resume.
We’ve learned a lot along the way and with every retreat, we refine our processes and procedures to create a seamless end-to-end customer experience.
I’ve also created a podcast, Transform with Travel, where we share stories of personal transformation and growth through travel experiences, and I have LOVED the process of learning a new technical skill in terms of editing and also learning the art of interviewing guests.
One thing I’ve learned as a business owner is how to preserve my own energy to prevent burn out. I really have to set boundaries for myself to be able to take some time away, practice what I preach in terms of wellness, and step outside of the daily grind to see the bigger picture. Luckily, being in the industry I’m in, I’m surrounded by incredible practitioners and community to help me see my own light.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Logistics and planning are my favorite thing to do as a Travel & Retreat Facilitator and also in my own personal family travels as well!
I’m born and raised in South Florida, and have lived majority of my life in North Broward County, so I’ll base my answers around local hot spots around there.
I’d start the week off by watching sunrise on the beach at Deerfield Beach and then head to Gathering Grounds Coffee for a delicious cup of coffee and an empanada. While I wait for the coffee, I like to head into Island Water Sports to shop around and support a staple retailer in our local surf community.
I love grabbing breakfast at Red Fox Diner or Byte N Coffee in Lighthouse Point.
For lunch, I love to go to Modern Rose or Seaside Subs in Deerfield Beach.
For dinner, I recommend Lighthouse Thai Sushi, Casa Maya, South PMP, Oceanic, Bombay Darbar and Steak954.
For things to do with kids: Deerfield Arboretum, aka the Tree Zoo, is an incredible park with hundreds of tree species and a playground. Gumbo Limbo in Boca Raton sparks curiosity within kids around marine life rehabilitation. Sullivan Park Splash Pad is always a fun time on a hot day!
Lastly, in terms of wellness, my favorite spa experience is Evara Beach Spa in Fort Lauderdale. I love going to Salt Suite in Boca Raton to help with allergies, asthma and colds. And join one of our RNR weekly yoga classes 😉
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I send deep gratitude and reverence to my teacher, Mark Breadner, who saw the potential in me and passed on ancient wisdom that he’s spent decades learning, understanding and embodying. His direct teachings are now what I share with my clients and retreat guests, and his friendship and guidance always brings me back to center.
To my business partner, Chloe Ravel. She is my work-wife and soul sister, and her strengths make up for my weaknesses. We continue to create magic together and I’m so excited to continue to grow together.
To my parents – Justin and Cindy Schwantes. From a young age, they have always supported me as I go on adventures around the world. They’ve instilled in me a sense of curiosity about the world, and they’ve placed their trust in me, to make my own decisions. Their trust, love and support has kept me going through all of the ups and downs of life.
And most importantly, to my husband, Sam. He’s a cozy home and crazy adventure, wrapped up in a big, warm hug. He supports me in following my dreams and always steps up to the plate to manage our family when I’m away on retreat. I am where I am today because of his unwavering support.
Website: https://risingnatureretreats.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/kelly.tolliday.yoga https://instagram.com/risingnatureretreats
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyschwantes/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/risingnatureretreats
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingnatureretreats
Other: https://transform-with-travel.captivate.fm/
Image Credits
Melanie Anne Gomez Sheri Mazariegos