This week, we introduce special Soul of Travel series celebrating three extraordinary women who are being recognized as Soulful Trailblazers—women who are creating positive change through travel while opening doors and creating opportunities for others. We are excited to share that we are partnering with friend and colleague Becki Rupp, Founder of Trailblazer Wellness, to honor these trailblazers.

Words of Wisdom

“Visibility is so important because it shapes who we believe belongs in the room… the whole goal is to have you feel seen and heard at the end of the day.”
- Christine Winebrenner Irick

Inspiring. Generous. Mentors.

Soulful Trailblazer nominees share these traits as they create positive change in the world through travel. We wanted to find and celebrate outstanding women who are creating new pathways for exploring the world in meaningful ways. Women who are also amplifying voices of other women and championing local communities. Women who expand our understanding of what’s possible.

We’re thrilled to share these Soulful Trailblazer nominees so YOU can be inspired and WE can create a ripple effect across the travel community!

Angela Rice | Boutique Travel Advisors

Ashley Blake | Traverse Journeys

Baylee Waterman Shapiro | Boutique Travel Advisors

Cindee Brown-Mills | Breathe Alaska

Elizabeth Harrington | Vital Ventures

Grace Philipp | Discover Queer

Hayley Cooper | Wild Dreams Hospitality

Janet Semenova | Boutique Travel Advisors

Karolina Guilcapi | Sated Ventures

Becki and Christine: Crossing Paths and Working Together

Christine and Becki met while in the early stages of building their businesses; Christine officially launched her travel company, Lotus Sojourns, in early 2020 and was preparing for her first full year of trips, while Becki had launched Trailblazer Wellness around the same time. They became a source of steady support for each other through a period no one saw coming, especially in travel.

That kind of support can be rare for entrepreneurs and solo business owners, and Christine notes that women-run travel companies often start out this way and also often lead to collaboration. Together, Becki and Christine led a retreat that guided a group of women to summit a 14er – the name Colorado gives its peaks above 14,000 feet. Becki recalls that the pre-trip preparation and the climb itself made for a special experience. "We had already built a really strong friendship and connection through our entrepreneurial journey,” she shares.

Their paths have continued to overlap through an accelerator program, the Women Travel Leaders community, and other industry spaces. So when Christine called with a new idea while Becki was walking through an airport, the answer was an immediate yes.

That idea? The Soulful Trailblazer recognition.

Recognition: Amplifying and Creating Visibility through Celebration

Visibility in the travel industry tends to build on itself, and the same few names appear again and again, as they do in any industry. Christine and Becki wanted to widen that lens to include women creating pathways and more seats at the table for others.

Becki knows how hard it is to build something with no template. When people tell her they have never heard of a business like hers, her answer is simple: "Yeah - I made it up!" Seeing other women create original work keeps her going. "I want to find more of these people who are doing these amazing things so that I can continue to believe that more is possible."

The word recognition was chosen with intention for this series. An ‘award’ can sometimes feel like a high bar, and women in particular often feel they don't deserve one (or don't check every box, so they forego applying). Christine admits she has grappled with whether to nominate herself for awards. So a recognition felt like a more open invitation. It centers community: someone nominates a woman, shares what they see in her work, and the community celebrates her together.

This is in the spirit of the podcast, where guests often arrive expecting an interview and leave feeling seen and heard. We hope you feel the same, listeners!

Soul of Travel Episode 263 At a Glance

In this conversation, Christine and Becki discuss:

· How their paths have crossed and the ways they have worked together
· The spark for this recognition and why we think it is important right now
·How the Soulful Trailblazers recognition expands the work and impact of the Soul of Travel Podcast

Join Christine and Becki Rupp now for this soulful conversation.

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Related UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goal #5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode

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). GUEST NAME (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing, production, and content writing by Carly Oduardo.

Access the Episode 263 Transcript

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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.