What would it take for you to walk away from stability, sell almost everything you own, and leave with nothing but a backpack, a small budget, and courage?

In this episode, Cheryl sits down with Candace MacPhie, a writer whose nonfiction books chronicle a year-long backpacking journey in her late 20s—a journey that began after profound grief and a deep need to rediscover herself. Candace traveled in the 1990s, long before Google Maps, online reviews, or instant connection, and her stories are as raw and real as travel gets: funny, heartbreaking, romantic, and deeply human—often described as “Bridget Jones goes backpacking.”

Together, Cheryl and Candace explore what it means to travel without a safety net, how human connection shaped the experience, and why the “messy middle” is where the real growth happens.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• The catalyst behind Candace’s leap—how losing her mother changed everything and created a “void” she needed to fill through travel
• Fear vs. desire: why she was terrified… and still went anyway
• What it was like to backpack in the 1990s without the internet, social media, or constant reassurance
• How staying in hostel dorms became the secret to connection, safety, and community
• Why modern travel can be more structured—and how we may be missing the magic of “looking up”
• Candace’s decision to write travel stories that include grief, trauma, awkward moments, and mistakes—not just highlights
• How she structured the journey into five books, each with its own arc and region
• The “Bridget Jones” comparison—why Candace embraces the chaos, naivety, and humor
• Advice for anyone in a second act: what are you willing to give up to create the life you want?
• Why it’s never too late to start over—and why reinvention often requires sacrifice
• The power of meaningful travel moments: connection, misadventure, and the stories you’ll still quote years later

Memorable Moments & Takeaways

• Candace shares her personal “tell” for growth: if it makes her want to vomit, she knows she’s on the edge of something transformational.
• Travel without technology created space for people-watching, improvisation, and real presence.
• The most vivid memories aren’t always the most beautiful—they’re the ones where something went wrong and you had to adapt.
• Reinvention doesn’t require a backpacking trip—Candace believes you can have a “backpacking moment” anywhere, as long as you’re open to it.

Listener Reflection Questions

If you’re in your own second act, here are a few questions inspired by this conversation:

1. What part of your current life feels “stable” but quietly unfulfilling?
2. What do you want more than you fear?
3. If you could redesign your life in phases, what would Phase 1 look like?
4. What are you willing to give up to make room for what you really want?
5. Are you “looking up” when you travel—or mostly looking down at your phone?

Monthly Prize Giveaway 🎁

Cheryl hosts a monthly prize giveaway for listeners as a thank-you for being part of this community.
Details on how to enter are in the show notes / episode description wherever you’re listening.
(Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!)

Connect with Candace MacPhie

• Website: candacemacphie.com
• Instagram: @candacemacphie
• TikTok: @candacemacphie

(Candace’s books + updates are available on her website.)

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And if you’re ready to plan travel that feels meaningful—not just “booked”—Cheryl would love to help you design it.