lesleymurphy

9 Ways I Take Care of My Mental Health

May 22, 2019 by lesleymurphy 19 Comments

I remember how hard it was to get out of bed in the mornings. The sun would rise, and I’d lay there for hours…feeling empty on the inside, feeling hot tears on the outside. I haven’t felt this level of low in a few years, and I attribute that to a few practices I put into my life, outlined below.

Last month was Mental Health Awareness Month, but we need to focus on our state of well-being all throughout the year. Nearly 450 million people worldwide are currently living with a mental illness with only 2/3 of those people never seeking treatment. Think about you or someone you know having depression, anxiety, an eating disorder or schizophrenia which affects mood, thinking and behavior — never being treated. It’s so important that we face this head on in our daily lives – personal and work-related. I love my job, but if travel blogging disappeared, I know exactly where I’d apply…

Johnson & Johnson takes its employee benefits to the next level. They see your company’s health insurance policy and raise you resilience training, emergency backup family care, financial coaching and comprehensive on-site healthcare. WHOA. The wellness work doesn’t stop there. Because suicide is on the rise, researching treatments is drastically needed. Enter Spravato, the first new drug to treat depression since Prozac hit the scene in the late 80s. The nasal spray is FDA approved and is meant to treat those who haven’t found relief from other antidepressants. Talk about game-changing (and 100% life-changing!). Speaking of, here are the 9 activities that have changed my life for the better:

Exercise

Do whatever moves you…literally. Maybe that’s running, spinning, boxing, stretching, whatever. For me, I’ve been active from a young age. I watched my Dad get up around 4am every morning (okay, maybe I didn’t actually see this b/c I was still sleeping!), but I knew he’d be at his workout by 5am. Like clockwork, this was his routine (and still is to this day). It’s his drug, a must-have to get through his day of seeing ~100 patients in dental chairs, most under the age of 3. Working out gets the endorphins going as they act as a natural “drug,” making us more energetic, more awake and, yes, happier!

Yoga & Meditation

I started practicing yoga 8 years ago when a friend took me to a class. I hated it, but for some reason I went back again. And again. Third time was a charm and then I was hooked. I always tell people to keep trying different studios and teachers a few times before stopping and deciding it’s not for you. Recently, my practice has become so much more than fitness to me. Being on my mat is my place for presence and peace, two things that are super hard to come by every single day! Meditation came to me a lot later in life. Last year, I read 10% Happier by Dan Harris and completed my yoga teacher training, both opening my eyes to the benefits of meditation. Sometimes I’ll do a 15-20 minute meditation practice before yoga, and sometimes I’ll meditate without my mat. It looks different most days. When I find it hard to NOT concentrate on anything at all, I allow my mind to practice gratitude meditation where I think about all the people I love dearly and why and what I wish for them in this life.

Baths

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I love a good tub. Enter #TubTalks here 😉 You can do just about anything inside this body of water – process your day, relax before bed, read a book, have a glass of wine, eat a pizza. Anything, and I mean anything, can compliment a bath if you let it.

Nature

I crave being by bodies of water and amongst the trees. It’s no secret that nature is cheaper than therapy. When I had my preventative double mastectomy surgery, one of the first trips I took was a solo trip to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Talking about healing powers. Being alone and surrounded by nature helps me process the wounds – physical, emotional, and mental.

Social Media

Social media is a blessing and a curse. Some days it reinstalls my faith in humanity and how beautiful it is. Some days it’s a total drag from Trolly McTollersons. Recently I’ve found that the more time I spend away, the more clarity I have because I’m not constantly comparing myself to others. I’ve also been finding more inspiration OFFline…but when used correctly, social media can be insanely beneficial. For me, my ah-ha moment with Instagram was healing from surgery. Complete strangers flooded my posts and DMs with love, and there’s nothing more powerful than that kind of support structure.

Positive People

Keep them. Love them. Cherish them. Surround yourself with them. They are good for the soul. Cultivating close relationships keep me grounded, upbeat and healthy. Attracting positive people into our orbit is essential. Be the energy you want to attract.

Sleep

I know my body very well. If I have 3 nights in a row of poor sleep, I get sick. It typically looks like this: anxiety the night before a long trip begins. Little to no sleep on the overnight flight. Jet lag on night 3. DUN DUN DUNNNN. I’ve been able to cut the anxiety that 1st night (packing early and taking a bath helps) and I’m prescribed sleeping aids for travel. Being proactive is everything!

Gratitude Practice

This is a big one, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first. Taking the time to notice and reflect upon the things I’m thankful for leaves me with more positive emotions and makes me feel more alive. I try and always go a step further and really dig deep. What is it about my friends that I’m grateful for? Why do I love this lifestyle of travel so much? Getting specific and opening my eyes to more of the world around me deeply enhances my gratitude practice.

Travel (Writing)

We all know how I feel about travel. Much like exercise, travel is my drug. It’s my therapy. It’s my medicine. I may have only been blogging about travel for a very little time, but I’ve been an active participant most of my life. Traveling expands my thinking, my relationships, my memories, and my livelihood. It’s a great way to avoid misunderstandings, even war and suffering. It’s simply a matter of not having a preconceived idea of what something or someone is, but rather going to see what something or someone is. Going a step further and processing these travels is icing on the mental health cake (…if there is one of those? Cake always makes me feel good so I’ll go with a YES). Writing down my thoughts and experiences, whether it be on The Road Les Traveled blog or in my journal, is a form of therapy for me. It’s the healthiest way to release emotions. Reflective writing allows me to gain mental and emotional clarity, validating my experiences and come to a deeper understanding of myself.

Let me know if you have other ideas on improving your mental health! xoxo

Where to go in Argentina: Itineraries to Copy/Paste

May 20, 2019 by lesleymurphy Leave a Comment

If my writing goes south, I know what to do. After 5 years of actively putting together my own itineraries, I think it’s safe to say I’m a pretty good travel (party, event, anything) planner. I get so many emails and DMs stating the following:

Hi Lesley! I have 7-10 days to spend in Argentina. Where should I go?!

Please use this as a guide to plan accordingly. Do you want mountains or city life or waterfalls or wine? SO MUCH is happening down south, so take a peek at all the options below. After living in Argentina for two years and now being a frequent visitor (and wannabe citizen), I’ve put together my favorite itineraries with LATAM Airlines – the only way to get down south!

Much unlike Europe, South America isn’t too savvy with the rail system, which leaves planes and buses as the main means of transportation. If you do have a shorter time frame in South America, I urge you to A) extend it (you’ll thank yourself later) and B) never, ever take a long bus ride (you’ll curse yourself later).

International Travel

USA –> Buenos Aires

From anywhere in the U.S. and direct from Miami, flying LATAM Airlines to Buenos Aires was so comfortable. Traveling from LAX on the Dreamliner, I did a stopover in Santiago before flying into Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires. The food on board was better than a lot of restaurants I’ve been to ON LAND and honestly…I could’ve stayed in the sky hours longer with those lay flat seats and that Mendoza wine. Long-haul flights are my happy place 🙂

As far as the city of Buenos Aires goes, please check out my City Guide to Buenos Aires here full of hotels, restaurants, neighborhoods, bars, shopping and days trips. You’ll probably want at least 3 days here.

Domestic Travel inside Argentina

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

AEP –> FTE

The best thing about traveling domestically from Buenos Aires? Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery airport is right inside my beloved Palermo neighborhood. It takes approx. 15 minutes or less to arrive at check-in where I get all the feels before boarding a plane south. El Calafate is the gateway to Argentine Patagonia where all the tourists (and twice myself now) have hiked the Perito Moreno glacier. It’s kind of a right of passage when you venture this far and while you’re here… absolutely rent a car and pay a visit to Fitz Roy in El Chalten (~3 hour drive from El Calafate). Where to stay? Look no further than Eolo, a place so nice I’ve stayed twice!

Now that I have you hooked on Argentine Patagonia, feel free to cross into Chilean Patagonia with Quasar Expeditions. My favorite road trip I’ve ever taken was on their curated 9 Day Overland Safari trip in one of their Jeeps. Stop at Tierra Patagonia for your new favorite hotel at the southernmost tip of the world…then you’ll really be in trouble (i.e. want to stay forever). I’m making plans to retire here for sure.

As for timing in Patagonia, this is hard to answer. I would make time for at least 2-3 days in El Calafate and the same amount of time in El Chalten. Crossing into Chile would take up another 4 days at the very minimum on your itinerary…but timing depends on SO much, mostly the kind of traveler you are and if you want to pack it all in. Honestly, I could spend a lifetime here and still have so much to see in a second life. To properly explore this massive region of the world, it takes a precious resource: TIME.

Drink, Drank, Drunk

AEP –> MDZ

Discover the Argentina Malbecs of Mendoza and treat your taste buds to some wine tasting while soaking up the view of the Andes. The first time I stepped foot in this South American wine country and sipped its fine Malbec, I was hooked, not to mention drunk in love with Mendoza. Besides the copious amounts of delectable vinos throughout the various regions, the views of the Andes aren’t too shabby either. After visiting the region five different times and all in different seasons, I’m a self proclaimed wine oenophile and snob. Find out more on what to sip, see and where to sleep 😉 You’ll want at least 3 days here to soak it all up!

Definitely Go Chasin’ Waterfalls

AEP –> IGR

You hear them before you see them. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of water per second rushing over one of the world’s most awe-inspiring attractions. Bordering the countries of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, the Iguazú Falls are located where the Iguazú River tumbles over the Paraná plateau. I walked along both the Argentina side and Brazilian side. I saw the falls from a boat. Hands down, the coolest perspective is from the air via helicopter! I stayed at the Sheraton a few years back (or try the brand new Awasi hotel) on the Argentina side or the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil. Both are mere feet from the falls. You’ll want 1-2 days here, depending how much you want to revel in all the water!

More –>

LATAM flies to many destinations inside Argentina and may I suggest the following: Salta for more wine (MmmMm Torrontes!), Bariloche (crazy beautiful scenery/hiking and yummy chocolate!), and Ushuaia where you can hang out with the penguins in the world’s southernmost city. If you have another week+ and bank account to spare, I’d hit Antarctica while you’re down there.

I get around a lot…meaning I fly a ton. I’m on an airplane it seems every other week, and I’ve done my fair share of research in the South America airline industry. The best in the game is LATAM Airlines, Latin America’s largest airline holding company based out of Santiago, Chile. Being a member of the oneworld alliance with more than 750 destinations in over 150 countries around the world pretty much puts them at the top of my Bookmark Bar. In my experience, the company excels in offering various flight times and destinations, modern planes, in-flight services/amenities, and the best wine list out there.

Yosemite National Park for First Timers

May 2, 2019 by lesleymurphy 37 Comments

As a newish Cali resident, I figured it’d be appropriate to start exploring my own backyard a bit more. A visitor can experience the tallest living things (Redwoods), the largest living things (Giant Sequoias) AND the oldest living things (Bristlecone Pines) in just one state. Dear California, what a resume you have…

SLEEP

After about 255 miles from LA, a friend and I reached Mariposa where we rented out an airbnb for 3 nights. A lot of visitors also opt for Groveland (check out Pine Mountain Lake), and with a 25 minute drive to the Yosemite gate (when CA-120 is open) and about an hour fifteen total to Yosemite Valley, it’s just a little shorter of a drive into the park than Mariposa. The hotel sitch can be tough with only a few inside the park (Majestic Yosemite Hotel)…and with any National Park visit comes high prices.

Update: During my second trip to the park, my boyfriend and I stayed at Tenaya Lodge near the south gate. With a massive Spa Room, 2 restaurants and a beautiful spa, I can’t recommend this highly enough. Even though the hotel is located about 5 minutes from the south gate of Yosemite, it still takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get to the main valley floor near Yosemite Falls (although much closer to Glacier Point!).

HIKE

Upper Yosemite Falls – I won’t sugar coat it, UYF was a bitch of a climb but well worth the view. It’s 7 miles round trip to Yosemite Falls and 9.9 miles (3,700 ft elevation gain) to Yosemite Point. It took us 7 1/2 hours to complete with the extension to Yosemite Point. The terrain changed from sand to rock to stone steps to mud after the rain. You get super close to North America’s tallest waterfall which has TONS of water in spring and early summer. The way down was pretty rough since my legs were shaking and I wanted to be horizontal and motionless. It’s a one-and-done for me 🙂

Taft Point – A mile hike to the most unreal sunset view point! Keep in mind if you stay until sunset, you’ll have to hike a mile back to your car in the dark forest. The last 10 minutes inside said forest were pretty terrifying. Bring a flashlight, y’all. And maybe even bear spray…

Half Dome – What.A.Beast. The famous half dome is a 14-16 mile round trip with an elevation gain of almost 5,000 ft. The last 400 ft to the summit is done with cables. Many people call it quits before then, but I can’t wait to go back for this challenge. A permit is needed only for the cable portion at the very end, and a “Daily Lottery” drawing happens 48 hours in advance here.

Sentinel Dome – This is still on my wish list, but apparently it has great views of Half Dome and El Capitan + the entire valley of waterfalls 🙂

Update: On my 2nd trip to Yosemite, Alex and I hiked Mist Trail which takes you to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls making it a whopping 6.4 mile trip (when you take the John Muir trail back to the bottom…which you should). I LOVED this hike because it didn’t remind me of the Upper Yosemite switchbacks (kill me), plus it was a short hike with less elevation gain (read: EASIER lol). What made Mist Trail super memorable was the fact that the falls were FLOWING AF due to the snow melt…and we got completely drenched multiple times as the trail went right up next to them (hence the name). I brought the perfect oversized rain jacket with waterproof hiking boots, so I was good to go 🙂 If you have a car, park at Half Dome Village and take a shuttle or walk ~1 mile to the trailhead from the village parking lot.

VIEWPOINTS

After Upper Yosemite, our legs were shaky. These photo worthy spots were just what the doctor ordered on Day 2:

– Glacier Point

– Tunnel View

– Lower Yosemite Falls

-Swinging Bridge (look for the massive fallen log to the right of the bridge for a great photo towards Yosemite Falls)

-Yosemite Falls boardwalk off Southside Dr. along the valley floor. It’s on the left-hand side of the road right after Swinging Bridge picnic area.

If Tioga Pass is open, please go here for me b/c I wasn’t able to see them! Next time 🙂

– Tuoloumne Meadows

– Tenaya Lake

What to know before you go

If you want to explore Tioga Pass, wait until late May/early June to do so. The National Park Service keeps an eye on the weather and road conditions. Of course I visited less than a week before the Pass opened 🙂 Ugh, I’m never early in life unless it comes to CA-120. Missed it by 6 days! We did, however, luck out and get to explore Glacier Point as it opened April 28th.

Update: My 2nd trip to Yosemite was during the tail end of April which was about 3 weeks sooner than the 1st trip taken last year in mid-May. Even though that’s roughly during the same timeframe, Glacier Point and Tioga Pass (among other roads) won’t be open for at least another 2 months (word on the street). 2019 saw massive snow fall which means it takes longer to plow and melt. Spring is still an amazing time of year to visit because the crowds are still sparse (so long as you don’t go during Spring Break!) and the weather is beautiful.

Hike early because crowds will come. We started the drive from Mariposa to the valley around 7:30am both mornings.

Bring food and water. There are a few options inside the valley, but parking is a pain and you’ll probably want a homemade PB&J when you’re atop Upper Yosemite Falls. That’s all I’m sayin.

Get gas before arriving to the gate. It was almost $5 a gallon right outside the park (saw me coming). The park is big, so if you’re an explorer and want to see a big portion of it, make sure you have at least half a tank!

Bring bug spray.

Entry fee for 1 vehicle is $35.

Know that this will be a pricey trip if staying in a hotel/airbnb. Prices go up around National Parks!

What to Wear on Safari in South Africa

April 25, 2019 by lesleymurphy 2 Comments

I think the interwebs will usually tell you that dry season (the country’s winter) is the best time to go on safari in most of South Africa. This happens from May – October when less foliage is on trees making it easier to spot animals. The lack of available water draws more wildlife to dams and waterholes, allowing for easier sightseeing. ELEPHANTS AND WARTHOGS AND ZEBRAS OH MY! Dry weather also makes for better road conditions and and fewer mosquitoes SCORE. Like many things in life, there’s an exception to that “rule.”

South Africa is a mixed bag in terms of climate. The “best” time to visit is a hard thing to answer because it kinda depends on what you’re after. Is it animals? In what part of the country? What about wildflowers? Ok, where? Sunbathing? Whale watching? Scuba diving? Surfing? The southern part of the country differs in climate from other parts of the country. Before you know it, your South Africa research sesh has dragged on all afternoon and look at that, you’ve missed your Pilates class today. Yep, been there. Allow me to help.

Game Reserves near Cape Town

Addo Elephant Park is situated on the Garden Route near Port Elizabeth where summer is the driest time of year. November to March is an amazing time to visit, and I can say that from very recent experience! If anyone is looking for a life altering safari experience, Gorah Elephant Camp will blow you away…like probably maybe definitely take your breath away. The moment we drove up, the watering hole was full of zebras, elephants and warthogs. Narnia, I tell you!

Greater Kruger National Park

Unlike Addo, Kruger National Park is best experienced in the dry season from May to September. I disregarded this information and visited in November with the Royal Malewane which was a damn good decision if I do say so myself. Imagine eating lunch with the biggest (and cutest) heard of elephants you’ve ever seen from the comfort of your terrace…or having an elephant come sip water out of your private pool in the backyard. It was unlike anything I’ve witnessed. Temperatures were in the high 80s (which kiiinda felt like in the 100s at times) and we had a few rain showers, but we also saw the big 5 in a day here. GaaASppppPpp. It was crazy spectacular.

What to Wear on Safari in South Africa

I think it’s important to start out by saying the African bush is not a fashion show. The animals certainly don’t care if you’re in yoga pants or a chic jumpsuit. Depending on time of day and year, however, you’ll want to look into layers and fabrics and colors 🙂

Layers – Game drives typically take place early in the morning during sunrise when temps are still low and only rise higher and higher and then again in the late afternoon when the sun is setting. Layers are important to remember (I get cold VERY easily). Both safaris I experienced provided rain ponchos, but it’s probably best to throw one in your bag, too!

Fabrics – Lightweight, breathable fabrics are ideal here, especially those that don’t make a lot of noise while walking or moving around.

Colors – The best way to get close to the wildlife is to blend in with your surroundings as much as possible by going neutral. Think khaki, hunter green, browns, white, etc.

After the morning drive, I usually changed into something to lounge in for breakfast, poolside naps, and lunch. I didn’t take a single pair of heels because they aren’t necessary. Think boots for safari and sandals/flip flops for lounging. I took a couple of casual cotton dresses to throw on after drives and as for all those fancy dresses hanging in the closet below…I didn’t touch them! Jumping in and out of jeeps during excursions really isn’t a dress-appropriate event. Dinners usually took place shortly after arriving back to camp from the afternoon/evening drive, so casual is key.

Pants

Leggings, joggers and other cropped pants work perfectly for bush adventures. If you can jump in and out of jeeps without making a lot of noise, they pass the test! Here are some of my favorites right now including these blue Patagonia Traveler Pants that y’all keep asking about!

Jumpsuits

I brought along off-white (Madewell) and hunter green (Style Stalker) jumpsuits for an elevated safari look. Here are some that I’m currently crushing on:

Tops

Think tanks, button downs, vests and rain jackets for coverage up top!

Shoes

My Backcountry North Face boots in Dachshund Brown are e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. That was an obnoxious way of going about typing it, but emphasis is necessary here. I wear these babies long after the safari hats were put up and recommend them to anyone who likes comfy footwear 🙂 The best part is…they’re on SALE y’all! I can’t end this section without talking about my newfound love for Birkenstocks. Yes, they’re back, y’all…for better or for worse. I used to wear them in the 9th grade with socks. Really glad that trend (in my head) went out the door byyyyeee. Here is the pair I’ve been wearing for a couple of months, and I’m obsessed.

Accessories

Hats for sun coverage 🙂

Scarves for warmth on early drives 🙂

Camera bags for protection 🙂

The important thing to remember here is Les(s) is more…especially in that African sun 😉 Should you choose to forgo all clothing, that’s okay too. They do, after all, bless the rains down in Africa – fully clothed or not.

Lessons from Margaux Untracht

April 17, 2019 by lesleymurphy 9 Comments

All photos by Alida Zimmerman

On August 19th, 2018, she sent in a LimitLes in Bali application. It was my 31st birthday that day, and I was in Florida celebrating with my family. Everyone was out by the pool while I stayed inside. I clicked to read her powerful words. Tears streamed down my face in awe of this woman I’d never met, and she continued to be very upfront with her diagnosis while sharing her story with me:

I am always looking for ways to help people within the cancer community, and think about new ways to raise money for organizations I have been passionate about daily, as I feel as though I am very fortunate, albeit my diagnosis. I will never say no to trying something new and I am always trying to see the silver lining in everything. I have coined the term “Gauxforward,” a spin on my name, meaning just keep looking ahead. I have learned to accept my past and have gained comfort in truly understanding there are certain things in life you can’t control. But what I can control is how I respond and act. I have decided to use my diagnoses as means to gauxforward and enjoy my life and do it with as much grace and ease as possible.

Despite her diagnosis, her words exuded hope. Hope in her health, hope in fundraising for a cure. I wanted to know her, be her friend and see Bali through her eyes. She was a complete standout, my favorite girl from the get go, and I was ecstatic when she accepted!

Cut to October 2018 and it was time to head to Bali, but not before speaking at The Breasties event in NYC. I immediately went to the bar after I spoke (as you do) and I’ll never forget meeting Margaux for the first time. She came up to me with the biggest smile and said, “Do you know who I am?!” I matched that same smile and said, “Of course I do, Margaux!” and proceeded to give her a big hug. I later learned she wasn’t a big fan of hugs, but I’m really glad I did it anyway. I then proceeded to fan girl in her face for the next 20 minutes, saying I’d see her in Bali in a few days.

Cut to one week later when she was the 1st person to arrive at the Bali villa…massive smile, so excited for the upcoming adventure, so excited for LIFE. We drank coconuts and hung by the pool as the other women arrived. That first evening, it was time for our opening circle. It’s where I wanted to really kick everything into gear. Enough of the where-are-you-froms and how-was-your-flights. We traveled to go deep and connect, so that’s exactly what we did. As I introduced the trip, I then gave it to the woman on my immediate left to introduce herself. I knew this woman would set the tone for the night, and it could go one of two ways: vulnerability OR surface level. As it turns out, Margaux was on my left, and she’s anything but surface level. She didn’t waste time, got right into her story, had everyone in tears and belly laughs all the same. I thank her over and over for setting the tone for that trip.

I’ll never forget how she spoke so fondly of her family, how she shared ALL the snacks, how she was so determined to make it up that volcano, how she showed me her scars, how she carried herself with independence and grace, how she snorkeled in monsoon-like waves, how utterly fearless she was, how she was always thinking of others, how she never made anyone (or their problems) feel less than. That’s who Margaux was.

In our final moments together, I interviewed her on camera. It’s the most powerful 15 minutes I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I found it so moving that I set it up after dinner one night for my guests during LimitLes in Argentina. Margaux commanded the room with her presence and wise words. I will forever show it to anyone who will listen because it’s chock full of so many lessons from her. Even in her absence, we learn. I believe everyone departed Argentina feeling as if they once knew her, like a short yet powerful friendship occurred somehow. She was the link we all needed, a bonding force that undoubtedly watched over and guided our journey south. She has an impact on those who’ve never been graced by her presence and a profound impact on others who were lucky enough to get to know her in the most complete way through travel. I knew I had to share her words with anyone who’d listen…so here’s Margaux’s story:

After a long and courageous fight against metastatic breast cancer, 33-year-old Margaux Untracht passed away on March 16th surrounded by her family. For nearly three years Margaux battled an aggressive form of breast cancer with an unbelievable amount of grace and strength. She was and continues to be an inspiration to all of us.

A few months ago after we’d left the island, my team and I discussed asking Margaux to co-host LimitLes in Bali 2019. That is the kind of impact she made in Indonesia, leaving us wanting so much more. As I sit here writing on a plane at 40,000 ft, I somehow feel closer to her, wherever she is. No matter her whereabouts, I firmly believe she was taken from us for an ever bigger impact that’s far beyond our comprehension. She left us earthside wanting so much more, so we’ll gaux forward with a piece of her inside all of us.

LimitLes in Bali

April 9, 2019 by lesleymurphy 5 Comments

All photos by Alida Zimmerman

Those necessary steps include the following:

Moving abroad to Argentina for 2 years
Living out of a suitcase for 3 years
Launching a campaign with an airline and taking the winner (a complete stranger at the time!) abroad for 2 weeks…with me as their guide 🙂
Continued growth and learning about the world, myself and others – whether that be through a massive surgery or yoga teacher training
My first hire to The Road Les Traveled
Creating our very first intentional escape to Bali with a group of 14

I firmly believe that all of these steps were imperative in order for me and my team to make this series a reality. And to think it almost didn’t happen in the end… 😉 Here were some funny, and not so funny, setbacks.

-Lost my passport 24 hours before my plane left for Bali. HahahhahHAHHAHHAHahhahaaHHHHAAAA. Yeah, not so funny in the end. I found out this horrific news 30 minutes before I went on stage to speak at a breast cancer event (hello breathing exercises) and proceeded to call the front desk at the Grand Hyatt where I stayed the night before… and guess what? It was there, but it took an arm and a leg to find that out. After finally getting the good news, I bought the nice woman behind the desk a bottle of champagne because I WAS GOING TO BALI. Let’s continue.

-Arrived to the airport 5 minutes before check-in closed.

-My assistant was “initiated” to The Road Les Traveled when the security line was SO long and the time until departure was SO short…so she had to be THAT girl to ask to cut the line. She was the second to last person on the plane, right before Paris Hilton

-Our baggage overage charges surpassed 4 digits but we ended up only paying $100 total somehow – thank you beautiful baggage gods

-Our last flight into Bali was delayed due to an earthquake in Indonesia. Yes, an earthquake. Bali was unaffected.

-The Customs & Immigrations line was longer than anything I’d ever seen before, and we almost weren’t let in due to the amount of items we had for our group (I’m looking at you, swag bags and box of 14 yoga mats).

We know because we go, and that’s when lessons become learned!

It’s always quite the adventure starting something new for the first time, and this was the official beginning to my new travel series dubbed LimitLes – intentional escapes for those looking to travel with like-minded people who crave movement, purpose, connection, difference and change for the greater good. This isn’t your average vacay. From yoga to exploration to giving back in an exceptional way – we definitely make an impact: not only on the local community but on our participants, too!

If you’re interested in joining my #LimitLesInBali 2019 trip or just so happen to be going to Bali soon and need some must-dos, here are the group’s favorites from Bali 2018 🙂

All Things Local…

But First, Yoga

This was my first taste at what it’s like to teach yoga every single day for a week…and I loved it! As a new teacher, I feel more grounded when I prepare the night before a class. Even though I was beyond exhausted from the day’s events, I would stay up building out classes each night and feel more prepared the following morning. Knowing that the women came away with a stronger practice and saying things like, “I’ve never been able to touch my toes…and on our final class together…I did it!” makes my heart sing. Of course, yoga is not about touching your toes, but I felt empowered with these women as they explored their mind, bodies and souls through yoga.

Lesley Murphy teaches yoga LimtiLes in Bali

Hidden Hills Wanagiri Swing

LimitLes in Bali Wanagiri hidden hill swing

Sure, off-the-beaten hidden gems feel like an untapped reserve where tourism hasn’t hit yet. Those are great. And then there are photo-worthy swings that make for good Ista-worthy content. While I kinda hate myself a little bit for even typing that, the group had a lot of fun and laughs here. There’s a swing entrance fee and each station has different attractions including a nest, multiple swings and some kind of bamboo lookout. As cheesy as they are, these swings make for a beautiful view and allow the Balinese people to find work thanks to tourism (and social media).

Banyumala Twin Waterfall

Personally, this was one of my favorite activities from our trip! Banyumala a stunning waterfall and a bit outside the touristy center. Located in northern Bali, it’s not exactly a hop-skip-and-jump away from hot spots like Seminyak and Canggu. It took us a little over two hours to reach and then another 15-20 minute hike down to the actual falls. It does have an entrance fee, and even though I had on flip flops, maybe wear sturdier footwear for the hike down/back up! The path isn’t great, but the plunge pool below the waterfall is insanely relaxing and a nice respite from the Bali heat!

Toya Devasya Hot Springs

I feel as if the above photo says it all…but these healing hot springs were magical. Coming in as a hot tip from our driver after we finished the sunrise volcano trek up Mt. Batur, our exhausted minds and bodies happily obliged. We visited before the entire spa was completed, but I don’t think anyone cared about the minimal construction going on. Minerals from the colorless and odorless hot spring and yummy drinks from the bar really did the trick in getting us back to 100% from that 2am wake up call 😉

Sound Bath Healing with Katrina

LimitLes in Bali sound bath Katrina Corner

After our volcano hike and hot springs rejuvenation, I thought a bit more self-care was needed. The remainder of the day was spent getting massages and partaking in sound baths and crystal prescriptions. I met Katrina while in our Aruba YTT together, and I’m convinced this woman is a unicorn sent to breathe sunshine and fairy dust into humankind. Lucky for us, she was still living in Bali at the time and performed a beautiful sound bath (that had me bawling through almost the entire thing). The best way I can describe it is a meditative concert that supports states of deep relaxation where stress release and healing can occur.

Crystals with Amanda

Crystal prescriptions with Amanda from The Crystal Boutique was eye-opening. I’d only skimmed the surface of crystal basics before visiting Bali, but when in Rome… 🙂 The semi-precious stones connect us to Earth as soon as we come into contact with them, and they have healing powers for cleaning, comforting, guiding, amplifying, and the list goes on. Whatever you need, I think there’s a crystal for it.

Tirta Empul Temple

This holy water temple was a spiritual journey from the moment was cloaked ourselves in sarongs to following our guide on Instagram afterwards because he was such a ray of light. The temple is a place to observe Hindu devotees purifying themselves by means of ritual bathing. After paying an entrance fee, we walked around and listened to our guide Kadek tell us about the site, its symbolism and finally landed in the purification pools for the purification ritual which we all partook in. After leaving a offering and a little prayer, we proceeded to the left waterspout in the first pool and continued to the next spout until the 13th, skipping spout number 11 and 12 as these spouts are only for “Pitra Yadnya”, a ritual for the dead. I forgot this important piece of info and did them all…oops. Ritual goes to say a little prayer, splashed your face three times and dip your head with the holy water at each spout.

The temple is located in Tampaksiring near Ubud where there is so much exploration to be had!

Bali Pink Ribbon 5K Walk/Run

On our last full day together, it was finally time to do what we’d come here for. Every LimitLes trip has a purposeful component, and seeing how it was Breast Cancer Awareness month, it was the perfect time to join forces with Bali Pink Ribbon. A portion of everyone’s LimitLes ticket was donated to this breast cancer non-profit, and on our last day we participated in a 5K walk (while some brave soul braved the Bali heat!) to raise awareness. It was insanely special to do with such a caring group including two survivors and two previvors.

As I write this post months after we’ve been home and returned to our daily routines, it’s with a heavy heart to say that one of our very own LimitLes girls lost her battle to metastatic breast cancer just a few weeks ago. After a long and courageous fight, 33-year-old Margaux Untracht passed away on March 16th surrounded by her family. For nearly three years Margaux battled an aggressive form of breast cancer with an unbelievable amount of grace and strength. I’ve written a piece dedicated to her so that Margaux can live forever on The Road Les Traveled as well as in my memories. Her story is seriously a true inspiration, so I urge everyone to read more about her and listen to her powerful words here. The 15 minute video is something everyone must see.

LimitLes in Bali — Photo by Alida Zimmerman

Final Thoughts

After our goodbyes were said and the villa was empty, I felt it: total and complete exhaustion mixed with pure elation. I was riding this high full of emotions. Connection was made, depth was had, volcanoes were hiked, yoga was practiced, laughs were abundant, tears were felt. I was exactly where I needed to be. I was doing exactly what I was meant to do: facilitate connection and community through travel.

I know LimitLes must continue for as long as it can. It’s a NEED-to kind of thing. Seeing the after effects solidified that for me, and it’s one of the most beautiful occurrences I’ve ever witnessed. These women go back to their lives with a clearer mind, a heightened inner confidence, a new sense of inspiration and lifelong friends. Oh yeah, and a love for yoga 🙂 It’s wild to think about the kind of impact and transformation 7 days can have on a person, and I’m completely taken aback by it. These women continue to FaceTime each other, travel together, organize book clubs and meet each others families. I think a common trend amongst adults, especially as we grow older, is that we crave community and connection. LimitLes is exactly that.

I could never begin to articulate the magic that happens on each LimitLes trip, and I won’t try to do so. Real life has no adequate paper trail, and I think a certain bit should be contained for each special group who made the physical, emotional and spiritual connection together. There’s a lot of effort that goes into each trip, not only on our side but on the participant’s as well. Traveling alone, meeting total strangers, trusting someone who you’ve never met (ME) to build a trip of a lifetime for you. That’s throwing fear the middle finger and judgement to the wind, two things I totally admire. Let’s all continue doing that 🙂

Breast cancer survivors and previvors summit Mt Batur — Photo by Alida Zimmerman

I’ll end with a very special shout out to my Bali teammates Emily Kronyak and photographer Alida Zimmerman. Emily and I crafted this trip from scratch, and I couldn’t have pulled it off without her. Alida captured every last moment so beautifully, and I’m forever grateful for the memories that will last a lifetime.