Zelie Pollon is a journalist, author and now coach helping families travel the world and helping women learn about financial independence and real estate. Her first Mexico retreat will be held this October in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico over Day of the Dead.

Q1 – What is the name of your latest project? Tell us more about why you embarked on this project. If a writer, share your synopsis.

Zelie recently published a book on how to travel the world long term, either solo or with your family. Her own journey began when she moved to Mexico with her young son after the very sudden death of her mother. While on the road, she began to meet families who were traveling full-time, and working and educating their children on the road; it’s when she first learned the term Worldschooling. It fit. Over the next four years, she traveled through Central and South America, and met and interviewed other families. As her knowledge grew, she began to gather resources she knew she wanted to share with others.

Q2 – What inspired you when you encountered struggles along the way?

I had no idea that with COVID the entire concept of location independence and moving abroad would gain traction. I had already embraced a non-traditional life, and I had seen so many other families doing the same. Those interviewed left America after they lost loved ones, or lost jobs they thought they’d have forever, or perhaps experienced a medical crisis. To these people, the reality was striking: time is short and time with family is the richest gift of all. They wanted more time, time with family, and a richer quality of life.

Q3 – Anton Chekhov said, “The world is, of course, nothing but our conception of it.” What is your opinion of this statement? How does it coincide or conflict with your perspective of the world?

My book tells you that you can live differently. That you Can educate your children differently. That there are choices. This book is one step in that direction. It gives actionable items for anyone wanted to change course – or simply take a long adventure with your family. It gives you permission. Which pertains exactly to Chekhov’s quote: “The world is, of course, nothing but our conception of it.”

Q4 – What personal experience had the greatest influence on your worldview?

Shortly after we invaded Iraq I went with a photographer to create the Baghdad Project: 100 Faces and Stories about War. While there, I saw such amazing resilience and joy in the faces of people who were in a terrifying situation. It gave me so much appreciation and gratitude for my own life. We take so much for granted in this country and travel in general can pull back the veil on what we think is commonplace everywhere.

Q5 – What perspectives or beliefs have you challenged in your work/project/story?

I challenge the concept of how to work, how to travel with limited funds, how to educate your kids, and what is a normal life?

I’ve found that as I get older my adventures are fewer or less elaborate. I try to help others and inspire creativity and kindness. I want to inspire creativity in my own life.

I have a love hate relationship with politics, as it is becoming a tool to spread ignorance and hatred through what some are calling “principles.” Same with religion, being used to spread intolerance and hatred. I believe in a religion whose foundation is based on being kind and accepting to others, and treating others as you want to be treated. I think violence begets more violence and I hope that kindness begets more kindness.

Q6 – Eckhart Tolle said, “Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” In your opinion, what is the next step and how can writers affect this?

Awareness is definitely an agent of change, which is why I support and encourage travel, especially for young people. It’s why I wrote this book. Yes, travel can have a heavy carbon footprint. However, the key is to travel slowly and deliberately, and to use travel to learn about others – their languages, beliefs, customs – to build bridges, resilience and tolerance.

The path to peace is long, but building relationships along the way is like setting down cobblestones one at a time to make a road that lasts for centuries.

Q7 – Intolerance and divisiveness are prevalent across the globe. Our voice may not be loud enough to right every wrong, but it is enough to make a difference one person at a time. Small acts move mountains. What one thing would you ask your audience to do to help inspire social change?

Same as above.

Q8 – Pick 1-3 social issues that are most important to you. Explain why you picked these and how we can help raise awareness/impact change.

Climate change, human rights, and rights for animals. I see all of it as interconnected. We are destroying our earth and destroying ourselves. I sometimes joke that the older I get the more I like animals. Humans can be so cruel to each other. We are so filled with self-hatred and fear that we project outward with wanton abandon, justifying every vicious act. And taking no personal responsibility. We have so much to learn.

Q9 – Maya Angelou said, “I did then what I knew how to do, but now that I know better, I do better.” We have all made choices that we regret. We are all flawed humans. Together, we are experiencing this human story unfolding. Share a transformative experience where you learned from a mistake. How do you actively choose to make better choices?

Some of my greatest regrets revolve around relationships and my own lack of self-care. I have been in relationships where I was treated very badly. I felt that I could love that partner enough to change the treatment, which was absurd, of course. Really, it reflected my own lack of self-respect and self-love. I’ve had a hard time, really since childhood, standing up for myself and loving myself enough to say NO to harmful or exhausting requests. Thank God for age and wisdom (though this is part of my ongoing work).

Q10 – Challenge readers and listeners with action steps to increase engagement with identifying hashtag and @mention.

Please follow me on Facebook and Instagram Zelie Pollon and @Zpollon.

Connect with Zelie Pollon

An author is only as good as her audience. Support this amazing writer by connecting with her and checking out her books.

Definitely buy my book, kindle AND audio available (I recorded it myself!): https://www.amazon.com/Hit-Road-Badass-Families-Travel/dp/B0BRDHRF6J

And please join me in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico to celebrate Day of the Dead and your own emergence (October). https://travelforabetterlife.com/emergenceretreatmx

Story Unfolding YouTube Interview:

If you want to hear my guests’ stories in their own words, check out our video interviews on my Story Unfolding YouTube channel. Be sure to go subscribe to hear about Zelie and other authors, creators, and entrepreneurs who are making a difference.

Join Story Unfolding

If you want to be featured in my Story Unfolding blog or YouTube channel, contact me and let me know what awesome work you do! You can schedule all of our meetings here, but please shoot me an email at michaelcamarillobooks@gmail.com if you want to be featured, so I can send you the appropriate documents.

Read more, Write mindfully!

Michael Camarillo