More About the Travel Alchemist Collective 🚀

Confident and in control, reflecting the light of the sun. Miami Riverfront.

Here's more about the Travel Alchemist Collective mentioned in yesterday's post: The Power of Travel to Transform Your Career and Outlook on Life #TravelAlchemistCollective.

I’m really excited to pull back the curtain and share the inner details of how I have navigated the traveling-career-woman lifestyle. I am excited to share everything I wish someone would’ve told me about how powerfully transformative travel really is. 

-Kells, Group Leader, Travel Alchemist Collective

What is the Travel Alchemist Collective?

Travel Alchemist Collective is a community created for passionate women who have a deep desire to travel and explore the world. She sees herself as, or aspires to be, an intuitive, adventurous, feminine, achiever, but is encountering a few personal barriers keeping her from seeing more of the world.

Her personal barriers may be: fear of solo travel, fear of the unknown, overthinking, fear of spending money, or fear of being judged.

She's tried a few things in the past, but now she is ready to do whatever it takes to cross the travel threshold.

Based on our ethos: the transformative power of travel, she is confident that working with Kells and joining the Collective will help her to make travel-transformation happen this year.

What can I expect from the Travel Alchemist Collective?

Throughout March 2019 Kells will be guiding a hand selected group of women through live group sessions (online) and individual coaching and feedback sessions (online, phone or in-person).

These sessions will be held twice per week for approximately 4 weeks. The sessions will be tailored to the specific needs of the women in the cohort and will focus on guiding each to achieve her personal travel goals.

Kells, the group leader, will help her to identify her personal barriers and begin to breakthrough, create a Travel Transformation Plan (TTP), get in the right headspace to book her perfect trip, make the most of time abroad, and ultimately help her to transform herself, her love life, and her career.

Travel Alchemist Collective is about one-on-one coaching and personalized feedback to help you achieve your travel goals.

For members of the Travel Alchemist Collective the expectation is that travel will have a transformative effect on her life: her career, love life, vision of self, and outlook on life.

The expectation is that each woman will have a unique set of challenges, but a deep willingness to overcome and take tangible steps to make travel a priority and a reality in her life.

There is a particular personality that is best suited for the Collective. Those interested in joining should know that there will we an intuitively guided selection process before she is welcomed to join the group.

Travel Alchemist Collective is a paid membership group. 

If you think this is for you, message me now, let’s talk. Tell me what you are thinking and I'll tell you how I can help. 💖

Instagram @itskellsss | itskellscollective@gmail.com 🚀 It's Kells YouTube Channel 🚀 You were guided here. 💕 Message me when you are ready 333 💕 

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Travel Alchemist Collective: The Transformative Power of Travel. 

The Power of Travel to Transform Your Career and Outlook on Life 🚀 #TravelAlchemistCollective

Tulum México: Caleta Tankah y Ruinas Mayas

My biggest fear was being seen as unfit for the team I had been drafted for. Unfit for the opportunities I spent my entire college career cultivating.

But deep down I knew, undeniably, I was different.

It seemed that everyone was quite content graduating from college, signing on the dotted line and joining the workforce for 40+ years.

Adulting—or so they call it.

I, on the other hand, panicked at the thought of such a massive commitment.

Now don’t get me wrong, I have no aversion to hard work, or inspired action, as I like to call it… but as you’d have it… inspiration can be tricky to pin down.

Tulum México Ruinas Mayas

After university, travel was the one thing that consistently called to me. The element of adventure, the tug of curiosity, the slight hint of impracticality.

In the quiet moments when I would sit and ask myself, “What do you really want to do?” Travel was the response.

There’s a freedom that comes with travel. You are free to be curious and have a child-like naïveté about the world again.

Wonder and exploration are somehow restored.

People forgive you for the mistakes that you make when you’re a traveler. You don’t have to take yourself too seriously.

For me the best part about traveling is being liberated from the expectations imposed when at home. A temporary relief from the heaviness of adulting.

New Orleans Cemetary

As it relates to career, being a traveler sets you apart in a few ways. The right team will see you as: 

• Adaptable, open to new people, places and opportunities, able to shift your lens and see things in different ways 
• Intellectually curious, high emotional intelligence, able to use intuition and courage to break through comfort zones to successfully navigate unfamiliar territory 
• Self-aware, able to see your global exposure, unique strengths and attributes, as culture add, not just culture fit 

Do you have a deep desire to travel and explore, but having a hard time breaking through certain barriers? 

Well take a moment right now to send me a private message or comment below.

Throughout MARCH 2019 I will be working with a select group of women, individually and as a small group, helping them breakthrough their comfort zone and create a Travel Transformation Plan (TTP) designed to help you get in the right headspace, finally select and book the perfect trip, make the most of time abroad, and ultimately transform yourself, (your love life), and your career.

Sound interesting?

I’m really excited to pull back the curtain and share the inner details of how I have been able to navigate the whole traveling-career-woman lifestyle.

Can’t wait to share everything that I wish someone would’ve told me about how powerfully transformative travel really is.

 If this sounds like you, message me now, let’s talk. 💖 #333 #TravelAlchemistCollective

Stone Henge, Miami River, North Miami Beach, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Eiffel Tower, Paris, Hyde Park London, Brussel, Belgium, British Museum, London

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Travel Alchemist Collective: The Transformative Power of Travel. 

Divine Feminine Expression of the Infinite 💫

Melanin Goddess

Power is in her stunning beauty, brown brawn body, nimble mind, deep joy, and compassionate heart 💛... and more... in her connection to the divine. ✨

A clear, intuitive knowing that she is a conduit of the divine. 🔮✨🕉🌞 She ushers life from the spiritual plane into the physical, her womb the fertile soil. 🌱

Her body flows is sync with the phases of the moon, 🌝 in rhythm with that which governs the tides. Within her an ocean resides. 🌻💦🌼🌿

#divinefeminine #333 #travelalchemistcollective #itskellscollective

Strolling through the Miami Design District | December 2018

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Travel Alchemist Collective: The Transformative Power of Travel. 

MEXICO CITY || BIKING CHAPULTEPEC, LA CONDESA, PASEO DE LA REFORMA [part 3]

Here's a little recap and some extra unseen footage from my time in Mexico City bike ridding through roma norte, la codesa, bosque de chapultepec, and down paseo de la reforma; we had a dope airbnb apartment located between napoles and del valle.

Here's where we stayed in Mexico City: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/817291?eluid=1&euid=fc4d0805-87a8-2359-3c80-61e6503cb697 Tell Lu and Alberto Kells sen you :)

:: TRAVEL COUPON CODE ::
If you're interested, save a little money and have a more memorable stay in any city, book through Air BNB. Here's my discount code: http://bit.ly/ItsKellsAirBNB

 :: MUSIC ::
1. Jarreau Vandal - Until the Dawn - Soulection
2. Zak Abel Everybody Needs Love - Jarreau Vandal Remix
3. Jarreau Vandal - Until the Dawn - Soulection

[Video embedded below, click here for direct link: https://youtu.be/MkTPo5tViKs]

Weekend Trip to Mexico City | Sunrise at the Pyramids of Teotihuacan and Biking through the City

Seeking to elevate my consciousness, I head to Pirámides de Teotihuacan to see the ancient Mesoamerican Pyramid of the Sun and Moon at sunrise. My friend Allie from my "Career Driven Women" series on YouTube invited me out to Mexico City. She loves it there and thought I would too.

I've made a promise to myself to travel someplace warm each February—for me the hardest month to get through living in a cold climate. My friend Rachel from Miami flew in to meet me in Mexico City and the next morning we made our way 25 miles NE of the city to the pyramids. It was spectacular and gave me just what I was seeking.

[Video embedded below and linked here: https://youtu.be/ERX1_czkr88]


So after we hit the Teotihuacan pyramids, we jumped around mexico city: dinners in polanco at barra buena, porfilio's, cafe pendulo; bike ridding through roma norte, la codesa, bosque de chapultepec, and down paseo de la reforma; we had a dope airbnb apartment located between napoles and del valle. Rachel and I had a brilliant time.

If you're interested, save a little money and have a more memorable stay in any city, book through Air BNB. Here's my discount code: http://bit.ly/ItsKellsAirBNB. Here's where we stayed in Mexico City: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/817291?eluid=1&euid=fc4d0805-87a8-2359-3c80-61e6503cb697

[Video embedded below and linked here: https://youtu.be/2jV0kJ-3Z8s]

10 Important Things to Know Before Traveling to London

This video was filmed on location at Sky Garden, The British Museum, London Underground, Box Park/ Shoreditch and Gatwick Airport in London, England in February 2016.

I share 10 things to consider before traveling aboard to London or similar locations, discussed in detail in this video:

1. You should "travel solo"
2. Bring photo identification
3. Bring earplugs and a sleeping mask
4. Don't over plan
5. Don't get overwhelmed
6. Take public transportation
7. Visit the museums
8. Language barriers
9. Museums can get repetitive
10. Bring American cold remedies
11. BONUS TIP. Don't book a hotel, stay in an Air BNB. Here's a discount code: http://bit.ly/ItsKellsAirBNB


There's more to life than your every day experience. If you are unhappy with what you see, be inspired to change it. I empower you to create a life you love, exactly where you stand, right now. It won't be easy, but I promise you, it will be worth it. This is your sign, now go!

Kells x

Direct link: https://youtu.be/a_dJcmPHs0Q 

Farewell Thoughts on Dating in London

While I was in London, in addition to documenting my travels, business experiences, social and academic life, I decided to document my experience on the dating scene. I vlogged my tongue-in-cheek thoughts on interracial dating, dating Europeans who hate Americans, being called out because of my hair and being considered "exotic" as a black woman, as some of my more interesting topics. I decided to mainly post my vlogs to my YouTube Channel, where they were very well received, but to close out the series I share here my final thoughts on dating in London. Click the link below in you're interested!

https://youtu.be/HEhNHByZL98

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you want to be notified when my videos go live. Drop me a message when you do, I'd love to personally welcome you to my vlogging community!

URGENT: Get involved w/ your University of Florida - Alumni Association NOW - Here's why.

If you're anything like me, you realize that attending and matriculating from the University of Florida was one, if not the, best decision of your life.  There are so many things that can be said about the doors, hearts and minds that have been opened by the opportunity. Gators will understand this wholly. No further explanation necessary.

I have encouraged all of my younger mentees to attend a university away from home, particularly UF, if their credentials support attendance.  Living and studying in a small, rural town is well-worth the sacrifice to attend a world-class institution such as UF.  UF is a tough school to get into now-a-days, but not just because of its ever-increasing "Ivy League of the south" status, but sadly because of the decline in commitment to minority recruiting.

Have you been keeping up with the news about the drastic decline in black enrollment at UF? If not, read more about the issue here:

• Black enrollment at UF takes a hit
• Why is enrollment of black students at UF down?

Both articles were written by Gainesville Sun staff writer, Jeff Schweers. He can be reached by phone: 352-338-3176 and e-mail: jeffrey.schweers@gvillesun.com.

MORE FROM THE ARTICLES: “Falling black enrollment is not unique to UF,” Glover said. “Other State University System universities have experienced similar declines.” UF's black undergraduate enrollment fell by 876 students between 2010 and 2014, or by 28 percent. 

Florida State University, the University of South Florida and Florida A&M also saw decreases in black student enrollment, but not to the same degree as UF. The state's eight other universities either maintained their enrollment numbers and percentages or saw an increase in both.

The University of Central Florida saw an INCREASE of 1,000 students — a 19 percent growth rate in its black undergraduate population. Black students grew from 10 percent to 11 percent of the undergraduate population.

“The recruitment and marketing environment has gotten tougher, no question about that,” said Gordon Chavis, UCF's associate vice president for Undergraduate Admissions, Student Financial Assistance and Student Outreach programs. UCF has an AGGRESSIVE COMMITMENT to minority recruiting, established by John Hitt when he became president in 1992.

Here's what you can do TODAY:

If you feel that UF has changed your life for the better and are interested in maintaining a strong legacy of Black and Afro-Latino achievement and excellence at UF and throughout the GATOR NATION, now is the time to get involved with your University of Florida Alumni Association:

1. JOIN the UF Alumni Association. Membership starts at $40. Money talks, B.S. walks. We know this. You most show some level of financial commitment to be taken seriously.
2. CONNECT with your local UF Alumni Association. Send your local chapter president a note telling him/her that you are concerned with the decline in Black enrollment and that you are poised to help in anyway needed. Also, Save the Date for Destination ABA, the UF Association of Black Alumni's first multi-city alumni experience taking place on Saturday, April 18, 2015 in Atlanta, South Florida, Tampa and Washington, D.C. Be vocal about your thoughts when you attend. ALL are invited.
3. SHARE your reflections with new UF president, Dr. Kent Fuchs. President Fuchs is currently on a multi-city Listening Tour to meet with alumni, friends, media and leaders in Florida's major cities and selected cities nationwide. With stops in Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa and other cities beginning this spring, he will gather ideas and thoughts about how to shape UF's next era. Attend AND speak up when he is in your city or email him today. 

NOTE: UF recently hired a new Director of Admissions. Now's the time to re-evaluate the recruiting practices and get the buy-in of the new President and new Admissions Director.

We, the black alumni, supporters and friends, are here to help. We know what currently works and what can be tweaked in regards to minority recruiting. Let's open a dialog and get this challenge rectified. Step one, let our voices and concern be heard. Step two, meet with the new leadership at UF.

GATOR NATION, WE NEED YOU. SPEAK UP TODAY. IT'S TIME TO STRIKE WHILE THE IRON'S HOT. LET'S WORK TO INCREASE THE STANDARD OF MINORITY ENROLLMENT AT UF TODAY.

Comment below and let me know your thoughts. I am in contact with the UF ABA National President and will relay your thoughts directly to her.

READ THE SECOND POST IN THE SERIES: Conspiracy Theory or Truth? One Reason Why UF's Black Recruitment Efforts are Not Made a Priority

The Expat Paradox

Paris

A few months after moving to London I read an article describing a paradoxical situation that befalls many expats, where their new country fails in comparison to home, yet home no longer fits snugly.

I knew instinctively I would befall a similar fate.

Living in London exposed me to an alternate reality. A reality that I fell in love with.

Yet I am afraid to stay. And afraid to return home.

Afraid to stay in London and be so very far away from my home... my family, my friends, life's familiarity. Hyper aware that I may lose the attention of the ones I love the most -- the ones who love me the most  -- sacrificed for the unfamiliar, yet alluring, love and attention of the unknown.

Afraid to return home to the same ordinary life I sought to shake loose. Afraid to fall back into the same grind, facing the same demons, as if the last year was just a fleeting day dream flickering off into the distance. 

How will I continue to use this experience to elevate my life if it led me right back to where I started? 

How do I face the possibility that I may fall short of the "elevated life" I seek?

The audience speaks: No guts, no glory.. You'll be fine.. You'll work it out, you always do.

As if through some miraculous alignment of the stars an aspirational life is possible without the sweat and vision required to align them.

Perhaps at this point I should acknowledge the Pygmalion effect on my life. Perhaps I should be thankful for the accountability that has brought to life this abstract form.

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

None the less, full disclosure: I realize the luxury of my anxiety, which to be clear, is a fleeting day dream flickering off into the distance. 

Featured in The Orbital's Beauties of Holloway #RHUL

 

Back in the spring of this year I was invited to shoot for Beauties of Holloway. Beauties of Holloway is a special insert to The Orbital, the official magazine of Royal Holloway. The insert was designed to highlight the diversity of beauty and culture on campus. 

These photos were taken on the footbridge at the main entrance to Royal Holloway, University of London. In the background you find the Clock Tower and the north facade of the Founder's Building.

Special thanks to SURHUL BME director Violet Bordoli for having me and to Yang Qiu for his epic photography skills. 

Lifestyle/ Travel Vlog: Stockholm (The Finale) An Eritrean Graduation, Partying at Kåken + My Near Abduction!

BONUS VIDEO! Too much footage for just *three* vlogs. I spent 7 days in Stockholm, Sweden and had an amazing time.

Come along for a traditional Eritrean/ Swedish graduation party, my near abduction by two Swedish hotties, and me and my girls partying to hip-hop and reggae music at Kåken in this, the grand finale of the Stockholm series.

By the way while you're here, did you like this video? If so, hit that like button on the vid and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel, so I know to keep the vlogs coming!

Music by: Blank & Kytt "Sun Shy"

[Video embedded below, but if you can't see it, here is the direct link http://youtu.be/E1wdJS73yro]



Tags: Stockholm, Travel Noire, Sweden, Södermalm, Europe, Travel, Traveling in Europe, Kåken, Eritrean, Eritrea

HERE is the Stockholm playlist of videos. 

Lifestyle/ Travel Vlog: Stockholm, Sweden (Part 3 of 3) Drunken Street Parties, Live R&B Music + Archipelago Boat Tour

Here's part 3 of a 3-part series. Too much footage for just one vlog. I spent 7 days in Stockholm, Sweden and had an amazing time.

Come along for random drunken street parties, BillerudKorsnäs, Lilla Hotellbaren, the 3-hour Archipelago Tour and Swedish hotties playing live R&B music at Mister French in this, part 3 of the series.

Do you like these vlogs? If so, hit that like button on the vid and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel, so I know to keep the vlogs coming!

Music by: Blank & Kytt "Sun Shy"

[Video embedded below, but if you can't see it, here is the direct link http://youtu.be/hLpff88XbdE]



Tags: Tags: Stockholm, Travel Noire, Sweden, Södermalm, Europe, Travel, Traveling in Europe

 **There will be a bonus video from my last night partying in Stockholm**

HERE is the Stockholm playlist of videos. 

Lifestyle/ Travel Vlog: Stockholm (part 2 of 3) Stockholm Business School, Ericsson and Stortorgskällaren

Here's part 2 of a 3-part series. Too much footage for just one vlog. I spent 7 days in Stockholm, Sweden and had an amazing time.

Come along for a quick tour of Stockholm Business School, Ericsson and Stortorgskällaren in part 2 of this vlog. By the way while you're here, did you like this video?

If so, hit that like button on the vid and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel, so I know to keep the vlogs coming!

Music by: Blank & Kytt "Sun Shy"

 [Video embedded below, but if you can't see it, here is the direct link http://youtu.be/nHwfyNYNCrQ]

 

Stockholm Part 1
Stockholm Part 3

Tags: Stockholm, Travel Noire, Sweden, Södermalm, Europe, Travel, Traveling in Europe

Lifestyle/ Travel Vlog: Stockholm (part 1 of 3) Vasa Museum, Södermalm, Slussen/ Old Town and Scandic Malmen Hotel

I spent 7 days in Stockholm, Sweden on an international excursion with my MBA cohort and had an amazing time. Come along for a quick tour of The Vasa Museum, Södermalm, Slussen/ Old Town, The Ferry, Tivoli Amusement Park and the Scandic Malmen Hotel.

Here's part 1 of a 3-part series. Too much footage for just one vlog!

By the way while you're here, did you like this video? If so, hit that like button on my youtube channel and SUBSCRIBE, so I know to keep the vlogs coming!

Music by: Blank & Kytt "Sun Shy"

[Video embedded below, but if you can't see it, here is the direct link http://youtu.be/wUhwFn61qpM]



Stockholm Part 2
Stockholm FULL playlist of vlogs

VLOG: London Staycation, Ice Skating, London Eye, Wicked, Fashion Week

Decided to explore a bit of central London for a few days during my first winter holiday abroad. Come along for a quick tour of some well known attractions here in London.

By the way while you're here, did you like this video? If so, hit that like button and SUBSCRIBE, so I know to keep the vlogs coming!

-Kx

 [Video embedded below, but if you can't see it, it's linked HERE]



Tags: Vlog, Travel Diary, London, Travel Noire, Croydon, Europe, Travel, Ice Skating, Plays, Wicked, Fashion Week, London Skyline, Traveling in Europe