Adventure Travel Part I: Solo and Untouchable
Meet Zandy Rox, intrepid solo traveler
“A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on her own wings.” -Charlie Wardle
This week, I’m excited to kick-off a mini-series celebrating two bold women adventurers who speak about their experiences embracing their discomfort zones through travel. As you will see, they each approach the logistics of travel from vastly different perspectives. And yet, they share the common thread of finding joy through connecting with local communities. In their journeys, they each discover their own inherent strength and power.
Our first guest is an intrepid solo traveler. In a world where women are often discouraged from taking risks or told how dangerous their ideas are, Zandy is crushing those narrowminded limitations. She has set her mind on her goals and set out to travel the world solo, time and time again.
As I read through Zandy’s story, I couldn’t help but think that the world has no business projecting its fears onto us. We are extraordinary. We are capable. We carry our power within us. There is nothing we can’t do when we have confidence in ourselves.
And, Zandy reminds me, we are inextricably interconnected. We learn so much when we open our hearts and truly listen to those from places foreign to our own. The soul of travel is connection. Even when we are alone, we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.
Let’s dive into Part I of this Adventure Travel Series.
Welcome! Tell us about yourself!
My name is Zandy Rox. I’m 45 and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am currently a Prospective Digital Nomad who enjoys being a Globetrotter Party of One, Life Designer, Eternal Learner and Daily Reader.
What does it mean to you to be a traveler?
Being a traveler means immersing myself in another country’s culture and connecting with locals and seeing life through another’s eyes.
What inspired you to pursue solo traveling internationally?
I first traveled to New York (from California) in 2004. I found that if I just did the thing I obsessively thought about, I ended up the happiest. I made the mistake of letting my personal life take over, so solo travels subsided for a time, but resurged in 2012 and again in 2021.
Every adventure has its hardships. Tell us about the personal limiting beliefs or external barriers you grappled with along your path. Speak to the importance of mindset in dealing with these setbacks or failures.
I recently had an experience that highlighted the importance of mindset in dealing with setbacks.
A friend invited me to Spain for their birthday, and although I wasn’t particularly excited about the trip, I struggled to say no. Once there, I faced relentless jet lag, barely remembered Madrid, and even had an uncomfortable moment when my friend questioned if I had taken her money. The trip felt more like a generic tourist vacation rather than the immersive travel experiences I usually seek—connecting with locals, expats, and fellow solo travelers.
Reflecting on this, I realized how external influences can shake my confidence. When I tell people I travel alone, I often hear, “You went by yourself?”—a comment that can feel loaded with judgment. I’ve already faced similar reactions about an upcoming trip to Italy, making me hesitant to even talk about it.
In moments like these, mindset is everything. Remembering why I travel solo—what I seek from each experience and how I want to feel—keeps me grounded. Each trip helps refine those answers, reinforcing my confidence and independence.
My goal is to be untouchable when it comes to others' opinions on female solo travel, and that mindset is what allows me to keep exploring on my own terms.
Tell us about some of the places you have visited!
I’ve been to Greece and Nicaragua recently. I took up an interest in surfing (still learning!), so I've been embracing surf retreats where I get more than the touristy two hour class. I plan to embrace surf retreats around the globe with Ecuador next on my list.
I’ve also had a brief stop in Turkey where they showcased their handmade carpets. I have a video of the ‘Turkish carpet fashion show’ that I revisit from time to time. I have it on my bucket list to buy one once I have a larger home.
What have you learned about yourself from traveling like this? How has it changed you?
Traveling solo has shown me that I am my brightest and most authentic self when I have complete freedom. Without the need to accommodate others, I can fully embrace spontaneity, curiosity, and autonomy.
Imagine waking up to a sunrise in Venice with nothing on my agenda except what I want to do—maybe meeting expats who can introduce me to locals, or uncovering hidden gems beyond the tourist spots. That kind of freedom opens my mindset in ways I never experience otherwise.
In 2020, I joined a group coaching program called Design a Life You Love (DALYL) by the Fioneers because I felt there had to be more to life. Growing up with a big imagination, I struggled to accept a status quo existence. Through that community, I realized that while the logistics of trip planning once felt overwhelming, my desire to travel far outweighed that hesitation. Now, solo travel isn’t just something I do—it’s a core part of how I grow, explore, and truly feel alive.
In your travels, has there been an event or person that has altered your worldview in some way?
While my travels haven’t drastically shifted my worldview, my journey toward financial independence in 2019 certainly did. A conversation with a colleague about creativity led me to a womxn creatives community space, where I discovered finance influencer Berna Anat. Though I was already experienced in budgeting and investing, her fresh perspective resonated with me. Through her, I found Jamila Souffrant’s Journey to Launch podcast, which introduced me to a community of like-minded individuals.
Connecting with others on similar financial paths changed my perspective—I had assumed the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) ship had sailed for me. But after running the numbers and working with a financial planner, I realized I could achieve financial independence in my late 40s. That realization was life-changing.
Then came 2020—a universally challenging year, but one in which I took bold leaps. I dined at my first 3-star Michelin restaurant, took a road trip to Oregon, and joined impactful communities like DALYL and Trade & Travel. These experiences reinforced that growth—financial or personal—thrives on connection and action.
What advice do you have for another woman wanting to learn how to travel solo?
Whatever doubts you have, don’t listen to them. Whatever negativity you receive, ‘hit delete’.
Not everyone will understand, so just go. Go with your heart. Enjoy the world around you.
In one word, what do you hope your legacy will be?
Unaffected or untouchable.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I still carry doubts and am always looking for community and connection with individuals with interests or experiences with female solo travels. I am always looking to grow my knowledge in that space.
What additional adventures are coming up next on the horizon for you?
I have been tossing around an itinerary in Italy or Ecuador and the Galapagos. Both solo. The idea is to embrace these trips as a traveler rather than a tourist. So my current thoughts are how can I embrace the local culture as much as I can when I visit; how can I interact with the locals, expats and nomads of those spaces.
My parting question for you today is this: how can you challenge an assumptive belief held by you or your society that is preventing you from fully becoming your most adventurous self?