Travel is amazing for many reasons – one of which being that you learn a lot about yourself, especially when you travel solo. As some of you may know, my journey and addiction to travel began when I studied abroad in Australia in 2016. That year was life-changing in more ways than one and it was the year I met Meggie Roach. After we met, we quickly became close friends and I started to adopt a vegetarian diet after learning about why she was vegetarian. Meggie has always had an outlook on life that I admired and today we sat down and I asked her a few questions about her lifestyle and finding gratitude through travel.
How did you and Amy meet?
We met at the bus stop when we were both heading home from uni one night. I approached her and introduced myself because we were already a part of the Great Ocean Road road trip in a private Facebook group. We had been planning a week-long trip during what you could call Australia’s “spring break”. We hit it off instantly and have been great mates ever since.
Can you tell us a little bit about what you do for work?
I am a freelance yoga instructor, which means I work for myself. I teach yoga and fitness classes, as well as leading ecstatic dance classes, meditations and spiritual technique workshops online. My clients have access no matter where they are in the world! I love being able to connect with others without being location dependent.
When did your spiritual journey first begin?
Although I’ve always had a desire to learn more about spirituality, I would say my spiritual path really took off when I went to Thailand in September 2019. I went there for my yoga teacher training and began to study how yoga started and its connection to Buddhism, taking note of how I relate to it. When I returned from my travels, I got deeply involved with the spiritual community in my hometown.
What does your morning routine look like?
My morning routine begins with meditation and conscious breathing. I dedicate my last conscious breath to setting an intention for the day. It can be extremely simple, as simple as one buzzword to be my guide for the rest of my day. When you start your day with consciousness and are in the present moment, it’s hard to have a bad day, so that’s why that’s how I start my morning routine. Then I might journal or read while drinking my homemade herbal tea, which is a blend of ginger, lemon and turmeric mixed with hot water. The last part of my morning routine incorporates movement. Sometimes I follow an online workout or I’ll conduct my own yoga flow. Then I’ll usually go for a 30 minute run outside to connect with nature.
What are your best tips for those looking to get into mindfulness?
To start small and be realistic about your goals. You won’t see a major change overnight but if you can find it in your day to start incorporating 5 minutes of meditation or just write a daily affirmation in a notebook, you’ll notice a difference. You’ll get used to your routine and will be able to bring more elements of mindfulness into your life, day by day.
How has travel helped you with gratitude?
Travel has helped me find gratitude immensely. I have come to realize one of my top values in life is an appreciation for the beauty of nature and life itself. When I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to some remarkably beautiful places, it’s often brought me to tears. I love witnessing how beautiful the world is in its nature-made form. It overwhelms me with joy and appreciation, knowing that I get to experience these places and meet new people along the way.
How has your lifestyle changed over the past few years?
Over the past few years, I’ve focused on living a more holistic life. I’ve incorporated a wellness-based approach to my lifestyle, slowly making many changes. One of the most impactful changes was altering my diet in ways where I could maximize my overall fitness. I did so by cutting out all animal products and alcohol. Meditating daily, moving my body and surrounding myself with people that nourish my soul are all things I’m so thankful I do.
What misconceptions do you think people have around spirituality?
I think a huge misconception around spirituality is that people feel as if you need to know so much. Others think you need to be associated with one specific religion to be spiritually rich. I’ve found that in reality, it’s really just about believing in the idea that we are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. Believing that small influential changes you can make in your day-to-day life matter. They can bring you a deeper sense of connectedness with yourself, which is really what spirituality is all about.
What was your most challenging travel experience and what did you learn from it?
The most challenging travel experience I’ve had was when I got a ride from a driver in Vietnam. It was a scam Uber (taxi) and I had a bit of an uneasy feeling from the moment I hopped on the back of his bike. Luckily, he only tried to rob and I was okay. It taught me to always trust my intuition and if something feels off it’s most likely because it probably is.
How can others become more present?
I could go on and on about this but I’ll keep it as short as possible. Every time you focus on each and every breath it helps you be present. It’s so important to give people you care about your awareness in the present moment. By focusing on your breath, you can access that awareness at any given moment.
Where can people find you?
My Instagram is @movewithmeggie. I also have some blog posts about travel, wellness routine and veganism on my website movewithmeggie.com.
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