Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living

Life's too short to play it safe

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Freeways to Flip-Flops
    • My Gutsy Story® Anthology
  • Media
    • Press Kit +Videos
    • Print Media
    • Awards-Reviews-Testimonials
    • Sonia’s Blog Tour
  • About Sonia
  • Contact
We Travel With A Purpose

New Life,New Career,New Passion

January 28, 2018 by Sonia Marsh 15 Comments

86
SHARES
ShareTweetGooglePinterestLinkedinMail

They often say that it takes a while to get re-settled into life after returning from the Peace Corps. For me, it was all about finding a career, and I honestly had no clue what to blog about during that process.

My life back in California was the same as most of my friends, and not as eventful as my adventures in Lesotho. I needed to feel comfortable in my skin, and find a new compass to follow.

In one year, since my return from the Peace Corps in January 2017, I have done some major changes:

  • Career
  • Travel
  • Passion: Women Travel With a Purpose (see below)

Career

I had no idea how to write a resume, and spent hours stressing over the latest formatting options, attending “Free” classes on how to write an effective resume, and lamented over why I wasn’t getting interviews.

I started taking classes in Excel, Outlook, etc, and a grant writing course. I updated my LinkedIn profile, and thought about anything I could  potentially do:

  • Become a flight attendant
  • Work at a French cafe (since they require French speakers)
  • Work for a non-profit
  • Work at a University in the international students department
  • Fund-raising

Strangely enough, I did not need to stress, as my career found me. In fact that’s not quite true, my hairdresser shared my blog with a Zambian guy, Jim Holden, who just happened to be looking for an international person, who had lived around the world, and who could network, and create social media content for his Safari company. He was fascinated by my childhood in Nigeria, and my recent Lesotho life. Like me, he had lived in Nigeria, attended school in the U.K., and settled in California.

My new video reflects the focus of my updated website. No longer Peace Corps, but back in Africa.

Travel

Vivienne, Jim Holden and Sonia meeting the reps from the Blue Train at Indaba conference, May 2017

Within my first month of working for Holden Safaris in Newport Beach, I was back on a plane to Johannesburg. I was thrown straight into the world of Safaris, and wildlife conservation, meeting 30-50 suppliers, lodge owners, eco-tourism reps and flight operators at the annual Indaba Conference, held in Durban, South Africa. At the end of the first day, I felt mentally numb from information overload. We ran from one end of the convention center to the other, without a lunch break, and I took notes on Botswana and the gorgeous lodges we send our clients to on the Okavango delta, absorbing as much information as I could retain from the rep in twenty minutes, before rushing over to our next meeting with another supplier.

On safari in the Okavango delta, Botswana. Elephant having a mud bath.

After a week in Durban, our team went on a site inspection of Kwazulu Natal Province. For those interested in history, the Zulus and the battlefields, and elephant and rhino conservation, we put together an exclusive safari here.

I’ve been back twice since then, in August 2017, to Zambia and Zimbabwe, and in November, I experienced gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Passion: Special Tour I’m Leading to Kenya for Women Only who want to travel, feel good, and make a difference

I’ve put together a special tour for women only called, “Women Travel With a Purpose.” September 30th– October 7th, 2018.

Women Travel With a Purpose. Visit the African Child Foundation schools in Kenya.

I’m leading this trip to Kenya with Roz Berry, a Newport Beach resident and Director of the African Child Foundation: a non-profit run by volunteers to meet the needs, and transform the lives, of orphaned and vulnerable children in the slums outside Nairobi, Kenya. We have openings for 10 like-minded women. You can click on the link below, and hit the enter button to view the digital itinerary.

Women Travel With a Purpose-Exclusive Itinerary Specially Prepared For Women’s Group.

I hope you join me on this amazing trip to Kenya in October 2018, and e-mail me at: SoniaM@holdensafaris.com if you would like to find out more about this trip, or have an exclusive custom safari planned for you.

 

 

Filed Under: Holden Safaris, People, Travel & Adventure Tagged With: African Child Foundation, goriall tekking, gorillas in Rwanda, Holden Safaris, Holden Safaris blog, indaba, Jim Holden, Kenya, Kwazulu Natal

Comments

  1. Don Darkes says

    January 28, 2018 at 7:52 pm

    The light has come on again and it shows in you pictures and writing. I suspect you have found several new loves. Once you have tasted the waters of Africa you will be transformed. (With apologies to the original aphorism)

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 28, 2018 at 9:44 pm

      Thank you Don. Yes, I’m extremely happy and I love to travel, as you know. I’m coming back to South Africa in May, then Kenya in October. Hope you and your family are doing well.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..New Life,New Career,New PassionMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Marian Beaman says

    January 29, 2018 at 1:52 pm

    I hear and see joyfulness in your new found life filled with passion of all sorts. I’m so happy for you, Sonia!
    Marian Beaman recently posted..Lessons from the Bisque Salt and Pepper ShakersMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      February 1, 2018 at 11:30 am

      Marian , thanks for your comment. I’m learning a ton about Safaris in a different parts of Africa.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..New Life,New Career,New PassionMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Linda Luke says

    January 30, 2018 at 8:22 am

    Congratulations Sonia. You continue to lead a gutsy life and inspire women like me. I am very happy for you and never doubted you would continue to seek and experience until you found your next best life. You go girl!

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      February 1, 2018 at 11:43 am

      Thanks Linda. Very nice to hear that I can inspire women, although you inspire others yourself. I think we all help each other.

      Reply
  4. Lady Fi says

    January 30, 2018 at 8:47 pm

    So glad to hear you have found your passion! You inspire me.

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      February 10, 2018 at 7:22 am

      Lady Fi, So many changes at one time. It’s exciting, and I’m finding less time to write. I want to get back into that.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..New Life,New Career,New PassionMy Profile

      Reply
  5. Carol says

    January 31, 2018 at 6:25 am

    Well done, Sonia! XXX

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      February 1, 2018 at 11:31 am

      Marian , thanks for your comment. I’m learning a ton about Safaris in a different parts of Africa.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..New Life,New Career,New PassionMy Profile

      Reply
      • Carol says

        February 5, 2018 at 1:30 am

        Thanks for the free visit of the gorillas! I wonder how you managed to get so close to them.

        Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      February 10, 2018 at 7:23 am

      Thank you Carol. I’ll be in Provence in June. How are you?
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..New Life,New Career,New PassionMy Profile

      Reply
  6. Julie Watson says

    February 2, 2018 at 11:18 am

    You are an inspiration, Sonia. All the best for your new life. Exciting stuff.

    Reply
  7. Linda Kovic-Skow says

    February 10, 2018 at 7:16 am

    Hi Sonia. What an interesting life you lead. I’m so glad you found your passion!

    Reply
  8. Barbara says

    July 14, 2018 at 7:33 am

    I am thrilled for you, Sonia! Your love for life and the joy I see on your face makes me so happy. I was quite worried about you during your Peace Corp days. Now you have truly found your calling.
    xob

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign up for my Gutsy Updates

Come on over to see my new blog: We Travel With A Purpose

Welcome!

Welcome!

Click the cover to buy on Amazon

Recent Posts

  • After Lockdown: My New Adventure In England
  • How I Cope During Lockdown
  • My way of staying positive during these difficult times?

Archives

  • ►2021 (1)
    • ►April (1)
  • ►2020 (3)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (1)
  • ►2019 (1)
    • ►April (1)
  • ►2018 (10)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (2)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►May (1)
    • ►January (1)
  • ►2017 (9)
    • ►August (1)
    • ►June (1)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (1)
    • ►February (3)
    • ►January (1)
  • ►2016 (40)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (4)
    • ►October (5)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►August (4)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (4)
    • ►April (4)
    • ►March (3)
    • ►February (1)
    • ►January (4)
  • ►2015 (60)
    • ►December (3)
    • ►November (3)
    • ►October (4)
    • ►September (3)
    • ►August (6)
    • ►July (5)
    • ►June (5)
    • ►May (3)
    • ►April (5)
    • ►March (8)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (7)
  • ►2014 (105)
    • ►December (9)
    • ►November (8)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (9)
    • ►August (8)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (8)
    • ►March (9)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (10)
  • ►2013 (104)
    • ►December (9)
    • ►November (9)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (8)
    • ►August (9)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (8)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (9)
    • ►March (8)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (9)
  • ►2012 (112)
    • ►December (10)
    • ►November (10)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (8)
    • ►August (10)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (8)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (10)
    • ►March (10)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (11)
  • ►2011 (105)
    • ►December (10)
    • ►November (8)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (9)
    • ►August (8)
    • ►July (8)
    • ►June (10)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (8)
    • ►March (9)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (9)

Also Available At:

Sign up for my Gutsy Updates with Holden Safaris.
Travel with me to Africa as I share my life-changing experiences.

Latest from the Blog

  • After Lockdown: My New Adventure In England
  • How I Cope During Lockdown
  • My way of staying positive during these difficult times?
  • How to Keep Your Mind Off the Coronavirus
  • Follow Me to Dubai on My New Travel Website

Copyright © 2017 — Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living • All rights reserved.
Site customised by Peace of Africa Designs