The American Express #PassionProject

I get a lot of emails and messages from readers asking if they could be my assistant or even hide in my suitcase so they can join me on my dance adventures around the world.  And what this tells me is two things: 1) the chance I took on pursuing this career has been the best decision of my life, and 2) my adventures have inspired at least the thought that this authentic travel is a possibility in other peoples’ lives.

There is no reason why every one of you should not be able to take at least one adventure and experience a different culture in the most authentic way possible (or at least in the most authentic way I think possible).  Have you ever dreamed of wearing a coconut bra and a grass skirt and dancing the hula at a luau in Hawaii?  Or maybe trying some Irish step dancing in Dublin?  Or what about salsa dancing in Puerto Rico?  To me, the most amazing way to connect with people of a different culture is to get up and dance with them, taking the time to learn something so personal about their own culture.

I’ve taken a huge leap of faith, leaving the corporate world to combine my two passions in life: dance and travel.  But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a middle ground – there is always room to live out your passion, whether it is big or small.  American Express recently launched their #PassionProject, celebrating and supporting what they call ‘a new generation of makers, creators, and mold-breakers.’ I challenge you to take that leap of faith this August and do something that you’ve always wanted to do – there is still a month of summer left to take that trip, live out that secret passion of yours, and make those incredible memories last forever.  Carpe diem and bon voyage! This is an American Express sponsored post – I received a gift card courtesy of the American Express Membership Rewards program to discuss my personal #PassionProject story.  (photo by Mario Dal Molin)