I thought I was chasing a career reset. Looking back, I was learning how to stop surviving and start living again. I didn’t tell everyone right away that I was moving to Belize. Some of my family members were unintentionally blindsided. I imagine some people assumed I moved to Belize because I was burned out […]
Why I Really Moved to Belize Read More »
It’s hard to believe I have 5 months left in Belize. I have been placed in unique position where reflection is now part of my daily routine, flexibility is a non-negotiable and having expectations is overrated if you want to be present more. This next post in my 5 part series covers lessons learned as
What Serving in Belize Has Taught Me About Leadership, Vulnerability, and Mentorship Read More »
Day 2: Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” Couldn’t Have Prepared Me I consider myself an early bird, but waking up at 3:45 a.m. was pushing it. The morning was a quick shuffle. We double-checked our day packs, changed clothes, brushed our teeth, ate breakfast, and somehow managed to get ourselves together within 45–50 minutes. By 4:40
Climbing Victoria Peak Belize: Summit Day, Jungle Survival, and the Final Hike Out Read More »
It has been about one week since the infamous climb of Victoria Peak at Cockscomb Basin Park in Belize, and I finally feel a little bit reenergized. As you can imagine — or maybe not, because honestly, the experience was far from what I expected — the climb took it out of all of us.
Climbing Victoria Peak Belize: Training, Packing, and Surviving Day 1 Read More »
So — let’s talk about the part everyone really wants to know: How do you actually get here and live here? Coming here does require a trek. I previously mentioned that volunteers come on their own accord and dime. I will speak from my experience moving from Houston. Getting to Punta Gorda Getting here is
How Do You Actually Volunteer at Hillside? (Part 2: The Logistics + Reality Check) Read More »
In just a 11 days, I’ll be back in HTX over Easter weekend. Very excited to have reprieve from the heat… although knowing Houston, I may just be trading one kind of sweat for another. Last post, I broke down what volunteering looks like depending on length. This one is about how it actually works
How Do You Actually Volunteer at Hillside? (Part 1: The Experience) Read More »
Four months into volunteering abroad: the honest version of the work, the stretch, and what you don’t always see coming. A physical therapist’s real-world look at volunteering and living in rural Belize. As promised, I am kick-starting a 5 part series on life living and volunteering at an international clinic. Here is post one! A
What Does a Volunteer Actually Do at Hillside? Read More »
With Love from Belize Letters from Allora I disappeared for a minute. Not in a dramatic “find myself” way—more like a life got loud and my brain refused to organize thoughts into paragraphs way. I had plenty to write about. Too much, actually. New students rolling in every month, stepping into a Rehab Director role,
Belize Wildlife Travel: Chasing Scarlet Macaws in Red Bank Village Read More »
With Love from belize LETTERS FROM ALLORA Happy New Year Roadie-readers! I spent the last few days organizing and prepping myself for 2026. I have set professional, personal, spiritual and financial goals. Like most, I set the goals then forget about them. At the end of the year I wonder – what happened? I do
With Love From Belize LETTERS FROM ALLORA It’s hard to believe I’ve been living in Punta Gorda, Belize for nearly two months. Time moves fast here. The people are warm, welcoming, and genuinely appreciative of healthcare—especially physical therapy. While patients in the U.S. are grateful too, there’s something distinct about the resilience here. Many people
Life Punta Gorda, Belize Read More »