We had the good fortune of connecting with Cindy Sheahan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cindy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
“You’re not getting any younger.” This stark and real thought got me out the door and into so many adventures, explorations, hikes, vineyards, museums, concerts and more. I’ve been traipsing around the planet full-time for more than 3 years, stopping back home in Denver for a couple of months each year to see my kids, do my laundry, file my taxes, replace my Chacos and meet my grandbaby. I write a blog and post often on FB and IG – my goal is to help people (mainly women) get out the door to travel solo – to backpack, hike, explore and enjoy this crazy beautiful world – without fear, without a big budget, without reservations.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a rebel, I guess! I left a 30-year marriage that wasn’t serving me any longer, quit an amazing job with a stellar team, packed a backpack, hugged my 4 grown children, took a deep breath… and headed out the door. That was more than 3 years ago, and I’m still going strong. I made a conscious decision to get out there in the world and start exploring before I got too old to climb waterfalls in Cambodia or hike from village to village outside of Kathmandu. As a solo woman traveler backpacking the globe, I’ve had adventures and misadventures galore. I’ve traveled across 6 continents, worked in an orphanage in Nepal, walked the Portuguese Camino to Santiago de Compostela, hiked a rugged 150-mile trail in Southwest Ireland, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, paraglided in Madagascar, slept in night buses in Vietnam, was a caretaker for 2 months in a Tuscan villa, floated in a hot air balloon at sunrise in Turkey, picked grapes on the south island of New Zealand…and along the way, found strength, resilience, chutzpah and humor – and a French lover. The people I have met along the way – whether on the trail, in the hostels, or on the train – have changed my life. I’m more confident, knowledgeable, happy, fit, and aware of the world around me. I’ve climbed the pyramids in Mexico, seen petroglyphs in French caves, painted a sailboat in St. Croix, kayaked with the wild ponies of Chincoteague Island, hiked the hills of Croatia, prayed at temples in Bali, studied Spanish in Colombia, rode the metro in Singapore and so much more. I never in a million years would’ve thought I could do the things I’ve done and be so dang happy doing them! I take wonderful pictures and write funny posts about my travels on my Facebook and Instagram page, Posts from a Flashpacker. I also publish a blog with the same name. I’ve been featured in the Caretaker’s Gazette, Because She Can Travel blog, mentioned in an article by The Points Guy, interviewed for VoyageDenver and featured in a podcast with She Hit Refresh. This summer, I’ll be a panelist with Digital Nomads Beyond 50. I hope to inspire others to travel solo, live a big life without regrets and push the limits to enjoy adventures around the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a world traveler, I still adore my home state Colorado – it’s one of my favorite places on the planet. I would take a visitor to a concert at Red Rocks – the most iconic place (for me!) in all of Denver. Walks around Cheesman Park, checking out the brewpubs in the neighborhood, grabbing tacos at Pinche, and ending the evening by having a cold drink at sunset at the new City Park Golf Course restaurant overlooking City Park and the lake. Another fun excursion would be to head to Aspen, Redstone, and Marble – such a beautiful spot in the state. Hikes, waterfalls, camping, and lots of starry skies to enjoy, along with incredible restaurants and cafes.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my kids for believing in me, supporting my crazy ideas, thinking I’m a badass, and giving me the space to find myself.

Website: www.drd4-7postsfromaflashpacker.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/postsfromaflashpacker/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/postsfromaflashpacker

Other: Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-hit-refresh/id1449428314?i=1000451046660

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.