I was camping on the slopes of Volcano Merapi in Sumatra. Explosions woke me in the middle of the night. But I survived to tell the tale.

More about that later…

I could also tell you about when I was kidnapped in Mexico.

Or explain why I returned to the “murder capital of the world”.

But what has all that got to do with my work as a business coach for creatives?

Those adventures are a different part of my life. Separate from my professional career. Another side of me.

So I should shut up about my travelling and get back to business stuff.

Or should I?

Are they REALLY so separate?

NO! That was the answer when I asked friends and colleagues.

I’d written several travel blogs. About some of my experiences and insights from more than 100 countries.

From Timor Leste, Spain and Papua New Guinea.

Japan, Ireland and India.

Saudi Arabia, Honduras and Cape Verde.

“Should I publish them on a new ‘travel blogs’ website?” I asked.

Again, NO was the answer. They pointed out that I’m not just a creative business coach but also an avid traveller. They told me that my travels are an essential and authentic part of me.

They said I should publish my travel blogs on my business website. And so I did. They help people to understand me as a person as well as a professional. They show more of me.

And in any case, my travel stories include business insights.

Like what I learnt about the Chinese business mindset at a birthday party in Shanghai.

Or the similarities between being a tourist and an entrepreneur. A connection that dawned on me during an early morning run in Tonga.

And how a ‘lightbulb moment’ in a hostel in Albania transformed my business forever.

Even if I wanted to, I can’t separate my traveller self from my professional self.

They go together hand in hand. One informs the other. They connect.

And that’s how creativity happens. Unusual connections. Diverse experiences and ideas. Cross-fertilisation. That spark when different worlds collide.

Creativity doesn’t only happen in the studio. But also in the business office. And on the road.

So my travel blogs are another expression of who I am as a creative person.

I talk about how people need to ‘know, like and trust’ you in business. I hope my travel writing helps people get to know me a bit more.

My travelling is part of the lifestyle business I’ve designed for myself. It’s an example of the “work-life integration” I advocate.

I’m a real-life case study of creative entrepreneurship.

So I’ll continue to write and post my travel stories.

Want to hear what happened next on that volcano?

Read all about it in the Travel section of my website.