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

Hi Paula, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The funny thing is that I never thought I would be a YouTube creator. I found vanlife on YouTube and knew immediately that it was for me so I bought an Ambulance to convert into an off-grid camper. It was my empty nesting project as my son was graduating and getting ready to leave home. My brother suggested that I document the build and post the videos online. I created a YouTube channel and started posting to remember the process.

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 was a single mom that decided to go back to university when my son was 10 months old. I am a Registered Social worker that works with clients that have acquired moderate to severe brain injuries, such as motor vehicle accident survivors, brain tumors, strokes and anoxia as a few examples. Over the last 15 years working exclusively with these clients, I have learned the value in living everyday to the fullest, not in fear of a short life, but because the quality of life can be changed in an instant. A brain injury can happen in so many different ways and take so much from us. Would I lose the ability to drive, walk or speak. Would I lose vision, problem solving skills, or my memory. I have been pushing myself through fear and finally feel like I am fully living. My YouTube channel has been great for pushing myself beyond my normal limits. The videos document the process for myself, my family and my future family.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I loved traveling Arizona. I loaded up the ambulance and headed south to escape the cold Canadian winter for 3 1/2 months in 2022 once the international border had re-opened. I enjoyed the van life/nomad meetups such as skooliepalooza. Such a wonderful community of people. I camped on BLM land and never paid to camp. I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time. Toured slot canyons. Saw the “center of the world”. I vacationed at Lake Havasu. I got to shop at Tlaquepaque village in Sedona, love Sedona’s vortex’s. Visiting horseshoe bend and hiking Cathedral Wash was awesome. Standing on Devil’s bridge was a new experience for this prairie girl. oh and the fun I had at desert bars like, Nellie E Saloon and the bunker bar.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Than you to our van life community

Instagram: van_vida_travels

Facebook: Van Vida Travels

Youtube: www.youtube/c/VanVida

Image Credits
All images are my own

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