Fellow Adventurers,
I’d like to take a moment from launching epic journeys to reintroduce myself and share the story behind Grit & Grace Adventures. Let me guide you through the tapestry of my life, woven with threads of adventure, passion, and a quest for meaningful connections that led to the birth of this incredible venture.
The Beginning
Hello, I’m Penny Light, owner of Grit & Grace Adventures and a self-proclaimed Life Adventure Expert. Growing up in a small Canadian town, travel was not part of my family’s lifestyle. Our home environment was challenging, and I found solace in my imagination. Each night, I would dream of distant lands, exploring remote beaches, climbing towering mountains, and embarking on wild adventures inspired by Jane Goodall and Amelia Earhart.
These dreams planted the seed of belief that I could achieve more than my circumstances suggested. At twenty-five, I took my first overseas trip to Italy. Too afraid to travel alone, I joined a Contiki group. The moment I emerged from the subway and saw the Spanish Steps, tears of joy and disbelief rolled down my cheeks. That trip ignited a passion for travel that has since taken me around the globe—from backpacking through Eastern Europe to living in the African bush, documenting a pride of lions.
A Turning Point
In September 2008, after a long stint in the corporate world, I found myself at a crossroads. I quit my job, sold my downtown condo, and moved to Vermont to be a ski bum. Shortly after, my father passed away suddenly. In the midst of this personal turmoil, I said yes to an opportunity to live in the African bush and work with a wildlife film crew. It was a life-altering experience that forced me to confront my fears, embrace simplicity, and find strength in vulnerability.
Living in the African bush, I was completely immersed in nature. I lived in a tent, showered under a bucket, and experienced the raw beauty of the wilderness. It was a humbling and transformative experience that taught me the true meaning of sustainability and joy. I learned that happiness does not depend on circumstances but on our ability to find contentment and joy in the present moment.
Building a New Venture
After Africa, In the pre-COVID era, I then lived in Costa Rica for six years, where I owned a marketing company and worked promoting tourism and showcasing tourism properties across the country. I also found immense joy and fulfillment in running an adventure travel company, Live Life Light Adventures. Leading groups of remarkable souls on exhilarating retreats across the globe was a thrilling experience. We embarked on shared journeys that forged unbreakable bonds, immersed ourselves in diverse cultures, and created unforgettable memories that became the most cherished gifts of all.
However, as we are all aware, the world came to a standstill as the pandemic ravaged the globe. COVID put an abrupt halt to all things travel and tourism, forcing me to make a difficult decision. I repatriated to Canada, where I unexpectedly stumbled upon a unique venture in the midst of global uncertainty. While shopping for Canadian-appropriate clothing, I was disheartened by the limited selection for a woman in her wisdom years. The experience was underwhelming, but it sparked a revelation—an opportunity to cater to the needs of women like myself.
Empowering Women Through Fashion
Driven by the desire to empower women, I took a leap of faith and opened a women’s clothing store, Grit & Grace Clothing. Little did I know that this decision would be the catalyst for a series of unexpected transformations and profound realizations. To my delight, the success of one clothing store led to the opening of another, and then yet another. Three remarkable clothing boutiques emerged, each exuding the essence of femininity, individuality, and confidence. As our community grew, I found joy in empowering women to embrace their unique selves and embark on lives of grand adventures.
The Common Yearning
Amid the laughter, shared stories, and vibrant connections with remarkable women who graced my stores, I sensed a common yearning that resonated deeply within my own soul. It was a yearning for more than just travel—a longing for meaningful travel experiences that enriched the spirit, led to cultural immersion, and fostered profound connections with like-minded women. It seemed that we were all going through a unique midlife “experience,” transcending generations and bridging the gap between millennials and baby boomers. This phase of transformation and self-discovery ignited a profound thirst for exploration and a desire to savour life’s most extraordinary moments.
My Adventures
Reflecting on my own life, I am proud to wear the badge of a self-proclaimed Life Adventure Expert. My soul has been nourished by traversing the untamed African bush, dwelling in a humble dome tent without electricity or running water, living in close proximity to the wilderness and its primal rhythm. I immersed myself in the heartbeat of the land, syncing my senses with the natural rhythms of the planet, and documenting the lives of a magnificent pride of lions. The thread of adventure continues to weave throughout my life. From sailing tall ships up the Brazilian coast during Carnival’s festive splendour, to trekking through the awe-inspiring Himalayas and standing tall above Everest Base Camp at an elevation of 5,545 meters, where magic and breath intertwine. Exploring the raw beauty of Cuba, dancing through the vibrant streets of Europe, and sleeping under the twinkling stars of the majestic Sahara—each experience has been a brushstroke on the canvas of my adventurous soul.
The True Magic
Yet, the essence of my journey goes beyond my own experiences. The true magic lies in the connections forged with fellow travellers, each one possessing a unique zest for life and a captivating story to share. I am enraptured by the kaleidoscope of human existence, where resilience, courage, and grace take center stage.
In my heart, I firmly believe that life is one great adventure—an extraordinary odyssey that unfolds when we embrace it with unwavering honesty and courage. Throughout my voyages, I’ve learned that a better version of ourselves is always within reach, as long as we remain open to exploration and growth. Adventure travel has been my primary conduit for continuous self-discovery and personal growth. The challenges encountered on these journeys have served as profound teachers, slowing time and sharpening my senses, leaving me humbled by the vastness of the world and its wonders.
Embracing Uncertainty
Venturing into the unknown and stepping outside our comfort zones raises our tolerance for uncertainty—a valuable life skill not only for travel but also for navigating the unpredictabilities that life presents. The lessons learned through adventure travel are timeless and applicable to all aspects of life.
The Magic of Adventure
Moreover, there’s an intangible magic that ignites the human spirit during adventures. The connection between nature and oneself becomes a profound revelation, and in those moments, we discover the true essence of being alive.
The Essence of Transformational Travel
Travel has been more than just a series of trips for me; it has been a journey of self-discovery and transformation. Each adventure has taught me new lessons, challenged my perceptions, and allowed me to see the world and myself in new ways. This is the essence of transformational travel—it’s about more than just exploring new places; it’s about allowing those places to explore us, challenge us, and change us from the inside out.
The Power of Travel for Women
As women, we often find ourselves in roles that require us to hold space for others—our families, our careers, and our communities. This constant state of giving can sometimes leave us feeling disconnected from our own sense of self. At Grit & Grace Adventures, we believe in the transformative power of travel as a means to reconnect with ourselves, discover new perspectives, and embrace the limitless potential within us.
Our modern lives often run on autopilot, filled with routines and responsibilities that can make us feel stuck. For women, this autopilot mode is compounded by the myriad roles we play, often putting others’ needs before our own. But there is a powerful antidote to this—travel. Travel disrupts our routines, pushing us out of our comfort zones and into new experiences. It forces us to be present, to embrace the unknown, and to reconnect with ourselves in profound ways.
Welcome to Grit & Grace Adventures
With this profound understanding and a heart filled with passion, I bring to you Grit & Grace Adventures. It is my aspiration to share with you what travel has brought to me—a new way of seeing not just the world but ourselves as we exist on this planet. Through our journeys, we uncover the hidden capabilities that lie within us, learning invaluable lessons as we walk the seemingly endless footsteps of exploration.
Join the Journey
Through Grit & Grace Adventures, I invite you to join me in this transformative quest—a journey to explore not only the world but also the depths of our own souls. Together, we will embrace our individuality, discover our confidence, and weave stories of big adventures. Let us create a community of like-minded souls, bound by a shared thirst for life’s most extraordinary experiences.
If you find yourself yearning for more than the ordinary, if the call of exploration and connection resonates deeply within your heart, then I warmly extend my hand and welcome you to embark on this extraordinary expedition with Grit & Grace Adventures.
Yours in Adventure and Friendship,
Penny Light
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