Jennalea McInnes, Founder of Tribe Without Walls

1) Hi Jennalea, and congratulations on being featured as a globelle gal in focus! Can you tell us where in the world we'd currently find you?

Hi guys! Thanks so much! Currently I am in Melbourne, about to leave for Thailand for a holiday :) (HQ: The Thailand trip has happened since this interview took place - as you can see from the photos, it looked stunning!)

2) What inspired you to first start travelling?

Culture, for me, it's always been about wanting to wake up in a different city and live differently for that time - eat different foods, do different things, be open-minded and get slightly uncomfortable in the unknown, learning so much about myself and the beautiful places out there.

3) What's been your favourite place to visit, and why?

Mmm tough one but I think what stands out most so far for me has been Italy: Roma was magnificent, as was Florence. However, I also adored Portugal as the sun was smoking hot, the food was delicious, the wine incredible and getting out in to the ocean daily was my kinda bliss.

4) What's the worst thing that's happened to you since being on the road? How did you deal with it?

My worst travel experience was having a knife held out in front of me in Camden Town, London! I was terrified!! I was with two other people at the time, one a local who shushed them away. Just got to have your wits about you, even in your home city.

Jennalea on her recent trip to Kho Tao, Thailand

5) Obviously life on the road is about fewer possessions and more moments, but what is the one thing you can't travel without?

I've learnt the importance of traveling with a pillow ;) haha sleep is definitely much better on transport and my neck thanks me for this. But definitely a great book, music/iphone, camera and bathers!! Where there is water I will go.

Also when traveling to places like Bali and Thailand, taking electrolyte replacements for me is crucial!!

6) You're a qualified yoga teacher & nutritionist, whose latest venture has seen them launching A Tribe Without Walls. Can you tell us what inspired you to start this?

Absolutely. I wanted to create an experience for people to feel inspired by travel, yoga, health, adventure and take them to a place where they feel "this is living BIG".

Not waiting for "someday" and making it happen NOW. I like to think I do things and get out there and try new things. I want to share this with others, and feel Hawaii is such a magical place to get inquisitive.

7) Your first destination for the tribe is Maui, Hawaii. What appealed to you about this destination? What are you hoping visitors to the retreat will get from the experience?

Honestly what appealed to me the most was the Volcanoes. Holy smokes! To be up close & personal with mother nature like that!!! The Retreat is about all our elements in life which bring us health, happiness and growth. Adventure and nature being major ones. So having a beautiful place to practice yoga, experience stunning weather, volcanoes! and so many opportunities to try new things that for some, are scary made Hawaii seem like the perfect place.

8) As we noted, you're big into your nutrition & yoga. How do you stay true to your wellness values on the road? What are some of the biggest falsehoods concerning wellness which you'd like to warn our globelle gals about?

I think wellness means being kind to yourself just as much as eating a balanced diet. If you're traveling, sometimes you might not find that amazing salad you've been craving all day or a big fat acai bowl! I have these troubles myself. What I do now when hitting the road is boil up eggs, pack a fruit salad and have some protein bars handy. It can be really challenging when you're on the road to find quality food. But just do your best. If you find it challenging, find the closest green grocer and buy veggies and fruits and some protein.

On holiday I like to stay wholesome where I can so will find the closest gym and do a session or two depending on the length of stay - but if this doesn't happen, I don't beat myself up. Traveling usually involves heaps of walking and doing things so really, wellness for me extends in to the activities I choose. 

Biggest falsehoods are that you must be super strict all the time - health and wellness is ultimately about creating a balance. Eat well, hydrate a lot, get decent sleep (get the travel pillow!) and do things that stimulate your mind and feel great. Have a glass of red and enjoy it!

Jennalea doing her thang, and by thang, we mean Yoga

9) What are your plans for the future, and what do you hope to achieve through all of your hard work?

My plans short term are travel. After Hawaii in July, I will be headed back to the States to visit dear friends in LA and NYC in October - I will be rollerblading down Venice Beach! Also heading to Japan in February 2019 which I have been wanting to go to for long time!

During this time I plan on building myself as a brand as a Nutritionist as I have with Yoga. Being a Clinical Nutritionist running Retreats throughout the world including Australia (home). With the end goal to elevate experiences and for people to live BIG and not hold back.

10) What does travelling mean to you?

Acceptance- of cultures, people, the way things go. Getting uncomfortable and expanding your consciousness. Getting grounded in new places and really letting yourself say yes to everything that excites you. Experiences are what we should be putting more focus into while we are here!! Mortgages can wait.

11) If you could offer one piece of advice to those travelling for the first time, either as part of a group or solo, what would it be?

Yes you budgeted for this, so don't hold back!!!! Jump out of the plane, dance on the bar, do the dive course, whatever you can do while you're in that special place - do it! What if you never come back!?!

Also, travel more.

12) And finally, how can girls get in touch with you, and involved with Tribe Without Walls?

Girls and guys alike, can contact me and my business partner Belinda via instagram at our handle: @tribewithoutwalls or via emailhello@tribewithoutwalls.com - we also have a FB page www.facebook.com/tribewithoutwalls

Jennalea taking in the views at Wilson's Prom, Victoria, Australia.