Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 18

Brave-ish is a GOLD NonFiction Book Awards WINNER!

My memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty, is a GOLD NonFiction Book Awards WINNER! Thank you to the Nonfiction Author’s Association for this incredible honor and these amazing reviews!

The beginning of this book is just a prelude to a fascinating story of one woman���s lifelong career as a traveler and writer. Though Lisa Niver���s story begins with the end of an abusive marriage, she is able to pick herself up and turn her love of travel and writing into a career. With a background as a teacher and experience working on cruise ships, Lisa opts first for a career as a host on cruise ships, then turns to writing about her trips to Asia which always included diving outings. Though originally terrified of diving, Lisa finds her way to a love of investigating waters, natural phenomena, and sunken treasures.

A quick pace, easy reading, very good start to set out the background to her adventures. Short chapters mean you definitely want to hear more about her adventures and what she chooses to do next. You can see why she was initially attracted to her husband, so the eventual break-up is very sad.

Lisa Niver, author of Brave-ish, is the heroine of her own story and if this weren’t her own story, it would be a wonderful fiction/fantasy novel; but the truth is it’s not imagination. At its core it’s a story of survival and growth after near tragedy.

There are a lot of beautiful descriptions of places visited and the sometimes-odd activities she enthusiastically took part in. There is also an interesting discussion about her sight and how everything suddenly made sense. Basically, you can see why the marriage couldn���t work and it is a relief when she finally gets to lead the life she wants. I love the list of 50 things to do before her 50th birthday!

Niver has the reader ride a wave of up and down emotions included with action and adventure that would rival any of Hollywood’s movies. Surviving a disastrous, abusive marriage that she did not see until it almost caused her demise. Being brave enough to get out from under the abuse, she starts and new life and thrives. But that wasn’t enough for the heroine of the story. She kept challenging herself to grow and overcome, at times, insurmountable obstacles. She accomplished things she never dreamed of and fulfilled items on her wish list. Yet, if there wasn’t enough to her journey of growth and survival, she takes on the challenge of accomplishing 50 Things Before her 50th Birthday in a very short time frame. And the reader is off again on another round of action and adventure as Niver learns new things, explores new places across six continents. Niver wants to be fearless after fifty and tries things that would make a seasoned professional squeamish and any woman over fifty clinging to the safety of her bed covers. Her courageous behavior clearly indicates that is fearless. Niver���s story shows us her portrait of life and her philosophy of life. Brave-ish is a story of survival that speaks to any woman and lets them see what can happen if you let go of your fears, expectations, and perceptions.

It is not just the story of a travel writer, but of the strength and tenacity you need to become one. Very brave!

2024 Gold Nonfiction Book Award by Nonfiction Authors Association

2024 Literary Titan Nonfiction Gold Book Award
2023 Zibby Awards Runner-up: Best Book for The Strong Woman
2023 1st place HEARTEN Book Awards winner for Inspiring & Uplifting Non-Fiction
2023 WINNER: Goody Business Book Awards: Memoir/Self-Help
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler Women Who Travel Book Club: 10 New Books We Can’t Wait to Read this Fall
As seen in��Forbes��Best New NonFiction

BRAVE-ish is a winner: 2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award Goody Business Book Awards: Memoir/Self-Help Zibby Awards: Best Book for The Strong Woman My Podcast, Make Your Own Map, won 2nd place for Diversity in TV/Streaming at the NAEJ Awards
My website is #10 on the top 100 Travel Lifestyle Blogs and Websites I am also the #3 Top Travel Influencer for 2024 for Afluencer as well as #10 of Female Influencers Brands Can’t Get Enough of for 2024! I want to send a special thanks to my awesome literary agent, Chip MacGregor and my phenomenal Post Hill Press editor, Debra Englander! This team has believed in my book from the very beginning. I am very grateful. THANK YOU for all of your support. My AUDIO BOOK of Brave-ish narrated by ME is now available!

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Brave-ish in PRINT: Take 5 Magazine

Thank you TAKE 5 Magazine from Australia for writing about me and my memoir in this print story: “Fearless by 50!”

A two-page PRINT article on page 4-5 Issue 11, March 14, 2024.

Fearless by 50–My divorce was the catalyst for 50 life changing adventures

Slipping the letter into my husband���s passport. I left it at the hotel reception desk. “I need space don���t call me.” it said. Then I caught the next flight out of Thailand. After another argument, I was hysterical. I thought traveling together might help fix us, but it wasn���t working and during my flight home, I wrote down everything I didn���t about our marriage.

Aged 47, I moved back in with my parents, into my childhood bedroom. Some days, I wasn���t sure how I get from breakfast to lunchtime. I felt like a failure and so lonely, my skin was crawling. I called my friend Richard for advice. “I���m filming a webseries for Orbitz l in Puerto Rico,” he offered. “How would you feel about co-hosting it?” A travel blogger myself, I accepted immediately. Maybe this was just what I needed…

Enkereri school children in Maasai Mara. Photo by Matt Payne

During the packed shooting schedule, I got the opportunity to go scuba, diving and zip lining. It was strange doing activities without my husband, but I realized it made me feel strong. “I can���t go back to married life,” I told my mom and dad. “I want to keep traveling.” I filed for divorce and sold my engagement and wedding rings as well as the condo where we���d lived that I owned.

To fund my trip, I decided to write features on all the places I visited to sell along the way. Then, seeing some thing online, I had another flash of inspiration. My 50th birthday was coming up–I could try 50 new things before 50. It would make turning the milestone a huge celebration.

At lunch, I told my friend Ronit about it. “Start now,” she said. “Start what now?” I asked. “Let me help you order sushi,” she replied. This was a big deal for me. I had food allergies and was a picky eater. But I relented, and when I put the salmon sashimi she’d chosen into my mouth, I decided it wasn’t the worst thing I’d eaten.

My 50 new things had officially begun! I told a few people about my idea, and two weeks later my friend Zoey, who I���d worked with on a ship as a children���s entertainer, suggested a sail with her as a guest on another cruise.��

Lisa Niver working for Princess Cruises

On board, I discovered a scarily high ropes course with a view of the ocean. This would be good for my list, I thought.

Terrified, I took deep breaths as I made my way across, almost giving up halfway. Then I screamed with excitement at the end. For my 49th birthday, I combined a series of trips to create an epic adventure. A month in the Caribbean, starting in Aruba, followed by Bonaire, Mexico, and Cuba. Finally, I was feeling brave-ish. 

While diving, we encountered a school of beautiful Caribbean reef squid. I also swam with bull sharks, went cave swimming and underground rafting ���all firsts!!

The more friends and colleagues heard about my adventures, the more my list grew. 

I went salsa, dancing, made ceramics and skied with an Olympic champion. I even went mountain biking. After falling off a bike as a kid, I���d been terrified of riding again.

But I overcame my fear and as I sped downhill, it was like I was flying. I was so proud of myself.

Lisa Niver and Marcie Bradley Mountain Biking at Northstar Specialized Bikes. (Marcie has the purple shirt and Lisa has the green one!)

And when I received an invitation for a trip to Shanghai, I jumped at the chance after arriving I felt like I belonged. On my own, I was confident, assured. 

Later, a trip in California saw me performance driving, whizzing faster with every lap like someone from The Fast and the Furious! Something I never would���ve done before. As I neared the end of my list, there was one thing I just had to include��� an African Safari.

In Tanzania, my 100th Country, I got close enough to the elephants to take selfies. In Kenya, I took my hula hoop to a village. The children loved having a turn and even the warriors joined in! One laughed so hard he fell down! 

Then came my final challenge and my 50th birthday. I wanted to do something spectacular!

My entire life, I said I���d never jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but my limits had shifted. It was time to skydive.  On the way up, I started to tremble. ���How can you be scared of this when you scuba with sharks?��� he joked. 

As he pushed off the edge, we free fell away from the plane. Soaring through the air like a bird, the wind pulled my face back and the earth rushed up at me. Then, parachute deployed, we peacefully floated like clouds.

When I first left my husband, I was told I was brave. Now, I knew I was.

If I could jump out of a plane, I could overcome whatever came next. I turned my journey into a book, which was so cathartic. I want people to know it���s never too late to explore the world and create the life you dream of, whatever our age. Of course, there have been hard times. But there���s also been laughter and hope, and I know this journey I���m on is worth it.��

LEARN MORE in Lisa’s memoir, BRAVE-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty.

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Brave-ish in Bloomberg Pursuits

“To Stay in Shape on the Road, One Travel��Expert Packs a Hula Hoop“

Writer and podcast host Lisa Niver has visited more than 100 countries. Here���s her advice on scuba diving, hydration tablets and exercise.

In her new book,Brave-ish, Lisa Niver shares 50 adventures she took on before turning 50. Photo: Judith Gigliotti

By Lebawit Lily Girma

September 14, 2023 at 7:00 AM PDT

At Bloomberg Pursuits, we love to travel. And we always want to make sure we���re doing it right. So we���re talking to road warriors to learn about their high-end hacks, tips and off-the-wall experiences. These are the  Distinguished Travel Hackers  .

Lisa Niver is the author of the new nonfiction travel book Brave-ish: One Break-up, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty, which is set to be published on Sept. 19. ���I did 50 challenges before I turned 50 to reinvent myself after my divorce,��� says Niver about her first title with a major publisher.

A former science teacher who lives in Los Angeles, Niver is a travel podcast host and writer who has been to 109 countries across six continents, many of which she visited while working on cruise ships.

On her adventures abroad, which she shares in her book, she survived mishaps that she says ranged from hurricanes and medical emergencies to unruly passengers.

Her favorite airline is the one that offers the best direct flight to her destination. But of all the places she���s visited, she never tires of returning to her synagogue in Los Angeles, Stephen Wise Temple.

���Over the years, I have participated in holidays and Shabbat around the world,��� says Niver. ���Feeling grounded in Judaism, whether I am spending the holidays at home or away, the music and the prayers are important to me. Being welcomed back to my spiritual home has made a huge difference in my nomadic lifestyle.���

These are her best travel tips.

Lisa Niver with her hula hoop in Iceland.Courtesy of Lisa Niver

This one item���detachable and easy to pack���can help you stay fit, joyful and grounded.

I always travel with my hula hoop. I use it for exercise in my room. During Covid, I took 10 classes at UCLA as a senior scholar.

One class in the psychiatry department about meditation focused on how we have been thinking about meditation all wrong. There is no one way to do meditation, and the point is not to sit on the top of a hill alone but to be at work or in a new place and be able to ground yourself and make good choices. I used my hoop to center myself.

Traveling with something that looks like a child���s toy gives me great joy, keeps me in shape and prepares me to take on my day no matter where I am.

Change cards frequently.

There was a time when roundtrip flights were cheaper, but that time is past. I book my flights one way and often on different carriers for my outbound and return. I also use multiple credit cards to do so.

I change cards each year (both personal and business) so that I can get the new bonus airline miles. You can usually get the new 60,000 or 80,000 miles every two years. I always tell people, if you are about to buy a house and get a mortgage, it is not always great to keep opening new cards, but if you are not���keep getting the new cards and fly for free!

Dorado Beach, Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico.Photographer: Lisa Niver

Going back to the same place can feel offbeat.

Sometimes there is pressure to check off a list and rush from place to place. Travel is often about the perspective you bring and what you look for.

I have been to Puerto Rico at every stage of my life and travel career. San Juan was a home port for me when I worked for Royal Caribbean; I loved to stroll in Old San Juan, listen to live music and visit the 500-year-old forts.

When I was married, I went on a cruise as a guest and we took a very small plane to the island of Culebra to snorkel with turtles and splash among the mangroves. When I was first separated, I went scuba diving at Copamarino. I filmed an Orbitz web series and hula-hooped at the fountain of youth in Ponce, and screamed the entire way on the Beast zipline (at Toro Verde Adventure Park).

Most recently, I had a villa with a private plunge pool at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and on World Environment Day, I planted trees with Dr. Richard Murphy at the Jean-Michel Cousteau���s Ambassadors of the Environment Program.

Most dive sites in Bonaire are accessible from shore, Niver says.Courtesy of Lisa Niver

When it comes to scuba diving, Bonaire lives up to the hype.

When I worked on cruise ships, I dove all over the Caribbean and the world. But the place that was always on my to-dive list was Bonaire. In Bonaire, I dove three or four times a day���and every single dive was spectacular. There are more than 85 dive sites with more than 57 species of coral and more than 350 species of fish. Most of the dive sites are accessible from the shore, but I also did boat diving.

I am definitely considering moving there so I could dive more with the turtles, Caribbean reef octopus, tarpon, scorpion fish, flamingo tongue nudibranch and many others. I fell in love with the island and cannot wait to return again for more ���dushi��� days. Dushi means ���happy��� or ���sweet��� in Papiamento.

Jewelry is the ideal keepsake.

In Ketchikan, Alaska, I found butterfly-shaped earrings designed by Tlingit silver carvers. I have always loved butterflies, and the carvings remind me of the totem poles in the area. I also bought a silver heart-shaped pendant necklace. When I wear them, I remember the three summers I worked in Alaska.

At Kylemore Abbey in Ireland, I bought a bracelet of green Connemara marble beads; some are round and some are shaped like hearts. When I wear it, I feel like I am back wandering on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Niver swears by Nuun sport hydration tablets.Source: Nuun

When a heat wave strikes, drinking water isn���t always enough.

A new item I will not leave home without is electrolytes. I have been traveling for decades. I believed I knew how to take care of myself in all conditions, but recently during a heat wave in Puerto Rico, I nearly ended up in the emergency room. I never stopped drinking water, but water was not enough. I tried Pedialyte hydration powders, which ended up all over my sink with very little in my water bottle.

Then I discovered Nuun sport hydration tablets, which easily break in half and dissolve instantly. I will not ever travel again without these.

I brought them on my next trip scuba diving in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Normally, after a two-tank dive, I need a snack and a nap as soon as possible. However, with my electrolyte-filled water bottles, I did not nap after diving and had the chance to try something new: On the beach, I hula-hooped while flying a kite. I did not even think that was possible!

THANK YOU TO BLOOMBERG for sharing about my adventures and my book, BRAVE-ish.

2024 Literary Titan Non-fiction Gold Book Award���
2023 Zibby Awards Runner-up: Best Book for The Strong Woman
2023 HEARTEN Book Awards Finalist for Inspiring & Uplifting Non-Fiction
2023 WINNER: Goody Business Book Awards: Memoir/Self-Help
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler Women Who Travel Book Club: 10 New Books We Can’t Wait to Read this Fall
As seen in��Forbes��Best New NonFiction

and 2024 Gold Book Award: Non-Fiction Authors Association!

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Race to Erase MS Gala 2024: Where Glamour Meets Giving Back!

Get ready to strut your stuff and make a difference at the most anticipated event of the season – the Race to Erase MS Gala! Set to sizzle at the chic Fairmont Century Plaza on May 10, 2024, this soir��e isn’t just about fashion and fun; it’s a fierce fight against multiple sclerosis (MS)!

From the moment you step onto the orange carpet, you’ll be swept away by the glitz and glamour of the evening. Picture-perfect moments await as L’AGENCE unveils their latest fashion creations in a show stopping runway extravaganza. But that’s just the beginning!

At the heart of the mission lies the groundbreaking Center Without Walls program, a visionary collaboration between eight of the nation’s leading MS research centers. From the innovative minds at Cedars-Sinai and UCSF to the pioneering work of Harvard and Yale, these powerhouse institutions have joined forces to revolutionize the fight against MS. Together, they’re breaking down barriers, sharing insights, and accelerating the pace of discovery in pursuit of effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

Get ready to groove to the electrifying beats of Grammy-nominated Natasha Bedingfield and Grammy-winning A Great Big World as they take the stage by storm. Their soulful tunes will have you dancing the night away, all while supporting a cause close to our hearts.

And speaking of heart, get ready to be moved by the stories of resilience and hope shared by MS warriors and their families throughout the evening. Their courage and determination remind us why we’re here���to make a real difference in the fight against MS.

���We are so thrilled and excited to have the amazing Natasha Bedingfield and incredible A Great Big World entertaining our guests for our 31st Race to Erase MS gala. We are also looking forward to a fabulous and chic fashion show from L���Agence,��� shared founder Nancy Davis.

But the glitz and glam aren’t just for show; they’re fueling the fight against MS! With every strut down the runway and every note sung, we’re raising crucial funds for the Center Without Walls program, a dream team of top MS research centers across the nation. Shout Out For A Cause will be there reporting from the Orange Carpet.

Cedric the Entertainer and BJ Korros on the red carpet at GBK Luxury Gifting Suite during Oscars 2023

Lights, camera, auction! Gala attendees can also bid on incredible Live Auction opportunities like “EVER DREAMED OF BEING A CELEBRITY FOR A DAY?” Be part of Oscars weekend 2025 in Los Angeles and participate in GBK’s exclusive luxury gifting suite and join in the interviews on the Red Carpet with Host and Entertainment Reporter, BJ Korros! Spend the afternoon mingling with celebrities and walking the red carpet. You and your lucky guest will be transformed by the Glam Squad celebrity artist Raul to ensure you are truly Red Carpet Ready to become a Celebrity for a Day.  

GET YOUR TICKETS

So, grab your dancing shoes and get ready to party with a purpose at the Race to Erase MS Gala! Together, we’ll shine a spotlight on MS and show the world that nothing can dim our spirits or dampen our determination to find a cure!

For all the latest updates and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, be sure to follow us on social media using #RaceToEraseMS and #EraseMS. Let’s make MS a thing of the past, one fabulous gala at a time! Find Race to Erase on Facebook and Instagram.

About Race to Erase MS

Race to Erase MS was founded in 1993 by Nancy Davis and is dedicated to the treatment and ultimate cure of Multiple Sclerosis. Since the Race to Erase MS foundation was created, there has been more than $58 million raised and 26 FDA approved therapies created to aggressively fight MS that have provided hope, inspiration, and resources to those in the Multiple Sclerosis community. The gala directly benefits the foundation���s Center Without Walls program, a unique collaboration between the world���s leading MS research scientists and investigators who have bolstered their individual efforts into collective action that has led to exciting discoveries in the search for a cure. At the event���s inception 30 ���years ago, the absence of medications and therapies encouraged its involvement; the Race has been instrumental in funding pilot studies that have contributed to drugs now on the market and other very important therapies that are improving the lives of people suffering from MS.���

Davis also created the annual ���Orange You Happy to Erase MS��� campaign, which takes place for the entire month of May (MS Awareness Month) and adds yet another branch of fundraising for MS research.  Throughout the month, a variety of orange products, many of which are specially created for this initiative, are sold to benefit the cause and elevate public awareness about MS.

All funds raised support the Center Without Walls program, a unique collaboration of the world���s leading MS research scientists currently representing Harvard, Yale, Cedars Sinai, University of Southern California, Oregon Health Science University, UC San Francisco, Johns Hopkins, and UCLA. This nationwide collaboration of physicians, scientists and clinicians are on the cutting-edge of innovative research and therapeutic approaches to treat MS.��� It is the hope of the Race to Erase MS that in addition to combating MS through research in a clinical environment, awareness will be created by educating the public about this mysterious disease.

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Brave-ish wins Literary Titan Gold Book Award

Brave-ish is a WINNER of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award

The Literary Titan Book Award honors authors who turn complex topics into engaging narratives, enriching our understanding with top-quality writing and research.

Literary Titan Gold Book Award ��� Nonfiction: The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes outstanding nonfiction books that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, research, and presentation. This award is dedicated to authors who excel in creating informative, enlightening, and engaging works that offer valuable insights. Recipients of this award are commended for their ability to transform complex topics into accessible and compelling narratives that captivate readers and enhance our understanding.

Celebrating excellence in #nonfiction! The Literary Titan Book Award honors #authors who turn complex topics into engaging narratives, enriching our understanding with top-quality #writing and research. #BookLovers #WritingCommunityhttps://t.co/627Cxwuiih pic.twitter.com/iFWPTGGDsa

— Literary Titan (@LiteraryTitan) April 5, 2024

AWARDS for BRAVE-ish

2024 Literary Titan Non-fiction Gold Book Award
2023 Zibby Awards Runner-up: Best Book for The Strong Woman
2023 HEARTEN Book Awards Finalist for Inspiring & Uplifting Non-Fiction
2023 WINNER: Goody Business Book Awards: Memoir/Self-Help
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler Women Who Travel Book Club: 10 New Books We Can’t Wait to Read this Fall
As seen in Forbes Best New NonFiction

Thank you to Literary Titan for this marvelous 5 star review of my memoir!

Brave-ish by Lisa Niver is an engaging memoir that masterfully interweaves the challenging dynamics of a marriage at a crossroads with vivid accounts of solo travel and self-exploration. The narrative transports readers from the lively streets of Thailand to Fiji���s serene landscapes and into the opulent heart of Monaco, all while offering an introspective look at Niver���s personal journey.

In Brave-ish, Lisa Niver emerges as a relatable figure, akin to a close friend who has weathered significant challenges yet maintains a sense of humor. Her candor in discussing the emotional aftermath of her marriage and the subsequent steps toward recovery is both striking and inspiring. The memoir goes beyond the excitement of adventures like shark diving and car racing in Vegas, framing these experiences as pivotal moments in Niver���s path to healing. While the memoir at times delves deeply into the emotional aspects of her life, potentially overshadowing the more light-hearted, travel-centric narratives, it is precisely this vulnerability that lends authenticity to her story. The book skillfully blends reflective thought with the excitement of global exploration. Niver doesn���t just pass through destinations; she fully immerses herself in them, extracting meaningful insights from each experience, whether confronting fears or embracing different cultures. She is the approachable protagonist of her own story, exemplifying that true bravery often lies in perseverance.

Brave-ish is an invitation to confront the unfamiliar, to discover resilience in openness. Lisa Niver���s memoir is not only a revealing journey into her own experiences but also a reflective look at the adventurous spirit that resides within us all. It appeals to anyone drawn to the unknown and serves as a poignant reminder that often, the most significant adventures are those that take place within ourselves.

When a womans marriage falls aprart she makes a choice try 50 new things before turning 50. Brave-ish is an engaging #memoir that interweaves the challenging dynamics of a #marriage at a crossroads with vivid accounts of solo #travel and self-exploration. https://t.co/rETnzyHQEP pic.twitter.com/jzuMRFu5up

— Literary Titan (@LiteraryTitan) March 8, 2024

Click here for more about BRAVE-ish and Lisa Niver

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Although Lisa Niver has traveled in far-off locales from Vanuatu to Nepal and received numerous accolades for both her writing and her top ranked website, what people don���t realize is that this began from the wreckage of a rotten romance.

Newlywed Niver was on the adventure of a lifetime. She had quit her job, rented out her condo, and was traveling around Asia. To the outside world, Niver was a woman living out her dreams of exploring ancient ruins in Cambodia and seeing orangutans in Borneo. In private, she was keeping a dark secret. But, when she found herself lying on a sidewalk in Thailand, looking up at the sky in severe pain, she knew things had to change. At age forty-seven, Niver found the courage to set course on a new life.

Feeling like a failure, pushing fifty, and moving home to her parents��� house to start again from scratch, Niver started taking one tiny ���brave-ish��� step at a time to take her life far away from the old one and into the adventurous world of travel writing. These small hurdles led to the challenge of trying fifty new things before turning fifty. From diving into shipwrecks, swimming with sharks, bobsledding at 3 Gs, to indulging in wild escapades, Niver found herself traversing the world on a journey of reinvention, personal growth, and discovering what it actually means to be ���brave.���

While Brave-ish chronicles Niver���s inspiring expeditions to distant corners of the world including Myanmar, Cuba, Morocco, Kenya and Mongolia this is more than a travelogue. Niver���s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of perseverance. Brave-ish inspires readers to dream big, take risks, and embrace the unknown to create a life filled with wonder and excitement, even when courage seems elusive.

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Shabbat Prayer for Our College Students and Ourselves

Shabbat Shalom. I have always loved to participate at Stephen Wise Temple. Since Oct 7, for 210 days, I have been praying for the hostages, for our people and for peace. Thank you to Rabbi Yoshi and Cantor Emma for their leadership and these prayers:

Shabbat Prayer for Our College Students, Faculty, and Staff

by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Senior Rabbi at Stephen Wise Temple

A Prayer for Our College Students, Faculty, and Staff

God, Shomer Yisrael (Protector of Israel), in this time of chaos when so many members of our Jewish community are feeling afraid, isolated, vulnerable and targeted, we humbly ask for Your mercy, guidance, and help. Keep our students, faculty, and staff safe in body and spirit on college campuses near and far. Protect us from vitriol, bigotry, ignorance, hate, and violence.

God, Source of Wisdom and Understanding, make our institutions of higher learning places where we can engage without fear in Machlokot L���shem Shamayim (disagreements for the sake of heaven). When we argue with others, with members of Am Yisrael, or even with You, help us always to choose our words with care and kindness.

Grace us with empathy and humility so that we might stand up proudly for what we believe in without vilifying or dehumanizing those with whom we disagree, recognizing always that You created our fellow students, colleagues, and neighbors B���Tzelem Elohim (in Your image) as well.

May we have the patience necessary to embody the value of Dan L���Khaf Zechut, judging one another favorably, in every interaction and encounter, even the difficult ones.

May we have the power to control our passions so that our anger, hurt, and disappointment will never erupt into hate-speech or violence.

No matter how challenging, implant within us the strength and resilience to always speak out for what is right and to advocate for what is just.

And God, please shine Your countenance upon us so that we may know Your most precious blessing: the gift of wholeness and peace, the gift of Shalom.

Over the past few weeks, our community shared multiple occasions when our children led us in prayer. Singing has always been my main pathway to prayer, but listening to our learned children skillfully lead us in worship has become equally as connective for me. From the beautiful Passover performance by our third graders (including an unparalleled Israeli rendition of ���Am Yisrael Chai���) to hearing our elementary students and teens teach and chant Torah at our Passover morning service, to the extraordinary leading of the Four Questions at our community Second Night Seder, the youth of our Wise community are skilled in song. It is an absolute privilege and joy to listen to them lead our community in prayer and to learn from them.

Why WE need Prayer

From Cantor Emma Lutz, Senior Cantor, Stephen Wise Temple

I don���t for one minute take for granted the benefit of being able to connect to prayer. These past almost seven months have been a living nightmare of war, and fear can certainly cause us to close our hearts to prayer and other pathways of connection. But I have to tell you that nothing in the world makes me feel more hope than praying with our community. When we lift our voices in song together, we create a network of strength, joy, and meaning together. Whether praying in person on our campus or connecting to our worship from home, I hope that you experience that same powerful connection.

I love this alternative prayer from our siddur, Mishkan T���filah, that we use on Shabbat and festivals. I pray that you will also find inspiration from these words and that you will make an effort to join us in worship and song as soon and as often as you can.

I begin with a prayer of gratitude for all that is holy in my life.
God needs no words, no English or Hebrew, no semantics or services.
But I need them.
Through prayer, I can sense my inner strength, my inner purpose,
My inner joy, my capacity to love.
As I reach upward in prayer, I sense these qualities in my Creator.
To love God is to love each other, to work to make our lives better.
To love God is to love the world God created and to work to perfect it.
To love God is to love reams of peace and joy that illumine all of us,��
And to bring that vision to life. Amen.

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Dreamy Delights: Westin Unveils Next-Gen Heavenly Bed for Ultimate Rest & Rejuvenation

Photos: Westin Hotels & Resorts

Building upon its legacy of delivering deep, restorative sleep for guests, Westin Hotels & Resorts proudly announces the launch of its next generation Heavenly�� Bed. As a travel expert who cherishes the importance of a good night’s sleep, I couldn’t be more thrilled about this exciting development. Having personally experienced the unparalleled comfort of the Heavenly Bed during my stays at Westin properties, including the Westin New Orleans where I stayed when I was a speaker at the 2023 DEMA Dive Show and the Westin O’Hare when I was a speaker for the 2024 Chicago Travel and Adventure Show, I’ve often dreamed of bringing that heavenly sleep experience to my own home.

Recognizing the pivotal role of quality sleep in overall wellness, Westin has long championed the importance of restorative rest for travelers. Today, more than ever, individuals prioritize a rejuvenating night’s sleep as an integral part of their travel experience. This shift has fueled a surge in demand for enhanced sleep solutions, with the sleep sector projected to surpass $400 billion by 2028. It’s no wonder that the Heavenly Bed has garnered such a devoted fanbase over the years.

Brian Povinelli, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Marketing and Brand at Marriott International, reflects on Westin’s commitment to excellence: “Our legacy Heavenly Bed stands as a testament to our dedication to providing unparalleled comfort for guests worldwide. In a world that often glorifies busyness, Westin recognizes that quality sleep is fundamental to overall well-being. With the introduction of our next generation Heavenly Bed, we aim to surpass the expectations of our loyal guests and set a new benchmark for comfort.“

Westin’s meticulous development process for the next generation Heavenly Bed involved extensive product testing, consumer feedback sessions, and research into evolving sleep technologies. The result is a top-of-the-line product boasting a modernized design and an unwavering commitment to enhancing the Westin Sleep Well experience. From the innovative silver fiber weave to the temperature-regulating gel-infused memory foam, every aspect of the mattress is designed to optimize sleep quality.

In addition to its superior comfort, the next generation Heavenly Bed showcases a contemporary aesthetic, reflecting Westin’s design ethos. Updates such as the inclusion of a charcoal blanket and full-frame piping on pillowcases evoke a warm, residential ambiance, while the removal of the bed skirt and bolster pillow underscores a more modern sleep experience.

But Westin’s commitment to guest well-being doesn’t end there. Through partnerships with Strava and the Westin Store, travelers like myself can now bring the Heavenly Bed experience home. As someone who values quality sleep as much as I do, I’m excited about the opportunity to win my own Heavenly Bed and bedding.

Beyond its exceptional sleep offerings, Westin continues to lead the industry in holistic wellness programming through its Six Pillars of Well-Being. Whether you enjoy the Westin Eat Well Menu like me or you chose to explore a new city with a WestinWORKOUT Route, there are so many ways Westin is ready to support traveler’s well-being.

With the launch of the next generation Heavenly Bed, Westin reaffirms its commitment to providing guests with transformative experiences that nurture the body, mind, and spirit. I wish you a truly restful and rejuvenating stay at Westin Hotels & Resorts like I have enjoyed.

Move Well to Sleep Well with Strava: Seize the opportunity to secure a next generation Heavenly Bed of your own as part of the brand���s exclusive hospitality partnership with Strava, the leading digital community for active people. The challenge, which runs from May 1-31, 2024, invites all U.S.-based Strava users and Marriott Bonvoy members to complete 600 minutes of activity throughout the month in order to be entered for the chance to win the grand prize of a next generation Westin Heavenly Bed. Westin will be giving away ten beds, worth over$20,000, making this the largest-ever giveaway in a Strava challenge. As the newest iteration of the acclaimed RunWESTIN�� program, the brand partnership invites active travelers to test out the new digital WestinWORKOUT�� Routes with a complimentary 90-day subscription to the Strava service, available to both new and existing Strava users.

Sleep Well at Home with the Westin Store Sweepstakes: The next generation Heavenly Bed and bedding is now available for purchase through the Westin Store, which includes the mattress, linens, signature blanket, firm and soft pillows, duvet cover and insert. To celebrate its arrival, Westin Store is hosting a sweepstakes where you can enter for the chance to win your choice of the Heavenly Bed or a two-night stay at a Westin hotel. The sweepstakes is live now through July 31, 2024.

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Spring Speaking and Skiing: Niver’s April News 2024

April News 2024 with Lisa Niver & We Said Go Travel:

Thank you so much for all of your support for my writing, my website, my memoir, my videos! My book, Brave-ish, has been winning awards and I have had the chance to speak at so many events in the last six months. I am planning more!! Please invite me to speak in your city, bookstore, business about my 50 DARES before 50 and how you can take SMALL STEPS which lead to BIG CHANGES!

You can find my book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Simon & Schuster, Post Hill Press, Target, Walmart, BookShop, BAM! and wherever you get your audiobooks! People always ask me where is it best to buy my book. I recommend you go into or call your favorite local book store and ask them to order it for you and pick it up IN THE STORE! You never know what other treasures you will find. Any bookstore can order my book because my publisher is Post Hill Press and it is distributed by Simon and Schuster. My friend in New Zealand just ordered my book to her local store! Brave-ish is available all over the globe!

Happy birthday to my Mom Our family celebrated together under the shimmering lights and fountains of Las Vegas. Here���s to another year of treasured memories, laughter, and love with the woman who means the world to us. https://youtube.com/shorts/t5W25zbgDIQ

In this season of Spring and Passover, I continue to hope and pray for the hostages to return to Israel. As we said, “Let My People GO!” at our seder, I wait for it to be true. I hope that all of our college students will feel safe on campus and that there will be peace in our world. https://www.instagram.com/p/C6FPL1tPMTn/

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Have you seen me on TV talking about “Becoming Brave and Fearless Over 50” —click here or watch below for many different TV segments about my BOOK! It was my honor to speak in Salt Lake City at the Women in Travel Summit. Our panel was called: JOURNEYS OF THE SOUL: NAVIGATING THE PATH TO A BOOK DEAL. I loved being in Utah this season for the conference and I went skiing in Utah at Park City Mountain and Deer Valley several times this season. I also signed my book at the Park City Library AND went to visit at Artworks PC where my ceramic art used to be on display and for sale on Main Street. Several of my 50 DARES BEFORE 50 in my book happened in Park City! (https://www.instagram.com/p/C5v2cNbu400)

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Learn more about my events: click here and my articles here THANK YOU for watching my podcast! It has now been seen and heard in 44 countries on 6 continents!

USA   India Canada   Ireland Puerto Rico   UK    Italy   Australia  Philippines Singapore   New Zealand Portugal Saudi Arabia Switzerland Hong Kong    Mexico   Japan  Fiji Seychelles France Latvia   Netherlands   Kenya   UAE Cambodia Israel Guatemala Germany Uruguay Bangladesh Spain Panama Thailand Uganda    Greece   South Africa  Costa Rica  Bosnia and Herzegovina   Sri LankaRomania Pakistan Ghana  Slovenia Cayman Islands

WATCH my podcast, “MAKE YOUR OWN MAP: Are YOU ready to be BRAVE?” on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Podcast,  Google Podcasts, Audacy, Audible, Anchor, Pandora & iHeart Radio

WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?

Here is the link to��my video channel on��YouTube where I have over TWO MILLION views on YouTube! (now at: 2,120,000).

Thank you for your support! Are you one of my 4,270 subscribers? I hope you will join me and subscribe! For more We Said Go Travel articles, TV segments, videos and social media: CLICK HERE

Find me on social media with over 150,000 followers. Please follow  on TikTok: @LisaNiver, Twitter at @LisaNiver, Instagram @LisaNiver and on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and at LisaNiver.com.

My Podcast: “Make Your Own Map!”

Fortune Cookie SAID:

“As the seasons change, let the blooming flowers inspire your soul to blossom. Embrace the beauty of spring and let it awaken new beginnings within you.”

Do you love audiobooks? My memoir, Brave-ish, is available! AND!!! I am the narrator! Did you know that authors have to audition to narrate their books?!!?

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BRAVE-ish on ReachTV Where Next!

Thank you to WHERE NEXT? with Kelly Blanco on ReachTV for inviting me to talk about my favorite trips and my award-winning memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty.Kelly and Lisa discussed her 50 DARES BEFORE 50 after her divorce featured in her award-winning memoir.

CHALLENGES INCLUDE:
Skiing with a skier who is blind at Park City Mountain with the National Ability Center. Learn more in my article for The Sierra Club and of course in my BOOK!

For my 50th challenge I went sky diving! Lisa and Kelly talked about HULA HOOPING around the world including in Kenya in Vanuatu MOST SUPRISING LOCATION: MONGOLIA FAVORITE DESTINATION: Underwater SCUBA DIVING!Kelly Blanco said: “Lisa Niver–one of the most inspirational and popular travel influencers on the planet!” –watch the whole segment: CLICK HERE!

Lisa Niver has been featured on ReachTV, the largest in-airport TV network in the United States, to discuss travel and hula hooping on WHERE NEXT with Kelly Blanco. Niver was has also a judge for the 2023 Business Traveler Awards. Niver has also shared on Instagram that hula hoops are a travel hack for staying fit on the go.

ReachTV: “Who says hula hoops are just for kids? @lisaniver proves they���re the ultimate travel hack for staying fit on the go! Don���t miss out on her incredible travel tips and more on our show #WhereNext, exclusively on #reachtv in airports worldwide.”

Did you know I travel with a hula-hoop? Learn more from REACH TV:

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Get your copy of BRAVE-ish: click here and learn more about the paperback, digital and audiobook.

2024 Literary Titan Non-fiction Gold Book Award
2023 Zibby Awards Runner-up: Best Book for The Strong Woman
2023 HEARTEN Book Awards Finalist for Inspiring & Uplifting Non-Fiction
2023 WINNER: Goody Business Book Awards: Memoir/Self-Help
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler Women Who Travel Book Club: 10 New Books We Can’t Wait to Read this Fall
As seen in��Forbes��Best New NonFiction

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