“We should open the door more often and go on Bleisure adventures. I’ve already travelled through the Alps to my lectures by camper this year.” Miriam Höller, ex-stunt women, speaker and moderator
Miriam, what role does professional travel play in your life?
A very big role. Since I started my own business at the age of 18, travelling has been part of my work. My jobs take me to all kinds of places around the world. Especially in exotic places my heart beams. I am an adventurer and love that no two days are the same. Some people would find that stressful, but I am inspired by this freedom and dynamism.
How many times a year are you mainly on the road and where?
I can’t really say exactly. However, out of 365 days, I sleep in my own bed for the least amount of time.
But being “on tour” most of the time is also exhausting. There are always new people, places and impressions – once I’ve settled in, it often starts all over again. That’s why I try to find the right mix between roots and wings. The peace and quiet of my home, the familiar faces, the well-rehearsed routines and my family give me security. That’s how I can recharge my batteries. But then I look forward to flying out again and experiencing new things.
Bleisure as an extension of business travel and remote work as working at a distance – since when have these two forms of travel been issue for you?
Since the beginning of my self-employment, I have lived and enjoyed this flexibility and freedom. Since I can prepare and follow up on my jobs from anywhere and even implement some of them online, it is natural to enjoy the possibilities of travel and the beauty of the places. My lectures live mainly from my really experienced stories. I don’t study life theoretically, I experience it. What makes me so courageous, full of life and resilient today are the experiences from my worldwide travels. So even today I go in search of special encounters with people and extraordinary places. It is the inspiration I need for my profession.
How do you live out bleisure und remote work?
Usually at very short notice. I regularly check my calendar to see when and where my assignments are and if there are any days off before or after. If so, I deal with the place or country and make the best use of the time. If I have a lecture, for example in Switzerland, followed by two days off, I drive my motorhome instead of flying back and forth quickly.
I then take the bus to the mountains or a lake and jump into the water briefly in the morning or go mountain biking before I work. Afterwards I do the follow-up to the job, do my daily business like mails, meetings etc. And in the evening, I go on more story-seeking walks, to restaurants or to other places that attract me. I am very curious and enthusiastic, not afraid to approach strangers and learn from them. That’s what life is about for me. It offers so much and is insanely colourful, and I want to see and experience as many colours as possible.
Where did your last bleisure and remote work destinations go?
In the last few months, we went to Lake Constance and the Austrian Alps. Also to the Sierra Nevada in Andalusia or to the islands of Naxos, Fuerteventura and Kos. But my professional highlights are definitely Bali, Mexico, New Zealand, Nepal and Hawaii. But it doesn’t always have to be so extraordinary. I find inspiring people and places everywhere.
We humans are the same all over the world. We all have fears and doubts, wishes and dreams, and we differ above all in the conditions of how and where we grew up, live and in the influences from outside. Just coming back from the Philippines, where in the capital begging gangs chop off their children’s hands so they can get more money from tourists, and meeting people in a big western city who are angry about tables in restaurants being too bright because they are blinded, I feel very privileged to have such a great job that teaches me many things. Above all, appreciation and gratitude for my home and my good life.
A few weeks ago you where on the road for a remote work tour with the camper. How can you imagine that?
For example, I had a lecture in Notwil on Lake Sempach in Switzerland. In the evening I drove on to Lake Melchsee and just saw the sun setting between the mountains. Then I snuggled up in my bed and read a book about personal development. In the morning I woke up and saw the damp mist still in the air at 2,000 metres. Until it cleared, I worked a bit more.
To what extent will bleisure and remote work play a role for you in the coming months? What plans do you have?
My new motorhome in particular opens up completely new possibilities. I look forward to continuing to combine my jobs with adventures. For me, this is my dream come true: to be able to work independently and in a different place and to share the valuable experiences with people.
I know from my own experience how unfair and destructive life can be and how difficult it can sometimes be to love and appreciate it. But to do just that, we should open the door more often and go on adventures.
Sylvie Konzack …
finds that Miriam Höller reflects impressively on what travel and work can often be today and lives it. The speaker actually typed a few answers to her questions for this interview in the camper.
Photo: © Treudis Naß
