Episode #56
She Meant Arkansas... and Ended Up in Alaska
What happens when an empty nester looking for a little adventure accidentally selects Alaska instead of Arkansas for a 13-week travel nursing assignment? If you're L’Donna, apparently you pack your bags, go anyway... and almost five years later, you're still there. In Episode 56 of Sugar, Spice & Spirits, Kelly joins us from Alaska with her longtime friend L’Donna for a conversation about Gen X women, empty nesting, career pivots, travel, taking chances and discovering a completely different version of your life after 40. L’Donna grew up quiet and shy in a small Texas town and never imagined herself becoming the woman who would move thousands of miles away, travel alone, camp in Alaska, hike mountains or become a flight attendant. But one opportunity led to another. A nursing career led to an unexpected marketing role. Marketing led to speaking in front of hospitals and insurance companies. Travel nursing led to Alaska. Alaska led to adventure. And her love of travel eventually led L’Donna to become a United Airlines flight attendant, where she traveled internationally and checked places like Tahiti off her bucket list. Today, she's back in healthcare as a Director of Staff Development, using her experience to educate, mentor and guide approximately 300 employees. We also get into the fun side of Alaska: the midnight sun, moose casually stopping traffic, glaciers, fishing, hiking, Homer Spit, the Salty Dawg, winter spas, cocktails, and why Kelly suddenly isn't so sure she wants to come back to Texas. But underneath all of it is a question worth asking: What are you not doing because you've convinced yourself, "That's just not me"? L’Donna's answer is pretty simple: try it. Because sometimes the mistake you thought you made becomes one hell of a story. Sugar, Spice & Spirits — Where Happy Hour Meets Hustle
