Destination Happiness (Sophie Tang)

Thinking about moving to Australia? In this episode, I’ll break down the pros and cons of making the big move to the land down under. From lifestyle and job opportunities to cost of living and cultural differences, I’ll give you an honest take on what to expect. Whether you're dreaming of a new adventure or looking for a change, this video will help you decide if Australia is the right fit for you! Don't forget to subscribe for more travel tips and advice.

It’s now been 1 year since I booked a one way plane ticket to the other side of the world, and what a magnificent year it’s been. I tell funny stories about my failed attempt to go pescitarian, how I overcame my fear of bikes, and accidentally moving to Brisbane. Bonus points if you can tell me how many times I mention food!

Get to know more about my journey so far and why I finally decided to travel full-time. I talk about being in an unhappy 8-year relationship, having the courage to quit my marketing career in search of something better, and the dangers of being comfortable.

Hola chicas! In this episode, I walk you through my incredible backpacking route across Central and South America, sharing what worked well and offering tips on what I'd recommend doing differently. From a 3-day trip from Panama to Colombia via the stunning Guna Yala Islands to conquering Mt. Huayna Potosí in Bolivia and enduring 23-hour bus rides in Chile, get ready to plan your own adventure and learn from my experiences!

My route was El Salvador > Costa Rica > Panama > Colombia > Peru > Bolivia > Chile which I dive into in much more detail in this video!

I go into greater detail about the lessons I’ve learned while travelling over the past 16 months and discuss how my view on what's important in life has changed. I also acknowledge that everything is temporary, including precious time spent with friends and family, in addition to the benefits of keeping a positive mindset while working towards a goal.

I share the dos and don'ts of backpacking South East Asia, including what to pack, things you shouldn’t take, how much money you'll spend, common safety concerns, overcoming anxiety, and ways to make friends, all based on my personal experiences solo travelling over the past year.

Travelling has taught us many lessons you can’t study at university, like how pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone can make you feel like life is just beginning and will lead you to bigger and better things. In this episode, my lifelong best friend Ashleigh joins me to reminisce on our time travelling in Australia and Bali together back in 2017 for a 3-month trip that would change the trajectory of our lives. Join us as we soar through the East Coast and discover how travel became the compass that set the course for Ashleigh's extraordinary success as a commercial pilot. Fasten your seatbelts for an inspiring story of exploration, growth, and the possibilities that unfold when you learn to navigate life's adventures. This episode contains an advertisement for World Duty Free.

https://worlddutyfree.com/

In this episode, I've put together 10 essential travel tips that would have made my first backpacking adventure a lot smoother. With advice on how much money you’ll need to travel, how to make friends, how to deal with anxiety, and ways to stay safe, get prepared for your backpacking adventure with me. Without further ado, let’s get to it…

In this episode, I host Matt and Perlie, a globetrotting couple who share their incredible journey of travelling the world, teaching English abroad, and embracing the digital nomad lifestyle. They dive into their experiences teaching in South Korea, navigating the vibrant streets of Istanbul, and overcoming the challenges of a nomadic lifestyle.

We discuss their transition to remote work, their passion for adventure and cultural exploration, and their newest venture—Trusted Travellers, their own free travel agency. From hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia to the breathtaking landscapes of Antarctica, Matt and Perlie reveal their most unforgettable travel experiences and the personal growth that comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.

Whether you're curious about teaching abroad, becoming a digital nomad, or planning your next big adventure, this episode is packed with inspiration and insights for every traveller.

Find Matt and Perlie on socials below!

@makin_moves_with_matt_

@mattmitzel

@perlieyang

@trustedtravelers

What happens when you quit your stable job, leave everything behind, and chase a life of travel—only for a global pandemic to change everything?

In this episode, I sit down with Dain Luka, who went from working as a social worker in England to building a completely new life as a digital nomad in Australia and around the world. We talk about his journey to sobriety, how he took the leap to quit his 9-5 job, the challenges of having his travel plans disrupted by Covid, and what led him to start a YouTube channel.

Dain shares the highs and lows of freelancing, his favourite adventures in Australia, and what home means to him now as he works towards residency. Plus, he gives some great advice for anyone thinking of breaking free from the traditional path and creating a life on their own terms.

Listen in for an inspiring story of resilience, reinvention, and the freedom of the digital nomad lifestyle.

Follow Dain on Instagram for more travel advice and inspiration @chasingdain

Check out his YouTube channel here! https://www.youtube.com/@DainLuka

Charlotte and I have been backpacking in Central and South America for the past 3 months. As our backpacking journey comes to a close, we take some time to reflect on the highs and lows of our travels. From getting food poisoning and being scammed at land borders to climbing Mt Huayna Potosi in Bolivia, listen to the stories of one of my greatest trips so far… We also dive deeper into Charlotte’s story and talk about why she has decided to take 12 months out of her career to travel the world.

Nastasia Yakoub, founder of Dame Traveler, tells us how she has spent the past decade travelling all corners of the world as a full-time photographer and author, despite coming from a Middle Eastern background and having to defy cultural norms. She discusses how her adventure first began, gives advice on how to balance living in the moment with capturing content, and earning money whilst travelling.

Solo travelling can feel daunting if you’ve never done it before, but my friend Alex joins me to talk about how it can be better than travelling with friends and why you should simply take the plunge.

Join me in this episode as I break down the ins and outs of solo travel, discussing the benefits, planning essentials, safety tips, budget hacks, and the realities you can expect. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or are simply contemplating your first adventure alone, this episode is your practical guide to solo travelling.

This episode contains an advertisement for World Duty Free.

https://worlddutyfree.com

What does it take to walk away from a successful career, redefine success, and design a life filled with freedom, purpose, and adventure?

In the first episode kicking off season 2, I’m joined by Raechelle Minney, who left a thriving career at a Fortune 500 company to pursue a life of abundant living. Raechelle shares how you can develop a money mindset to create a life you truly desire with the freedom to travel. She teaches us tools such as Human Design and Gene Keys to gain self-awareness, and how NLP and Timeline Therapy can help unpack unconscious limitations and reprogramme your mind. Becoming aware of these limitations is the first step to redefining them. 

Whether you want to travel the world or pursue other dreams, Raechelle’s journey will leave you inspired and guide you to become the best possible version of yourself. 

Did you like this episode? Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss future episodes and useful tips for travelling and living abundantly. I’d also love it if you gave me an honest, 5-star review and leave a comment below!

Useful Links:

Raechelle recommends for Day Trading Advice https://teriijeoma.com/ 

Human Design https://www.myhumandesign.com/get-your-chart/

Maria Hening Human Design Expert https://www.instagram.com/bymariahenning/?hl=en-gb

Inner Shift https://innershift.com/

The Values Factor https://www.amazon.co.uk/Values-Factor-Creating-Inspired-Fulfilling/dp/0425264742

Dr Joe Dispenza Retreat https://drjoedispenza.com/retreats

Join me on a deeply personal heritage journey to Hong Kong as I bring my grandad's ashes home and meet my distant relatives for the first time. I explore the village where my great-grandad embarked on a new life in the early 1900s and find solace at the temple where my grandma's ashes rest. I also reflect on my Chinese heritage and the unbreakable bonds that tie us to our roots.

"Human beings are the only ones in nature who are aware that they will die... they do not see that it is death itself that motivates them to do the best things in their lives. They are afraid to step into the dark, afraid of the unknown, and their only way of conquering fear is to ignore the fact that their days are numbered. Death is our constant companion and it is death that gives each person's life its true meaning”

In this episode, I share the chapter titled 'Death' from Paulo Coelho’s book The Pilgrimage. Paulo Coelho is also the bestselling author of the life-changing book The Alchemist, which I highly recommend. 

My housemate Calum joins me in this episode to tell us about his time visiting the wonders of Ancient Egypt and other parts of the world. He shares stories of his isolation in the streets of Istanbul at the start of Covid, and spending four days solo in the perilous mountains of North Vietnam.

I attempt to answer the question we’ve all asked ourselves at least once, and delve deeper into what I believe the meaning of life is. Some people think we’re here to challenge ourselves to find fulfilment, while others say we’re meant to serve a greater purpose and make the world a better place. I feel our lives have a unique meaning and we should pursue happiness in our own ways, whether that be through solo travel or something else. What is the meaning of life to you?

Travelling in the Philippines can be tricky to navigate compared to other parts of Southeast Asia, especially as there are over 7000 islands in the Archipelago. In this episode, I share my favourite places to go, things to do (and not to do), and tips for travelling in the Philippines. From freediving with turtles in Moalboal, Cebu, to sun, sea, and surf in Siargao, listen in to all the adventures we got up to and get inspired for your trip.

Did you like this episode? Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss future episodes and useful tips for travelling in Southeast Asia. I’d also love it if you gave me an honest, 5-star review!

This episode contains an advertisement for World Duty Free.

https://worlddutyfree.com/

It’s not always sunshine and rainbows when you’re solo travelling, so I share the unfiltered reality about not knowing when you'll say goodbye to your family for the last time, the overwhelming feeling of leaving your old life behind, and the difference between freedom and loneliness.

*This episode contains sensitive content that some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.*

Growing up in Mongolia without parents, Aisha Makara found independence early, taking herself on solo adventures while other children clung to familiarity. At just eight years old, she taught herself English—setting the stage for a life of exploration, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

Now, she’s travelled to over 60 countries, built a boutique property portfolio in Portugal, and even sent her artwork to space with SpaceX and Qosmosys. But beyond the achievements, Aisha’s story is about resilience, risk-taking, and seizing opportunities—even when the odds are stacked against you.

In this episode, she shares her journey, the power of saying yes, and why the biggest regrets often come from what we don’t do. This conversation will inspire you to take that leap—because if everyone is hesitating, who’s the competition?

Find out more about Aisha Makara’s story on her website https://aisha.today/ 

Aisha’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigbossbaby7777/

In this episode of Destination Happiness, I sit down with author and traveller Angie Orth, the inspiring creator behind Angie Away. Before Instagram and the influencer era, Angie left a successful PR career in New York City to chase adventure—an unconventional decision that led to a life of travel, challenges, and self-discovery.

We dive into her journey of defying expectations, navigating natural disasters, and embracing uncertainty. Angie also shares insights from her memoir, Flirting with Disaster, where she reflects on life-changing experiences, the realities of travel beyond the highlight reel, and why taking risks is the key to truly living.

In this episode, we cover:

- Leaving behind a corporate career for a life of adventure

- Facing tsunamis, earthquakes, and unexpected challenges on the road

- Why the ‘perfect’ travel experience can sometimes disappoint —and why that’s okay

- The power of embracing uncertainty and rewriting your own path

- How fear and taking risks shape who we become

Angie’s wisdom is a reminder that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so why not start living today? Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation that might just give you the push you need to take that leap.

📖 Find Angie’s book, Flirting with Disaster, and more at www.angieaway.com.

🎙️ Listen to Angie’s podcasts But Did You Die? and Travelling with AAA for more travel stories and unfiltered insights.

Dreaming of an Australian adventure? 🇦🇺 Australia is packed with incredible places to explore, from the bustling cities of Sydney and Melbourne to relaxing on the beach in Byron Bay and sailing in the Whitsundays. In this episode, I’m sharing my list of the best places to visit in Australia, perfect for anyone planning a trip or just curious about the highlights! We’ll dive into Australia’s must-see spots, and whether you’re all about adventure, scenery, or culture, there’s something here for you. 🌏 Want to see exclusive behind-the-scenes content, bloopers, and early access to new videos? ✨ Join my YouTube membership community today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKCjU1p96dvYYWvLx60yQAg/join 📱 Stay connected:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKCjU1p96dvYYWvLx60yQAg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophie___tang/ Website: www.sophietangtravel.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sophiecatherinetang Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiecatherinetang/ Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name: Vlog Stylish Fashion Pop Track Name: Upbeat Vlog and Event Music Track Name: Upbeat Travel Event by Infraction Track Name: Lazy Sunday Vlog Stylish Fashion Pop by Infraction ⧸ Lazy Day Upbeat Vlog and Event Music by Infraction ⧸ Early Morning Upbeat Travel Event by Infraction ⧸ Summer Evening Espeluznante - Luna Cantina

Join me and Aurora as we discuss the importance of struggles and why they are necessary to live the life you want. Taking no action towards achieving your goals is a choice you make, and whether you do something about it or not, you will go through pain and stress either way. Most people would rather live unhappy lives over uncertain futures, but in this episode, we talk about the reasons why you shouldn’t be afraid to make a change to live a more fulfilling reality.