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What Traveling With Loved Ones Teaches Us — Dr. Marga Macias
23 Plays24 days ago
In this episode of Go Far Girl, I’m joined by Dr. Marga Macias — a pediatrician, mom, and lifelong traveler whose most meaningful journeys have been shared with the people she loves.
We talk about how travel can completely shift the way we see ourselves and each other — from the unforgettable European adventure that revealed a playful, free-spirited side of her grandmother, to the joy of exploring the world with her own children now as adults.
We cover:
✨ Seeing loved ones in a whole new light
✨ Why travel brings families closer
✨ How to travel with kids at different life stages
✨ The gift of letting go, laughing more, and loosening the rules
✨ Why you should schedule the trip — not just talk about it
Dr. Macias also shares her perspective as a pediatrician on the emotional, developmental, and confidence-building benefits of travel for kids, and how even small trips can change everything.
Whether you're daydreaming about your next adventure or trying to convince yourself to finally book it — this episode will remind you that the memories we make together are the souvenirs that matter most. ❤️
Connect with Dr. Marga Macias:
Instagram: @MargaMacias
Facebook: Marga Macias
LinkedIn: Dr. Marga Macias
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Transcript
Introduction and Personal Travel Insights
00:00:02
CHANTELLE KINCY
Hi, and welcome to Go Far Girl. Today, I'm here with Dr. Marga Macias, and she's a pediatrician, I just learned, so that's exciting for me. But for her, travel has been more than a gateway.
00:00:13
CHANTELLE KINCY
It's been the backdrop for life-changing connections, from traveling with her kids as adults to creating unshakable bonds and how one wild European adventure with her grandma revealed a side she never saw coming.
00:00:26
CHANTELLE KINCY
So today we'll talk about the beauty of seeing loved ones in a new light, how travel brings us closer together, and how those journeys help you embrace joy, presence, and adventure in your everyday life. Hi, I'm so happy you're here. Thanks for joining us.
00:00:40
Marga Macias
Well, thanks so much for having me, Chantel.
00:00:42
CHANTELLE KINCY
Absolutely. Like I was just telling you before we were live, um ever since I've been reading your story, i was like, I've got to dig into this. I can't wait to talk to you. So I'm so excited the time has finally come.
00:00:55
CHANTELLE KINCY
So a couple of rapid fire questions that have nothing to do with your story. um On a plane, window seat or aisle seat?
00:01:03
Marga Macias
Window. Oh no, I'm sorry. I used to be a window when I was little because I got motion sickness, but now it's aisle.
00:01:08
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yes. Yes. Okay, good. Me too.
Early Travel Memories and European Adventure
00:01:12
CHANTELLE KINCY
I also, I can go to the bathroom without disturbing other people if I have to.
00:01:15
Marga Macias
i The older we get, the more we need to be you know ready to go.
00:01:22
CHANTELLE KINCY
And then for hotels, are you of the mindset that it doesn't matter where I stay because I just sleep there or are you give me a nice hotel?
00:01:31
Marga Macias
I would like to be, I mean, something that's not going to break the the the the bank too, of course, but but I want a decent quiet hotel.
00:01:36
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yes.
00:01:41
Marga Macias
I always request away from the elevators so I don't hear the opening, closing, ding-dongs going on and on the upper floor because I don't want to hear stomping from the people above me.
00:01:47
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yes.
00:01:52
Marga Macias
But my go-to, if I can, I would prefer always like an Airbnb if that's available.
00:02:00
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh, fun. Okay. I love that. Those kinds of questions always just make me smile because you learn like a lot about somebody's travel personality just super quick.
00:02:08
Marga Macias
Mm-hmm.
00:02:09
CHANTELLE KINCY
So let's dive in. When did you start? I mean, because you've been through college and medical school and residencies and all these things. So when have you had time to travel? First of all, what?
00:02:21
Marga Macias
When before med school, and before pre-med, and my parents would take me on, me and my kid and and me and my kids, me and my siblings to vacation, you know, mainly United States because we were and we were born and raised in the Philippines.
00:02:30
CHANTELLE KINCY
you
00:02:38
Marga Macias
And then so our vacations would usually be United States, they back and forth, back and forth, sometimes Hong Kong. Yeah, but that's about it. That's about the journey. And of course, we would travel locally, try to explore the different islands of the Philippines, because that was always going to be fun and less expensive.
00:02:59
Marga Macias
But travel to Europe didn't happen until I was in my teenage years, I would say yeah yeah um pre-med. That's when I was when i first went to Europe with my grandma.
00:03:12
CHANTELLE KINCY
So let's talk about it. Your grandma took you to Europe and kind of changed things for you in more ways than one, right?
00:03:22
Marga Macias
much Okay.
00:03:24
CHANTELLE KINCY
Let's talk about grandma.
00:03:28
CHANTELLE KINCY
Okay, so go in.
00:03:28
Marga Macias
okay so
00:03:30
Marga Macias
Yeah, so I grew up in a very strict household. And so my parents were strict. And i
Grandma's Playful Side and European Anecdotes
00:03:38
Marga Macias
was I learned from an early age that you have to behave, you have to be obedient, you have to have good manners and all that. so And my grandma is my mom's mom. So i was thinking, oh okay, if that they're that strict, then that's how grandma is too.
00:03:53
Marga Macias
And my relationship with her prior to that was always... um Formal in the sense that um no grandma, yes, grandma, you don't speak until you're spoken to. I mean, very, almost like a controlled environment, you know, to a point where you always had to be in your best behavior.
00:04:12
Marga Macias
And so that's my thought about my grandma when I was when i was a little girl. And then um when we moved at one point, I just was beginning college. That was my pre-med.
00:04:25
Marga Macias
My grandma moved into the the household that we were so we could help to take care of her. And then my mom had this idea during summer break for my grandma to accompany my sister to to a a tour of Europe, our very, very first time.
00:04:44
Marga Macias
And so we were so excited. Oh, a funny story before that. Before that, she wanted to just ask experience a cruise. So it's going to be my grandma, my sister, and I going to a cruise to Hong Kong and then coming back.
00:04:59
Marga Macias
Never been in a cruise before.
00:04:59
CHANTELLE KINCY
han
00:05:00
Marga Macias
We were so excited. We went to the port and there was no ship. I don't know what happened, but we even had this orientation in this big old fancy Chinese restaurant, what we were supposed to do.
00:05:05
CHANTELLE KINCY
What?
00:05:14
Marga Macias
And we all showed up in the in the port and there was no ship. i To this day, i don't know what happened, but there was no sadder person in the world than me because I was so excited to be there and all the adventure first time on a cruise ship.
00:05:19
CHANTELLE KINCY
What the heck?
00:05:32
Marga Macias
And that didn't happen. so
00:05:34
CHANTELLE KINCY
That's crazy.
00:05:35
Marga Macias
Yes. I know. And then a few years few years after, my mom says, okay, would you like to go to Europe? I'm sending grandma with you so you can do it together. She will be your chaperone. So you better behave and don't give her any trouble because she's going to be your chaperone.
00:05:52
Marga Macias
Yes, mom. Yes, mom. Thank you, mom. Thank you, dad. And so we were really excited. It was land tour. and it was like in the company, I think it was Globus.
00:06:02
Marga Macias
And it was a land tour. And, uh, yes.
Impact of Travel on Parenting and Personal Growth
00:06:07
Marga Macias
And so it was around seven countries. So it was going to be, you know, pretty intense one after another. And, um, in the beginning, of course I was, we were prim and proper and always following grandma's lead. We wouldn't dare do anything else. We were like little angels with our best behavior,
00:06:26
Marga Macias
And then as the tour went forward, I could see ah my grandma in a different light because she was so happy and so playful.
00:06:37
Marga Macias
And I remember at one point we were in Switzerland, Lucerne to be specific, and um we were at a long table because you know how they put the tours in like tables and then there was like a show while you're having dinner.
00:06:50
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yeah, yeah.
00:06:52
Marga Macias
So she said she was going to go to the restroom. We waited for her. And she hadn't come back. said, where on earth did she go? And the next thing you know, the other tour group was having a can-can conga line, you know, going round and round the tables.
00:07:08
Marga Macias
And there was my grandma in the midst of everything. Woo-hoo! Yay! And said, I was so shocked and he said, that's not even our group, Grandma. And she says, I know, but this is fun.
00:07:20
Marga Macias
Come on, why don't you join?
00:07:22
CHANTELLE KINCY
I'm sorry.
00:07:22
Marga Macias
i said, no, come here, come here. And then specifically in Lucerne too, we had fondue, the cheese fondue. And on the tour director,
00:07:33
Marga Macias
And how were old are I was, so I was like 15, 15. The tour director, he said, okay, when you eat fondue, the tradition is you have to secure it really well, the bread, and so that it doesn't fall into the pot.
00:07:46
Marga Macias
Because if it falls in the pot, then you get a kiss. And so here I was, prim and proper, religious Catholic girl. Well, I was making sure that piece of bread was stuck when I got really, really low because I wouldn't dare let it drop the kiss by this man.
00:08:04
Marga Macias
I'm only 15. And so I dipped it really carefully. And guess what my grandma did?
00:08:10
CHANTELLE KINCY
but Did she throw it in there?
00:08:10
Marga Macias
She got her stick and, no, she got her stick and knocked my piece of bread away.
00:08:12
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh! Oh my gosh.
00:08:16
CHANTELLE KINCY
oh
00:08:16
Marga Macias
And then she said, Nick, Nick.
00:08:20
Marga Macias
She dropped her stick. And my mouth was gaping like an alligator. Huh? grandma and i looked at him and he came over goes you know what the rule is i just couldn't believe it i was stunned and so she said here you go she did it she did it and i was so scared and she goes all right just like the tradition and then so he kissed me
00:08:33
CHANTELLE KINCY
oh my god
00:08:48
Marga Macias
on the mouth, I mean like a little pet, granting it was a pet. And I said, oh my God, my first kiss ever was with an Austrian.
00:08:56
CHANTELLE KINCY
I was just going to ask if it was your first kiss.
00:08:59
Marga Macias
My first kiss ever was with an Austrian, well, not so much a stranger anymore. I said, oh my God. And my eyes were like bulging. I said, I can't believe you did that, grandma. She goes, oh, this was so fun.
00:09:12
Marga Macias
This was so fun. Then when we were in Rome, they said the tradition is if you pinch a waiter, they can pinch you back. And so the waiter was passing by.
00:09:25
Marga Macias
and She and then she pointed to me saying, I did it. And I said, no, no, not me, not me. She did it. And she was howling with laughter. I said, oh, my goodness.
00:09:38
Marga Macias
But it was like a crazy experience. And the funny thing is, when we were on the way home, I was telling my sister, should we say what happened or should we keep it quiet?
00:09:51
Marga Macias
And I said, we better keep it quiet because we might never be allowed to travel with her again. And so...
00:09:57
CHANTELLE KINCY
We can't disclose her secret identity.
00:09:58
Marga Macias
we qui We can't.
00:09:59
CHANTELLE KINCY
like
00:09:59
Marga Macias
We can't. So we should really, really try to keep it sick a secret because this was so special. it was It was so memorable. And I wanted more more experiences with her.
00:10:13
CHANTELLE KINCY
So when you went back home, did she revert back to grandma that you know, or did she kind of always let that show a little bit after that?
00:10:22
Marga Macias
We were...
00:10:25
Marga Macias
We were always, we let our hair down more. no If my parents were there, we it was more like proper, formal.
00:10:36
Marga Macias
But then if it was just me and her, we would tell stories, make each other
Traveling with Grown Children
00:10:42
Marga Macias
laugh. And I grew so close to her on that trip that what that was hands down, one of the most memorable experiences of travel. And one of my favorite ones, because...
00:10:54
Marga Macias
It was just so carefree and so happy. And through her, I learned to let loose. I didn't have to be such a goody-goody two-shoes and follow and do this.
00:11:06
Marga Macias
I'm allowed to have fun. I'm allowed to be playful. And over the years, I have become much more playful. I'm even known to play pranks on friends and my kids and vice versa.
00:11:15
CHANTELLE KINCY
I love it.
00:11:16
Marga Macias
So it really changed me in went many wonderful ways.
00:11:21
CHANTELLE KINCY
That's so amazing. I love that story so much. And now when you play your pranks or you be silly, you're carrying a piece of her with you and you can always, you know, bring that forward forever.
00:11:28
Marga Macias
Always.
00:11:31
CHANTELLE KINCY
I love that so much.
00:11:33
Marga Macias
Yeah.
00:11:34
CHANTELLE KINCY
So did your kids get a chance to meet your grandma or no?
00:11:38
Marga Macias
They were very little. My son was ah ah six when he when she passed away, and my daughter was barely two.
00:11:40
CHANTELLE KINCY
Very little.
00:11:47
CHANTELLE KINCY
Okay, so they probably don't remember her. So you have to have those stories and those memories to come back so that they can know that piece of her too.
00:11:49
Marga Macias
No. Mm-hmm.
00:11:56
Marga Macias
Yes, I tell them about it and they just they just laugh. And they really wish they got to know her more.
00:12:00
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh my gosh. I'm just visualizing her like just being just wild and crazy. And you're like ah teenager. So you're mortified by everything anyways.
00:12:10
CHANTELLE KINCY
Like everything is embarrassing. And then you're like in shock. And you're like who is this person? How is this my life? What is happening?
00:12:10
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:12:17
Marga Macias
Yeah.
00:12:18
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh my God.
00:12:18
Marga Macias
I'd stare at her and I'd stare at the man. I'd stare at her and say, I cannot believe you did this.
00:12:24
CHANTELLE KINCY
Was your sister, she was just like in shock.
00:12:24
Marga Macias
I can't believe it.
00:12:26
CHANTELLE KINCY
She was like, what is happening to
00:12:27
Marga Macias
Yeah, she was like, here in the headlights, we just watched it, goes, I hope it's not me, I hope it's not me.
00:12:35
CHANTELLE KINCY
Were you the older sister? Is that why you got it?
00:12:37
Marga Macias
Yes, yes, yes.
00:12:37
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yeah. Okay.
00:12:40
Marga Macias
But the things that she tried to do, it was just, I was in shock, and then afterwards, I just can't stop laughing about it every time I remember it now.
00:12:51
CHANTELLE KINCY
But what a gift because you never would have seen that side from her if you had not gone to Europe or if you had not been in that situation outside of your guys' comfort zone, outside of the living room.
00:13:01
CHANTELLE KINCY
It really just opened up. That's amazing. So aside from seeing seven new countries, you got to see seven new personalities.
00:13:04
Marga Macias
Yeah.
00:13:08
CHANTELLE KINCY
That's amazing.
00:13:10
Marga Macias
Yeah. Yes, it feels like that.
00:13:13
CHANTELLE KINCY
You have Rome grandma, Switzerland grandma. Yeah.
00:13:16
Marga Macias
um no Yeah. Oh, yeah. Italy with the waiters. Oh, God. Many, many things.
00:13:24
Marga Macias
Many, many things.
00:13:24
CHANTELLE KINCY
the The butt pinch is a lot, though. That's hilarious.
00:13:27
Marga Macias
Yeah.
00:13:27
CHANTELLE KINCY
I just remember when I was a teenager, my grandma, once we were at this cafe and I had told her the waiter was really cute. And I don't know why I ever said that to her. But then she picked up her coffee cup and she waved it. She goes, waiter, you who I need a refill.
00:13:43
CHANTELLE KINCY
And I tried to hide under the table. I was like, what are you doing beckoning this person?
00:13:43
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:13:49
CHANTELLE KINCY
Like, we don't behave this way.
00:13:49
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:13:50
Marga Macias
But so
00:13:52
CHANTELLE KINCY
And she was like, did you want him to come over here or not? I was like, no, I did not. Terrible.
00:13:57
Marga Macias
much fun. Yes.
00:13:59
CHANTELLE KINCY
Terrible.
00:14:01
Marga Macias
yeah but so much
00:14:02
CHANTELLE KINCY
So that is so amazing. So that was fun. But you've said that your favorite experiences are actually traveling with your kids as they became adults. Is that right?
00:14:12
Marga Macias
yes
00:14:12
CHANTELLE KINCY
so did you travel with them when they were younger first?
00:14:16
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:14:16
CHANTELLE KINCY
and Okay.
00:14:16
Marga Macias
Yes. i I always did travel with them when they were younger, but it was more difficult because, of course, you have to take in consideration everything. How long can we go before they get too tired or too sleepy or too cranky to do anything?
00:14:30
CHANTELLE KINCY
Sure.
00:14:32
Marga Macias
Feeding them and and all that stuff. So there was a lot of responsibility for me. planning everything that would suit them. And so that made it, it was enjoyable, of course, but it was, ah it took a lot of prep work and planning and couldn't really relax so much because I was always like a mama bear making sure that they were fine.
00:14:41
CHANTELLE KINCY
Sure.
00:14:57
Marga Macias
i I learned from my grandma and i wasn't i was and I was never strict with them in that sense where you know that I let them have fun. I let them do what they wanted but and in while you know keeping safe.
00:15:12
Marga Macias
But it was just a lot of work putting into ah into it. And so like it was hard to fully relax and enjoy when they were little. But as they grew older, especially now they're independent and and they they lived they live on their own.
00:15:22
CHANTELLE KINCY
Sure.
00:15:29
Marga Macias
And and now they do the planning. They show me the itinerary, mom, look at this. You know, we would would like to do this and that's we can stay in this Airbnb and drive here, drive here, drive here, or we can do this thing. So my...
00:15:45
Marga Macias
oh And this is something really exciting because my first experience really traveling with them as, you know, adults where I didn't have to really manage them, I took them to their first tour of Europe.
00:16:01
CHANTELLE KINCY
yay
00:16:01
Marga Macias
I repeated what I went through with my grandma with them. So my my kids were in high school. My son was, they're they're four years apart. My son was beginning college. My my girl was in the ending of high school.
00:16:17
Marga Macias
And so I did the same trip, more or less, to similar countries. And the joy, but the biggest joy for me was seeing how much they enjoyed it, seeing the country and all the beauty and the wonder through their eyes and how are they, Oh my gosh, mom, this is fabulous.
00:16:37
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yeah. Right.
00:16:40
Marga Macias
It's like Disneyland for grownups. It's like this. Oh my gosh. And at that time, my daughter just turned 18. So, Oh, sorry. So she did graduate. She was in, both of them were in early college.
00:16:52
Marga Macias
And so in, in Europe, 18 is the legal drinking age. So our first stop was Belgium.
00:16:58
CHANTELLE KINCY
right
00:17:00
Marga Macias
And she goes, mom, God, on I really saw my first drink. I said, I don't drink, you know, and I was telling her brother, you can take care, you take care of her, please don't let her have enough. And so you go on and have fun. So I stayed in the hotel, they went out and explored, they came back so excited.
00:17:16
Marga Macias
And, and that was just the first stop. Belgium was the very first stop. And so just to see the wonder and amazement in their eyes was so precious and priceless.
00:17:28
Marga Macias
And then, so that was the very first time I took them as adults. I planned everything. Well, because it was a tour, everything was set. So not too much management there.
00:17:39
Marga Macias
But then the future travels, you know, we say, okay, where else do do you want to go? All right, what do you want to do when we're there? So we would plan it. And they would um come up with the itinerary and tell me, Mom, this should be interesting. This is what we could do. i said, all right, make the arrangements and we'll take care of it.
Travel's Educational Value and Family Bonding
00:17:58
Marga Macias
So traveling with them as adults is amazing.
00:18:03
Marga Macias
more relaxing and more fun because there is, I don't, I only have to take care of myself and I saw them in a completely different light because I saw how, you know, and as you know, like a proud mama, as I raised these kids really well, there's a responsible, they were also very conscious about the the budget and spending.
00:18:10
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yeah.
00:18:27
Marga Macias
They didn't try to do anything extravagant. They always run things by me if it was a little bit pricey. And and we so we would make decisions together, but they were always very mindful of the expense, which I really appreciated, you know, for them doing that. And so i it it just saw them a new light. I saw how responsible, how kind, welcome.
00:18:53
Marga Macias
how well they were able to plan things and how, and how considerate they were ah not only me, but also everyone else that we traveled with. So it was just a wonderful experience traveling with them.
00:19:07
CHANTELLE KINCY
I love that. I love watching my boys as adults too. And just like, cause you still remember them as your babies and your little kids and the silly things they would do.
00:19:14
Marga Macias
yes.
00:19:15
CHANTELLE KINCY
But then you see like my middle son, he is very fluent in Spanish, like completely fluent. And I am not. And so when we've gone places, it's sometimes I just sit back and let like him handle it because he is better at it than I am.
00:19:28
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:19:30
CHANTELLE KINCY
Right. And just watching him like relate to other people and take control of situations. And then, you know, I have my other sons have their different strengths.
00:19:36
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:19:39
CHANTELLE KINCY
And so it's interesting to not only see them like work together and play off of that, but like, as you said, just as a proud mom, it's just fun to sit there, watch them like navigate the world outside of, because they're different people in the house, like just like your grandma was and you were.
00:19:49
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:19:52
Marga Macias
Yeah.
00:19:54
CHANTELLE KINCY
And so it's so cool.
00:19:54
Marga Macias
Uh huh.
00:19:55
CHANTELLE KINCY
And it's so neat that you give them those experiences because they're bonding with each other too. You have adult kids who are still hanging out with each other, which is amazing.
00:20:00
Marga Macias
Yes. yeah Yes.
00:20:05
Marga Macias
Yes, and that makes me so happy. They love being together. they we We love traveling together. Not once did they say, oh, no, we'd rather go on our own or without you or by themselves without the sibling.
00:20:16
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yeah.
00:20:19
Marga Macias
No, we love traveling together. In fact, next week, and I'm leaving because we are meeting up in London and we are going to be um doing a tour of of Ireland and Wales, a driving tour.
00:20:34
Marga Macias
so
00:20:35
CHANTELLE KINCY
Amazing.
00:20:35
Marga Macias
that's what's going to happen.
00:20:36
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh my gosh. I love that. No, that's so amazing.
00:20:39
Marga Macias
Yes. Yes.
00:20:40
CHANTELLE KINCY
And then you guys just strengthen that family unit and you always have the same memories and stories to share at holidays. And, oh, remember when we were, you know, doing this or that? That's so great. Very cool.
00:20:51
CHANTELLE KINCY
So as a pediatrician, do you encourage, as far as like growth in children and and those things, do you encourage your patients to get their kids out there?
00:20:51
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:21:02
CHANTELLE KINCY
Like, because I know some parents are like, oh, I just want to keep them at home where it's safe and quiet and there's no germs and all of this. But what do you see it from like the clinical side, the benefits of getting kids out?
00:21:14
Marga Macias
Well, you know, as long as they exercise the necessary precautions, you know, they make sure that the places that they're traveling with, I mean, I always say, where are you traveling to? Let's see if there's any things that we need to keep updated or or be concerned about, like friends that
00:21:29
CHANTELLE KINCY
Mm hmm.
00:21:30
Marga Macias
Oh, they asked me, do we need but malaria shots? Do we need a typhoid shot? Do we need to bring medications for this and that? And so i was like, you know, let's check out the environment. Where exactly like in Thailand or the Philippines or, you know, Bangkok are you going to or another country?
00:21:46
CHANTELLE KINCY
Mm-hmm.
00:21:48
Marga Macias
And um let's see what the requirements are for immunizations or if there's anything we have to watch out for, because if it's not an endemic area, then there is no need to worry about that. But it doesn't really have to be travel abroad, even even locally.
Personal Growth Through Travel
00:22:05
Marga Macias
Because for me, there's no greater learning experience than to be able to see and be there. And, you know, because there's one thing about reading about it, but when you are ingrained in it when you are right there and you get to see the people taste the food um you know visit the historic sites you know smell all the aromas I mean that's ingrained in your memory forever it it's and you you it's something that you never forget and so I really encourage trips together because not only is it a great learning experience for the kids but it's a great opportunity for the families to bond too
00:22:46
CHANTELLE KINCY
That's amazing. I love that so much. Yeah, guys, that's what was thinking about. As soon as you said you were a pediatrician, i was like, oh, we could get a different perspective too because you've got your mom's side, but also your educated doctor's side. So I love hearing that. um That's so cool.
00:23:00
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh my gosh. So you've got Ireland coming up. What has been your favorite trip with your kids, your favorite itinerary that you've done with the adult kids? Was it that first Europe one?
00:23:09
Marga Macias
That would be That would be, yeah, going through Europe with them for the very first time.
00:23:12
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yeah.
00:23:16
Marga Macias
Because ah they we were by that time, we were already here in the United States. i I work here now, been here for 25 plus years. And um so they the travel that they would do was mainly ah to the Philippines, where we we were born, to see the families, to see our family.
00:23:34
CHANTELLE KINCY
Mm-hmm.
00:23:36
Marga Macias
Once in a while, so I trip to Asia. um but they had never been to Europe. And I was thinking, I want them to have that experience, but I want them to be old enough also to appreciate the experience, you know, not like they were so young and they didn't remember what's going on.
00:23:55
Marga Macias
And so I waited for that time. I thought it was the perfect opportunity. And and it's it's it's like going to Disneyland for the first time when you are...
00:24:07
Marga Macias
all the magical wonder in their eyes. And and that's i i when I saw that, for me, I said, this is the best trip ever because everybody was so happy.
00:24:10
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yeah.
00:24:20
Marga Macias
it was exciting. i you know i let them do what they wanted and they were very, very responsible, happy thing. Like when we were in swin Switzerland, yeah so we climbed Mount Pilatus to the very, very top.
00:24:35
Marga Macias
And then we we took the train up and then they said you could take the train down or there is an option, the tour guide said, where you can stop halfway through and take a toboggan down the rest of the way.
00:24:47
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh.
00:24:49
Marga Macias
ah But it's on tracks, you know, so it's not like with ah with the snow.
00:24:51
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yeah.
00:24:53
Marga Macias
And so they said, please, mom, please, mom, can we do it? And said, okay, okay. So let's try. and and we laugh to this day about that because, you know, some some some people in the group,
00:25:07
Marga Macias
They weren't exactly careful. They forgot how to pull on their brakes that they fell off and got hurt.
00:25:12
CHANTELLE KINCY
No.
00:25:14
Marga Macias
And so, but, but we were, we were careful and we loved it so much. And I remember the Swiss Scouts with their big old eyelashes in the countryside. And it was so much fun. And they said, mom, you go last because you're probably going to be slow. And they zipped down and I followed next to them. And so,
00:25:32
Marga Macias
That's one thing too. you know it's the Sometimes the best experiences are in the unexpected moments. So an advice I would like to share also is don't be so rigid. It doesn't have to be, okay, this is itinerary.
00:25:49
Marga Macias
We have to follow it. Stop. Next stop, we go the next stop. Because if you come into a place and there's something different, wonderful or amazing you want to spend more time there by all means do it you know adjust be flexible don't be so rigid go with the flow because you never know what excitement lies by being spontaneous
00:26:11
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh my gosh, I love that. And sometimes those are your best memories, the things you didn't see coming and those little extras.
00:26:14
Marga Macias
exactly
00:26:17
CHANTELLE KINCY
And I love that you still surprise your kids. You're like, oh, you think I'm slow? I will beat you. I love that. i I try to surprise mine with like being a little outside of my personality too, because I'm a little like...
00:26:28
CHANTELLE KINCY
I don't know. It's weird. When I travel by myself, I'm not scared of anything. When I travel with the boys, I'm scared of everything, even though they're older.
00:26:32
Marga Macias
Oh.
00:26:35
Marga Macias
oh
00:26:35
CHANTELLE KINCY
And I know they I trust them, but I'm always just like, oh, what about this? I don't know. So we were in Curacao and they wanted to cliff jump. And I said, okay.
00:26:46
CHANTELLE KINCY
And they said, wait, really? Okay. I was like, yeah, this is the chance to do it. Go do it. And they were just like blown away that I think they weren't expecting me to say yes. And then I think once they got up, they were like, oh, now we have to do it because she said yes.
00:26:55
Marga Macias
ha
00:27:00
CHANTELLE KINCY
But I do love surprising them and in small ways like that. And I love your advice. Um, So I think we've made the point that it's important to prioritize getting outside of your comfort zone a little bit with your family, whether it's your parents and your grandparents, whether it's your kids, your spouse, and and just kind of truly finding out who you are and who they are in a different light.
00:27:18
Marga Macias
yeah
00:27:22
Marga Macias
A lot of, exactly, because a lot of discoveries can be made, not only with the people you travel with, but for yourself. Like, you should tell, you said you you you have no problems traveling alone.
00:27:34
Marga Macias
I'm the reverse. I love traveling with people, and if but if it's a solo trip on my own, especially in a place that I haven't been to before, I'm a little bit, you know, nervous, or say, oh, how is it going to be?
00:27:47
Marga Macias
um Will I... will i um but Let's say if I was going to go for an event or for a first retreat, and I don't know anybody else who's going to be there. So sometimes I'm a little bit um nervous.
00:28:00
Marga Macias
um How is it going to be? How will the interaction be? um but But there's so so many things that you can discover about yourself. And so now the more i push beyond my comfort zone, the more I'm, I, you know, the more adventurous I become because yeah, I can do it.
00:28:17
Marga Macias
I've done it before. And that was, that was a little bit rough, but, but yeah, I can do it.
00:28:23
CHANTELLE KINCY
But each time gets a little easier too. And you get that confidence that follows you when you get home.
00:28:26
Marga Macias
Yeah.
00:28:29
CHANTELLE KINCY
So then when you're home, you've brought that new piece of yourself into your practice, into your marriage, into wherever you're headed next.
00:28:29
Marga Macias
Exactly.
00:28:36
CHANTELLE KINCY
And I just love that.
00:28:38
Marga Macias
Yes, that's right.
00:28:38
CHANTELLE KINCY
Very cool. I'm so excited that we got to talk. Thank you so much. Let's end with what advice would you give someone hesitant to travel or how to prioritize travel?
00:28:51
Marga Macias
Okay. Yes.
00:28:51
CHANTELLE KINCY
So because as as moms as moms, we get busy as in our profession, in our in our homes, in wherever.
00:28:54
Marga Macias
yeah
00:28:59
CHANTELLE KINCY
Sometimes I think it's easy to just let everything slide. So talk to us about the importance or what advice you would take to make that a priority in your life.
Prioritizing Travel and Future Dream Trips
00:29:10
Marga Macias
like exactly your words, make it a priority. So don't, don't say, Oh, we'll travel sometime. We'll do that some later. Um, yeah, that sounds a good idea. Let's do that.
00:29:25
Marga Macias
Plan it. Schedule it.
00:29:26
CHANTELLE KINCY
Do it. Yes.
00:29:27
Marga Macias
Yes, do it. So make sure that everybody say schedules meet meet and fix that time. And so for if you're and so so that it's written and so more or less written in stone that, okay, this is the time that we agreed on, so let's all do it you know together.
00:29:43
Marga Macias
so But what I would also like to say is that is that um if you are not so... keen on traveling or it's an experience that is new or foreign or um not your favorite, then start with baby steps.
00:30:00
Marga Macias
Maybe not a two-week trip. Make it start off with like like a weekend. How did that go? Okay, that was not bad.
00:30:06
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yes. Yes.
00:30:07
Marga Macias
Now let's do a week. Let's see how how that goes.
00:30:09
CHANTELLE KINCY
yes
00:30:10
Marga Macias
so And like I i have learned also that, okay, I have, I can, for so-and-so, I can last five days and I'll be fine. Beyond that, I'm pulling my hair out.
00:30:23
Marga Macias
And so, you know, adjust accordingly. But just try. if There's no harm in giving it a try because you'll never know what comes out of it. And there's always going to be an experience you can learn from.
00:30:36
CHANTELLE KINCY
And you don't have to go far. You can go to the town next to you.
00:30:37
Marga Macias
No. No.
00:30:39
CHANTELLE KINCY
You can go somewhere nearby. You don't have to like set off on a 20 hour plane journey to be traveling.
00:30:43
Marga Macias
was
00:30:46
Marga Macias
no
00:30:47
CHANTELLE KINCY
You can really just, like you said, get away for the weekend, go, go next door.
00:30:47
Marga Macias
no
00:30:51
Marga Macias
Yeah. Take a road trip.
00:30:52
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yeah.
00:30:53
Marga Macias
Take a road trip.
00:30:53
CHANTELLE KINCY
Love that.
00:30:54
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:30:54
CHANTELLE KINCY
What's, what's your ultimate ah bucket list destination that you haven't made it to yet?
00:30:59
Marga Macias
i I did tell the kids I wanted to go to, you know, oh, there are there's two. I can't decide which. Machu Picchu.
00:31:08
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yes.
00:31:08
Marga Macias
um I'm very afraid of the altitude because um in Santa Fe, I got most i mean altitude sickness.
00:31:16
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh.
00:31:16
Marga Macias
And so I was worried about being able to climb, especially when it's so much higher.
00:31:22
CHANTELLE KINCY
Yeah.
00:31:23
Marga Macias
and so I've been studying and learning. And they said, okay, you to adjust, you've got to be there at least like three days before.
00:31:29
CHANTELLE KINCY
Before.
00:31:30
Marga Macias
Yes. And so that's one thing I want to do. And the other one is an African safari.
00:31:36
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh my gosh. Me too. That I think is my top. Yeah. Oh, and did you see where you can ride like a hot air balloon over this?
00:31:42
Marga Macias
Yeah.
00:31:46
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:31:47
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh my gosh.
00:31:49
CHANTELLE KINCY
Just.
00:31:49
Marga Macias
Well, my mom.
00:31:51
Marga Macias
My mom did that, but she took a helicopter over the falls, you know?
00:31:56
CHANTELLE KINCY
Oh, cool.
00:31:57
Marga Macias
And so, helicopter. So I said, hot air balloon helicopter, I'm game. I want to do it. So the kids and I are planning for that.
00:32:05
CHANTELLE KINCY
Ah, okay. I have to follow you on social media so that you can ah rub that in when you go because i that is the top of my list. So where can people find you? if If the listeners want to, you know, check up on you, do you have social media that we can follow along with?
00:32:23
Marga Macias
Yes, I kept it simple, so they're all the same. It's Marga Macias on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn.
00:32:33
CHANTELLE KINCY
Very good.
00:32:33
Marga Macias
In LinkedIn, because it's more of my my professional page, I think I go by um Dr. Marga Macias.
00:32:41
CHANTELLE KINCY
Okay. So I'll put all those links in the show description so people can find you. But thank you for taking the time on your lunch hour to hang out with us.
00:32:45
Marga Macias
Yes.
00:32:48
CHANTELLE KINCY
I sure appreciate those stories.
00:32:49
Marga Macias
Of course. Of course, and
00:32:50
CHANTELLE KINCY
And I hope that we can all take a little of ah Dr. Macias's grandma with us into our life and our next vacation. ah See you guys soon.
00:32:58
Marga Macias
Yes, absolutely.
00:32:59
CHANTELLE KINCY
and
00:33:00
Marga Macias
Okay.
00:33:01
CHANTELLE KINCY
Thank you.
00:33:01
Marga Macias
Thank you.