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By Michael McCleskey
Jody Temple Whiteand her husband JohnWhite provided the program for March 19, 2015. Their presentation was entitled, “Living The Courage Vibe”. Jody is an author, speaker and business owner who sparks courage and equips people to build everyday bravery into their lives and work so they can experience the rewards only courage brings. Jody’s career as a financial planner, adoption specialist, women’s financial educator, and coach has been enriched by her life experiences that include a blended family, adoption and foster parenting, mother to a special needs child, and earning a college degree at age 35. (Their daughter, Allison, was adopted from an orphanage in Russia. Now 13, Allison has a speech disability caused by Neurosarcoidosis). In her spare time, Jody is a financial planner. John is also a financial consultant. John is a business owner, strategist, mentor and master storyteller. He is the ultimate concierge, connecting people to products and services, educating them about their options and bringing them creative solutions. John’s 35+ years in the financial services world has given him a unique perspective about money, non-traditional investments, business and living with no regrets making him a perfect “Bucket List Banker.”
After years of fantasizing, the entire family, Jody, John, Allison and Reilly decided to take a giant “leap”. John and Jody, Riley and Allison traveled and volunteered around the world for nine months on a low-budget, high adventure trip their family had dreamed of doing for 15 years. They sold nearly all of their possessions and embarked on a year-long voyage, traveling the world. John tried to plan ahead and keep his family safe. They trekked as cheaply as possible and followed the summer sun to stay warm. They journeyed without a pre-planned agenda, choosing instead to let the trip unfold, which it did to six continents, 24 countries and 85 cities, and participating in over 26 volunteer projects all along the way. Their travels were dotted with stints as volunteers at animal shelters, wildlife sanctuaries, orphanages, community gardens, and clinics.
There were many unexpected problems, but leaping requires courage. The difficulty with leaping is that you don’t always know where you’re going to land. In spite of set backs, they refused to give up. Lessons were learned, such as: pigs can be malicious; if you swim with elephants, you’ll be pooped on; if you try acrobatic parasailing, you’ll produce nausea. They met wonderful people, eager to practice English; and they had opportunities for service above self. Leaping creates great experiences. It expands horizons. It fosters courage. Leaping brings people together. Nobody leaps alone.
You can read more about the family’s world adventure at their website www.TheCourageVibe.com. Or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheCourageVibe.
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