In October of 2009 I entered a contest to be a travel show host for a show called Paradise Hunter for 3 months. While I realized there was probably no chance anything substantial would directly come of it, I knew it would open a door for me. What that was, I didn’t know at the time. I just knew that I had to start doing something different, and this was way out of my comfort zone. After weeks of daydreaming about the perfect gig, and then realizing the job wasn’t mine, it became clear to me that I am very passionate about a few things: traveling and good food. And there is nothing I like more that talking about those things. So I decided to start a blog. If I can’t be a travel show host, why not keep pretending, right?
Since the time I started this blog, my life has changed significantly. It gave me a voice, gave me creativity, and helped me create the change I wanted in my life. I was ultimately looking to walk away from a career that I chose to pursue in 1996. After 10 years of practicing as a general dentist, I felt like I gave it a fair shot, and chose to leave the profession. But I didn’t know what to do. It took a few years of hard work, some therapy, and a lot of soul-searching to find the right match for me. I knew I needed to find the right thing that would be fulfilling enough to replace a great career that just wasn’t for me. Eventually, after a lot of patience, impatience, searching, and waiting, it found me. I was able to leave dentistry after 10 years and find a career in weight loss. So that’s what I get to do everyday! I get to help people lose weight, achieve their personal goals, improve diabetes and pre-diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol—all without medications.
So this blog that has brought so much into my life has helped me to appreciate the moments that I do have. I notice more, knowing I might just want to write about it. It started out as a way for me to share my travel adventures, but has evolved into a way for me to share the adventures of leaving a career, finding a new one, and finding wholeness in my life.
If you want to see where this whole thing started, check out my video that I made for the Paradise Hunter contest. I hope you get a little chuckle out of it.
Oh, and one more thing… I have found so much enjoyment in blogging that I have decided to do it with my new career. I also blog about food and share healthy recipes over at idealdiet.wordpress.com Come check it out!
So does this lemonade come with our without sugar? Love you!
With, for sure! Just make sure you brush after! xoxo
You are awesome!! Hope you dont mind but I forwarded your post to friends. Come get your FL licence, I need a break.
john
This site looks awesome!
Hi, Laura! I work at a travel magazine and would like to use one of your images. Can you contact me? I’m at @NatGeoKrista on twitter. Thanks!
Hi! I discovered your awesome blog after I saw you “liked” my last post. I just flipped though some of your posts and I LOVE your photos! We have in common a love for food, travel and taking photos!
I will be back…often. May I have your name or should I call you, Lolabee? 
Admirably, Tena
My Flickr account with over 16,000 photos. Lol! http://www.flickr.com/photos/4mitena/sets/
Thanks, Tena! I just loved your post on What Will Matter! It’s so valuable to be reminded of these things. I can’t wait to check out more of your posts!
Laura or Lolabees, either one
I added you to my blogroll. Looking forward to talking more with you.
Thank you, Tena! Me too!
Thanks for stopping by my page! I’m similar, I’m passionate about travel and bodyboarding, and…little else. You’ve got some rad pics on your site, jealous you’ve been to Puerto Rico, good surf there!
I noticed the hysterical picture on your post and had to see what it was all about. Thanks for stopping by here! You should get to Puerto Rico someday– you’ll love it!
Great site! I’d love to chat with you about the joys of dentistry, blogging, and travel. I would love to get you involved with some fun writing projects in the dental industry.
Thanks, Chris! That sounds great! I’d love to catch up on all those things and see how we could do something together!
Found your blog.. I’m a dental hygienist .. I understand you blog on dentist .. That is why I only do pedo .. I just made a career switch and am getting my masters in social work and love it.. I’ll have alot of student debt which I wish I didn’t .. I don’t really miss dentistry but I keep up my license … And temp occasionally .. I love social work there are a million jobs I can do .. I want to do hospice or grief counseling or maybe work with the elderly . The best part is I’m appreciated for my age and life experiences .. In dentistry the male dentist seem to want the young and impressionable hygienists lol .. I’m on Facebook Donna Ray Guerrero your welcome to friend me..
Thanks, Donna! Congrats on finding something else that you love and makes you feel appreciated. That is how I feel now too– and it life feels so much lighter. Thanks for sharing your story– it’s nice to know you’re not alone when going through these types of changes.
I am applying to dental school. I love your blog, perspective and your writing style! Good luck on your future endeavors!
Thank you so much! Good luck to you too. You are choosing a great career– even though it wasn’t right for me, I still think it’s wonderful!
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I am a dentist, and have been in practice 18 yrs now—-
I have so many outside interests that I am passionate about. I feel jealous in way or envious, and also super interested in your writing and your life. I just now this minute heard of you, thru a link on my Facebook page. I have often fantasized about doing other fun things as a career.
To do what you are doing , write the things you write—is inspiring,,enjoyable, and makes me wanna give up my practice to join you ! We can create a reality tv show or something.
it would be a thrill to get in touch and blab a bit , commiserate and share experiences and ideas.
Is there a way to get in touch with you?
Hi Rob. Thanks for your post! It’s so great that you have so many other passions too. The hardest time for me as a dentist was when I didn’t have any other interests. Once I started doing this and focusing on what I love, it all started to fall into place. I’d love to be in touch. I now have a contact form on the site, so please contact me!
Hi Laura, your post about 10 reasons dentists hate their patients too is spreading like wildfire amongst my classmates (4th year dental students). Anyways, I read a number of your other posts, watched your video, and was inspired (a little ironic, since I enjoy the profession so far). I like your style and am a fellow obsessive traveler and photographer/moviemaker. At some point I would love to meet you…in fact (and the reason I posted this comment) if you’re interested in a very non-touristy expedition to SE Asia this coming summer, I have a great opportunity for you. Send me an email and we can talk!
Hi Chris,
Thanks for sharing the news! Thanks for checking out my blog, and I’m glad you like it. I have your email, and will contact you. Checked out your blog, and I think it’s great. Never been to Asia… sounds enticing!
Love the “10 reasons”………………..sooooo true! Will we ever be successful at re-educating our patients. It can be more rewarding doing donated dentistry, since we do so much of it anyway…..hmmmm! Something’s wrong here!
Laura, I am just now reading this part of your blog, and hadn’t realized about the new career. Tenemos que hablar, chica! Me muero de curiosidad, porque yo he perdido 35 libras en poco mas que un año sin medicamentos, etc. Hit me up on FB chat sometime, or email me your number y te llamo!
Lolabees,
In the spirit of giving, kindness, and appreciation being a follower, I invite you to visit my post for the gifts under the tree.
http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/on-a-time-for-gifts/
Thanks! Merry Christmas to you!
Laura, this is an interesting blog. So glad you found what you love. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, but just got into blogging about three months ago, and LOVE it. It’s been a fun ride so far.
I’m following you now, but not stalking … too much!
Thanks, mj! Life sure has changed now that I am no longer trapped in the life that wasn’t meant for me! I’ll probably have another career change in 10 years all over again! Thanks for following. Can’t wait to check out how the last 3 months of blogging have treated you.
Thanks for checking my blog out as well.
We have a lot more in common that just our names
Loved the video!
I noticed that! Thanks, Laura! It was an odd but fun experience.
Hey Lolabees. I just found that I wasn’t following you anymore, so I re-followed.
I don’t know what had happened, likely a moment of absentmindedness.
Anyway, that’s my explanation if one was needed.
Welcome back!
Hello dear, you are loved, congratulations! I nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award, check it out here:
http://allaboutlemon.com/2012/02/12/i-am-beloved-liebster-blog-award/
Enjoy and have fun
Thank you! That is so sweet
Tag!! You’re it!!
http://thelifeofjwo.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/tag-may-have-been-banned-but-im-not-it-anymore/
Hi Lolabees, Thank you so much for visiting my blog
You’re welcome, Andy! It was a fun visit. Thanks for stopping by here!
Hi, thanks for visiting my blog and my recipes. I really enjoyed your comments about dentists and patients…fortunately, I can tell you that my grandfather was a dentist and I’ve never hated a dentist in my life. Anyway, I’m going to head over to your recipe site.
Glad to hear you are not an anti-dentite! You’ll probably find more interest in my other site– actually you may not know it because I had this blog first, and wordpress probably directs you to this blog, but you’ve already been there
Thanks for visiting both!
Yo Lolabees – I nominated you for the Kreativ Award! http://foodandwinehedonist.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/ho-hum-more-awardz/
Yo pimpchef- thanks! I saw that this morning as I was reading your blog. Thanks! So kind…
Hi lolabees, glad we ‘met’ on another blog and here I am
Thanks too for dropping by my site. Regardless, I was reading about your career change and you’ve been really courageous to leave your job in search/wait of the next to come. I’m contemplating what I should do about my career right now, so this is really an interesting read! Will be back! 
I know– it’s great to connect in the comment section of a post! It always intrigues me when someone replies to one of my comments– the conversation doesn’t have to be just between the reader and the blogger. Glad you did. I stopped by your blog and look forward to catching more of it! Looks like we have some things in common– food, travel. Are you actually contemplating a full career change, or are you just looking to make some minor changes?
Hi lolabees, I’m not sure yet. I guess minor changes for now but who knows where life brings you? The most unexpected things might bring the greatest challenges (and joys)!
I believe that if you set your intentions, do the work, and then allow opportunities to come to you, the right answer will appear. It might take a while, but it’ll happen. Sounds like that’s the path you are taking. Can’t wait to see the unexpected joys that come your way.
Thank you my dear! I am enjoying every bit of the work I do now, but I think some change need to be made so I’m really just looking around. Definitely hoping that all the discussions out there will bring joy!
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Lauran… Ilove your blog and your video in Paradise! Too funny. Has’s that new career path search going? I NEED one too! Keep up your awesome work here!
Thanks. Glad you like them both
The new career search is great– it worked eventually. Just curious… did you find a new career since you left the financial field?
No I really never did. I was unemployed for about 8 months. I went on several bank manager interviews but in the end everyone wanted prior experience for the career levels I was applying for and I lost out to those that had it. I ended up taking a ‘staff’ position with Frito Lay, putting chips on shelves because I thought it to be a good company and the money was decent. But, resume wise, I shot myself in the foot taking that job. I still work in the snack industry but its one of those gigs where you have to relocate to move up and that would be real hard to do here. I would love to do something in the fitness filed but I just see too many gyms open and close around here.
I am sorry, I missed it in your blog, what did you end up doing career wise? Was it in fitness?
No worries– there is a lot to catch up on. I actually went into weight loss– but through nutrition, not fitness. My husband is a chiropractor who happens to be very involved with the fitness industry. We have a good friend who just moved from the UK to the US to expand his fitness business. If you are really interested, now is a great time to check out what he does. (The short answer is he trains trainers, but he has a special niche and is great at it.) Anyway, here are a few links that might interest you.
http://www.fasterglobal.com/#home
https://www.facebook.com/fasterfunction
I hope the job doesn’t involve eating too many chips
After I wrote my blog post this morning, I went to my notifications and was pleasantly surprised to be nominated for a Liebster Award by Louise (http://louiseagnes.com/about/). I now nominate you!
The Rules:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the 11 questions the person giving the award has set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for the people you will be giving the award to.
4. Choose 11 people to award and send them a link to your post. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs.
Hey thanks, Andrea! How thoughtful
You’re welcome!
good reason to start blogging… Keep it coming
Greetings from Australia,
Good on your for having the courage to leave a secure job and do something that you truly love while inspiring people around you. I’m a physiotherapist by profession, but photography allows me to do that which I love, explore the beautiful world we live while sharing ones experiences. I’ve always loved writing and poetry which is something that I want to pursue on a regular basis. Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thanks! It’s great to have those passions to keep you balanced. I bet it makes you love your day job more. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
I watched the video twice…chuckled both time..”Weel that’s all the time we have…” cute!!!
Ha! Thanks, Sensei!
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