We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monica Akpotosevwe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monica below.

Alright, Monica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My Mom Didn’t Coddle Me

Looking back on my childhood, one of the most impactful things my mom did right was refusing to coddle me during my kidnapping trauma. At the time, I didn’t understand it. I remember being afraid—of the dark, of being alone, of taking out the trash at night. I wanted comfort, escape, and a pass on anything that felt too hard. But instead of letting me sleep in her bed or avoid responsibilities, my mom gently but firmly held the line. She let me feel the fear, but she didn’t let me stay stuck in it.

She made me keep doing the things I was afraid of—normal chores, daily tasks, small acts of courage—and while it felt harsh in the moment, it planted something deeper in me. Resilience. Grit. The quiet but unshakable belief that I could face hard things and survive them.

That one choice—to let me confront life instead of hide from it—shaped the way I see myself today. I don’t flinch from fear. I face it. I don’t shrink in the face of difficulty. I move forward, even with trembling hands. And I know now, that was her way of loving me. Not by removing the weight, but by helping me grow strong enough to carry it.

Monica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Monica Akpotosevwe—dualpreneur, solo travel confidence coach | solo date curator , trauma survivor, and health tech professional.

My journey into this work wasn’t linear—it was personal. After surviving a kidnapping attempt and reclaiming my life piece by piece, I realized something powerful: healing doesn’t just happen in therapy rooms. It happens when you choose yourself, over and over again. For me, that started with solo dates. Then solo travel. Then helping other women do the same.

Through my platform, Solo Travel Babes, I empower women—especially those in their healing era—to take their power back through solo travel, intentional self-care, and curated confidence-building experiences. I run a growing movement of 90,000+ women across the world who are learning to put themselves first, not just as a luxury, but as a lifestyle.

Whether it’s a $10 joy date or a WanderWeekend in Curaçao, I help women start where they are, emotionally and financially, and build up the courage to live fully and freely.

I created The FreeHER Formul , a signature guide and framework that gives women the emotional, mental, and logistical tools to go from anxious and overwhelmed to grounded and globe-trotting. It’s paired with the Solo Date Experience, a monthly curated healing solo date that invites women to date themselves on purpose while building confidence in community—because nervous system regulation, rest, and joy aren’t optional. They’re necessary.

What sets me apart? I don’t just sell travel products. I sell transformation. I don’t just talk self-love—I provide rituals, community, and step-by-step tools to embody it. I build businesses and experiences rooted in emotional safety, freedom, and authenticity.

Whether it’s my trauma-informed stories, the way I integrate storytelling into every part of my work, or my commitment to making solo travel feel possible no matter your budget, I create from a place of lived experience.

What I’m most proud of? That I’ve turned my pain into purpose. That I didn’t just survive—I built a movement. And that I get to remind women that they don’t have to disappear to be loved. They are allowed to take up space, fly solo, and still feel deeply connected

If you’re looking for a brand that blends healing with adventure, strategy with soul, and confidence with compassion—this is it. I help women heal and rise, one solo experience at a time.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn? That what I offer is for everyone.

In the beginning, I thought I had to reach every woman who wanted to solo travel.

I figured if she had a passport and a little curiosity, she was my audience. But I learned—the hard way—that not everyone is ready for what I do.

My work isn’t just about finding cheap flights or cute photo ops. The FreeHER Framework is for women who are deeply intentional about their healing, their growth, and their solo journey. It’s for the woman who isn’t just looking for a quick getaway—but a quiet revolution within herself.

I had to unlearn the idea that volume equals value. Just because someone likes the idea of solo travel doesn’t mean they’re ready to do the inner work that makes it life-changing.

My framework speaks to the mindset, the self-sabotage, the fear, the “what if I’m not enough?” that bubbles up before you even hit ‘book now.’ It’s not for everyone—and that’s okay. I had to shift from talking to an audience to speaking to the right one—the women who are ready to show up for themselves, not just for aesthetics but for actual transformation.

Now I know: I’m not here to convince anyone to take a trip. I’m here to guide women who are already feeling the pull toward freedom—but need the mindset, tools, and community to truly walk it out.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

For me, it’s all about real connection. I believe brand loyalty starts with people feeling seen, heard, and valued—so I make it a priority to stay in touch beyond just the sale.

I use personal outreach methods to check in with clients directly and see how they’re really doing on their journey. I also send weekly emails that offer mindset shifts, encouragement, and tangible tools to keep them growing, healing, and inspired.

But what really sets my brand apart is the access and experience I provide. From live masterclasses to intimate mini-minds, I create spaces where women can engage with me directly, ask questions, and receive personalized guidance.

Whether they’ve just downloaded the FreeHER Formula™ or they’re deep into the Solo Date Experience, they know I’m walking this journey with them—not just sending automated content. That’s what keeps my community strong. It’s personal. It’s purposeful. And it’s built on trust.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mytravelplanninglife.com/SoloDateExperience
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytravelplanninglife?igsh=Y3d5cmVmbW1ta2tp&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16ZWdih2Cq/?mibextid=wwXIfr