We were lucky to catch up with Shay Sane recently and have shared our conversation below.
Shay, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Shay Sane is a Retired Public Servant, Mental Health Advocate, Wellness Coach, Travel Influencer, Travel Agency Owner, Brand Ambassador for the Invisible Disability Association, Best Selling Author and a Serial Entrepreneur. Shay has been on my mental health journey for 45 years. I am living and thriving with high functioning major depressive disorder, high functioning anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (multiple events), fibromyalgia, chronic pain and epilepsy.
Her Purpose: Raise awareness about how not speaking about traumatic events that have happened during our life is making us sick and is affecting our mental health.
Shay, 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?
Shay Sane, the founder of BGOTG, has lived an exemplary life of service, both to her own mental health and to those around her. A Wellness Coach, Mental Health Advocate, Ambassador for the Invisible Disabilities Association, Community Strategist, Mental Health Volunteer and Travel Influencer, she was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She has been on her own mental health journey for almost four decades, beginning with therapy sessions at the tender age of thirteen.
After enduring a long battle with illness, Shay’s sister passed away, leaving her to cope with the grief. Shay’s family would travel around the anniversary of her sister’s death as a form of escape from the sorrow. Later, Shay began traveling alone when she experienced distress, needed time to herself, or wanted a clear perspective on life as a single parent, full-time employee, and full-time student.
The euphoric experience Shay encountered while traveling left her with a desire to find out how to facilitate group journeys. What resulted from journeying with a cohort of incredible black women was a deep exploration of previous trauma, something which Shay was not adequately ready or knowledgeable to tackle. Two years later, BGTM was established, concentrating on how travel can provide an invigorating healing to black women.
Shay is living and thriving with high functioning major depressive disorder, high functioning anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, fibromyalgia, epilepsy and currently resides in Clearwater, Florida.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Black Girls On The Go® (BGOTG) formerly Black Girl Travel Movement (BGTM) is a unique wellness brand founded in 2014, our undiluted mission is to empower women to prioritize their mental health. Through education, travel, training, seminars, conferences, advocacy, and workshops, we host events focused on topics affecting black women’s mental health.
In 2018, BGOTG was the first brand to facilitate TTraVsperiences® also known as Therapeutic Travel Experiences exposing others to the healing power of travel.
BGOTG aims to become the world’s foremost provider of resources and services to support black women on their mental health journey allowing them to Live in Wellness, Exuberance & Happiness™ every day.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Black Girl Travel Movement was created as a Facebook group to serve black women looking to go aboard, and quickly turned into a full-fledged business. The group was started in 2014, and has amassed a total of 27K members. As well as the numerous media articles aided to building the BGOTG market.
January 9, 2023
Black Girls On The Go Is Helping Women In Improving Mental Health https://www.atoallinks.com/2023/black-girls-on-the-go-is-helping-women-in-improving-mental-health/
January 2, 2023
Black Girls On The Go Is Redefining Success Through Their Unique Approach To Improving Mental Health
https://medium.com/@amandavaz1314/black-girls-on-the-go-is-redefining-success-through-their-unique-approach-to-improving-mental-c3b6f11a1e39
December 31, 2022,
Improve Your Mental Health With Black Girls On The Go https://sypstudios.com/improve-your-mental-health-withblack-girls-on-the-go
December 31, 2022
Looking For The Best Way To Improve Your Mental Health? Black Girls On The Go Can Help https://digitalbuzznow.com/looking-for-the-best-way-to-improve-your-mental-health-black-girls-on-the-go-can-help/
November 22, 2022
Meet Shay Sane | Retired Public Servant (DOJ 30+ years) , Mental Health Advocate & Travel Influencer https://epiexpress.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-black-girls-on-the-go/https://shoutoutatlanta.com/meet-shay-sane-retired-public-servant-doj-30-years-mental-health-advocate-travel-influencer/
June 10, 2022
https://www.travellifeadventures.com/blog/mental-health-and-travel-some-real-talk
June 1, 2021
The Healing Power Of Traveling: ‘Black Girls On The Go’ Founder Shay Sane Talks About Transformative Travel Experiences http://www.heartandsoul.com/travel/the-healing-power-of-traveling-black-girls-on-the-go-founder-shay-shane-talks-about-transformative-travel-experiences/
February 9, 2021
Black Girls On The Go: The Travel Company Using Trips As Therapy https://travelnoire.com/black-girls-on-the-go-travel-company
January 6, 2021
Shay Sane Of Black Girls On The Go Talks “Travel Shaming” During Covid And Helping Women Get Healing Through Travel https://madamenoire.com/1208970/shay-sane-bgotg/
July 25, 2019
World Traveler Shay Sane Says Exploration Is Good For The Soul https://rollingout.com/2019/07/25/world-traveler-shay-sane-says-exploration-is-good-for-the-soul/
November 14, 2019
Black Girl Travel Movement Takes Black Women Abroad To Heal https://www.blackenterprise.com/black-girl-travel-movement-takes-black-women-abroad-to-heal/
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bgotg.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlsonthego
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/blackgirlsonthego
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/shaysane
- Twitter: instagram.com/blackgirlsonthego
Image Credits
BGOTG