By Akeem Tolson
This week, I’m taking you on a journey into how I became a travel host. It wasn’t a calculated business move or a lifelong dream. It was a desperate, intentional search for balance between work, rest, and responsibility. In trying to save myself from burnout, I unintentionally created Live Be Do.
The High Cost of “Invincibility”
I was a young home improvement contractor. I loved my work. There was an immense pride in transforming homes and businesses. But I didn’t know how to stop. I would set financial goals as “rest points,” but then I’d overbook, ignore my own limits, and skip the breaks I’d promised myself.
I felt invincible, but I wasn’t listening to my body. Eventually, the stress became debilitating. I experienced the full spectrum of burnout:
The Physical: Chronic exhaustion and digestive issues.
The Emotional: Irritability, depression, and a sense of being drained.
The Mental: Deep anxiety every time my phone buzzed with a notification.
I realized that if I was going to successfully recharge, I had to get far away from home.
Overcoming the Fear of Flight
To be honest, I was terrified of flying. My only experience had been a turbulent trip from New York to Chicago for Navy bootcamp 20 years prior. But I had a problem: if I stayed within driving distance, I would inevitably cut my trips short to return to work. I hadn’t yet mastered the art of saying “no” to a client.
My solution? Forced distance. I began booking four-hour flights from the DC area to San Juan, Puerto Rico, almost monthly. I used sleep aids to manage the flight anxiety and spent the trips watching the flight attendants. If they weren’t panicking, I knew I was safe.
From Relaxation to Representation
While seeking rest in Puerto Rico, I was led to Loíza, the heart of Afro-Caribbean culture. Meeting the Ayala family and experiencing the musical tradition of Bomba changed everything. My reason for traveling shifted from personal relaxation to a sense of purpose.
I realized that Black communities in Latin America are vastly underrepresented in US media. As I shared my journeys to places like Cuba, Colombia, Morocco, and Brazil, people started asking to come with me. They wanted to see what I saw but weren’t comfortable navigating the itineraries alone.
Live Be Do morphed from a personal mantra for survival into a travel business offering curated experiences for those ready to live, be, and do, without the stress of the “how.”
Connect with Live Be Do
Website: livebedo.com
Email: info@livebedo.net
