5 Minutes With Alison Teal, Alison’s Adventures

For McCool Travel’s 47th travel interview, I am very honored to present Alison Teal of Alison’s Adventures. Although I have followed Alison for a long time, I really wanted to learn more after seeing her recent media exposure in a sea of plastic in Maldives.

Alison Teal floating among a sea of plastic bottles and garbage
Alison Teal from Alison’s Adventures

She is releasing an adventure film about her Maldives experience: “One man’s trash is another woman’s bikini.” Literally, that is, because she wears Odina swimsuits made of recycled plastic bottles. Amazing.
Alison’s bio (in her words):

“Alison Teal, a female version of “Indiana Jones,” journeys into ancient cultures with her camera and pink surfboard to share global secrets of survival, sustainability, and happiness through her comedic film series: Alison’s Adventures. Alison’s Adventures has a robust and global community on social that numbers over 200,000 followers and two million video views. As an independent filmmaker, brand ambassador and eco-lifestyle personality, Alison directs, produces, edits, and hosts her own series and custom content. She has won international acclaim at film festivals across the world—including Telluride Film Festival—a nomination for an MTV movie award for Rita (2007), and she holds an honor by Meryl Streep for being one of the top emerging female artists at the EPIC Awards presented by The White House Project (2009). Since then, Alison has used her skills to create story-based marketing content for companies and non-profit partners across the globe.”

Alison Teal wearing a swimsuit made of plastic bottles
Alison Teal from Alison’s Adventures

Alison Teal

Always in my luggage…
For a tropical environment please refer to my recent blog post: whats in my bag
3 favorite home-away-from-home places…
Bali
Tavarua
Byron Bay
Himalayas
A favorite travel memory is…
Going to school with the Sherpa children at the base of Mt. Everest at age 7…it was the first time I had stepped foot inside a school house…I made a short award winning film about it;-)
http://alisonsadventures.com/blog/films/rita/
3 favorite travel brands…

  1. Patagonia
  2. Eagle Creek
  3. Progress Project Eco Surfboard bags

3 money-saving travel tactics I use are…

  1. Pay for adventures off the beaten track, not alcohol. It’s amazing how much further your money can go without buying drinks every night.
  2. Bargain where bargaining is acceptable.
  3. Make connections with local families and farmers for room and board.

3 ways that I have fun while traveling are…

  1. Take video and photos of everything—in a respectful way—I love documenting my surroundings
  2. Traveling to surf locations or deep into nature makes my soul sing!
  3. Bring dark chocolate and ration it out slowly everyday—it makes me happy and also makes friends 😉

8 word (or less) travel mantra…
“Humor is the most important thing to pack (on any adventure)”
My favorite non-travel website…
My photographer Sarah Lee—her images will blow your mind!
most memorable souvenir …
Real genie lamp from Morocco
I am fortunate to have met …
Meryl Streep—she embodies a wonderful, loving, graceful woman!
I would like to meet …
Leonardo Dicaprio and talk ocean protection
Alison Teal


Thank you very much, Alison.
Follow Alison’s Adventures on FacebookTwitter, Instagram, YouTube, and website Alison’s Adventures.
McCool Travel presents tips from travel experts in our 5 Minutes travel interview series—featuring travel industry giants, super frequent travelers, and adventurous persons. Check out McCool Travel’s previous travel interviews. Previous 5 Minutes post: Beth Wallace.
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