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Travel Scientist: Hawaii

             

In 2015 I quit my 9-5 job, gave all my"stuff" away, and moved to Hawaii! I was fed up with the rat race and was in despite need to run free! The Universe gifted me with a contract job in Molokai, Hawaii over 4,500 miles away!

Reclaim Your Life: 4 Lessons Learned When Life doesn't go as Expected!

"In order to strive for a remarkable life,

you have to decide that you want one."

-Debbie Millman 

East Oa

As I hiked 1,048 stairs to the top of KoKo Head aka  Koko Crater (above) on the east side of Oahu, I reflected on life events that lead me to Hawaii.

I was at a crossroads! 

Destinations

North America:

• USA
• Canada
• Mexico

Caribbean:

• Bahamas
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Dominica
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Puerto Rico 10 Budget Friendly Things To Do in Old San Juan, PR

Trinidad   Welcome To Soca Kingdom! A First Timer's Guide To Trinidad Carnival

Central America:

• Costa Rica   9 Days in Costa Rica

• Panama

South America:

• Brazil
• Colombia

Oceania

• Fiji Islands
• Australia
• New Zealand

Africa

• Ghana  Ghana: 15 Things to Know Before You Go!
• Togo

 Return To Africa TOUR

How to be HAPPY: 4 Tips for Cultivating Contentment!

"A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts."-James Allen , " As a Man Thinketh"

How To Get Over a Breakup and Avoid Felony Charges!

Lovers will come and go. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.” ― Monroe

About Me

"Make a career of humanity, commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation for your country, and a finer world to live in." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Puerto Rico 2014
Life Enthusiast~Writer~Adventurer

My name is Sapphire Starr. My mission is to inspire others to overcome life's challenges, follow their dreams, and LIVE their best life! Originally from Savannah, GA and now a Global Citizen. When I was 12 years old, my passion became humanity when I started volunteering with my mom. Volunteering became the pivotal force that drove me to pursue a career in Healthcare. Though I became a teen mom at 14, I graduated from Savannah High School and later obtain a B.S. in Biology and B.S. Medical Technology from Armstrong Atlantic State University. I'm a Travel Clinical Laboratory Scientist and continue to Volunteer in my community and abroad! In 2014, a  medical mission trip to Haiti ignited my passion for Travel. Hopefully I empower you to Live Life & BeFree!

Travel 
In 2015 I quit my 9-5 job and became a Travel Clinical Lab Scientist (ASCP) and relocated to Hawaii. I've traveled throughout the world visiting over 20 countries and counting. 

Financial Freedom

The Key to my Freedom and Success is Debt-Elimination aka Financial Freedom. In 2009 I embarked on a journey to pay off 33,000 and become debt-free. In 2012, I officially became debt-free following   Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover

Lifestyle
Besides traveling, I love all things outdoors & adventure! My life is a healthy balance of pursing my dreams, maintaining a healthy diet with physical activity, and spending time with friends and family.

Organize Kaos Privacy Policy

Vision

Travel the world spreading peace, love, and philanthropy!

Mission Statement

Through life experiences, I hope to empower others to LIVE Mentally, Spiritually, Physically, and Financially FREE!

Principle Pillars

Travel & Lifestyle 


Work With Me

My life on the run: Mailbox to Marathon!

Sunrise Training Run Hilton Head, SC

I Love running! This wasn't the case 10 years ago. I was overweight and out of shape! I couldn't run from my front door to the mailbox at the end of the driveway!  During this time, I decided to make a lifestyle change. In a quest to overcome a fast food addiction, I joined the YMCA and started making healthy food choices. In a couple of months,  I'd lost weight and was feeling great! But, I became bored with the gym and wanted to try something new.

One day I over heard fellow gymmates discussing upcoming Tybee Marathon. Sounded interesting, so I decided to sign up!  As I proceeded to fill out sign up form a young later asked, "Have you ever run 26.2miles before?" I gasp, as I stared blankly at her. "What?!? People run that far? At the same time?" Remember, I couldn't run to my mailbox. She quickly recommend I start with a 5k and my life on the run began!

Yes, my running journey began out of boredom and ignorance.



I downloaded  C25k app to my cell phone and began training. I also signed up for my first 5k, Run of the Lakes in Rincon, GA. This was the hardest thing I'd ever done! My self training started on the treadmill and eventually I built the courage to run at the park.

In 2005, I ran my first 5k and won 2nd place for my age group. It was only two of us, but nonetheless, I'd won! This did wonders for my ego!

At 5k, a fellow runner suggested I sign up for the Atlanta Peachtree 10k Road Race. I signed up, and after  my first Peachtree I was hooked! I'd never seen so many people,  in one place, at one time,  doing one thing...Running!

Jeff Galloway Peachtree 10K 2009

Peachtree 10K 2010

Peachtree 10k 2011

Peachtree 10k 2012

After my 5th Peachtree 10k, I wanted to run further!.
But I needed help. While I was training and running races, I hated running!

Breast Cancer 5K 2008

Gate River 15K 2010 Jacksonville, GA



Enmark Bridge 10k 2008 Start

It was hard! I ached horribly and could hardly breathe once I got started.
While running with my mentor, she suggested I seek the help of trainer Isaiah Douglas (15+ Boston Marathon Runner). This man changed my life! Isaiah taught me  the art of running down to proper breathing, proper shoes, pacing, etc. He challenged me to run a half marathon!



Tybee Half Marathon 2010 Isaiah Douglas

Because of his training, I began to fall in love with the sport. (Especially when I experienced the runners high).

Five years after running my first 5k, I had trained and completed Tybee Half Marathon!
Despite 35 degree weather, torrential downpour, and knee injury I crossed the finished line!  It was exhilarating, emotional, challenging, and rewarding.

After conquering a 5k, 10k, 15k, and half marathon, I began to ponder that prosperous idea of running a full marathon!

My trainer had faith! So we trained. But shortly afterwards, I relocated to Atlanta, GA (HIll City). With trainer and running group left behind in Savannah, I was forced to complete Marathon training alone. Working two jobs in a new city, I started to doubt the possibility of making the impossible possible!
But  I was determined.


Once I became settled in my new job, I met crazy people who loved to run also!

Black Girls Run Atlanta

On March 2012, I signed up for the Savannah Rock -N- Roll Marathon ( 7yrs after making that ignorant declaration at the local YMCA). There was no turning back. Blood, sweat, tears, shin splints, etc. I was going to become a Marathoner!

Race day, November 2012, arrived and I was standing at the start line. This was a very surreal moment. I'd train long and hard. Running was over 80%mental!  If the mind can conceive it, the body can achieve it. And trust me, at mile 20 my body gave up! I telephoned a friend (literally) for inspiration! She said, you can do it, Don't give up! That was the push I needed to finish the last leg of my marathon.

Victory never taste so sweet than when I crossed that finish line. I officially change my name to Sapphire Marathoner Anderson! NO words can describe the feeling you get when you make your dreams a reality. After completing a marathon, I felt invisible and nothing could stop me from LIVING my Life!

Savannah Rock n Roll Marathon 2012

My Two Cents: Want to start running?

1) Just do it! Start walking or jogging today! Even if its only to your mailbox!

2) Set SMART goals! Specific, Measurable, Attainable, revelent, Time-centered! Want to run a 5k, sign up today and then begin to train!

3)Train, Train, Train! There's a plethora of training schedules and guides to help get you started! Also the best decision I made was to join a local running group!  Great for accountability and a opportunity to learn from your peers. Download free running apps such as C25K and Runkeeper.

4) Running Shoes! Go to your local running specialty store and get fitted for a good pair of running shoes! I initially got fitted at Fleet Feet Savannah for my first pair of running shoes and once i found the perfect shoe, I then ordered shoes online Investing in a good pair of shoes is essential to becoming a good runner! 

5) Have fun! Enjoy the journey and the amazing people you will meet along the way! 

Learn to be Happy and Achieve Greater Success!

QUOKKA

We can all learn a few things from the Quokka, The happiest animal on earth, don't worry-be happy!


Shawn Achor, a Harvard-trained positive psychologist, says the same chemicals, dopamine and serotonin, that allow humans to experience the giddiness of love, also activate the learning centers of our brains. Achor continues, "Your happy and relaxed brain has more intellectual capacity than your brain under stress.” "Being positive actually helps us learn more."

Tips for Positive Thinking

Happy people tend to perform better on their craft, have higher success, cope with difficulties better, and avoid burnout. The great news about these various studies is that negative thinking can be learned, but so can positive thinking. Since our brains are flexible, take a look at the following tips you can try right now that will train your brain and start putting you on your path to positive thinking, happiness, and success.

1. Express three “gratitudes”
Are you thankful for your business? Your family? Your friends? Your health? By all means, express it. Write down your gratitude and/or say it out loud. Say them aloud to your significant other.

2. Keep a journal
Writing in a journal instills positive thinking. Just carry a small notepad or journal with you wherever you go.

3. Get physical
Exercise. Studies have shown that exercise reduced the relapse rate for depression by 9% for the study participants.

4. Meditate
Calm the brain by daily meditation - think about nothing, free up your mind of the usual clutter. If you focus on your breathing just five minutes a day, this will help you, even if you are not meditating.

5. Random acts of kindness
Think how you felt when someone gave you a random act of kindness. Just think how great the person must have felt. When was the last time you did something thoughtful for another person? When you did, how did you feel?

Create a happiness habit!

Remember, the key to creating happiness is to train your brain. The research shows we can do it, so now it is up to you to get started.

Sources: Jennifer Openshaw, a nationally recognized entrepreneur and financial commentator, is author of " The Millionaire Zone ." Through SuperFutures.org , she offers a youth leadership program at the United Nations. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter @jopenshaw or email at jennifer@familyfn.com; Fredrickson, B. L. (2003). The value of positive emotions. American Scientist, 91, 330-335.

TGIF-Recipe for Detox Bath

Baths are wonderfully healing, and it is easy to make your own homemade, detox baths.
Hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface, and while the water cools it pulls toxins from the skin, according to Naturopath Dr. Hazel Parcells. Epsom salts augment this detoxification by causing you to sweat. Other salts—all highly alkaline and cleansing—used in baths include sea salt, baking soda, clay, and Dead Sea salts.
Basic Salt Soak Bath Formula
Minerals and salts make the bath water feel silky and leave your skin cleansed and soft.

1 cup sea salts
2 cups baking soda
1 cup Epsom salts
1 to 2 tablespoons glycerin per bath

Combine the sea salts, baking soda, and Epsom salts in a bowl. Stir to blend. Pour 1/4 cup or so into the bath while the tub is filling. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons glycerin to keep your skin from drying out (more for dry skin, less for oily skin) and essential oils of choice.
Why it Works
According to The Epsom Salt Council, Epsom Salt is a pure mineral compound (magnesium sulfate) in crystal form that gently exfoliates skin and smoothes rough patches. Mixed with your favorite deep conditioner, Epsom Salt helps to add body to hair. Dissolved in a bath, Epsom Salt is absorbed through the skin to replenish the body's levels of magnesium. Studies indicate this may help to relieve stress in a number of ways, including:
Raising the body's level of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

Offsetting excess levels of adrenaline generated by pressure and stress; magnesium ions relax and reduce irritability by lowering the affects of adrenaline.

Helping to regulate the electrical functions that spark through miles of nerves.

Lowering blood pressure.

Researchers have found that magnesium also increases energy and stamina by encouraging the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy packets made in the cells. Experts recommend soaking with Epsom Salt at least three times a week to look better, feel better, and have more energy.