Panama gave me many things, but above all, it helped me find direction. It was the moment I realised what I wanted to do with my life.

Living on a remote island in Boca Brava, I was helping my friend run her luxury resort. Some days I worked in marketing, which I loved, and other days I helped in the restaurant or behind the bar. That part took me back to being sixteen, working my first hospitality job. It felt oddly familiar. I’d make silly mistakes, laugh at myself, and people would laugh with me. There was something freeing about it – no pressure, just doing my best.

But the real discovery came with the marketing. For the first time in years, I felt excited about work. I’d always believed you should enjoy what you do, especially when we spend so many hours of our lives doing it. But no one around me ever truly believed that was possible. I did.

Travel and marketing became the passion I’d been carrying within me. And for the first time, I saw a future I actually wanted. Of course, island life had its challenges, but we adapted. It was part of the adventure, after all.

Looking back, the experience gave me something I’ll never forget: clarity, purpose and the feeling of being exactly where I needed to be.