Julien Paccaud, Founder of Ecologieducorps.com.

The Copilot Spotlight navigates into the minds and experiences of travel professionals and professional travelers. Join us in the cockpit with Julien Paccaud, CEO & Founder of ECOLOGIEDUCORPS.COM (which translates to My Body Ecology.com).

Who:

Julien Paccaud

What you do:

CEO & Founder of My Body Ecology.com, a French wellness company.

Where was the first place you ever traveled?

The first place I ever traveled was Miami to practice Barefoot water skiing with the world champion (I was part of the French water ski team).

Where is the last place you visited?

Fairmont Mayakoba Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen for International Luxury Travel Market North America.

Where is next for you? Why?

I’m heading to Kaplankaya, near Bodrum in Turkey, to run a workshop about posturology and wellness for an event called Harvest Kaplankaya.

Why do you choose to travel?

Because it helps you to understand how lucky we are to live such a rich life.  The connection with different cultures, the people we meet, the food, the colors…mostly the different way of living and how people are into self- consciousness and nature-awareness…it amazes me because sustainability appears to be a ‘rich people’ concern.

How has travel helped to define your world view?

It’s helped me to be more tolerant and grateful for what I have.

Where is the favorite place you’ve traveled and why?

I’m thinking it’s Costa Rica- Playa Hermosa on Nicoya peninsula.  The wild life is pretty everywhere, the ocean is right in front of you sending you waves of energy, and the rain forest is behind- reminding you that you’re just an animal after all. It’s simply a pretty mystic location for me.

When on your travels have you felt the most out of your comfort zone?

In Ethiopia for sure.

Who is the most interesting person you have ever met while traveling and why?

I met a crazy good looking woman in Tunisia who was also so smart that we chatted all night long.… then she became my wife 6 months later.

What is the most adventurous food you have tried while on the road?

Bugs in a market in Thailand.

What’s the next trend in travel?

Sustainability, wellness and personal growth.

We all have our stories. How has your life’s story influenced the way you travel? 

I used to be passionate about surfing, so I was always traveling to catch waves around the globe- Asia, Africa, America, Central America, South America, Europe, South Pacific-  I was maniac!  Then my wife took me out from the shore, and I discovered hiking and horseback riding, which really helped me connect with locals. When you arrive in a village on a horse or by hiking, people talk to you and it’s been 100% successful.

What is the most impactful travel experience you have had? How has it shaped you?

It was Kenya with the wildlife in East Tsavo East National Park and the color, rhythms, odors and culture were a shock to me.  I was a teenager at the the time and the experience reshaped my knowledge and believes I had back then.

In what ways, as a society, can we change travel to be a force for good?

By traveling and supporting more local cities.