Author Emily A. Francis On How To Live With Joie De Vivre, Even When It Feels Like The Whole World Is Pulling You Down

…Number one, the politics is outrageous. The rollbacks are scary and terrifying, making me know that I wouldn’t want my children there. The violence and the fact that everybody’s bought and paid for, that the NRA owns the right and Big Pharma owns the left, nobody’s innocent. And you’re looking at it, and I’ve said this, I never thought I would be so involved in politics. I never was interested in politics, but in the last several years, you really have to become part of the solution. I didn’t think I would lose friends over politics, but it’s really easy to do. So that is one major thing. I think the top thing in the United States is the political divide is taking it down from both sides, and it’s imploding from the inside. No matter which direction you look, it’s not clean and it’s not pretty. And nobody is without blame, truly. And I really hope that changes.

I had the pleasure to talk to Emily A. Francis. Emily has carved a unique path in the wellness industry, blending deep knowledge of the body-mind connection with a dedication to holistic health practices. With over 25 years of experience, her career spans a variety of roles, including a best-selling author, a sought-after speaker, and a wellness expert, underlining her extensive education and practical expertise in fields ranging from exercise science to neuromuscular massage therapy.

Born in California and raised in Ohio before settling in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, Emily’s early life was marked by the tragic loss of her father at age 13, a pivotal event that profoundly shaped her personal and professional journey. Emily embarked on a seven-year journey of deep healing, laying the foundation for her future in wellness. Her academic pursuits led her to earn degrees in Exercise Science and Wellness, as well as a Masters in Physical Education with a concentration in Human Performance. Furthering her expertise, Emily graduated from the Atlanta School of Massage and specialized in manual lymphatic drainage and combined de-congestive therapy at the Dr. Vodder School North America.

Emily’s accomplishments extend to the martial arts, where she holds a Gold Medal in the US Open in Tai Chi Forms, and in the healing arts as a Usui & Karuna Ki Reiki master level practitioner. Her dedication to holistic health is also evident in her completion of over 300 hours of yoga teacher training, showcasing her belief in a balanced approach to wellness that integrates body, mind, and spirit.

In 2020, Emily made a transformative decision to relocate her family to Malta amidst the global pandemic. This move was driven by a desire for a simpler life, closer to nature, and a safer environment for her children. In Malta, Emily has immersed herself in the local culture, particularly in its food production, contributing regularly to a local tourism magazine through her column “Emily in Malta.” Through interviews with local farmers, fishermen, and chefs, she explores the Mediterranean lifestyle, known for its health and happiness, highlighting the importance of single-ingredient farming and GMO-free food.

Emily’s journey is characterized by resilience, a passion for healing, and a commitment to wellness. Her work, both in the United States and Malta, reflects a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of physical and emotional health. As she continues to share her insights and experiences, Emily A. Francis remains a pivotal figure in the realm of holistic health, advocating for a balanced and mindful approach to living.

Emily: It’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?

I was born in California but spent most of my early years in Ohio before moving to a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, when I was 10. So, I really consider myself a girl from the South. My family was wonderful. I had an older sister and a younger brother. Tragically, my father passed away when I was just 13. He was my favorite person, and losing him deeply affected me. Grief, at that intensity, infiltrates every aspect of your being and alters how you approach life. Despite thinking I had moved past it, my thought processes were profoundly impacted. However, I did find happiness eventually. In my mid-20s, I realized that trying to numb the pain with alcohol wasn’t working. I embarked on a journey of deep healing, which took seven years of dedicated effort to truly reclaim my life and stop living in what felt like parallel realities — one where I was and another contemplating where I would be if my father were still alive.

This journey led me to study exercise physiology in college, followed by clinical and neuromuscular massage school. Later, I earned my master’s in human performance. My focus has largely been on the relationship between muscles and human emotions, exploring why we carry pain where we do. Over the years, I’ve worked with people to identify the emotional roots of their physical pain and helped them work through trauma via the body instead of just the mind. I believe that either path can unlock healing in the other. It’s a matter of understanding that the body and mind are interconnected; where one goes, the other follows. Learning to manage either or both can be life-changing. From the age of 13, and now at 49, my life has been dedicated to healing — not just for myself but for others I work with. I truly came back to life in my early 30s and have been committed to healing ever since.

You probably have so many interesting stories from all these different experiences you’ve had, including moving overseas. Can you share the story of leaving your whole life behind and moving to the Mediterranean?

Absolutely! In 2020, during the COVID lockdown, we got up and moved. I wanted to move because while I’m an American and I love where I come from, there were two things I desperately wanted in my life for my family and me. First, I wanted food that was GMO-free as a standard, not something you have to pay triple for in the organic aisle, but just food that was grown the way our grandparents grew theirs. That was my number one priority.

My second priority was for my children to be safe at school. When COVID happened and my husband could no longer go into the office, I became relentless. I said, “Let’s just move. Let’s sell everything. I don’t care where. Let’s find the list of what’s GMO-free and move to one of those countries. Let’s go!” I’m not a traveler. I’ve been to Europe once in my entire life, after high school. I’m not a seasoned traveler. I had never done something like this. But his company got an opportunity to take it overseas to Malta, which is an island in the Mediterranean. Because of COVID, we couldn’t come to visit. So it was basically like, commit and go all the way, or forget it.

We packed up three dogs, one cat, two children, my husband, and me, and we relocated in the middle of lockdown. We were the last Americans allowed into the country. We got our papers in the Netherlands during the layover because back then, COVID wasn’t handled well, and literally, the words “dirty country” were used to describe our beautiful America. The rest of the world didn’t even want us on the plane, which was humbling.

One of the most insightful experiences for me has been becoming a foreigner. As an American, we’re very proud people, and we pride ourselves on being American. All of a sudden, I come here and I’m like, “Don’t you love me? I’m American.” And people are like, “No.” They always ask, “What’s up with all the guns?” It’s been really humbling.

To be honest and fair, I kind of deserved that kick in the butt because I’ve been unaware all my life of how privileged I’ve always been. Being a woman, to me, is empowering. Not as much lately, unfortunately, but I was raised to believe that being a woman was my superpower. I was always honored and proud, and I was never told to sit down or that I didn’t have control over my body. It was just different. The experience of going to a foreign country, where suddenly you’re not in charge, people don’t do things your way, and you have to learn their ways and speak differently was eye-opening. I have to behave slightly differently here for many reasons. One of which is because it’s like the 1980s. There’s no voicemail on the phone. If you want to get something done, you have to keep calling or show up in person.

You have to accept that you’re in someone else’s country now. So, when I talk about Malta now, I give it big props. I talk about how much I love Malta, how proud I am to be here, and how grateful I am for this life. If I didn’t do that, I’d hear a lot of “go back to your country.” You really have to know how to navigate. I’ve also become hyper-vigilant about who I choose to be in my circle because I don’t have to make friends if I don’t want to. I’m super happy with the people I have in my life here. Making room for any more, they would need to be worth the time spent in effort and affection.

I wasn’t supposed to work here. It’s like, okay, what do you want to do? Moving here, I didn’t have a work visa. I could still work in the United States since I have a US publisher, but arriving here, I faced a choice: sit around doing nothing, which would be terrible, or create something out of nothing. And who’s going to stop me when I’m not asking for money? I started reaching out to different newspapers, and to my surprise, everyone turned me down.

When you call a Maltese person, often you get a quick, “No, I don’t want,” and they hang up. It’s frustrating. You’re trying to offer something, but the answer is still no. I didn’t give up; I started showing up in person. Eventually, I found a tourism magazine and proposed writing a column, not just an article. They were excited but worried about affording me. I offered to work for publicity instead.

That led to an interview with a local potato farmer. I love Maltese potatoes. You see, standard American potatoes, the non-organic ones, go through five rounds of bleaching before they reach your plate. It’s a toxic process we’re oblivious to. So, I was eager to learn more about the healthier, Maltese alternative.

Finding a farmer was a challenge. I resorted to YouTube and found a video of a Maltese farmer proclaiming his century-old family tradition of potato farming. The problem was, he was now in the Netherlands, involved in the potato trade between Malta and the Netherlands. After some detective work, I contacted his company, and they arranged for me to meet a local farmer.

The farmer reassured me, saying if I ever got lost on the island, to call him, and he’d come to get me. That’s the essence of Maltese hospitality. I’ve fallen in love with this place, not in the romantic sense since I’m married, but I find myself having love affair after love affair with these charming and charismatic farmers. They’ve truly captivated me.

I started with the potatoes. We had to dig them out of the dirt, and the soil here is so clean that they almost look fake, as if someone had washed them off and placed them under the ground again, saying, “Here, pick these.” That’s where I began. Then, I followed every single food that was in season each month. I went around the island like a stalker, trying to find who grows them and who’s willing to speak to me. Now, three years later, I have a Rolodex that people would pay a lot of money for on this island. I have access to farmers, fishermen, and chefs because I also now write for Gourmet magazine here in Malta. In addition to that, I write for the tourism magazine, Oh My Malta. I do restaurant reviews and was even featured on the UK’s “The Jewel of the Mediterranean” in two out of four episodes of their docu-series as a food writer.

I have learned so much more. I pulled olives from the trees and picked the debris before they were pressed into oil. I went on the fishing boat, the Luzzu, that’s so dear to Malta. It has been such a delight. What it taught me more than anything is that living simply, closer to the earth, can change everything about your approach to life. It made me realize that if it doesn’t bring joy to my heart, I’m not engaging. I’m just not willing to engage. This mindset has been a power play for me, for my family, for my children, because it lets the light lead. Right now, in the world around us, the light has to find holes to shine through. I feel like here, we’re finding patches of light that are still here, that have always been here. Malta is a neutral country, which I’m so grateful for. It’s a tiny island of 500,000 people that swells up to 3 million during the tourist season, so it’s bursting at the seams. And the Maltese language is 70% Arabic, creating a multicultural environment.

One of the things that I really love is my children go to school with so many different countries and cultures and accents. There’s nothing I love more than hearing children with accents because in my mind, I still don’t have one and everybody around me does. I remember lining the kids up one day because I rode the van the first year as the chaperone. During COVID they didn’t have a chaperone; they bring retired advisors on each van to make sure there’s no bullying, everyone wears their mask, and they’re buckled. I said, “I’ll do it!” So I rode the bus every day for a year, listening to the children speak and share their stories and hear the different accents and cultures.

I was lining the kids up one day and said, “Okay, everybody line up by the wall.” This kid walked by and said, “Yep, you’re American.” I replied, “Yes, I am”. There’s not a lot of Americans here. And I’m good with it because I hang around now with the local Maltese, Greeks, Italians, Brazilians, Russians, and many Chinese people. Both of my children’s best friends are from China. It’s so amazing because it’s not the perspective I’m used to.

I’m going to admit something you can use or not in an interview, but I’m embarrassed to say this — my daughter was walking out of school holding hands with her best friend from China. My first thought was, I’m so proud of my daughter befriending the foreign kid. That’s so nice of her. Then I had to remember we’re foreign too, because I’ve never been the foreigner before. I thought, wow, my child’s so nice and generous doing this. Then I realized this person from China is the same as us from America. Neither of you are from Malta. You’re both the foreign kids who have friended each other because you need different friends.

I was embarrassed because I still have that entitled mentality I have to contend with and realize this isn’t the best approach to life — to think somehow you own certain beliefs or you’re in charge or you have some step up for some reason. What it’s done for me is reveal shortcomings I didn’t know I had because no one brought them to my attention before.

When I visited Dubai with other media outlet writers, we were treated like celebrities. We stayed in the hotel where Madonna stays, rode camels, and went to Abu Dhabi where we partied at the beach club featured in Sex and the City 2. We ate at the Armani restaurant — it was ridiculously nice.

I learned something important unrelated to joy. I had been afraid of people from the Middle East because that’s what I was taught to fear. My mother worried I would be unsafe there. However, Dubai was incredibly clean, gentle, kind and loving.

Though most Maltese smoke and toss the butts down on the streets, Dubai requires cigarette butts be properly disposed of — litter is not tolerated. The streets were spotless. I appreciated experiencing Dubai’s culture of caring for shared spaces. Many of my preconceived fears were proven wrong.

The other thing, and this might sound arrogant, but as a woman, you’re often looked at — whether you’re attractive, unattractive, it doesn’t matter. You’re examined to be criticized, ostracized, or appreciated. But in Dubai, none of the men are looking at other women. So everyone’s walking by and you really have your freedom to just be in a space. I noticed it because that’s never happened before. It was really cool. The respect, the mannerisms, the way people approached was noticeable.

Here’s an amazing story: We went to Abu Dhabi and the big mosque. I was with a group of men I had never met for the whole event. I was offered this trip because my editor was on maternity leave. I went to Dubai with six Maltese male writers who didn’t know me and I didn’t know them.

They treated me like a little sister — making sure I was always included, checking my hotel room for safety before I entered, and then leaving in a thoughtful manner.

I asked, “Please guys, can we go to the mosque in Abu Dhabi? Being here and not seeing it would be disappointing.” They replied, “We weren’t planning to, but of course we can.” So they took me to the souq to buy the proper outfit with my head covered.

When we entered the mosque, I realized the dress I purchased didn’t cover my neck. A woman was standing in front of me in her proper attire. She didn’t speak English. I tapped her and gestured to communicate that I needed assistance. She immediately stood up, removed the pin from her own headscarf, fixed mine, and pinned it for me. It was a beautiful moment between two women who didn’t speak the same language but connected heart-to-heart.

I saw her later and took a picture, which I never posted publicly as I didn’t have her permission. But I loved that photo because it encapsulated the type of experience you only get when traveling. I didn’t realize how big the world was or how different approaches to life could be until I immersed myself in new places.

Now I say to people, there are human beings everywhere waiting to embrace you with kindness. I felt that openness in Dubai. When I returned home, I felt embarrassed about how I had previously viewed other cultures. I’m grateful this experience opened me, even briefly, to realize my approach to life was heavily skewed. It motivated me to start questioning what we’re doing, why we’re here, what’s important in life, and what isn’t. It’s been magical.

That is why I wrote The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring, because I savor my life now so much more intentionally — learning from nature, food, different cultures and people. As a child who grew up pledging allegiance to the flag each day, moving here made me realize how narrow my worldview had been.

This learning experience helped me understand why many celebrities have open, liberal mindsets — it’s often because they have traveled the world, not necessarily because they were born liberal. When you travel, your assumptions face challenges that require intellectual humility. I’m not proud that I once felt nervous seeing people in religious garb on planes. All of a sudden you find yourself in their country, where you stand out and could even seem dangerous. At that point, you can either remain closed-minded or realize you may have been wrong. I’m ashamed of the assumptions I once made. However, acknowledging this is important — to model how travel and human connections can expand our worldviews.

Yitzi: Amazing. So, let’s now go to the core of our interview. Can you, based on your incredible experiences, research, and authorship, share with our readers the five things you need to live with joie de vivre, with the joy of life, even when the world feels like it’s pulling you down?

Emily:

1. To live with joy, you need to start from within. You have to focus on your own heart and spirit. So, first, you need inner faith, but it shouldn’t be hateful. Genuine faith, connected to your heart, should be your guiding force.
2. Second, develop discernment. Be selective about who you surround yourself with. Choose those who uplift you, not bring you down. That’s your second guiding force — discernment.
3. Third, cultivate a passion of your own. Something that interests you and doesn’t necessarily include anyone else in your life. It’s about what you want to learn about and follow. Have a genuine passion, not just fleeting interests.
4. Fourth, find a calm space. A place where everything quiets down, whether it’s internal or external. A safe space is invaluable. It could be in your mind or your closet — as long as it’s a place where you feel safe.
5. Lastly, be open to changing course. Be flexible and own your actions, thoughts, and values. Be willing to adjust your direction when needed. Don’t believe everything you think. Flexibility is crucial for a more fulfilling life.”

These principles aren’t physical, but they are essential for living a more meaningful life.

I think a lot of people, including myself, will reach a point where they wish they had prioritized what’s real, important, and valuable. It’s definitely not going to be your Mercedes. In Malta, where I am, most people drive older cars because the driving conditions are pretty intense. You’re driving on the left side of the road, dealing with some of the most aggressive drivers, so it makes sense to drive something that you won’t worry too much about getting dinged up. This was a real eye-opener for me. Here, there’s no Amazon, Target, Walmart. There are a few McDonald’s — none of the big box stores we’re used to. Now, before I buy something, I ask myself if I really need it or even have space for it since living spaces here are much smaller. Living this way is a unique approach to life.

Back in the Bible belt of America, I felt stifled and suffocated. I felt judged no matter where I turned. It was like living with a small, invisible boa constrictor around my neck, tightening its grip every time I strayed from who I truly am. Coming here, I was fully prepared to embrace the local customs, much like when you’re in the South. I expected to start behaving according to the norms of this 98% Catholic country, which is also a theocracy. However, I quickly realized that Catholicism here is vastly different from what I knew in America. The Catholic practice in America feels more evangelical, not at all like the European Catholic tradition. This realization led me to explore a different level of spirituality. I make it a point to visit every open church here, but only when they’re empty, because I prefer to sit in solitude. This practice has allowed me to develop a unique relationship with the divine, free from anyone telling me what to do or how to practice.

It’s been a truly special experience. For instance, churches here are organized by your zip code, but there’s no pressure to attend. You can simply visit the neighborhood church if you feel inclined. I don’t attend weekly mass, but I find myself sitting in churches quite often, soaking in the peace. The island is also known for its sacred miracle sites, which I visit frequently. Once a year, the priest offers to bless homes. Last year, we accepted, and he blessed ours with holy water and left a prayer card, without any expectations of us attending mass or donating money. It’s refreshing to be in a place where faith is considered a deep, personal journey, not subject to judgment, conversion efforts, or condemnation. This approach has been liberating, allowing me to find a deeper spirituality without having to answer to anyone. It’s really nice.

I’m happier than I’ve ever been, which is quite scary. Being this happy feels terrifying because I constantly have to remind myself that if something were to happen to me, I’d be glad I allowed myself to be happy. In the past, I never allowed myself this level of happiness, fearing it would invite some kind of balancing misfortune. But now, I’m just being present, living, and being thankful. It’s been four years living here, and I’ve watched my children grow into exquisite young people with open minds and delicate hearts. Here, people don’t bully; they’re not mean. There can be exceptions in different parts of Malta, but in our area, we’re strict about who we let into our inner circle. If someone isn’t genuinely good, they don’t get to be part of it. As I mention in my book, “The Taste of Joy,” the key question is whether you’re good people. If yes, you’re invited; if not, there won’t be a second invitation.

People here have long tables in their homes for meals that last hours, signifying the importance of faith, family, and food, rather than material wealth. The university is free for locals, who even receive a monthly stipend, allowing for opportunities like auditing a master’s class in film writing for a minimal fee, which my husband and I found astonishingly affordable. The healthcare system is very different here too; my doctor is just a WhatsApp message away, and house calls are still a thing. It’s like living in another world, which is exactly what I needed.

I guess we’ll wind down with our final question about happiness. The United States is currently ranked 19th on the World Happiness Report. Based on your experience, can you share a few reasons why you think the ranking is relatively low?

Well, to be honest, 19 is higher than I thought it would be! I mean, I love the States. I loved it when I was a kid, where I grew up, the families, and life through high school, even through university.

Why do I think people aren’t happy there? Number one, the politics is outrageous. The rollbacks are scary and terrifying, making me know that I wouldn’t want my children there. The violence and the fact that everybody’s bought and paid for, that the NRA owns the right and Big Pharma owns the left, nobody’s innocent. And you’re looking at it, and I’ve said this, I never thought I would be so involved in politics. I never was interested in politics, but in the last several years, you really have to become part of the solution. I didn’t think I would lose friends over politics, but it’s really easy to do. So that is one major thing. I think the top thing in the United States is the political divide is taking it down from both sides, and it’s imploding from the inside. No matter which direction you look, it’s not clean and it’s not pretty. And nobody is without blame, truly. And I really hope that changes.

The other part is the violence; you’re terrified all the time. It’s not just that you’re scared; I’m scared. I finally went to a movie here after three years because there was a mass shooting at the movie theater near my house in America. So, I don’t go to movies because that triggers me. And I wasn’t even there when the mass shooting happened, but I believe 20 people were killed. This was several years ago. I don’t go to movies. I went to a big carnival in downtown Valletta in Malta with my family. There were so many police around, and everyone got along. There were no fights, no yelling, but I look around like I’m in a war. I go to any place and find my exit points because that’s how I’ve been trained. I was telling my children yesterday, as we were walking through the parking lot and my daughter was looking down, I said, “Sweetie, you’re a young woman. You can never look down. I understand that Malta is safe, but your mom is American, and you have to be smart. I won’t let you go through a parking lot without looking around and being aware of everything around you because you have to watch your back and front.” That way of life, it tears at your nervous system. Even if you think about whether it’s happy or not, safe or not, when you don’t feel safe, there’s no happiness. You cannot be happy when you feel compromised everywhere you go. And that is what’s happening. Those are the most important issues, in my opinion.

The other part is consumerism, which I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, I love it, but on the other, I loathe how everything becomes so material-driven, and there’s this pressure to conform to that lifestyle. It reached a point where I had to metaphorically “break up” with Amazon. I was ordering from Amazon Prime so frequently, it felt like a job. I relished the daily trip to the mailbox, eager to see what had arrived. However, when Amazon started delivering here, I resisted the temptation to fall back into old habits. Although you can order from Germany, the UK, or Denmark, I choose not to because I don’t want to reignite that addiction. It’s easy to become addicted to many things, not just drugs or alcohol. My Amazon obsession, or the compulsion to buy things needlessly, was nearing that point. It made me realize how much we could benefit from working less but more efficiently in the United States. The work culture there is relentless, far removed from the traditional Monday to Friday, nine-to-five schedule.

Upon moving here, I hired an assistant from the University of Malta to help with my books and other tasks. She was young and embodied the Maltese approach to time, which was both slow and frustrating for someone used to a faster pace. They operate on “island time,” doing things whenever they feel like it, which was infuriating. It took her three days to respond to my emails or calls, which was unacceptable by my standards. I had to explain to her that, had we been in America, I would have fired her by now. However, I’ve learned to adapt somewhat, finding a middle ground where I temper my expectations and approach tasks with more patience. This is just how things are done here. She was not any different from anyone else here. Here, you can’t demand immediate results as we do in America; you have to propose what you need, step back, and then meet halfway with less urgency.

And then you have to actually show up. Do you remember? From “Sex and the City” when Charlotte was going to convert to Judaism. She kept knocking on the rabbi’s door, and he kept telling her no. She thought it was crazy. Then Harry says you have to keep doing it, you have to come at least three times. She joked, “He’s playing hard to get. He’s a rabbi. That’s hard to get.” I see it as a game. That’s Malta. If you want something done, you’ve got to show up three times, at least. So, I think of that from “Sex and the City” and the Jewish tradition that if you want something done here, you have to keep showing up. You can’t just decide, they didn’t call you back, so you’re done. You have to show up again and again. That’s changed my mindset a lot. I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it the way I used to when I first came over. It’s funny that I’ve mentioned Sex and the City twice in this article. I guess I’m a super fan!

But I do think that America is… God bless it. God bless America. I just wish that people wouldn’t see it as what your God is versus what my God is because I think that’s dangerous. And I think what my body is versus what your body is, is dangerous too. I think we need to take a page out of the Europeans’ book because they’re like, “It’s not my business. If you are not in my bed, I don’t care what you do. It’s not my concern.” They will be there for you, they will support you, but they are not interested, genuinely not interested, because it’s not their business. And I wish we had a little more of that. I think we’d be happier people if we could look at a situation and go, “You know what? That really does not affect my life. Why am I inserting myself into these people’s lives and deciding that my way is right?” When I really have no business deciding this. The humility has gone so far out the window, and a bit of humility and social grace would make people happier if they learned to play with it a little more.

Amazing. How can readers purchase your books? How can they continue to follow your work and support you in any way possible?

Thank you so much. “The Taste of Joy” is my favorite book. My other books on body healing are something I love as well, especially “The Body Heals Itself.” But “The Taste of Joy” was my passion project. You can get any of my books at EmilyAFrancisBooks.com. On my website, you can order from anywhere. All my social media handles are there too. We also have “The Taste of Joy” in audio. My friend, who’s a producer, wrote the preface and recorded that part for the audio. Then, my landlord’s brother, with his Maltese accent, recorded the tourism minister’s forward. The Maltese accent is unique, part Arabic, part British, and it’s truly gorgeous. I wanted to make sure people could hear it. I really wish people would order the audio version because, even though the book is great, there’s something special and magical about the audio. It’s me telling you the story how I want you to hear it, starting off with these beautiful Maltese voices. Malta is a unique and special place that makes you feel safe, loved, and embraced, allowing you to have more fun than you’ve had in a long time. I highly encourage visiting Malta, as well as Greece, Spain, and Italy, but in my mind, Greece and Spain are a lot like Malta. They have similar fun attitudes. You’re likely to enjoy drinks and play. People love their local wine and olive oil. It’s great fun.

Please order the book and reach out to me. I’m always happy to answer anything. I always respond to people who contact me through my website. I’d love to help you find your way or if you just want to feel good for a bit. I’m about to start my new TV show on Bold Brave TV called “Mediterranean Inspired.” It will be a live, one-hour show every week for 52 episodes. I’ll show some of Malta and take you around. The tagline is, “Take a vacation from your life and join me in the Mediterranean.” I want you to meet these farmers, fishermen, chefs, and fun people. You can call in live every week for the next year. We’ll have a kitchen to film from, and the head owner of the Mediterranean Culinary Academy will be my main guest once a month. You can ask us what you want to learn to make, and he’ll teach you. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I can’t wait. So, please keep an eye on my website and email me, as we’re going to start that launch really soon. Show day and time are to be announced very soon.

This has been an amazing interview. I’ve learned so much just from it. You’re an extremely inspiring person, and I wish you continued success, blessings, and good health. I look forward to doing this again in the near future.