From Crashes to Crescendos: Ralph Velasco’s Journey to Becoming a Travel Maestro
Over a diverse and dynamic 35-year career, I’ve worn many hats. I’ve owned two restaurants, sold real estate, served as the Marketing Director for a division of a Fortune 500 company, and worked as a financial advisor from 2005 to 2008. Despite these varied roles, it took me 45 years to truly discover my passion in life — a revelation that many never experience.
As a rookie financial advisor, I was barely staying afloat. Then, the day after the September 2008 stock market crash, I made a life-changing decision. I decided to pursue my passion for travel photography and small group tour organization full-time — a side gig I had been nurturing for about three years. Thus, the Continental DRIFTER® was born (https://ContinentalDRIFTER.co).
Since then, I’ve created and led over 120 multi-week international tours. I’ve become a podcaster, travel blogger, and YouTube creator with over 80 episodes on my Continental DRIFTER® channel (https://www.youtube.com/continentaldrifter). My content spans numerous locations around the world, and I’m always eager to share my expertise.
I’m also an author, with several new books in my series The Mindful & Intentional Traveler, including 60 AFFIRMATIONS for Travel and Travel Activity Book for Adults: GRATITUDES Edition(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D3MKB1TP).
My academic journey includes a Master’s in International Business Administration (MIBA) from United States International University (now Alliant University) in Mexico City, completed at their San Diego campus in 1995. Additionally, I hold a BS in Management from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
Join me on my journey from financial instability to becoming a globetrotting travel photographer, as I share stories, insights, and the rich experiences I’ve gathered from around the world.
