As my very first guest interview feature, I’d like to introduce my long time friend, fellow vegan traveler, and amazing cohost/producer/business owner who seems to be doing it all these days- the lovely Samantha Schacher!
Not only is she a hard worker and an amazing business woman, but she has a heart of gold. I sat down with Sam to get the scoop on how she stays balanced with such a hectic schedule. Here’s what she had to say!
How do you stay healthy & fit while traveling? For food, it takes some research. I will ask around or look online before visiting the city. I am vegan but my husband loves meat, so I try to find restaurants that work for both of us. It always seems to work out. Vegans and people with gluten allergies are finally being catered to, so I really don’t have any complaints! As for working out, I make it a point to walk EVERYWHERE. My husband and I love discovering new places, so we will literally walk the entire city. It’s great to explore while walking to breakfast or dinner, and “working out” at the same time. I will also run the stairs at my hotel if the weather outside doesn’t allow for a brisk walk.
How would you describe your current diet/lifestyle? I would say I live by a 80/20 percent rule. I try to eat healthy most of the time, but I do love to have yummy “bad” food, too. I don’t eat meat, but I am a sucker for desserts and chips, and when you eat good most of the time, you can enjoy those things without feeling guilty.
Do you find it difficult to stay on track while away from home? It’s actually not that difficult once you find your rhythm. Just remember to plan ahead for meals, and if you do stop at a random restaurant, ask if they can accommodate you. You can always order a bunch of sides and make your own meal. And walk, walk, walk, and enjoy the city you are visiting!
Travel essentials: Moisturizer, little clips to put my bangs back (I hate having them in my face when I’m on the plane), a little black dress, a black blazer, white tee, a non-wrinkle blouse, basic jeans, and a pair of boots that can be dressed down or up and are comfortable to pound the streets in!
Go-to meal while traveling: I store nuts in my bag always, that way when I’m hungry, I don’t feel like I will reach for anything to satisfy my hunger (which I used to do a lot of). Convenience eating made me feel sluggish, I never felt satisfied, and I’d often not be hungry for dinner. I prefer to snack on some almonds or a granola bar, then have the appetite for yummy worth-the-wait meals. I’m also addicted to unsweetened iced green teas. They keep me moving all day long, I prefer it over coffee.
Favorite home cooked meal: Quinoa pasta with marinara and sautéed veggies. I also love a great lentil burger patty on a spelt bun, or my go to quick meal is an Annie’s brand dairy free bean and rice burrito.
Restaurants/juice bars/places worth checking out: I LOVE Liquid Juice Bar on Melrose Ave in LA. They have this bowl called the Chronic Blend that is literally my chronic! It’s an acai blend with granola on top, berries, and honey.. I crave it. I also love the Burrito Flore at Flore in Silver Lake and the Big Macro Burger at M Cafe. I tend to find my favorite dishes at various places and go there specifically for that meal.
Exercise(s) of choice to get your sweat on: I really hate going to the gym, I’d rather sleep! I really don’t enjoy working out inside, I’d rather walk my dog, hike, etc. I try to incorporate working out into my day, so I don’t feel the need to go to the gym. I will walk to grab coffee at a near by coffee shop, or if I’m early to a shoot or meeting, I will park a mile away and walk there and back. I always take the stairs. If I need to engage the abs, I love busting out a 60 second plank (wherever), and you can catch me flexing my glutes whenever I’m standing in line. It’s all about multitasking 😉
Books/influential teachers: I love reading books that help calm my inner noise and anxiety, and also help me evolve to be the best person I can be by believing in myself and what I hope to accomplish. “Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting” by Lynn Grabhorn changed my life and taught me to really envision what I want out of life, and to just be happy and grateful no matter what happens. Like attracts like. I also love entrepreneurial books like Bethenny Frankel’s “A Place of Yes,” Russell Simmon’s “Super Rich,” and Tony Hsieh, the founder of Zappos’ book, “Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose”.
Quotes to live by:
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world”- Gandhi
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”- Albert Einstein
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”-Helen Keller
Any final tips for other travelers on a tight schedule? If you have friends in the city you are visiting, or they have frequented that city, ask them where to go. Also, just enjoy your time; don’t sweat the small stuff or feel the need to overly plan.. it’s just not worth the added stress. If you believe everything will work out, it usually does.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful insight Sam! Lots of love to you ❤
Samantha Schacher currently lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. She is the co-founder (alongside her incredible husband) of Wick[ed] candles http://www.thewickedcandles.com now sold at Barneys NY, Urban Outfitters, Kitson, and fine boutiques worldwide. She is also extremely passionate about animals and philanthropy, often volunteering her time at a number of different animal foundations and is an advocate for marriage equality and equal rights. You can catch her live every night as Dr. Drew Pinsky’s cohost on Dr. Drew On Call on HLN at 9ET and daily on Pop Trigger, dishing the latest pop culture and entertainment news on the largest online news network in the world, The Young Turks Network. http://www.samanthaschacher.com
aroundtheworldinhealthyways.com 
Absolutely an Amazing woman. Stay positive and stay focused and the world is yours. Samantha is a fantastic role model for all mankind.