Episode 0019 – Debbie Dotson: Empowering Seniors to Travel Solo with Confidence

At 68, Debbie Dotson is rewriting what it means to age boldly. Instead of retiring, she believes in rewiring, finding new ways to live with passion, purpose, and adventure. As the creator of Senior Travel Adventures, Debbie empowers people over 50, 60, and beyond to embrace solo travel, try new things, and shed the limiting beliefs that too often hold us back.

This article captures her philosophy, her journey, and her practical advice for anyone ready to swap fear for fun and explore the world at any age.

Reinventing at Every Stage

Debbie has had multiple careers, five or six, by her own count. Today, she teaches part-time as an adjunct professor, hosts a cable show, runs a blog, and creates content on YouTube and TikTok. For her, each career shift has been about staying curious and engaged.

Her mantra? “You don’t retire, you rewire.”

She rejects the word senior because of its limiting connotations. Instead, she encourages people to think in terms of energy, curiosity, and possibility, not numbers.

If you want to explore new possibilities and redefine how you grow later in life, Living Your Best Life After 60 Through Gerotranscendence is a great companion resource that expands on staying curious, expressive, and engaged at every age.

Travel as a Tool for Staying Young

Debbie has seen firsthand that age doesn’t have to limit adventure. She’s interviewed women in their 80s and even 90s who continue to travel solo, including pilgrims who have walked the Camino de Santiago across Spain.

Her own inspiration came partly from her background as a triathlete. After breaking a bone in her foot at 60, she briefly lost confidence, but she rewired her mindset and leaned on community support to get active again. Today, she’s training for her own Camino trek.

Facing Fear: Replace It with Fun

One of Debbie’s mottos is: “Replace the fear with the fun.”

Many people, especially solo women travelers, worry about safety, loneliness, or logistics. Debbie says those fears are natural but shouldn’t be paralyzing. She encourages:

  • Start small: Take day trips or overnight stays close to home.
  • Join a group: Tour groups can be a bridge to independence.
  • Use tech wisely: Apps like Google Translate and AI tools like ChatGPT can help plan trips and navigate new places.
  • Plan safety habits: From cross-body anti-theft bags to room locks, simple habits can reduce risk.

Facing Fear: Replace It with Fun

If you want extra motivation to push past fear and step into new adventures, How to Stay Positive and Motivated as You Age is a great companion resource for building confidence and emotional resilience.

Overcoming Ageism and Self-Doubt

Debbie has faced ageism in her own career transitions. She reminds others that the key is to focus inward:

  • Identify what brings you joy.
  • Accept that expectations may shift (maybe you won’t land the six-figure job, but you’ll find work with meaning).
  • Maintain a growth mindset, she tells her students, “You may not be able to do it yet, but you can learn.”

She also points out the wealth of knowledge and experience people over 60 can share. Mentorship, teaching, and content creation are ways to stay relevant and impactful.

If you want to strengthen your mindset and embrace personal reinvention, When Retirement Feels Too Small: How to Reclaim Purpose, Connection, and Joy is a great companion resource for rebuilding identity and direction.

Solo Travel for Women Over 60

Debbie estimates that 90% of her audience are solo female travelers. Many are widowed, divorced, or simply have partners who don’t want to travel. Her advice:

  • Take the first step. Whether it’s a local play, a short tour, or a nearby city, small experiences build confidence.
  • Consider group tours. They provide structure, companionship, and safety while leaving room for solo exploration.
  • Watch for deals. Be aware of the “solo supplement” (extra charges for single occupancy). Some companies run sales that waive the supplement, saving thousands.
  • Stay flexible. Last-minute deals (within 90 days) often favor solo travelers.

If you want to learn how to simplify your life, lighten your load, and build confidence through smaller lifestyle shifts, The KonMari Method for Downsizing: A Mindful and Joyful Way to Simplify Your Life is a great companion resource for learning to create freedom with less.

Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers

Debbie’s practical safety strategies include:

  • Use anti-theft crossbody bags with locking zippers.
  • Carry your phone on a lanyard and keep a backup power source.
  • Lock your passport in a hotel safe, and carry a photo of the ID page.
  • Spread out valuables, don’t keep all cash and cards in one place.
  • Use doorstop alarms or wedges for hotel rooms.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings and make eye contact with suspicious individuals.

Her biggest rule: Never rely on luck. Be proactive about your own safety.

Check out Solo Female Travel Safety: Advice for What Women Worry About for more insights

Top Destinations for Senior Solo Travelers

Debbie’s top recommendations:

For beginners, she recommends destinations where language won’t be a major barrier, or using services like GreetHer, which pairs solo women travelers with local guides worldwide.

Cruising: An Accessible Option

Cruises remain a favorite among seniors, especially for those with mobility issues. Benefits include:

  • Unpacking once while visiting multiple destinations.
  • Accessibility for scooters and canes.
  • Options from small river cruises to global expeditions.

Debbie herself is planning a trip to Antarctica, an expedition cruise that blends adventure with education. She notes that cruise deals often appear last-minute, especially on sites like VacationsToGo.

If you want to plan travel that balances adventure with comfort and safety, The Best Apps for Seniors in 2025 is a great companion resource for using technology to make every trip smoother and more enjoyable.

Teaching, Mentorship, and Giving Back

Beyond travel, Debbie continues teaching as an adjunct professor. She runs a program called PACE (Program and Career Exploration), helping new students, ages 17 to 60, set goals and navigate education.

She credits her own mentor for believing in her decades ago, and she pays it forward by mentoring her students and encouraging them to adopt a growth mindset.

How to Connect with Debbie

You can find her work under Senior Travel Adventures on:

She also contributes to large online communities like Solo in Style and Journey Woman, both dedicated to empowering women over 50 to travel independently.

Conclusion: Go While You Can

Debbie’s message is simple, powerful, and worth taking to heart: don’t let fear, age, or uncertainty hold you back. Whether you’re 50, 60, 70, or even well into your 80s, adventure isn’t something that belongs only to the young, it’s available to anyone willing to take the first step.

Replace fear with fun.
Let curiosity lead the way instead of worry.

Start right where you are, with what you have.
Every small experience builds confidence, and every mile traveled, literal or metaphorical, reminds you that you’re far more capable than you think.

Be smart, be safe, and prepare well… but don’t let “being careful” turn into staying home. Life doesn’t wait, and opportunities don’t always circle back.

As Debbie says, and as so many seasoned adventurers have learned:
“Go while you can. Tomorrow isn’t promised.”

So go, explore, experiment, wander, learn, rediscover joy. Your next chapter might be the best one yet.

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