Hey, hello, bonjour...

I’m Laura Maya…

…and I live a slightly unconventional life.

Back in 2001, I left my home and family, thinking I was heading off on a 12 month gap year. 

Now, more than twenty years and 60+ countries later, I’m still travelling. 

I’ve spent my entire adult life slowly wandering the world, immersing myself in unfamiliar cultures, curious to explore the ways people and places are different and the same. 

Looking back, I probably should have studied anthropology, but I guess I got too carried away living it!

I’ve learnt to speak 4 languages, some more fluently than others, worked in 40+ jobs and experimented with a ridiculous number of career paths along the way. I don’t believe we all have a purpose or one true calling.

Currently, I’m the Head of People and Operations for a global start-up based in a city where I’ve never been, working with colleagues I’ve never met, managing a team of 80 people from all over the world. I love that I can work in my pyjamas. Or on a Greek Island. Or in a ger in Mongolia.

I’ve been a storyteller my whole life and writing has always been a creative compulsion. I cannot not write. My first book, Tell Them My Name took me seven years to put together and was released in 2022. It tells the inspiring true story of two indigenous Nepalese farmers who travelled from their Himalayan farm to Paris on a quest to explore Western culture. I have two more books in the pipeline.

So that’s me… I’m a writer, wanderer, storyteller and culturally curious nomad; never really sure where I’ll end up next.

Other fun facts:

✨ I’m Australian by birth and French by marriage.

✨ I remarry my husband in every country we visit together (50 weddings in 50 countries and counting!) because we’re not ashamed to be cheesy.

✨ Together, we’ve become increasingly minimalistic over the years. We’re in our forties and don’t own a stick of furniture that’s not bolted into a vehicle. 

✨ We live either in a house bus in Australia, a converted van in Europe, or out of a backpack/suitcase in temporary accommodation throughout the world.

✨ I am a truly terrible but extremely enthusiastic ukulele player and student of Kung Fu.

✨ I became an accidental pilgrim recently when I found myself walking 750kms on the Camino de Santiago, and now I honestly believe most problems can be solved by walking. 

✨ I lived in Tonga for several years where it’s illegal to work, clean the house, do chores or exercise on Sundays. I still live by this rule today and believe it’s the path to World Peace. 

If you want to join me on this wild, messy journey through life, I’d be very happy to have you along for the ride! You can stay in touch by leaving your email address below. 

Thank you for being here,

Laura x