Community Highlights: Meet Heather Wentz of Wandering Weightlessly LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Wentz.

Hi Heather, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into travel didn’t start with a plane ticket; it started with a search for freedom. For a long time, my life felt incredibly heavy. I spent over 15 years struggling with a weight I couldn’t seem to shed—a battle with alcoholism and infertility that I truly believed would be the end of my story.

On December 30, 2013, everything changed. I found sobriety, and suddenly, the world started to open up in ways I never imagined. I went from believing I’d never survive my struggles to becoming a mother via adoption from foster care and realizing that my life didn’t have to be defined by the “weights” I used to carry.

I spent 20 years in HR and payroll, mastering the technical side of finances and auditing, but my heart was always on the horizon. I realized that for many people—especially those in recovery, single and foster/adoptive parents, or those with limited mobility—travel feels “heavy.” It feels complicated, expensive, or even risky.

I launched Wandering Weightlessly to change that. I wanted to create a travel agency and financial coaching practice that helps people shed the baggage of their past to find true freedom in adventure. Whether it’s navigating a first sober cruise, planning a trauma-informed family trip, or learning how to travel debt-free, my goal is to make the world feel accessible and “weightless” for everyone.

Today, 12 years sober and a single mom to my 14-year-old son, Zion, I’m no longer just dreaming of the world—I’m helping others find their way through it, one “stamp” at a time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road wasn’t just unpaved; for a long time, it felt like it was heading toward a dead end. I am an alcoholic through and through, and I spent over 15 years lost in that struggle, eventually reaching a point where I didn’t think I’d survive. Getting sober on in 2013, was the first time the “weight” began to lift, but the path forward was anything but easy.

My biggest hurdle came after I found sobriety. I navigated the grueling heartbreak of infertility, a season so heavy it nearly dragged me back into the darkness. When I eventually made the decision to pursue single motherhood through foster care and adoption, being adopted myself, I genuinely believed I was signing away my future travel plans. I thought “responsible parenting” meant settling down and staying put.

The struggle was real—not just emotionally, but also in navigating a system where I had to be transparent about my history. I had to prove my character in a process that often judged me by my past as an alcoholic rather than the life I had built since.

But staying the course led to the greatest “win” of my life. I didn’t have to give up the world to become a mother. Today, my son and I take at least three big trips a year—last year alone we hit Cancun, Paris, went on an Alaskan cruise, and a trip to Las Vegas & the Grand Canyon. I went from believing I’d die a drunk under a bridge to building a debt-free life of adventure. And I’m doing all this while launching a new business venture and staying on track to semi-retire early and debt free. Proving that you can be a present, sober parent and an explorer is exactly why I founded Wandering Weightlessly. Turning that “impossible” dream into a business that helps others do the same—regardless of their past or their parenting status—is the ultimate victory.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Wandering Weightlessly is a travel agency and financial coaching practice, but honestly? It’s a mission. I built this for people who want to see the world but feel held back by the “weights” of life—whether that’s the logistics of staying sober on a cruise, the complexities of traveling as a single or foster/adoptive parent, or navigating limited mobility.

I specialize in Sober Travel and Trauma-Informed Foster/Adoptive Travel. I’m an alcoholic with 12 years of sobriety and a single mom by choice through adoption, so I’m not just reading from a brochure. I know exactly how to navigate a port city while staying present and sober, and I understand the unique “extra” planning required for families with a trauma history.

What sets you apart from others?

Most travel advisors focus on the “where” and the “how much.” I focus on the “how it feels.” I specialize in Trauma-Informed Travel, which is a massive, underserved market. As a foster and adoptive parent, I know that for families like mine, a “fun vacation” can easily become a sensory or emotional minefield. I curate trips that respect a child’s (and a parent’s) unique needs—focusing on regulation, predictable environments, and pacing that doesn’t lead to burnout. I’m not just booking a room; I’m auditing the experience to make sure it’s safe for a family with a trauma history.

Then there is the Sober Travel component. In the travel world, there is a massive “booze-culture” bias—from the “all-inclusive” drink packages to the constant pressure of “it’s five o’clock somewhere.” I curate experiences for people who want to explore the world without the pressure to drink. I’m living this every day, so I know the specific resorts, cruise lines, and excursions that offer high-level adventure without the “party” atmosphere.

Finally, I back all of this up with my background as a debt-free financial coach. I want my clients to come home with memories, not a financial hangover. I’m a “frugal traveler” at heart—I don’t chase luxury for the sake of status; I chase high-value experiences that real people can actually afford. I’m proving that you can be a present, sober parent and a savvy world traveler all at once.

What are you most proud of brand-wise?

I love the “Weightless” philosophy. It’s about more than just a trip; it’s about shedding whatever baggage—emotional, financial, or physical—is keeping you stuck. I’m proud to prove to other single parents and people in recovery that life doesn’t have to get “smaller” when you get sober or start a family. If anything, it’s the moment your life finally gets big enough to explore.

But on a personal level, what I’m most proud of is doing all of this in front of my son. My goal is to be fully financially free and completely untethered from a desk by the time he graduates in 2031. Getting there requires a massive amount of hustle—early mornings, late nights, constant certifications, and the kind of hardcore budgeting that most people shy away from.

My son has a front-row seat to that work ethic. He sees the discipline it takes to stay on track and the intentional, frugal choices we make to fund our adventures. Showing him that you can rewrite your story, stay sober, and build a life of total freedom through grit and planning is the most important “itinerary” I’ll ever design.

What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, and services?

Whether you need a sober group retreat, a family trip that respects your child’s needs, or a plan to afford that dream vacation without losing your mind, I’m here to make it feel light. I’m not here to sell you a vacation; I’m here to help you find your way through the world, one stamp at a time.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Honestly, networking is something I struggle with. I’m a solopreneur by choice—I decided not to join a host agency because I wanted to build something that was mine—but that means I’m doing every single thing on my own. I also deal with social anxiety, so the idea of traditional networking or “marketing events” is the last thing I want to do after a long day of hustle.

What has worked for me is finding a way to connect that doesn’t feel like “selling.” I started my ‘Wander Women’ interview series because it turns the spotlight off me and puts it on someone else. I reach out to women I genuinely admire and ask to highlight them. It’s a way to build a circle through written words and shared stories rather than awkward small talk.

This also reflects my travel style. A lot of the experiences I curate lean more toward “hushpitality” and retreats—focusing on peace and recovery rather than the constant noise of the world. My advice for anyone else who feels anxious about “getting out there” is to lead with curiosity. Find the people who inspire you and find a way to support them first. You can build a massive community from your own desk, on your own terms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wanderingweightlessly.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderingweightlessly/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575286444130
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WanderingWeightlessly
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1391861285586143