Adventurer of the month - Tyla
MLA’s very own Tyla is our Adventurer of the Month, as she embodies everything that we stand for. She’s a CrossFit coach turned photographer and avid traveller who balances remote working alongside her work and passions. And as someone who does all of the above AND leaves places better than how she found them, ‘more life’ is in her blood.
Find out more about Tyla below.
In a nutshell, how did you get from where you started to where you are now?
I’m originally from Cape Town in South Africa, and over the years have had so many different interests and career paths. I initially went to culinary school and qualified as a chef, which was around the same time I got into CrossFit. After a year of culinary school, I changed my path and enrolled in a PT qualification. Studying, coaching and training became my life - it’s all I did for a few years, including representing South Africa at overseas competitions. I got to a point where I realised I was dedicating my whole life to training and had no balance, so shortly after that I moved to London with my husband so that we could take advantage of more travel opportunities.
I’d always enjoyed photography as a hobby, and when we moved to London just four months before lockdown, I bought a good new camera and decided to try and make a business out of it. With the time I had in lockdown, I started a photography business - mainly focusing on food photography with a studio set up in my kitchen. Through this I grew my client base and knew I wanted to merge my photography skills with travel, so that I could document my travels.
That’s around the time I met Stella through my coaching. I went on an MLA trip to Crete to photograph the retreat, and then came onboard to do all of the content. So it’s been a journey of lots of change but ultimately I’m now working in something that serves me and makes me happy.
What advice would you give to people who are looking to pivot/change their career in the way you have?
I’ve always told myself that it’s ok to start over. In everything I’ve done, I had to start at the very bottom before I was good at it. For example I didn’t know anything about weightlifting yet I worked hard and went on to represent my country.
The way I see it is, if something isn’t serving you or making you happy, you can change course and put your energy into something that will. And for me, the changing course is the best part about it all - starting again and enjoying the journey to the top. I wouldn’t have achieved the things I have or visited some of the most amazing places in the world if I hadn’t opened myself up to change.
Know that if you’ve been good at something before, you can do it again in a different field or subject. You’ve proved to yourself that you can learn and excel, so take that mindset on to the next thing and you’ll be able to do the same. Change as often as you need to so that you’re following your passions. Don’t be afraid to take the risk.
What has been your biggest challenge, both personally and professionally?
Every single time I’ve made a life and/or career change, it’s been such a big challenge. But the biggest challenge so far has been moving across the world to London. It’s been an amazing decision as there are so many opportunities here and it’s so easy to travel, but moving was a big change because I’m such a family-oriented person. So coming to a place where I didn’t know anyone and was far from home, was a big adjustment.
But whenever it’s felt challenging, I’ve always reminded myself of the purpose of it all - the travel and opportunities that being here brings. It never stops being a challenge but I continue to learn and grow through it.
What has been your favourite travel destination and why?
This is such a difficult one, but from my recent travels my favourite is Raja Ampat in Indonesia. It’s completely untouched and underdeveloped, and one of the most beautiful places in the world for diving. I went as part of a 6-week conservation project so that I could learn all about ocean conservation and what’s happening to our oceans. The things I got to see were completely out of this world as we’d move between the jungle and rainbow-coloured coral reefs.
The beauty of it is just one of the reasons why it’s my favourite. It’s also hugely down to the people I met on the trip. I travelled solo and didn’t know anyone, but the great thing is that everyone that goes on these kinds of trips travels solo, and I ended up leaving after 6 weeks with a new group of best friends.
What’s the best thing about travelling for you?
When I’m travelling and doing the things I love, such as adventuring around different remote parts of the world, I’m just my best and truest self. When you’re around other people who are all in the same place with the same purpose and outlook on life, you create these special bonds that are unlike anything you create on home turf. That’s the best thing for me.
How do you decide on a destination? What do you look for as a solo traveller?
I really try to find less-travelled places. I want to visit places that are more off the grid, and where I can still photograph beautiful things. Wildlife and diving are the joint number 1 priorities on my list, so I’ll always pick a trip that includes the ocean. I also like to find courses, such as the 6-week conservation course, where I can turn up solo and know I’ll be surrounded by like-minded people. I always do so much research around the things that I’m passionate about, such as wildlife and diving, and find places and groups where I can enjoy doing my favourite things in places that are a bit different.
What does adventure mean to you?
For me it’s experiencing something new, and stepping into the unknown. It’s something that takes you out of your comfort zone. Adventure to me is usually something that makes me feel nervous at first, but the reality is those nerves are just excitement as I know the adventure will be something that helps me to grow.
How do you incorporate adventure into your life without physically travelling somewhere?
I try as many new things as possible. If something sparks my interest, I give it a try without worrying if it’s going to work out or not. I like to do something different that sits outside of my regular routine, because I know that when I do this, I can surprise myself. It’s always worth taking the risk and seeing what happens - adventure can be present anywhere with this mindset.
Thinking about the three pillars that MLA is built on - move, connect and explore. How do you incorporate all of these into your life?
Well MOVE is easy - I train at the gym I used to coach at, and I’m currently training more than I ever have. I lost motivation to train myself when I was coaching, but now I’m taking part in loads of functional fitness and weightlifting classes. And that’s really where the CONNECT part comes in as I’m always meeting new and interesting people through the classes. I always say it’s the best way to connect with like-minded people - join group classes at a gym where there’s a good community. As for EXPLORE, I constantly try new things - whether that’s activities, food, cooking, restaurants etc. I make a habit of not always eating at the same restaurants as we live in a city with so many that regularly visiting new restaurants is such an easy way to explore.
You talk about pivoting a lot and trying new things - is there anything new you’ve tried that just didn’t work out?
A couple of years ago whilst I was competing in weightlifting, I started a degree to study computer programming. I used to love maths in high school, so thought this would be a great option for me as it could potentially offer a career with flexibility. However, it was so mentally tiring that I threw in the towel after 6 months. I wasn’t happy so I knew it wasn’t for me. People put a lot of pressure on themselves to stick to something once they’ve started it, but I’ve never stayed with something that doesn’t make me happy. If it isn’t working for me and doesn’t feel good, I’m happy to move on. And the more you do this and move past it, it doesn’t feel like a failure or mistake, it’s simply something you learn and grow from.
Motivations and fears - what are they for you?
They’re one and the same really. I’m so motivated to get the most out of life and learn as much as I can, because I’m so scared of not getting everything I can out of life. I don’t want to feel like I’m not following what my heart wants to do, because life is too short and it will pass you by if you don’t make the most of it.
I constantly ask myself, am I happy? If not, how can I change it? I always want to love what I’m doing and be proud of what I’m doing. The biggest motivation is to be doing something that I love AND which pays the bills.
How do you balance your various jobs with your love of travel?
It was so difficult when I was working in coaching, photography and for MLA all at the same time. I love coaching and it is so fulfilling, but it requires a different kind of energy - it can be both mentally and physically exhausting so it was so hard to balance everything when I was so tired. Now that I’m more of a creative path, I find I’ve got much more of a balance as when I’m creative I give myself so much more energy to do all of the things I love.
What travel do you have planned for 2024?
I’ve just been home to South Africa and have a few trips planned so far throughout the year, including hosting the MLA Crete retreat in July. I’m also doing a surf trip to Morocco and a freediving and snorkelling trip to Mexico. I’m so excited as I’ll get to swim with orcas and dolphins which only happens at certain times of the year. Overall my trips will largely be to places that revolve around conservation so that I can immerse myself in nature and wildlife photography.
You’ve been on a few MLA retreats - what is the best thing about them?
When I see people trying things that they’ve never tried before. When we were in Crete and I hosted a group there, people who didn’t class themselves as very good swimmers faced their fears and swam in the ocean every day. And people who were fiercely not morning people would wake up super early to catch the sunrise. And then in Majorca, people who were afraid of heights would jump off high rocks into the ocean. So many people were scared but they still gave it a try. I love seeing people adventuring and getting out of their comfort zone, and achieve things that they thought they couldn’t.