LILY ANN FOUTS
Author | Speaker | World Traveler | Former Child Fugitive
Traveled All 7 Continents on a Teacher-Friendly Budget.
Began Learning the Skills as a Child Fugitive in Mexico.
Many teachers in your audience have lost the spark that brought them to teaching in the first place. They’re stressed out, disconnected, and just going through the motions. Lily Ann Fouts provides a path to rejuvenate that spark, their love of the world, and connect that back to what they can do in the classroom. How? Through travel.
Lily Ann Fouts has traveled all 7 continents, and she wants to teach audiences how to do the same. As a speaker, she shows you the skills necessary to travel on a budget and immerse yourself in the local culture. With her guidance, audience members can “go local,” explore unconventional travel styles, and bring that experience back to the classroom in a powerful way that refreshes both themselves and their students, encouraging open-mindedness and appreciation of other cultures.
"My dream is for people around the world to respect each other, and I believe that starts with inspiring our young people to love and embrace diversity. What better and more enjoyable way to do this than through travel experiences?" ~Lily Ann Fouts
SPEAKING TOPICS
Fugitive Child to Globetrotter
As a child, Lily Ann Fouts spent 7 years running from the police, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, bounty hunters, and the FBI. For 5 of those years, she, her sister, and her mother lived in Mexico. She credits this experience with teaching her how to travel on the cheap and immerse herself in local culture--a skill she has applied again and again as she has traveled to all 7 continents.
Teachers Can (and Should) Travel
Not only can teachers travel, but they also should. Lily believes that teachers who travel and immerse themselves in other cultures not only bring more joy and rejuvenation into their own lives, but the lessons they bring back can enrich the lives of their students and broaden their perspectives. However, Lily understands that world traveling is easier said than done. That’s why she’s bringing her travel experiences to the stage to show how even those on a teacher’s budget can go far and wide.
Bringing World Travel to the Classroom
Lily believes that meaningful travel is the best kind of education there is. Learn how to enjoy more authentic travel experiences, live like a local, make local friends, and spend all summer abroad for less than the cost of an average weeklong vacation. We carry the stories and lessons gained during travel with us long after we’ve returned home. Experience life abroad, then bring those experiences home to your students!
BIO
Author, Speaker, and Founder, Travel Beyond Excuse
When Lily Ann Fouts was a child, her biological father was awarded full custody of her and her younger sister. But both girls felt unsafe with their father and begged their mother to take them away. She did, and that’s how Lily and her sister’s photos ended up on the back of a milk carton.
For 7 years, the trio evaded her father, the police, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, bounty hunters, and even the FBI. They spent most of that time in Mexico, living like locals. Given their circumstances, they had to get creative when it came to affording food and finding places to live.
It may seem strange, but Lily believes this experience is the best thing that ever happened to her. Not only was she able to escape an unhealthy home situation, but she also learned to appreciate the value of other cultures and languages. Finally, she developed unique skills for traveling on a budget.
Now she prides herself in being a world traveler, having visited all 7 continents, most of them more than once. She’s become an expert on affordable traveling and wants to use her unique perspective to help others travel. What’s more, she wants to encourage the love of travel in the next generation by helping teachers get out of the classroom and into the world.
Her travel blog has been featured in Edutopia, Fund for Teachers, and Full Sail University. She’s also been featured in numerous podcasts, including The Lapse Storytelling Podcast, Path Hunters Podcast, and Zero to Travel.
When Lily’s not talking about traveling, she is traveling. She loves spending time with her husband, Keith, their cat, Sprite, and friends that she meets along the way.
A Trusted Voice
Lily Ann Fouts’ Inspirational Message Has Traveled Almost as Far and Wide as She Has.
Lily Has Been Interviewed in These Podcasts
- The Lapse Storytelling Podcast
- Expat Kingdom
- Zero to Travel
- Extra Pack of Peanuts
- Abroad Podcast
- Amateur Traveler
- Path Hunters Podcast
- Transcendence Effect
Lily's Blog Has Been Featured By
- Edutopia
- Fund for Teachers
- Full Sail University
People Are Talking About Lily
What a story! It really is not fair, I have to say. She's got this story! It's wonderfully organized.
Author of Steal the Show
It's really well told. I love humor... This is a good presentation, I really enjoyed listening to it, and I think you're so courageous to share your story.
Founder of Amazing Presenters
The story - totally brilliant. You can tell how well you've done on the tension by how loud the laugh is.... It was really, really great!
YesYesMarsha.com
Out of 40 speakers who hit the stage, Lily’s was by far the most memorable.
Author/Speaker/Coach
You're an inspiration. Keep telling your story. Love how you brought the humor in to lighten up the mood.
Advance Your Reach Speak Off Competition
An amazing story that needs to be shared with the world.
Advance Your Reach Speak Off Competition
Sample Video
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