The Power To Turn Adversity into Opportunity

Dalene Heck is co-founder of Trip Chaser.

By Dalene Heck

My journey has been anything but conventional. After climbing the corporate ladder in my twenties, my husband Pete and I decided to sell everything we owned and travel the world. This decision came after a series of personal tragedies in 2007 that made us reevaluate our lives. What started as a plan for a one-year adventure turned into nearly eight years of nomadic living, during which we visited 60 countries. We built a successful travel and marketing company, leveraging our experiences to consult with travel brands and tourism boards.

However, life threw us another curveball in 2016 when I was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia while we were house-sitting in Washington. We returned to Canada for my treatment, and I’m grateful to say I emerged victorious in my battle against cancer. The experience only reinforced my belief in the importance of resilience and adaptability.

Just as we were ready to resume our travels, COVID-19 struck. Overnight, 80% of our business revenue dried up. The pandemic forced us to pivot once again. Drawing on our rich travel experiences and love for gaming, we created Trip Chaser, a travel-themed card game. This project became a new passion, allowing us to share our love for travel in a fun and engaging way. We’ve poured our hearts into this game, using it as a tool to help others navigate various travel scenarios and appreciate the joy of exploration.

Despite the challenges, our story is one of resilience and innovation. We’ve turned adversity into opportunity, continuously reinventing ourselves and our careers. Now, as we look forward to the future, we’re excited to develop even more games and continue sharing our journey with the world. Life’s challenges have only made us stronger, and we’re determined to keep embracing new opportunities with open arms.

Dalene and her husband, Pete, in Switzerland.

Michele WeldonComment