This week I'm joined by my Hānai (chosen family in Hawaiian) uncle Shaheer Faltas! This name might sound familiar to you if you listened to last weeks episode with his wife, Maria Faltas.

Shaheer took a chance by hiring me for a work-exchange in Hawaii helping manage their vacation rentals back in 2022 in exchange for a room in their home. He has so much wisdom and I'm constantly learning and growing from his guidance. He was one of the people I knew I wanted on the podcast back when it was just an idea. In fact, I launched Lila in Maria & Shaheer's kitchen!

Shaheer talks about growing up with immigrant parents, losing his dad at 19, returning to Egypt to connect with his family's culture, and making strides in the teaching space. After an extremely successful career as a teacher and administrator in Waldorf schools, Shaheer has shifted his attention to personal training and life coaching.

Back in 2004, Shaheer was offered a job to run a school on the Big Island of Hawaii. In the last 20 years, they have gone back and forth between Hawaii and California while building a successful business called Kona Mountain Refuge. They've created a big, beautiful life on the island, welcomed many into their home, and for that it has become a home to me.

I'm overjoyed to share these amazing people with others and to bring the spirit of traveling to people at home.

Need some company, a belly laugh, or a hand to hold? Listen to Lila.

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