A HEART Thing Happened — And It Might Just Save a Life
This June, Avandra is proudly stepping into something bigger than travel. We’re walking for hearts — and for awareness that could save lives, including my own and my dad's.
On June 21, we’ll be lacing up for the Denver American Heart Association Heart Walk. But this isn’t just a feel-good fitness event. It’s personal. It’s urgent. And it’s something we hope inspires you to look deeper into your own health — and your family’s.
A Hidden Risk, A Life-Changing Discovery
Many of you know me as the founder of Avandra — the planner, the explorer, the lover of seamless adventures. But recently, life sent me on a journey I never expected. After a routine checkup revealed significant calcium buildup in my arteries — placing me in the 90th percentile for my age — I was shocked. I eat well, move often, and by all surface-level metrics, I was healthy.
I dug deeper. I pushed for advanced testing. That’s when I found the culprit: Lipoprotein(a) — or Lp(a) — a genetic cholesterol-like particle that doesn’t show up on standard blood tests but can dramatically increase your risk of heart disease.
My Lp(a) levels? Three times higher than they should be.
So, I did what any daughter would do — I told my dad to get tested too. He had no symptoms. No warnings. But his arteries were 100%, 95%, and 90% blocked. A walking time bomb. Within a week of those results, he underwent a triple bypass surgery.
He didn’t know. I didn’t know. And the truth is, most people don’t know.
Why This Matters to You
Lp(a) testing isn’t part of routine care in the U.S. Even many doctors aren’t talking about it. But they should be — and that’s why we’re walking. This has to change.
Here’s what you can do right now:
Ask for an Lp(a) test at your next checkup — especially if heart disease runs in your family.
Read Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia, the book that changed everything for me and led me down this path of discovery.
Reach out to us at hello@travelavandra.com — we’re not just about travel. We’re about caring for our community and sharing what we’ve learned.
Avandra’s Heartbeat: Building Community Near and Far
At Avandra, we believe that travel is more than movement — it’s about connection. Whether we’re designing dream getaways or walking for a cause, our mission is rooted in community, compassion, and curiosity.
We’re committed to building meaningful connections — both locally and globally. That means:
Supporting causes that matter to our hearts and yours.
Creating space for health, hope, and healing — whether you're on the road or right at home.
Showing up, not just as planners, but as people who care deeply about the journey and those we walk it with.
Walk With Us: A HEART Thing Happened
We’re putting our energy where our hearts are — literally. Join our Heart Walk team, “A HEART Thing Happened”, on June 21st. Whether you walk with us in Denver or cheer us on from afar, you can make a difference.
Walk with us. Donate. Share this story. And yes — we promise to have a lot of fun along the way.
Together, we can raise awareness, fund lifesaving research, and push for the change we need — because early detection isn't just a buzzword. It’s a second chance.
This isn’t just a walk. It’s a movement. And at Avandra, we believe in journeys that matter.