What happens when a life-threatening cancer diagnosis transforms into a mission to create paradise? The ROAMies welcome Brian Montgomery, founder of SIrenian Bay Resort in Placencia, Belize, who shares his extraordinary journey from facing terminal cancer to building an award-winning luxury destination.

Brian's story begins with humble roots in Mississippi and a devastating diagnosis at 38 years old that gave him just six months to live. After nine months of treatment and a life-saving bone marrow transplant, Brian and his wife Brenda emerged with a completely different perspective on life. They sold their Texas company in 2012 and set out to build a simple beach house somewhere beautiful. Upon visiting Belize, they immediately fell in love with the country and its people, purchasing a property centered around two palm trees that would become the foundation of their first villa.

What makes Sirenian Bay truly special isn't just its modern luxury amenities or stunning beachfront location. The heart of the resort lies in Brian's revolutionary approach to leadership and staff development. His "Above the Line" philosophy focuses on positivity, purpose, and believing in people who had never been believed in before. This approach recently earned Sirenian Bay recognition from Expedia as offering the best customer experience in all of Belize.

The resort wasn't built according to a master plan or with profit as the primary motive. Rather, it evolved organically from Brian and Brenda's genuine love for Belize and desire to share their slice of paradise with others. What began as a retirement home to visit 4-6 weeks annually has blossomed into a destination where guests become friends and staff feel like family.

This inspiring conversation reveals how the most meaningful creations often come from the heart, not the balance sheet. Join us as we explore how one man's second chance at life became an opportunity to transform not just his own future, but an entire community's as well.

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The ROAMies
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Ever wondered what it's like to grind your own chocolate on a centuries-old Mayan stone or snorkel alongside harmless sharks off a private Caribbean island? Join us as we dive into our adventures with Captain Jak's excursions in Placencia, Belize!

We take you behind the scenes of this remarkable tour company headquartered at Sirenian Bay Resort, sharing the touching story of how the original Captain Jack's legacy lives on through his friend who purchased the business after Jack's passing. From there, we journey through lush jungles to experience a traditional chocolate farm where we learned about cacao cultivation, tasted the surprisingly delicious fruit surrounding cacao beans, and participated in the ancient art of chocolate-making using techniques passed down through generations.

Our adventures continue at a hidden three-tiered waterfall system that felt plucked straight from a movie set. Picture this: crystal-clear pools perfect for cliff jumping, tiny fish providing natural "spa treatments" by nibbling dead skin cells from your feet, and refreshing swims surrounded by pristine jungle. As if that wasn't enough, we recount our unforgettable catamaran journey to Moho Key, a private island where we snorkeled through vibrant coral reefs, encountered docile nurse sharks and stingrays, and enjoyed fresh-grilled meals on a picture-perfect beach.

What makes Captain Jak's truly special is their commitment to personalized experiences – whether you're seeking adventure, romance, or cultural immersion, they craft bespoke excursions tailored to your desires. We also share insider tips about visiting Belize during May's shoulder season, when you can enjoy summer weather without the winter crowds.

Subscribe now to hear more about our Belizean adventures, including our upcoming episode featuring the remarkable Sirenian Bay Resort where we stayed throughout our journey!

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Alexa and Rory
The ROAMies
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Thank you to Sirenian Bay Resorts and Villas! sirenianbay.com

Have you ever dreamed of escaping to a tropical paradise where palm trees sway, crystal waters beckon, and adventure awaits around every corner? Join us as we kick off our summer series exploring Placencia, Belize—a stunning 16-mile peninsula that captivated us from the moment we arrived.

This episode serves as your comprehensive guide to planning the perfect Belizean getaway. We break down everything from what to pack (multiple swimsuits are non-negotiable!), to navigating flights with Tropic Air's scenic puddle jumpers that offer breathtaking aerial views of mountains, rainforests, and winding rivers. You'll appreciate our practical tips about currency (the easy 2:1 exchange rate makes math simple), language (English is the official language), and the fascinating cultural mosaic that makes Belize so unique.

Discover accommodation options that cater to every preference—from Serenian Bay, Belize's only all-inclusive resort where we stayed, to private islands with personal chefs, to the garden paradise of Ceiba Beach Resort. We take you behind the scenes of each property, sharing the distinct atmosphere and amenities you'll find. Transportation is a breeze with golf carts from Captain Jack's for peninsula exploration and boat taxis for island hopping.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is our firsthand experience navigating the quirks of Belizean travel—like how to handle those pesky "no-see-ums" (sand fleas), the unexpected flexibility of flight schedules, and local customs you won't find in typical travel guides. We even share the story of a mysterious bird encounter that left even long-time locals puzzled!

Whether you're actively planning a trip or simply dreaming of your next escape, this episode will transport you to the sunny shores of Placencia. Subscribe now to join us next week as we dive deeper into our adventures with snorkeling, spice farms, chocolate making, and more unforgettable experiences from our Belizean journey.

Gecko Vacation Rentals: reservations@geckovacations.com 972-383-4443

Prana Maya Island Resort: info@pranamayaresort.com 888-487-2011

Travel Advisors to help book your trip:

Destinations by Kami, LLC: destinationsbykami@gmail.com, 419-957-2087

Dream Vacations:JoAnne: jmichaud@dreamvacations.com, 919-452-0227

Samantha Garrick- Travel Advisor Sam@MadHatterAdv.com 601-658-8484

Brook Ray - brook@travelwithdirection.com @travelwithdirection

Melanie Rodriguez, CTA, VTA - melanie@travelwithmelanie.com, 215.240.1327

Thanks for your ongoing support!
http://paypal.me/TheROAMies
Alexa and Rory
The ROAMies
Please subscribe, rate and share our podcast!
Follow us at:
http://www.TheROAMies.com
The ROAMies: Facebook and Instagram
YouTube and X.