Exclusive Interview : Olympians Discover Saudi Arabia in 'The Wanderer'
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Travel and Technology Magazine Exclusive.
In The Wanderer: Destinations Unknown, a striking new series from Tripadvisor, travel becomes more than a passport stamp — it becomes a mirror. In its latest episode, set in Saudi Arabia, three trailblazing athletes, Laviai Nielsen, Lina Nielsen and Marsha Dunkel, exchange podiums for palm-lined coastlines, red sand dunes and ancient marketplaces. Their mission is to reconnect with themselves, each other and the pulse of a culture often misunderstood.
The episode is a feast for the senses. Spanning the shimmering Red Sea, a bustling music festival and a traditional Najdi lunch, the 38-minute journey is a portrait of modern Saudi Arabia told through the lens of elite athletes. These are women used to speed, discipline and global expectations. But here, far from stadium lights, they find something unexpected: stillness, soul and sisterhood. The three athletes sit down with Travel & Technology Magazine for an online exclusive interview.
Transformation Is Not a Medal, It's a Mindset
📸 (Profile photo of Laviai Nielsen)
We begin with the question that drives the series: What does transformation mean to you? For Laviai, a World and Olympic medallist, transformation is “growth through challenge.” Her sister Lina, who bravely lives and trains with MS, adds, “Doing new things even if it’s scary.” And Marsha, a social media powerhouse and European sprint talent, offers a grounded take: “It’s about becoming a better version of yourself — mentally, physically, emotionally.”
In Saudi Arabia, this idea unfolds beautifully. These women aren't just transforming how they see the world, they’re also transforming how the world sees them.
A Journey Through Culture, Connection and Coffee
📸 (Profile photo of Lina Nielsen)
As seasoned travellers, the trio bring their quirks and comforts along for the ride. Laviai swears by RSTRS, a coffee app that tracks down the best artisan brews in any city (“great for coffee lovers!”). Marsha relies on Google Maps and Tripadvisor to navigate and capture her moments. For Lina, it’s an e-SIM. “Have to stay connected!”
But technology doesn’t replace authenticity, it enhances it. Laviai reflects, “Social media allows people to witness life with chronic illness in full colour, not just in struggle. That duality is important.” Marsha echoes that sentiment. “This trip made me realise I don’t have to stick to just one part of my story. There’s so much more I can share, and it still feels like me.”
For all three, documenting their trip wasn’t a burden — it was a joy. As Lina puts it, “Saudi Arabia was so amazing, it didn’t even feel like pressure to film. It was more like, how could I not?”
Breaking Stereotypes, Building Bridges
📸 (Profile photo of Marsha Dunkel)
Saudi Arabia isn’t a typical influencer destination — and that’s exactly why it works. Lina admits, “I loved that they didn’t try to Westernise anything to cater to us. They proudly shared their traditions and didn’t judge us for documenting it.”
The openness and depth of the culture were eye-opening for Laviai too. “We discovered deserts, large cities, blue beaches, rich history. It completely changed my sense of what the Middle East can offer, not just visually, but spiritually and creatively.”
Marsha found clarity and calm in the vastness of the landscape. “The Red Sea, the desert, the old town of Jeddah — it was so peaceful. It recharged me mentally.” As athletes constantly navigating high-pressure environments, they all welcomed the rare chance to “feel grounded”, as Laviai described.
Sisterhood and Stillness in the Sand
Throughout the episode, the unspoken bond between Lina and Laviai is magnetic. But it’s when we talk about their relationship off-track that the emotion truly hits. Lina says, “Without the pressure of performance, we were the closest we’ve ever been. The culture in Saudi Arabia reminded us so much of our Sudanese upbringing. We felt like little girls again.”
Even Marsha, the solo traveller of the trio, was struck by the intimacy of the group dynamic. “We shared so much — meals, sunrises, late-night chats. It didn’t feel like a press trip, it felt like discovery.”
Travel Tech with Purpose
Tech plays a critical role in reshaping how they travel and how others experience it through them. Whether it’s TikTok snippets or full YouTube recaps, Lina believes platforms can “challenge old ideas, not just about destinations, but about illness too.”
Her advocacy work, including an upcoming address to British Parliament, is deeply tied to this mission. “MS is different for everyone. Social media lets us show that range. It’s not about comparison, it’s about storytelling.”
Next Destinations, New Dimensions
So what’s next for these wandering warriors?
Lina is dreaming of Japan. “The stillness, the tea ceremonies, the reverence for the seasons, it feels like the kind of place that teaches you how to see.” Laviai is eyeing Mexico City, drawn to its layers of history and art. Marsha has a longer list: Cuba, Costa Rica, the Philippines, and maybe a safari in Kenya or South Africa.
But regardless of where they go, they’ll carry this lesson with them. Travel isn’t about ticking off sights — it’s about shedding assumptions.
“Lead with curiosity, not expectation,” says Lina. “That’s how we grow, not just as travellers, but as people too.”
Final Word from the Wanderers
Marsha: “Don’t just do what you planned. Say yes to the sunrise hike. Eat the street food. Talk to the locals.”
Laviai: “Forget what you think you know about a place. Wander with a curious mind.”
Lina: “Travel isn’t just about seeing new places, it’s also about seeing with new eyes.”
🎥 Stream the full episode of The Wanderer: Destinations Unknown on Prime Video. Follow Laviai, Lina and Marsha for more on their journeys through sport, sisterhood and self-discovery. This interview is an exclusive with Laviai, Lina and Marsha for Travel and Technology Magazine.
