42: How to travel without masking: Creating neuroaffirming adventures with Agnes Abelsen

Travel can be life-changing, but only when it's designed with your nervous system in mind.

In this inspiring conversation, Laetitia sits down with Agnes Abelsen, founder and CEO of Travengers AU, to explore what truly inclusive travel can look like for neurodivergent people. Together they discuss how travel builds confidence, friendships and independence when environments are designed around support, preparation and belonging rather than expectations.

Agnes shares how growing up alongside her autistic sister and working with neurodivergent young people led her to create Travengers, a community where travel becomes a pathway to connection, confidence and self-discovery.

Whether you're planning your first family holiday, supporting a neurodivergent young person, or dreaming about travelling yourself, this episode is full of practical ideas to make travel feel possible.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇

🧠 Why so many neurodivergent people dream of travelling, and why they deserve the opportunity

🧠 How to design travel around the nervous system rather than neuronormative expectations

🧠 The importance of preparation, predictability and visual planning before a trip

🧠 Why sensory breaks and decompression are just as important as sightseeing

🧠 How travelling with other neurodivergent people creates genuine belonging

🧠 Practical ways travel helps build confidence, independence and social skills

🧠 How small travel experiences can prepare young people for bigger adventures

🧠 Why flexibility is one of the most important travel tools

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ABOUT THE GUEST 👇

Agnes Abelsen is the founder and CEO of Travengers AU, a multi-award-winning inclusive travel company creating supported social events and travel experiences for young neurodivergent people across Australia and overseas.

Originally from a small island in Norway, Agnes trained as a learning disability nurse before moving to Australia. Inspired by her younger sister Elise, who is autistic, Agnes created Travengers after seeing how many neurodivergent young people were excluded from opportunities to travel, make friends and build independence.

Travengers now supports hundreds of young people through carefully designed travel experiences that prioritise connection, confidence and belonging. Agnes is also a late-diagnosed ADHDer and recently launched Divergence Travel, creating curated travel experiences for Millennial and Gen X women with ADHD and AuDHD.

Her work has been recognised internationally, including being named a Global Change-Maker by Condé Nast Traveller and featured on ABC's 7.30.

💻 Website: https://travengers.com.au

📸 Instagram: @travengers.au | @agnesabelsen

ABOUT THE HOST 👇

Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.

She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.

Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.

Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.