VANLIFE MIRACLE: Surviving Hurricane Helene in My VAN!



A story of survival, healing, and a renewed zest for living. Michelle had been through a lot in her life, including childhood and adult trauma. She is a solo senior nomad who survived a devastating hurricane – in her van. A mechanic told her that her 30 year old van was not drivable. Yet that van got her to higher ground, then miraculously got her all the way back to her daughter in Florida!
With a whole new outlook on life, she has found love for herself and the people around her. Just when she thought the world had ended, she discovered she could fly. From a trauma cocoon, she has emerged as free as a butterfly!

www.youtube.com/@ShelbyVanGone

Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound https://www.epidemicsound.com/
Dimmed Lights by Northside https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/M9rYA4mb0z/
Arizona by Lennon Hutton https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/DDvf3pB4Yl/

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45 thoughts on “VANLIFE MIRACLE: Surviving Hurricane Helene in My VAN!”

  1. I cried listening but was so happy to hear her story much hugs and love coming from Tehachapi California and God is great to give us family and folks to care for one another ❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 and love kindness 😇

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  2. WOW! Jan, you could not have done a better interview with and about Michelle’s life-threatening days and nights of pure Hell.
    You are the reason so many women are feeling empowered !
    You are an amazing lady.
    My friend Michele is an amazing lady also , I’m so proud of her.
    We are all blessed to be in Butterfly Tracks Tribe. 🫶🙌💪💪🏾🦋because of your vision Jan. Thank you!

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  3. I love that you gave Michelle a space to express all this, to tell her story, so she can continue to process an experience that clearly had a huge impact on her. You're a wonderful channel, and I'm so glad I've subscribed.
    🖖🪴💚

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  4. Is there anyone in this group close to Oklahoma. I am 72 and I am looking to start car camping. I got a delta 2. I just need some help knowing how to do the electric. I got some solar panels but could not figure them out so I sent them back so if someone could help me I would so much appreciate it. Thank you

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  5. What a beautiful person🙏 I hope you realize Jan how many people you have helped through their journeys just by having this wonderful community🙏🙏 merry Christmas❤️💚🎄🎄💚❤️

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  6. I know exactly where you were at. I was a sales rep for all the western NC Inglés. So glad you are OK. Im displacer. I am going to Houston for a while. Stay safe and yes keep breathing. I still cry everyday to release the stress.

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  7. I’m crying through your video! Thank god you found shelter and were able to make it out of the area and find gas—resources became scarce so fast!

    There are many areas that are still not ready for guests, but most of WNC needs your business. Most campgrounds are full with families that have lost their homes but if you’re in a, more or less, off grid van, the harvest hosts in the area are welcoming travelers.

    The mountains are calling!

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  8. Jan thank you for helping this lovely woman share jer story, I'm sure that was very therapeutic for her. Those old econoline vans were the best ever, glad it did her justice through all of that.

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  9. Michelle is a sweetheart. I met her in October when she parked next to me. She was banging away trying to put a shelf together to organize the inside of her van that she had escaped in.

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  10. Hi ! Love this story , long time follower, often wish I was with you all ,
    Really enjoy your adventures and meet ups ,keep up the good work,
    Lots of love to you the gals and their fur babies
    🍁🇨🇦 happy trails!

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  11. ❤ oh the bittersweetness❤ hugs to Michelle and a suggestion that you look for a video here on YouTube how to do EMDR on yourself the woman who actually discovered it and made it famous so to speak did it while she was walking down the street, no special tools. Lots of people also do the tapping method to relieve stress❤ blessings all around Merry Christmas

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  12. Michelle has a healing, gentle voice. Appreciate her talking about her experiences. Happy she has found her "own space" and is on her way to her peaceful life. Didn't hear when your birthday is but, "Happy Birthday" today❤ 🙂

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  13. I'm so sorry for everyone who went through that. It was scary even just watching it on TV, i can't imagine how it felt to actually be there, going through it.

    Thankfully the paramedic was there to help. ❤

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