We recently had the chance to connect with Declan Chapin and have shared our conversation below.
Declan, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
What makes me lose track of time and find myself again is solo travel. When I’m on the road by myself, wandering through a new neighborhood or striking up conversations with strangers, I slip into a flow where hours pass without me noticing. It’s not just about discovery on the outside—it’s about reconnecting on the inside. Traveling solo forces me to be present, resourceful, and open, and that’s when I feel most like myself.
Most recently, moving to Mexico has been the biggest version of that. Every day feels like a balance of adventure and grounding: navigating a new city, learning the rhythms of life here, practicing Spanish, finding my favorite local spots. Sometimes I lose track of time sitting in a café, people-watching or journaling. Other times it’s exploring a street market or running through a new park. In those moments, I rediscover the parts of myself that thrive on curiosity, courage, and connection.
Solo travel—and now building a life in Mexico—reminds me that losing track of time isn’t about being distracted. It’s about being so fully immersed in where I am that I feel both lost and found at the same time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Declan “Decca” Chapin. I wear a few hats, but at the core I’m a storyteller and connector. I run Decca Dot Com, my content creation and social media consulting business, where I partner with brands—from travel and lifestyle to food and wellness—to scale their reach and connect authentically with their audiences. At the same time, I share my own work through my travel blog and social channels, documenting authentic experiences from over 50 countries.
What makes my brand unique is that it’s rooted in authenticity and accessibility. I don’t just highlight destinations or products—I dive into culture, food, wellness, and the little things that make people feel at home in new places. Recently, I’ve been focusing on life in Mexico City, bringing my audience behind the scenes as I navigate a new chapter abroad.
Right now, I’m working on expanding my travel guides, collaborating with brands that share my values, and helping businesses and creators grow through content that feels human, not forced. My story is still being written, but it’s driven by a simple belief: when you connect people to meaningful experiences—whether through travel, food, or storytelling—you build something that lasts.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work are my parents. They reversed the “traditional” roles—my mom was an executive at a Fortune 500 company, and my dad was a stay-at-home dad. Watching them showed me early on that there’s no one right way to define success, and that work is about purpose and contribution, not titles or stereotypes.
From my mom, I learned discipline, resilience, and how to lead with both vision and empathy. From my dad, I learned creativity, adaptability, and the value of presence—whether that meant making a house feel like home, or modeling what it looks like to live fully outside of a job description. And together, they showed me the importance of adventure and curiosity: both were travelers and trailblazers in their own ways, instilling in me the courage to build a life outside the box.
Their example taught me that work is less about fitting into roles and more about designing a life that feels meaningful—something I carry into my own path as a creator, entrepreneur, and traveler.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: “You don’t have to have it all figured out to be on the right path.”
I’d remind myself that growth doesn’t come from perfect plans, it comes from curiosity, courage, and showing up fully for the moment you’re in. The twists, the setbacks, and even the times you feel lost are all shaping you into someone stronger, more creative, and more grounded than you realize. Trust yourself, keep exploring, and know that the life you’re building will be even bigger and brighter than you could imagine.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief I’m committed to—no matter how long it takes—is that travel should be authentic, accessible, and sustainable. I’ve built my work around the idea that travel isn’t just about checking destinations off a list; it’s about connection—to people, to culture, and to ourselves.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that I was faithful, fearless, and compassionate toward others—that I showed up with integrity and kindness. I hope they remember that I worked to illuminate the beautiful parts of our world, whether through travel, storytelling, or simply how I treated people. More than anything, I want my legacy to be about inspiring others to live fully, love deeply, and see the extraordinary in both the journey and the everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deccadotcom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deccadotcom/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-chapin-a2487a141/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@deccadotcom
