SARASOTA, Fla. -- Fear is only one of many feelings Kendra Simpkins felt just a few days ago.

"It was a surreal experience," she says. "I’ll admit I was fearful."

Simpkins founded the organization Operation Warrior Resolution. As a military veteran, she teaches holistic ways to treat fellow veterans going through post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

In late February, she flew to Rishikesh, India, known as the "birthplace of yoga." Little did she know, she was going to face one of her biggest challenges this year.

As coronavirus fears grew, every flight she booked to get home was canceled.

"Things just started to increase and progressively get worse," Simpkins says.

Days later, India announced a 21-day shutdown.

"There was a lot of fear. You could feel it," she says. "I just had to learn that nothing was in my power and be OK with that."

What was supposed to be a 15-day trip turned into 39 days. 

Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan stepped in to help get her back home and "was a huge help," Simpkins says.

Eventually, she received an email stating she was booked on the only flight leaving India.

"We were the only flight in (one of) the world's most busiest airports," she says.

After 48 hours' worth of travel, she's finally happy to be home.

"When we landed in San Francisco, there was a lot of cheering and clapping for sure," Simpkins says.