I was born and raised in Missouri. I grew up in a large family of seven, with a twin brother and three sisters. Our house was always chaotic. We grew up with a boat and spent most of our summers at the lake. My parents refused to have unathletic children. We were taught how to water ski at a very young age. We didn’t have a choice; you were going to learn to ski whether you wanted to or not. A new Barbie doll was my parents’ secret motivational weapon to get me to try anything. I think my biggest motivation was to impress my siblings. After water skiing came snow skiing. I first learned to ski in Colorado at a young age. My dad gave us lessons on a bunny hill. Snow skiing every winter has become our family tradition.

If we weren’t at the lake for the weekend, we were on an overnight camping float trip. Our family slept in one large tent, with a mesh divider that separated us from our parents. During the day, we would blow up inner tubes and float all day along the river.

My parents are very spontaneous. They were always booking random family trips around the country. These trips were anything but relaxing. They consisted of hiking, camping, rappelling from canyons, snow skiing, snowmobiling, and biking. We preferred to stay active on vacation rather than relaxing on a beach. These family vacations sparked my love for travel and desire to explore more.

The summer going into my junior year of college, I studied abroad with my two best friends in Barcelona, Spain. That was my first time in Europe. I fell in love with everything about Spain. On the weekends, we traveled to a few different countries. I became obsessed with learning about all the diverse cultures and lifestyles abroad.

After graduation, I faced a crossroads. I yearned for adventure, not a 9-to-5 grind. Luckily, fate intervened, and I landed my dream job as a travel director. Now, I spend my days jet-setting around the globe, 280 days, living out of a suitcase and embracing the unexpected.

As a solo female traveler, I’ve learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. From navigating foreign cities to overcoming challenges, I’ve gained confidence, resilience, and a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the world and the people in it. I’ve learned how to cope under pressure, which has enabled me to manage my own emotions better. I believe travel is the best form of self-discovery and therapy.

• • •