Exploring the World, Rediscovering Myself
My curiosity for travel began just before my 10th birthday. I remember asking for one thing: to fly somewhere. My cousin was living in downtown Chicago at the time, so my dad coordinated with him and booked us a flight. We each packed a backpack and spent the weekend exploring the city. That trip sparked something in me—a yearning for adventure and a desire to explore new places.
In my teenage years, I became deeply involved in my church’s youth group, where we went on mission trips during spring and summer break. These experiences not only fueled my love for travel but also introduced me to the idea of using exploration as a means of connecting with others and understanding the world around me. By the time I graduated high school, I had already visited 25 states and even ventured out of the country to Canada; each trip a step toward self-discovery and personal growth.
During college, I had the opportunity to study abroad. The choice was between India or New Zealand, and I opted for the latter, hoping to avoid any language barriers. In the fall of 2009, I spent a semester there. It was both exciting and terrifying—I was homesick at times, but I experienced countless firsts: traveling solo, getting a tattoo, visiting the southern hemisphere, bungee jumping off the third-highest point in the world, hitchhiking, and going on a Lord of the Rings tour in a Land Rover. Each of these experiences taught me more about resilience, independence, and the beauty of stepping outside my comfort zone.
After college, I struggled to find a teaching job and worked at Home Depot while trying to figure out my next steps. Feeling stuck and depressed, I decided to pursue a long-time dream: joining the military. But first, I had to tackle a major hurdle—I weighed 240 pounds. In 2013, I committed to counting calories and getting active, eventually losing 70 pounds. With my new lease on life, I spoke to an Air Force recruiter. One of the biggest draws for me was the opportunity to travel, and I hit the jackpot: my first assignment was in Ramstein, Germany.
For two years, I took full advantage of every long weekend and the budget-friendly travel options in Europe. RyanAir’s €5 one-way flights were a game-changer. I often traveled solo, visiting 16 countries, due to my friends having families or were much younger and more interested in partying.
My next assignment was supposed to be South Korea with a follow-on to Alaska, but I faced an unexpected detour—emergency back surgery. This led to my assignment being canceled and I was diverted to Montgomery, Alabama. At first, I was devastated, struggling to understand why this had happened. But soon, Alabama became part of my healing journey. Hiking became both a physical and emotional therapy for me, aiding in my recovery from surgery while giving me a sense of peace. I set out to explore the top 10 waterfalls in the state, and as I embraced the outdoors, I realized that travel could be a powerful tool for healing. Alabama’s central location also made it easy to take short trips, and I found comfort in road trips to New Orleans, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Florida panhandle—each journey offering a fresh perspective and helping me rediscover my strength.
"And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul" -John Muir
In June of 2020 I moved to Colorado with my then-partner, and I bought a 5-acre off-grid homestead with million dollar views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. While the move felt like a fresh start, the relationship quickly became toxic and abusive. Travel became my refuge, offering a sense of freedom and healing amidst the turmoil. Each trip—whether it was exploring the mountains or snagging a $10 round-trip flight to Spokane, Washington—gave me moments of clarity and strength, reminding me of the peace I could find beyond the chaos.
After walking away from my abusive relationship and the military in early 2021, I was overwhelmed by a deep sense of loss and trauma. Unsure of where to turn, I knew one thing—I needed to reconnect with myself to begin healing. The weight of those years felt unbearable, and van life emerged as more than just an escape; it became the path I would take to heal, grow, and rediscover the person I had lost along the way.
I sold my homestead, moved in with friends, and began looking for a vehicle that could carry me into this new chapter. Two days after my 32nd birthday, I bought my 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van (Herm). This wasn’t just a purchase—it was a commitment to my healing journey. I flew to Ohio on a Saturday morning, bought Herm, and made it back to Kansas City by 9 PM. That night, I felt a flicker of hope, something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Van life became my sanctuary, a space where I could process the trauma of the past and slowly begin to rebuild my sense of self. The open road offered freedom, but also time—time to reflect, to be alone with my thoughts, and to confront the parts of my story I had been avoiding. The physical act of traveling mirrored my inner journey of healing, as every new place allowed me to shed old layers and embrace the unknown.
During the build process, I realized that van life wasn’t just about adventure or exploration—it was about creating a space that reflected my journey toward self-discovery. The quiet solitude of the road, the beauty of nature, and the simplicity of tiny living all became tools for my healing. I began to understand that healing isn’t linear. Some days I felt strong, and other days I felt vulnerable, but each step along the way was necessary.
In 2022, as I worked on my van and traveled between states, I discovered the therapeutic power of being in nature. Hiking through forests, camping by rivers, and waking up to sunrises in the middle of nowhere reconnected me with my body and spirit. The pain I carried started to feel lighter, and I realized that healing wasn’t about fixing myself—it was about learning to live with grace and compassion for all I had been through.
Van life became a metaphor for my personal growth: I was constantly in motion, always adapting, and learning to embrace uncertainty. It taught me how to be present with myself and to trust that, no matter how winding the road, I was heading in the right direction. Every new place I explored wasn’t just an external adventure; it was a step toward deeper healing and self-discovery.
Today, I find myself living on a homestead in a tiny house, embracing a lifestyle that reflects my values of simplicity and adventure. Despite being stationary, I’m still committed to tiny living, which allows me to afford big adventures. I travel part-time in Herm, my beloved van, using each journey as an opportunity to explore and deepen my connection with nature. With the launch of The WanderHer, I’m excited to share my authentic self and inspire others to use travel and the healing power of nature for personal growth—because I believe in the mantra: “wander beyond, heal within." I’ve learned that true healing comes from the journeys we take, both in nature and within ourselves.
25
Years traveling
24
Countries visited
6
Torn backpacks
3
Lost pillows