I Spent My 20s Backpacking Around The World Instead Of Settling Down. This Is What Most People Don't Get.

The author watching the sunset on Mt. Malo Spicje in the Julian Alps, Slovenia.

I’m an adventure guide for an all-women’s travel company, which means I get to lead groups of incredible women on hiking, backpacking, surfing, rappelling, snorkelling and cultural trips around the world. I’ve gotten to hike the Inca Trail in Peru, snorkel in the Caribbean Sea and watch the sunrise over Petra in Jordan — all while getting paid. 

When I tell people what I do for work, they usually think I’m living the dream.