Have you ever stared out your window, wondering what it would feel like to leave it all behind? Not just for a weekend getaway, but for a life untethered, where the road itself becomes your home. For one 36-year-old woman, that fleeting thought turned into a reality when she sold her childhood home and hit the open road in a Toyota Tacoma. Her story isn’t just about travel—it’s about rewriting what it means to live fully, and her biggest takeaway might just spark something in you.
From Corporate Grind to Global Adventure
At 27, she was climbing the corporate ladder in healthcare, working grueling 80-hour weeks from the comfort—or confinement—of her inherited Wisconsin home. The house, filled with memories of her late father, was both a sanctuary and a cage. “I was just going through the motions,” she recalls, her voice tinged with the exhaustion of those years. A chance encounter during a scuba diving trip in Honduras changed everything.
He said, ‘It’s easier than you think to live the life you want.’ That stuck with me.
– A fellow traveler she met in Honduras
That conversation lit a fire. She returned home, worked harder to save, and quit her job within a year. By 2023, she’d sold her house and purchased a Toyota Tacoma for just over $42,000, ready to embrace overlanding—a self-reliant travel style that prioritizes remote destinations and rugged vehicles. Her dog, her camera, and a thirst for freedom were her only companions.
Why Overlanding? The Appeal of a Mobile Life
Overlanding isn’t just driving—it’s a mindset. It’s about embracing the unknown, setting your own pace, and finding beauty in the journey. For her, the decision to live in a truck wasn’t random. Planes were a hassle with a pet, and her love for photography demanded access to wild, untouched places. A Toyota Tacoma, known for its durability, was the perfect fit.
- Freedom to roam: No fixed address means no limits on where you wake up.
- Self-reliance: Overlanding teaches you to handle repairs, navigation, and logistics solo.
- Connection to nature: From volcanoes to beaches, the world becomes your backyard.
But it wasn’t all romantic sunsets. She invested over $50,000 in renovations, from solar panels to a custom camper bed, to make the truck livable. “It’s not glamorous,” she admits. “You’re constantly troubleshooting—flat tires, border crossings, finding safe places to park.” Yet, the trade-offs were worth it for the life she built.
The Journey: 20 Countries and Counting
Her first adventure was a three-month stint in Baja California, Mexico, where she planned her truck’s transformation. From there, she tackled the Pan-American Highway, a legendary route stretching from Alaska to Argentina. She’s explored Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and parts of Argentina—over 20 countries in all.
Each destination brought new challenges and rewards. In Peru, she camped inside a volcano. In Chile, she woke to ocean waves crashing nearby. “You get to decide your day,” she says. “That kind of freedom is addictive.” But crossing borders alone, especially as a woman, required grit. She learned to trust her instincts, plan meticulously, and lean on the overlanding community for tips.
| Destination | Highlight | Challenge |
| Mexico | Baja’s beaches | Learning truck maintenance |
| Peru | Volcano camping | High-altitude driving |
| Chile | Coastal sunsets | Navigating border delays |
Perhaps the most surprising part? She doesn’t call it a “dream life.” It’s work—hard work. But the ability to choose between a jungle or a beach for the night makes every challenge worthwhile.
The Biggest Lesson: Life Is Too Short
After years on the road, her biggest takeaway isn’t about travel hacks or truck mods. It’s a simple, profound truth: life is too short. Her father’s passing at 57 taught her that waiting for the “right time” is a trap. “He never got to retire,” she says quietly. “That’s why I’m doing this now.”
You don’t need to quit your job or sell your house, but whatever you want in life, start today.
This lesson resonates beyond travel. It’s about prioritizing what matters—whether that’s a career pivot, a new hobby, or mending a relationship. For her, travel was the catalyst, but the principle applies universally. In my experience, it’s easy to postpone dreams for “someday.” Her story is a reminder that someday might never come.
How She Made It Work: Practical Tips
Curious how she pulled this off? It wasn’t all spontaneity. Here’s how she turned her vision into reality:
- Saved aggressively: Years of corporate work built a financial cushion.
- Researched thoroughly: She studied overlanding and truck setups before committing.
- Started small: Baja was a low-stakes test run before longer journeys.
- Embraced flexibility: “The plan is no plan” became her mantra.
She also leaned on her photography skills to offset costs, selling prints and taking freelance gigs. “It’s not about being rich,” she says. “It’s about spending on what matters.” Her minimalist lifestyle—fewer possessions, more experiences—keeps expenses low.
Challenges of Solo Travel as a Woman
Traveling alone as a woman comes with unique hurdles. She’s faced skeptical border officials, late-night mechanical issues, and the constant need to stay vigilant. “You learn to read situations fast,” she says. Yet, she’s found kindness everywhere—locals offering food, fellow travelers sharing tips.
I’ve always admired solo travelers, especially women, for their courage. It’s not just about logistics; it’s about defying societal expectations that women need company to explore. Her story underscores that independence is a muscle you build with practice.
What’s Next for Her Journey?
She’s not slowing down. Plans to explore more of South America and possibly Africa are on the horizon. But she’s also open to change. “Maybe I’ll settle somewhere someday,” she muses. “But for now, this is home.” Her dog, her truck, and the open road are enough.
Her story challenges us to ask: What’s holding us back? For some, it’s fear of the unknown. For others, it’s the comfort of routine. Whatever it is, her journey proves that stepping into uncertainty can lead to a life richer than you imagined.
Takeaways for Your Own Path
You don’t need a Toyota Tacoma to live boldly. Her story offers lessons for anyone craving change:
- Start small: Try a weekend trip to test your comfort zone.
- Prioritize what matters: Cut expenses that don’t align with your goals.
- Trust yourself: You’re capable of more than you think.
As I reflect on her journey, I can’t help but wonder: What’s my next step? Maybe it’s not selling my house, but it could be saying yes to something I’ve been postponing. Her story is a nudge to stop waiting and start living.
So, what about you? What’s one thing you could do today to move closer to the life you want? It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes, the smallest step—like booking a trip or having a tough conversation—can set you on a path you never expected.
