Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Jarvis.
Hi Whitney, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I spent 10 years supporting my husband’s dream of becoming a surgeon. The dream of one day being able to travel the world and having a comfortable life kept me pushing through those difficult years.
Until, my marriage ended right when those dreams came within reach. And the loss of those dreams was one of the most devastating parts. I found myself unexpectedly a single mom of 2 who had neglected her own career advancement in support of his and our family.
But then, our first divorced summer, I discovered that for the first time in years, I would have several weeks off in the summer as he got his time with our kids. This was also just as Greece was reopening for tourism following the pandemic. I booked a 10-day trip to one of the places at the top of my bucket list, Santorini. It was some of the best moments of my life.
With that trip came the realization, that we have no guarantees in life. No guarantees that our marriage will last, our life will be long, or what we’re waiting for will ever actually happen. That’s when YoloTravelSolo was born. You only live once, travel solo. Travel with your loved ones, your friends, your kids. I refuse to wait any longer to live that dream life. If not now, when? I don’t want to wake up 10 years from now and realize I’m no closer to doing the things I’ve been dying to do, seeing the places I’m dying to see and being the person I’m meant to be.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My marriage was rocky the entire 10 years with our educational pursuits but also he cheated repeatedly, manipulated me into staying and not until we were separated did I finally come to terms with the fact that I was emotionally abused.
Even since the divorce, co-parenting is no easy feat. This is why travel has become such a valuable form of therapy and healing. Travel provides me with distance and space from the conflict at home. But solo travel is also so empowering, being able to do what I want when I want it. And feeling that sense of accomplishment in being competent, content abs perfectly happy alone exploring the world. Getting new perspectives from experiencing new cultures and mindsets and meeting people from all over the world is also enlightening.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Registered Dietitian working in corporate wellness and the hospital setting as my career. However, I have been creating travel content on my Instagram account YoloTravelSolo connecting with women all over the world who already enjoy travel or long to travel solo. A website is also in the works. My niche is unique as I’m geared specifically toward single female travel as well as speaking to the benefits of travel as a valuable form of self-care and used for healing from divorce, heartbreak, life’s woes and all varieties of trauma. Travel is the best therapy and changes lives.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I was born and raised in Southern California and grew up with a love of traveling as we explored the many beautiful national parks and sights California and the southwest has to offer. We also took trips back east to experience history firsthand.
Additionally, I grew very comfortable traveling at a young age as an athlete traveling without my parents alone with my teams within California, the US and also to Canada. Solo travel has always come second nature to me. But in speaking with friends, coworkers and acquaintances, I’ve found that many people are very weary to travel alone which is what helped me find the value I can offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: YoloTravelSolo.com
- Instagram: YoloTravelSolo
- Twitter: YoloTravelSolo1
Image Credits
Whitney Jarvis
