Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Sarmiento.
Emily, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am 29 years old and was born and raised in Northern Virginia. After spending three years living in Miami for work, I returned to the DMV area and found myself back in the corporate world. After about a year, I realized that path no longer aligned with the life I wanted to build.
So I made a decision that completely changed my life: I left my comfy corporate job and spent four months solo traveling through El Salvador, Colombia, Thailand, and Vietnam. What started as a personal journey quickly became something much bigger. I began documenting my travels simply to preserve memories and create videos I could look back on years from now. To my surprise, those videos started reaching people around the world, and I slowly began building an audience.
The support I received was incredibly meaningful. For years, I struggled with the fear of being seen and judged by others. Through travel and sharing my experiences online, I found the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone and embrace who I am. The connections I’ve made, the opportunities that have come my way, and the experiences I’ve had because I chose to stop playing small have been truly life-changing.
Solo travel transformed my perspective on life, and social media opened doors I never imagined possible. Today, I’m taking that passion a step further by planning group trips for others who want to experience the world, build meaningful connections, and create unforgettable memories. I am incredibly grateful for everything that has led me to this point, and I’m excited for what this next chapter holds.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that solo travel is not a cure-all. It’s easy to think that changing your environment will solve everything, but no matter how far you go, you can never outrun yourself. Traveling alone gave me the space to reflect, and it forced me to confront parts of myself that still needed growth and healing. It taught me that personal development requires intentional work, no matter where you are in the world.
Another challenge was learning how to manage my finances while traveling long-term. I did my best to stay within my budget, but unexpected expenses are inevitable. Flights change, plans shift, and emergencies happen. I quickly learned the importance of being adaptable and making smart financial decisions along the way.
There were nights when I could afford a beautiful hotel and other nights when I booked a hostel to stretch my budget a little further. Travel taught me the value of balance. Not every experience has to be luxurious to be meaningful, and some of my favorite memories came from the simplest moments.
Looking back, the struggles were just as valuable as the highlights. They taught me resilience, flexibility, and a deeper understanding of myself. Those lessons have stayed with me long after the trip ended.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the core of everything I do is helping people step outside of their comfort zones. We all have one, but for some of us, those boundaries can feel much smaller because of fear, anxiety, self-doubt, or limiting beliefs. My goal is to inspire and empower people to take chances on themselves, whether that means booking their first solo trip, joining one of my group tours, or simply saying yes to an experience they would have previously avoided.
Travel has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life, and I believe it has the power to change lives. While traveling is a privilege, I think it’s important to embrace that opportunity whenever possible. Exploring new places, cultures, and perspectives teaches us not only about the world, but also about ourselves.
What sets me apart is that I don’t share travel from the perspective of someone who has always been fearless. I have experienced crippling anxiety, and I know firsthand how limiting and isolating it can be. There were many opportunities in my life that I didn’t pursue because fear convinced me I couldn’t. Travel challenged that mindset and showed me what was possible when I stopped letting fear make my decisions.
What I’m most proud of is hearing from people who tell me they booked their first solo trip, got on a plane by themselves, or stepped outside of their comfort zone because of something I shared. Those messages mean more to me than any number of followers or views. If my journey can help even one person realize that they’re capable of more than they think, then I’ve accomplished exactly what I set out to do.
I want people to understand that the world is far bigger, more welcoming, and more accessible than they may believe. Sometimes the biggest obstacle standing between us and the life we want is our own fear. If I can help people move past that, even just a little, then I’ve done my job.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
If I had to choose one quality that has contributed most to my success, it would be compassion. Everything I do is rooted in genuinely caring about people and wanting them to have meaningful experiences. Whether I’m creating travel content, sharing my personal journey, or planning group trips, I try to approach every interaction with empathy and understanding.
That compassion naturally connects to hospitality, which has been a major part of both my professional background and my personal values. I want people to feel welcomed, supported, and comfortable, especially when they’re stepping outside of their comfort zones. Travel can be intimidating, and creating an environment where people feel safe and encouraged is incredibly important to me.
I’m also highly logistical and organized. Behind every memorable travel experience is a great deal of planning, problem-solving, and adaptability. From coordinating itineraries to navigating unexpected challenges, I’ve learned that attention to detail is what allows people to relax and fully enjoy the experience.
Finally, I believe my adventurous spirit has been a driving force in my journey. Leaving a stable corporate career, solo traveling across multiple countries, and building a platform from scratch all required a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Some of the greatest opportunities in my life have come from taking calculated risks and trusting myself enough to say yes to the unknown.
Together, compassion, hospitality, organization, and adventure have shaped not only my success, but also the way I connect with others. They are the qualities that guide both my work and the experiences I hope to create for the people who follow my journey
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Emilycsarmiento
- Facebook: Emily Sarmiento
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@emilycsarmiento?si=KqzpcS_isJwmRmdH
