Welcome! I’m Heidi 🙂
I’m a group fitness instructor and travel enthusiast and I’ve found I get the most enjoyment out of my life by being physically active and doing so while exploring new places.
In short, my dream for this blog is to document some of my experiences and hope they inspire you to be more physically active on the road (and even at home). I fell in love with being physically active (that love story wasn’t an easy one, as I mention below) and I hope you can too.
But Heidi…
Where 
from?
I grew up in Central Jersey and lived there my whole life (yes, it exists, officially now too – if you’re from Jersey, you get the joke). I got my 2 Bachelor’s and my Masters at Rutgers University in New Brunswick and then spent a decade working there in Residence Life (I guess I liked it there).
Though I loved my work, my colleagues, and overseeing on-campus communities,
I left my job in July 2023 to take more time to travel. But more on the travelling later…let’s back it up…
My journey to fitness
It was at Rutgers where I fell in love with fitness and being physically active.
For people who know me in more recent years, one of the first things they learn is how much I love exercising.
It wasn’t always this way…
They might be surprised to know when I was younger, I was overweight and not very physically active.
Though I did some sports here and there growing up, I actually became a field hockey goalie because goalies didn’t have to run. Once I made the varsity team, however, Coach made everyone run…including me (Thank you, Coach Julie).
The struggle and thrill of seeing my biweekly mile time decrease and eventually get under 10 minutes brought me to tears. It was then I got hooked on running. My junior year of college I ran my first half marathon, but the summer between undergrad and grad school I had a terrible ankle injury (torn tendons – yikes).
I transitioned to group fitness later in my recovery, fell in love with it, and today am still grateful for the instructor who recommended I teach (Thank you, Lees).
I became a Les Mills group fitness instructor and over the last 8 years I have been teaching Bodypump (weight lifting), Bodybalance (yoga), Bodycombat (mixed martial arts), and Core (self-explanatory). I also taught for 2 years at CKO Kickboxing ✌️
Above all else, teaching fitness has been my greatest, most REWARDING accomplishment in my entire life.
When I think about my younger self, she never would have imagined I would have my current fitness level, let alone….be teaching others.
I share this context and my story because one of my favorite aspects about being a group fitness instructor is connection with other people.
I find the topic of physical health very relatable: Everyone has a body and most likely everyone has struggled with it (or continues to do so) in some capacity. Society, social media, comparison, and mental health around the topic can be brutal. Self-love is easier said than done.
It can take a long time, but you only have one body in your life, and it’s worth it to keep trying <3
But what about TRAVEL?
In the last several years I started traveling a lot more. I ALWAYS used all of my vacation days (and you should too – you have earned them). I built confidence in my international navigation skills after doing multiple group tours and then I started planning my own trips and traveling solo.
I’ve been to 47 countries so far: South America (Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands), Central America (Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica), Mexico and Canada, Africa (Kenya and Egypt), Asia (Thailand and India), and many countries in Europe.
In summer 2023, I quit my job and I did a 4.5 month solo trip mostly through the Baltics and Balkans in Europe.
And I’m not done yet…
I am currently transitioning to living in Sofia, Bulgaria and I’m seeking out my next chapter in life. What I do know for certain is that I need to be consistently active to be happy and I get a thrill from traveling to new places and having new experiences.
So FITNESS + TRAVEL = my Happy Place
Fitness and being physically active can be fun and travel can be a FANTASTIC motivator to try something different or challenge yourself in a new way (insert: future blog post on my first marathon under the midnight sun in Norway).
Trying something new can be really hard.
It can be difficult to motivate yourself, you might struggle with comparison to others, and there can be a lot of doubts on your capabilities, strength, and stamina.
It might also include a fear or anxiety you have like falling (via ferrata, skydiving, etc.) or drowning (kayaking, scuba diving, etc.)
I’m a big fan of motivational quotes and love this one:
“I’m not afraid of letting others see me try something new.”
Easier said than done! This has been my guiding light recently and I’ve needed to repeat it to myself multiple times.
I also love: “Be the role model you needed when you were younger.” Your attitude, grit, and determination are built upon experience and no one can take that fire away from you.
Why am I writing this blog?
- I like to think of myself as one who gives “real talk” and I love relating to others on the topic of fitness, health, and wellness. My wish is that you’ll get a little nudge or perhaps feel inspired to move a little more while traveling or even take a bigger leap on a major fitness accomplishment for Y-O-U!
- It’s a way to document some of my journey. So at minimum, this is for me too. But I’ve always been a sharer (correction: over-sharer), so I’m really hoping this resonates with you too.
- I also love talking about travel….specifically BUDGET travel. It’s a passion and exciting interest of mine. Who doesn’t love saving money AND traveling the world at the same time? Especially when you learn you can get FREE flights!
Have questions or ideas? I’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re looking to collaborate, guest post, sponsor, or just learn more about my blog, feel free to get in touch here.
So let’s have fun, be brave, try something new, travel the world, and move a little more!
There are a multitude of ways to include physical activities on your trip.
And NOW is the time to get excited!
Whether it be doing a walking/running/cycling tour of the city, going to a physical gym at your destination, taking a group fitness class on your cruise, or training for and accomplishing a physical feat (Inca Trail, perhaps?).
With all goals, start small and with something attainable. You can have as many “day 1’s” as you need in order to pick yourself back up and keep trying. You’re never truly starting over because you’re starting “again” with more experience.
Whenever you restart, make sure to allow yourself to feel proud of your experience and efforts. No matter how small.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with this…
