I’m seeing lots of new faces around here, so let me reintroduce myself!
Hi, I’m Joni! (It’s pronounced like “Johnny.”) 👋After serving on staff at magazines and newspapers around the world, I quit my last corporate job in 2018 to embrace the freelance life. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.
I write about travel, health, wellness, and anything else that piques my interest. I also provide coaching to freelance writers and media training to any expert who wants to feel confident in interviews with reporters.
But I’m more than my work. I’m also a yogi, vegetarian, cat lover, and diehard traveler who’s always in search of my next adventure. Here are some fun facts about me:
☀️I’ve lived on both coasts of the U.S., as well as in Jakarta, Indonesia.
☀️I stopped eating meat when I was 16.
☀️I’ve traveled the world, but I refuse to count how many countries I’ve visited.
☀️I have five piercings, but no tattoos.
☀️I love fall and winter.
☀️I’m a proud cat mama to two tabbies (Tofu & Tempeh).
☀️My favorite yoga pose is tree.
☀️You can find me hiking, biking, and kayaking in the summer.
☀️I live for live music.
How about you? Share one fun fact about yourself in the comments.
This time of year always brings back memories of my magical trip to Finland. 🇫🇮
Strolling through enchanting forests, where the trees stand as straight as pencils. 🌳
Cruising Lake Saimaa in search of the elusive Saimaa Seal—we finally spotted one, its shiny gray head bobbing like a beach ball on the water. 🚤
Chasing the midnight sun, its golden glow lighting up the horizon. ☀️
Ending the days with late-night sauna sessions and dips in glassy, tranquil lakes. 🩱
#LakeSaimaa #DiscoverFinland #VisitFinland #MidnightSun #FinnishNature
During my brief reporting trip to Barcelona, I only had enough free time to see one attraction, and visiting La Sagrada Família was the perfect choice.
Wandering beneath the tree-like stone columns, bathed in technicolor light from the stained glass windows, made me feel like Alice in Wonderland. Surreal and mesmerizing. 🌈 #LaSagradaFamilia #Barcelona #GaudiMagic #travelwonders
On my trip to Japan, I sought out vegan ramen in every city I visited. Who knew that the absolute best bowl could be found in Tokyo Station? The golden sesame ramen at T’s TanTan was divine: a creamy nutty broth, oodles of noodles, perfectly cooked veggies, and plenty of spice.🌶️ I was a repeat customer several times during my brief visit to Tokyo.
Now, on chilly, rainy days back home, I still dream of this ramen. 🍜✨ #TokyoEats #VeganRamen #travelmemories
From Fear to Fierce 💪
I wasn't always the adventurer you see today. I still remember the sweaty palms and paralyzing fear at 13, standing at the top of a rock wall at summer camp. Reaching the top was a breeze, but rappelling back down? Absolutely terrifying. With my fellow campers cheering me on, I finally took that leap of faith. The rush of bouncing down to the ground left me with a sense of achievement I'll never forget.
Fast forward to now, and I’m constantly chasing that thrill. Tackling the via ferrata at @mohonkmountainhouse was an adventure for the books. Climbing over 600 iron rungs and 2,600 feet of steel cable in the stunning Shawangunks grounded me in nature and boosted my confidence like never before.
Adventure is out there, waiting for you to conquer your fears! 🌄
What's your favorite outdoor adventure? Share your story!👇
#ViaFerrata #AdventureAwaits #TravelGram #MohonkMountainHouse #OutdoorAdventure #FaceYourFears
Throwback to this moment at the Griffith Observatory with the LA skyline painting the perfect backdrop at sunset. 🌆 💫 There's something about this city that always feels like coming home—I get to play tourist in my partner's birthplace, spend time with his wonderful family, indulge in the best vegan food in the country, and soak up all the amazing weather. Excited to come back "home" on my trip to LA next week!
I'm raising money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Pan Mass Challenge. I'll be biking 79 miles to raise awareness and support! Cancer has touched so many people's lives and this effort will go toward finding a cure. Every dollar raised goes directly to the cause, and your support would mean the world to me!
It's my birthday! For my next rotation around the sun, I want to go about the world with more ease and energy, strengthen my relationships, and continue to fill life with adventure. Here's to 35! 🎂
How do I feel every time I visit Colorado? One word: Alive.
This state has it all!
✅ Glorious mountains
✅ Twinkling lakes
✅ Happy, outdoorsy culture
✅ Yummy veg food
✅ Hot springs galore
I particularly loved Aspen. I couldn't believe the sheer amount of things to do there in the summer (seriously, you'd need at least a couple of weeks to see everything!). It was also one of the first places I biked in the state (up to Maroon Lake, pictured here), which was incredible. I'm dying to see even more of Colorado on two wheels.
#visitcolorado #maroonlake #maroonbells #aspen #visitaspen #aspencolorado #aspensummer #colorado
Travel has me finally feeling like myself again after being home for more than a year (14 months and 1 day, to be exact).
As my calendar fills with trips, I want to approach travel differently now.
I want to be more intentional with where I choose to go, rather than leaving myself to the whims of work trip invitations. I want to continue my self-care practices while away, not leave them behind like I used to. I want to come home feeling invigorated... not exhausted.
This trip to Southern California has allowed me to put those intentions into action.
The destination and purpose: Los Angeles to visit with my partner's family (not to mention eat all the vegan food in sight).
The self-care: Outdoor physical activity, like this awesome hike up Los Leones Trail.
Overall, feeling energized and excited about what's to come. 😎
Wow, things have certainly gotten weird, haven’t they? I went from watching the sunset in St. Lucia and wandering around Charleston to sitting at home more than I ever have.
.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t long to have a calendar lined up with trips. But, staying in one place hasn’t been all bad. Here’s some of the good stuff that’s happened in the last 5 weeks of quarantine:
.
🌟Starting an at-home yoga practice with help from @alomoves . I never thought I’d be a person who could practice outside a studio, but solo yoga has allowed me to be more consistent and go much deeper.
.
🌟Getting closer with my dad. We’ve been talking on the phone a lot more frequently than usual, and it’s really nice.
.
🌟Spending more quality time with my partner. Travel puts a strain on every relationship, and this regular time together has been a bonding experience.
.
🌟Making better use of my private rooftop space. I don’t think I went up there once last year, but now I go up almost daily. It’s a sunny escape.
.
🌟Overwhelming feelings of gratitude: for my health, my loved ones, my career, amazing memories and experiences to be had once this is all over.
.
What’s this time been like for you? Have you made some positive changes during this uncertain time? I want to hear about all of them. Tell me in the comments.
I used to cry on flights home, back when I would travel once or twice a year max. The thought of losing my freedom and returning to stifling offices crushed me. 🛬
.
Now? I relish in coming home to my supportive partner, sleeping in my own bed and finding routine again. 💕
.
I see travel differently now that it's such a core part of my work, and I'm on the road anywhere from 1-3 weeks a month. It's an opportunity for inspiration. 💡
.
Flights home are different now. Even if I'm exhausted (and that's usually the case after a press trip!), my brain buzzes with story ideas about the most recent adventure and the ones before it. I spend at least part of the flight capturing these ideas on my laptop. It used to be hard to focus on planes—now the tray table is one of my most productive work environments. 👩🏻💻
.
Freelance life isn't always easy. But I can honestly say I never regret it, not even when I'm pulling a late night after an early morning to hit deadlines, and certainly not when I'm feeling free as a bird in some far-flung destination. 🦜
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#justgo #nomore9to5 #freelancewriter #travelwriter #southafrica #visitsouthafrica #capetown #tablemountain #topoftheworld #travelgirl #seetheworld #lonelyplanet #traveldiary #freelancelife #postcardplaces #athomeintheworld #worldofwanderlust #wanderlusting #exploreafrica #speechlessplaces
