Introducing JUMP Adventures

I can’t tell you the first time I decided to jump when I was somewhere cool in the world – but I know it’s been at least a decade, as I have photographic evidence dating as far back as November of 2011 in Peru. Right around that same time, I wrote this in my journal:

I had this idea in college – I’d have a travel business where I’d plan trips for people and then take them myself. I’d be the guide, interpreter, & photographer too. I’d take care of everything…

The next line says, “It was a ‘maybe someday’ idea…” But you know what?

That “someday” happened on November 10, 2016 – the day I welcomed my first group in Patagonia:

When you reach for the stars, sometimes you make it.

I know one thing is clear: If you want your dreams to come true, you must find the courage to light your own torch and march it straight into the darkness, into the unknown, where there is no guidebook. It’s scary and exhilarating and incredibly worth every trembling step.

I have learned that on the other side of fear is reward. And reward can show itself in countless ways, always unique to the receiver. This is why you’ll never truly benefit from hearing or reading about other people’s stories. If you want rewards, earn them yourself. If you want a story, become your own.

Ever since I lived abroad at age 18 and really started traveling independently, I’ve wanted to somehow share the endless benefits of travel (understatement) with others. This isn’t a news flash. It’s the reason I started blogging about travel in the first place.

As each platform I created grew – the blog, then the online course, then the podcast, then another blog, my social media – I saw trial and error, successes and hard lessons, and everything in between the lines that drives a determined entrepreneur. I had done it. I had created a full-time travel gig for myself, and I was only getting started.

As an entrepreneur, there is always a next step on the ladder.

Finally, that step became what I had dreamed about in college. That step was inviting my own audience to travel with me, and because my audience is full of rockstars, they said yes and showed up, over and over and over:

Fast forward to today:

JUMP Adventures is an officially-branded adventure travel company, complete with a rad logo and even super sweet swag!

All of these things feel like the umbrella in the cocktail after putting in all the real work of mixing up an irresistible product. They make it pretty.

So, listeners and readers of my rockstar audience, allow me to officially debut my new company logo:

Why the name JUMP?

There is so much in this name. And contrary to my opening statement and the stories photos may tell, it wasn’t initially inspired by jumping in cool places all around the world (I’m way too complex and love words way too much to name something so simply). My jumping-in-cool-places tendency lends beautifully to the real meaning and the visual package that JUMP represents, and if you ever travel with me, you will literally jump with me.

The real meaning of the name is supported by three main ideas: courage, movement, and reward.

1. COURAGE

“JUMP” is inspired by my own travel and entrepreneurial journey of trusting myself enough to take leaps, even big, scary ones, and learning to catch myself, becoming stronger every time I jump. It takes a LOT of courage to take a leap, especially when you feel alone in it. That’s why we do it together.

2. MOVEMENT

JUMP is meant to inspire movement. Movement is medicine. I want to inspire people to move, to act, to live and explore during the short time we are gifted on this beautiful planet. Movement creates momentum, and momentum kills stagnancy, indecision, and other things that hold us back. There is a LOT of movement on JUMP trips, they are not “easy” adventures, but they are worth every step.

3. REWARD

This is where the magic happens. When you jump, you don’t land in the same spot as you were before. Not only can having the courage to move change your life in endless ways (think self-discovery, strength, confidence), but it could also change anything or anyone or any cause you come into contact with from now on. You have no idea what rewards await you on the other side of the world or what positive impact you may be able to have if you just take that step.

The rewards and benefits are endless, but only for those who lace up and take the leap.

JUMP Adventures is an invitation.

It’s me, Jackie, saying take my hand, let’s do this together.

I’m 36 now, 18 years into my adult life, and 18 years into my life of international travel. JUMP is the culmination of my story, my professional experience, and my dream come true to lead others in travel. JUMP is my leap and my invitation for you to find yours.

If you’re ready to travel, come with me.

Thank you for reading this, and for being here on this journey with me that has created and taken an incredible village. Just remember the point of it all: Let this be a source of inspiration, and remember that in the end, it’s YOU who takes the leap.