America

Becky & Todd in a Yurt

Becky & Todd in a Yurt

Greg & I chatted with Becky & Todd on the phone in October, and we recorded their interview. My plan was to publish a written Q&A with the audio. But due to technical difficulties, I wasn't able to play it back afterwards. Luckily these two were understanding and helped me piece their interview back together.     

What I love about Becky & Todd is that they not only live this lifestyle, but they are building a community around it. They host travelers and share their passions for environmental stewardship and music with others.

Janna & John in a Sprinter Van

Janna & John in a Sprinter Van

What if someday is today? That's how Janna & John see it now, but that wasn’t always the case. They kept delaying their big adventure because something always got in the way.

Recently the two of them decided that life was too short not to travel. As they cruise around the States in their Sprinter Van, they’ve learned that sometimes having a plan is better than not having one at all.

Matt & Josh in Chevy vans

Matt & Josh in Chevy vans

How awesome would it be if you went on a road trip that never ended? Matt & Josh are two brothers on a self-funded trip. They stop when they find places to work odd jobs. Most of their jobs are found through social media, particularly their Facebook page and sometimes even as simple as starting a hashtag. Who they meet determines what they end up doing each day.

What started as one van for the two brothers has now morphed into two vans, one for each of them, as they race each other from coast to coast.

Monica in a VW Van

Monica in a VW Van

I've been on Instagram as "Tiny House, Tiny Footprint" for a little over a year now. Since the beginning of that time, there have been a few people I've been interacting with that I have grown quite close to. Monica is one of them—someone I would call my "tiny living soul sister." We've been rooting each other on for the past year, supporting each other from afar. Even though we've never met, we have no trouble feeling bonded by our love for traveling and nature.

Ben in a VW Bus

Ben in a VW Bus

I always love interviewing couples who live small, but lately, I have felt quite empowered by the solo adventurers. It can be difficult when you're on your own to make ends meet after quitting your day job or traveling solo for months on end.

But Ben shows us that it can be a rewarding way to live. He lives off his savings, doesn't have a serious itinerary and only stays in one spot for a long period of time when his van break downs.

And as for an adventure sidekick? All Ben really needs is man's best friend.

Travis & Shay in a Dodge Ram Van

Travis & Shay in a Dodge Ram Van

I found Travis through his photography, and once you see the photos below, you'll understand why. While I was double tapping Travis's photos, I discovered I was also following his partner, Shay. As a Divemaster, Shay's photos feature her in crystal clear beaches and deep within rainforests. You can't help but want to escape with her into the water and swim among sea creatures and coral.

But for now, I will sit back, camera in hand, while I learn from two of the best on how they are able to live their passions on land and underwater.

Angela, Jason & Bode in a VW Bus

Angela, Jason & Bode in a VW Bus

Do me a favor and think back to what it was like to be nine years old. Maybe you had a favorite teacher or a favorite memory on the playground during recess.

What if we replaced your schoolteachers with your parents and the playground was actually anywhere you could drive to between North and South America?

That's what it's like to be Bode, who has already visited 22 countries with his two parents, Angela and Jason, in a 1971 VW bus.

For Bode, school and home are both on the road.

Jillian & Robert in an Airstream Land Yacht

Jillian & Robert in an Airstream Land Yacht

Born in a canoe, under the aurora borealis, somewhere in the heart of the Canadian North.
Raised by wolves.
Bison soul.
Bareback rider.
Sagebrush gleaner.
Ponderosa pine tree hugger.
Gregarious Hermit.

These are the words Jillian uses to describe herself on her blog. And even though those words captivate me and take my breath away, I feel something stronger.

Jillian is a creative soul, but not in the usual way we see on our Instagram feeds. She delivers much more. Her beauty is also captured in the light around her, her relationships with the creatures of this Earth and the way she takes an inanimate object and gives it character and power.

This is a woman you want to go on adventures with and dance on the hood of your car. But until then, I will be in a daze as I watch her life unfold inside and outside her Airstream.

Rachel & James in a VW Bus

Rachel & James in a VW Bus

Idle: to spend time doing nothing.
Theory: to spend our time idling.
Bus: vehicle, home, and friend.

It's hard to say just a few words about Rachel & James. They are two beautiful souls who are on a quest to find the meaning and purpose of both work and leisure.

I think we can all learn a thing or two by the way Rachel & James live. They actively pursue doing nothing—which is actually a whole lot more meaningful than trying too hard to do something.

What do I mean by that?

To be still while you listen to the forest or bathe quietly in hidden swimming holes requires you to accept the world around you and embrace it. So many times we don't want to be confronted with the unknown or the mysteries that surround us.

Rachel & James are immersed in this lifestyle because they want to feel something and they want to make sure you feel it too.

Jess & Andy in a Travel Trailer

Jess & Andy in a Travel Trailer

It should be no surprise that I am inspired by everyone in this tiny house movement. Each person I interview shares their passions with the world in unique ways.

But I am impressed that Jess + Andy are using this lifestyle to give back to creatives like themselves. In a little over a year, they have traveled more than 18,000 miles to offer in-kind services to nonprofit organizations, artists and entrepreneurs in need.

It's one thing to live small on the road and do it for your own adventure and gain. It's another thing to live small on the road and do it for others.

Shannon & Tim in a Tiny House

Shannon & Tim in a Tiny House

I have to admit, I didn't start following Shannon on Instagram because she lives in a tiny house or because I thought she might have looked familiar from the reality TV show, "Tiny House Nation." I actually became interested in Shannon because of her yoga and pole-dancing skills.

Browse through her feed and you'll know what I'm talking about. It's hard not to be impressed that she does all this on a pole in the middle of a small living space.

Looking to downsize, but aren't certain you could live in a camper or van in someone's backyard? Shannon's honesty will help you decide if a tiny house is for you.

Kenz & Hawk in a VW Camper

Kenz & Hawk in a VW Camper

I have never met Kenz & Hawk, but is it safe to say that I already know I would get along with them?

If you're into campfires, rainbow party lights, hula hoops, dancin' hippies and wild weather, these two have you covered. They are free spirits flowing through life by saying "yes" to new experiences.

They don't have a plan or an agenda, but I'm confident good things are in their future.

Taylor, Alex & Sam in a Sprinter Van

Taylor, Alex & Sam in a Sprinter Van

I normally don't interview people who aren't living full time in their tiny homes, but I am really inspired by what Taylor, Alex & Sam are doing.

Let me rewind for a second. It's funny to think that I met Taylor at Whole Foods of all places. We were both in line to get coffee, and Taylor was dancing by herself to the music playing in the store. I couldn't help but start laughing.

We got to chatting, and she said that she and her girlfriends, Sam and Alex, were passing through Colorado on their way to Idaho because they are part of SAM (Sharing America's Marrow). The three of them are on a mission to register at least 50,000 potential bone marrow donors in the U.S. so that they can help save the lives of patients with blood cancers and diseases like leukemia and lymphoma.

I mean, that's powerful stuff. But I don't have to tell you that. These three girls have a story of their own.

Kelly & Justin in an Airstream Overlander

Kelly & Justin in an Airstream Overlander
There is always a backstory to the people I interview for this blog series. Sometimes I find them through Instagram or read an article about them and shoot them an email. But it's pretty rare that I meet up with people first and then discover they are living this lifestyle.
And I wouldn't have met Kelly & Justin if it wasn't for Sarah & Jon—two people that became my friends all because Sarah picked up my business card at a local coffee shop. Sarah must be pretty good at finding people because through the Instagram world, Sarah connected with Kelly & Justin. So when Sarah invited Greg & I out to grab a beer, Kelly & Justin were there as well.
While we were all chatting, I got out my phone to follow Kelly & Justin on Instagram. When I said we went by Tiny House, Tiny Footprint, Kelly said, "I'm pretty sure we already follow you!" And sure enough, she already was.
What?!
This Instagram world has been so fascinating. I didn't ask how they found us, but just felt warmth knowing that this tiny house movement has brought so many of us together.