The Hike That Changed Everything: Discovering Rainbow Mountain (JUMP 205)

What if quitting your job led you to discover one of the most famous mountains in the world? In this episode, Jackie sits down with LeAnn Morris, co-founder of Flashpacker Connect, to share the wild story of how a year-long leap into travel took her from banking in the U.S. to hiking deep in the Peruvian Andes—where she and her husband stumbled upon what would soon become known as Rainbow Mountain. From trekking through Nepal during the earthquake to building a sustainable adventure travel company rooted in local partnerships, LeAnn’s story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when you follow curiosity and trust the unknown. If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible on the other side of a big jump, this conversation just might spark your next one.Resources:Visit FlashpackerConnect.com (use code JUMP to get $50 off any booking)Follow LeAnn on Instagram: @flashpackerconnect  Use code JUMP to get $50 off any booking or use this direct link to access the same discount: https://www.flashpackerconnect.com/?trackingCode=099e2b91a0b64e73b2c97829c7d50ea8Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comChoose your OWN international adventure curated by Jackie at jumpadventures.com Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when a long-term nomadic traveler rescues a dog and decides not to slow down, but to bring him along? Jackie sits down with travel writer and digital nomad Lora Pope to talk about building a life abroad, navigating burnout, and how one tiny pug named Puglo completely reshaped her journey. From backpacking solo across the world to creating a home base in Mexico, traveling through 16 countries with a dog, and pivoting her business when the travel industry changed overnight, Laura shares the honest highs, lows, and logistics of designing a life that actually feels good. This conversation is a refreshing look at intuition, reinvention, and how sometimes the thing you didn’t plan for becomes the thing that grounds you the most.Resources:Find and follow Lora and Puglo at @explorewithlora and @adventuresofpuglo Visit Lora’s website at ExploreWithLora.com Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comChoose your OWN international adventure curated by Jackie at jumpadventures.comProduced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when you stop chasing the forecast and start listening to yourself? Jackie sits down with longtime meteorologist turned global traveler Jennifer Broome for a deeply honest conversation about curiosity, courage, and choosing a new direction when life shifts beneath your feet. From breaking glass ceilings in broadcast news to reporting from unforgettable places around the world, Jennifer shares how travel slowly became both her work and her compass.Together, Jackie and Jennifer explore how grief, silence, and movement intersect, and why travel can be a fast track to self-discovery when everything feels uncertain. They talk about weather as metaphor, preparedness on the road and in life, and the power of taking the scenic route instead of rushing through.This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and meet yourself where you are. If you’ve been feeling the pull to do something differently, Jennifer’s story might be the permission slip you need to take the next step and say yes.Resources:Find and follow Jennifer at @jenniferbroometravelVisit Jennifer’s Website Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comChoose your OWN international adventure curated by Jackie at jumpadventures.com Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What if the thing you love most could become your passport to the world? Jackie sits down with ice hockey coach Pete Kamman to explore how following a personal passion can lead to deeper, more meaningful travel experiences.Pete shares how hockey has shaped his life, from growing up in the Midwest to coaching in Montana and eventually taking his work across the globe. He reflects on living and coaching in Namibia for a year, a decision that changed the course of his career and helped form the foundation of his relationship with his wife Whitney.From coaching in Kenya and India to running practices in Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan, Pete opens up about connecting through sport across language and cultural barriers. He also shares the humbling lessons he’s learned about access, privilege, and resilience, offering a fresh perspective on travel that goes far beyond sightseeing.Resources:Find and follow Pete Kamman on Instagram @elevatedhockey  Visit Elevated Hockey’s WebsiteLearn more about The Friendship LeaguePlease follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comChoose your OWN international adventure curated by Jackie at jumpadventures.com Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What happens when you finally say yes to the idea that won’t leave you alone, only to discover it isn’t meant to last forever? In this candid conversation, Jackie sits down with Carley to reflect on her eight months living in France, from the thrill of arrival to the quieter challenges that surfaced once the novelty wore off. Carley shares what it really looked like to build a life abroad without a job offer or formal program, navigating visas, housing in Lyon, remote work, and daily life far from home.As the story unfolds, Carley opens up about loneliness, cultural differences, and the realization that success doesn’t always mean pushing through discomfort. Choosing to come home wasn’t a failure, but a grounded act of self-trust. Together, she and Jackie explore why leaving can clarify what matters most, why having a contingency plan brings freedom, and why taking the leap is still worth it, even if you end up right where you began.Resources:Follow Carley on Instagram: @carleydyanListen to more episodes of the JUMP Podcast: travelingjackie.com/podcastJoin Jackie’s email list: TravelingJackie.comExplore JUMP Adventures: jumpadventures.com Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comProduced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this special solo episode closing out 2025 and celebrating episode 200 of JUMP, Jackie reflects on a year of travel, growth, and big transitions. Recorded alongside a real-time sunrise over Edinburgh Castle, she shares three lessons from her final JUMP Adventures trip of the year to Peru, including why the in-between moments matter more than landmarks, how taking the road less traveled deepens meaning, and why slow travel creates the strongest connection to place.Jackie also shares an important update on JUMP Adventures, explaining her decision to step back from leading public group trips after ten years of guiding people through challenging experiences around the world. While her role is shifting, the heart of JUMP remains intact, with trusted itineraries and partnerships still available for those ready to gather their own people and do hard things together.The episode closes with what’s next for Jackie, including a solo trip to Scotland for a writer’s retreat over Thanksgiving and her birthday, where she finally created space to focus fully on writing her book. She also shares her end-of-year reflection practices and her “word for 2026” as an invitation to make space, listen inward, and step intentionally into the next chapter.Resources:https://travelingjackie.com  https://jumpadventures.com  Instagram: @TravelingJackie  Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comMassive thanks to Osprey.com and ObozFootwear.com for sponsoring and supporting our show!Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What does it really take to build great adventure gear, and what does packing look like for the people designing it? In this energizing conversation, Jackie sits down with longtime friend and colleague Vince Mazzuca, Osprey's Category Director for Technical Products, to explore how Osprey creates the packs we trust on the trail, on the road, and in the unknown.Vince shares his journey from growing up between Sacramento and Pittsburgh to becoming a Yakima tech rep traveling from Florida to Maine, to working at Ruffwear, and finally landing at Osprey over a decade ago. After ten years as Osprey's Marketing Director, he recently transitioned into product, working with design teams across Colorado, Vietnam, and Tokyo, and shaping how packs evolve for different global markets.Jackie and Vince also reflect on years of creative collaboration, including the award-winning Chiloe documentary and the redesign of the Fairview/Farpoint series. They also dig into real-world packing: organization styles, packing cubes vs. chaos, and the layers and essentials they never travel without. Jackie also shares a bonus for listeners: her customizable Adventure Packing List (linked below). And as Vince says, the best pack is the one that gets you out the door. Book the ticket, go explore, and learn as you go.Resources:  Get my Adventure Packing List here - https://travelingjackie.com/packing-list/ Chiloé documentary - https://travelingjackie.com/chiloe-osprey-film/ My go-to luggage for adventure travel (video) - https://travelingjackie.com/best-luggage-for-adventure-travel/ Find and follow Vince Mazzuca IG @vmazzuca and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-mazzuca-58b14a1a/ OR Echo Hoodie https://rei.pxf.io/POXROMOR Helium Jacket https://rei.pxf.io/VxEAxJPatagonia Houdini https://rei.pxf.io/XmbG4yREI waterproof shell mittens https://rei.pxf.io/GKYn9V Osprey Transporter Wheeled Duffel https://osprey.pxf.io/mOvJyePacking Cubes https://osprey.pxf.io/XmRv3oTravel Accessories https://osprey.pxf.io/RGoN39Osprey Sirrus https://osprey.pxf.io/3JOZBB Osprey Mutant 22 https://osprey.pxf.io/nXGP4ROsprey Garment Folder https://osprey.pxf.io/6yOnPQMore like this: Catch episode 115 with Dan from Osprey Packs in PatagoniaPlease follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comMassive thanks to Osprey.com and ObozFootwear.com for sponsoring and supporting our show!Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddies!Don't miss Jackie's behind-the-scenes communications, hop on our email list at http://travelingjackie.com/Massive thanks to Osprey.com and ObozFootwear.com for sponsoring and supporting our show!Produced by NOVATake a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What if travel could become even more meaningful simply by bringing more of yourself into it?In this wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation, Jackie sits down with trail runner, storyteller, and adventure-driven creative Alex Sanchez, whom she met on a magical trail-running Day of Adventure in Patagonia during the Adventure Travel World Summit. What started as a chance encounter on a bus turned into a conversation about purpose, community, and the uncommon ways we can build deeper meaning into our travels.Alex shares how an immersive internship in the Dominican Republic transformed her understanding of connection and set her on a path toward community-centered travel, while she and Jackie explore the power of intention in travel, designing trips around what you love, and why the unplanned moments often matter most. They also dive into Alex’s experience running the Leadville 100, a 100-mile ultramarathon through the Colorado mountains, where she reflects on the emotional depth of the race, the support of her closest friends, and the profound realization that our limits are far more flexible than we think.Whether you're a seasoned traveler, a runner, or you’re craving more connection in your adventures, Alex reminds us to chase the things that light you up—and to bring your people along for the ride.Resources:Find Alex online: https://www.alexsanchezcreates.comFollow Alex on Instagram: @alexlogansanchezPlease follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddies!Don't miss Jackie's behind-the-scenes communications—hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comMassive thanks to Osprey.com and ObozFootwear.com for sponsoring and supporting our show!Produced by NOVATake a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What if the key to rediscovering joy, connection, and hope in humanity was as simple as slowing down?Join Jackie as she sits down with adventurer, filmmaker, and lifelong bike advocate Ryan Van Duzer, whose life on two wheels has become a mission to inspire connection, sustainability, and joy through travel. From his early vow at age eight to never own a car to his incredible ride home from the Peace Corps in Honduras, Ryan's story is a testament to how slow travel can open hearts and minds.In this conversation, Ryan shares lessons from decades of pedaling across the Americas—from small-town generosity and backyard deer in West Virginia to challenging stereotypes on a recent ride through the Deep South. He and Jackie dive into the power of human connection, the importance of being an ambassador for kindness, and how seeing the world up close reminds us that people everywhere have more in common than we think.Ryan also discusses his work in bicycle advocacy, raising funds for organizations like People for Bikes, Community Cycles, and Bikepacking Roots to help kids and underrepresented riders discover the freedom of cycling. His message? You don't have to travel far to experience the magic of slow travel—just hop on a bike, explore your own backyard, and rediscover the beauty of moving through the world at human speed.Resources:Ryan Van Duzer on YouTubeFollow Ryan on Instagram: @duzerPlease follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddies!Don't miss Jackie's behind-the-scenes communications—hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comMassive thanks to Osprey.com and ObozFootwear.com for sponsoring and supporting our show!Produced by NOVATake a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What does it mean to truly belong to Rapa Nui? In this second and final part of Jackie’s immersive Easter Island experience, she sits down with local guide Tokerau to uncover the living culture behind the island’s iconic statues. From ancestry and family stories to the protected laws that keep multinational corporations off the island, this episode reveals how Rapa Nui’s people continue to preserve their identity in one of the most remote communities on Earth.Tokerau shares personal reflections on what it means to be Rapa Nui—how bloodline defines belonging, how Chilean colonization reshaped life here, and how local efforts continue to protect land, language, and autonomy. Along the way, listeners will hear about the island’s volcanic origins, the ancient Rongorongo script, and the deep linguistic connections between Polynesian cultures like Hawai‘i and Aotearoa.Through humor, humility, and heartfelt pride, Tokerau reminds us that while the Moai statues may be what bring people to the island, it’s the living culture—the songs, the stories, the language, and the people—that keep its spirit alive.If Part 1 (Episode 195) explored the Moai and the mysteries of the island’s past, Part 2 celebrates the resilience, respect, and pride of the Rapa Nui people today.Resources:EcoChile Travel – Custom trip operator for Chile & Argentina (includes Easter Island itineraries). Mention “Traveling Jackie” or “JUMP” for 5% off your trip.Rapa Nui National Park – Official visitor site and conservation info.Rano Raraku Quarry – Learn about the birthplace of the moai.Ahu Akivi – See the seven moai aligned with the stars.Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddiesDon’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.comMassive thanks to Osprey.com and ObozFootwear.com for sponsoring and supporting our show!Produced by NOVA Take a leap with Jackie IRL - join us in Greece and Norway in 2025 at JUMPadventures.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands