We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mahna Ghafori. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mahna below.

Mahna, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Once upon a time, I was shy and followed all the rules of society’s path. I was trapped in a boxed mindset, and seemed like the last person who would ever ‘break free’ from the conventional matrix. After graduating with a degree in Computational Modeling & Data Analytics from Virginia Tech and working as a Tech Consultant for a Big 4 firm, my soul started to feel like it was dying and I knew I had to change my life.

There was a specific moment where I had my breakdown and breakthrough. I was on my 4 hour a day commute into Washington DC when I looked in the rearview mirror and the woman in the car behind me was me in 40 years, aged and stuck doing the same commute with the same life. I broke down and realized if I didn’t make a change in my life I would be stuck right where I was, life passed by with my dreams gone with it.

That year I took a leap of faith. I started an anonymous Instagram page and moved from Virginia to Colorado. In 2021, I moved to Hawaii, and things really started to take off. I fully committed to my content creation and travel photography. I was getting into a groove, but I was still working my corporate job on east coast hours, and I began to reach burnout. My projects started weighing heavily on my soul. Even though the job was remote, it was still making me very unhappy. Inside, I felt a strong pull that it was time to make a decision. It was terrifying to release the golden handcuffs of a secure corporate job, but I decided to take an unpaid leave of absence for the summer and commit everything to content creation, my biggest “risk” yet.

That summer, I went all-in, traveling the Hawaiian Islands and sharing positivity, motivation, and inspiration on my Instagram account. At the end of the summer, I received an email from United and Chase offering me an ambassador role for the remainder of the year. This opportunity essentially replaced my corporate income, and it felt like the biggest sign to take my leap of faith. I knew I had to quit my corporate job and commit to my dream and passion for travel photography and content creation. They say that luck is where opportunity meets preparation, and that’s exactly what had happened.

I had worked so hard behind the scenes to set myself up for that lucky moment, and when it came, I ran with it. I was so excited. 2022 became my year of ultimate freedom, traveling to 22 countries. That year, I also hit all my financial goals in my business. It was my first full year taking travel photography full-time, and I reached six figures. I was the happiest I’d ever been, making the most impact, and I also grew my Instagram community to 100,000 followers, which was incredibly exciting.

Mahna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Mahna Ghafori, an Iranian American embodying the vibrant spirit of Southern California. I’ve turned my dream into a successful reality as a travel photographer and content creator. A Virginia Tech alumnus, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computational Modeling & Data Analytics in 2018 and started my career at Ernst and Young as a Tech Consultant, showcasing my technological acumen.

My transition from technology to travel photography during the global pandemic marked a courageous pivot, quickly earning me a global following of over 190,000. My unique perspective and storytelling have led to partnerships with brands like Chase, Marriott Bonvoy, Visit Florida, and United Airlines.

Now a Southern California resident, I live a life filled with wellness activities. I surf the Pacific, practice yoga, and explore California’s diverse outdoors while continuing to travel the world. My commitment to peak performance and personal growth is highlighted by my attendance at the TED Possibilities Conference in 2023, furthering my mission to empower others to live extraordinary lives. I enrich my advocacy through my course, “Your Extraordinary Life.” Here, I guide students with a 10 Step Framework to live courageously in alignment with their dreams, along with group coaching.

My dedication to personal development is evident in my training, including Tony Robbins Mastery University and the Jay Shetty Certification School in Life Coaching. As an avid reader and podcast enthusiast, I have delved into over 70 books on personal development. With my travels spanning to 40 countries and my fluency in English, Farsi, and Spanish, my journey exemplifies the power of passion, risk-taking, and relentless pursuit of growth.

Today, I inspire my audience through stunning photography, engaging videos, and compelling written narratives. My work is not just about sharing experiences; it’s about igniting a spark in others to explore, learn, and grow. With my diverse skill set, commitment to personal growth, and dedication to helping others, I continue to make a significant impact, encouraging everyone to embrace their unique journey and live life to its fullest potential.

How did you build your audience on social media?

In 2019 I decided to create a completely new anonymous Instagram page, a fresh start. I began following Instagram influencers, photographers, and creatives like Marie Fe and Jake Snow. I started editing and posting my favorite travel photos with inspiring captions and motivations. It was a cry for help for myself and a way to reach out to others who felt the same way. I made it anonymous because I was nervous about judgment and what my peers would think. I had so many limiting beliefs to work through on my path to becoming a content creator.

During COVID, I came across Tony Robbins’ virtual events, including “Unleash the Power Within.” These events were crucial in awakening my mindset, overcoming limiting beliefs, and discovering what’s possible. Tony Robbins emphasizes finding a mentor or role model doing what you want to do and investing in mentorship. That’s when I discovered Lost Creator Academy and signed up in July 2020. I set a goal to be location-independent and have my own travel photography business within a year, and I did just that. It was my first full year of travel photography full-time, I hit six figures, and my Instagram community grew to 100,000 followers.

So, what is the secret to building a social media presence? What do I wish I knew when I started? The key is to truly know your why. Why are you showing up? Why are you doing what you’re doing? Be authentically you, share every piece of your journey, and you will find people who connect with you. Build up a skill, passion, or purpose and show up to genuinely serve. Let your heart and passions lead the way. Ask yourself: What is your why? Document and show the journey of becoming your best self.

My mission is to inspire others to live their most extraordinary life. I’ve shared every piece of my journey, from my corporate job to moving to Los Angeles, world travels, highs and lows, and big opportunities in content creation. That’s the secret I wish I knew when I started as a content creator. The journey has peaks and valleys, like any entrepreneurial path, but sustaining yourself for the long run is crucial. It’s not just a short-term stint but something you build to be sustainable.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Initially, I started in the travel niche, sharing my adventures from around the world. However, I soon realized that to truly stay aligned with my purpose, I needed to incorporate more mindset and motivational content. This shift was not just a natural extension of my journey but it also filled a unique gap in the market. By blending travel with motivational posts, I offered something different from the standard travel content. This approach made my content stand out in both the travel community and the mindset community, setting me apart and drawing in a diverse audience looking for inspiration not only in places to visit but also in personal growth and development.

Building my reputation within my market has been a journey deeply rooted in authenticity and purpose. From the very beginning, I made a conscious decision to show up as my authentic self in every piece of content I create. Whether I’m sharing travel experiences, motivational captions, or personal stories, I ensure that my voice remains genuine and true to who I am. This authenticity resonates with my audience because they see a real person behind the photos and videos—someone who is not afraid to share both the highs and the lows of their journey. By being transparent and vulnerable, I’ve been able to build a strong connection with my followers, which has been fundamental in establishing my reputation.

Aligning my actions with my purpose of helping others has also been a cornerstone of my approach. My mission is to inspire and empower people to live their most extraordinary lives and I create content crafted with this intention in mind. The underlying goal is always to uplift and encourage my audience to pursue their dreams and prioritize their well-being. This consistent alignment between my content and my purpose of service has created a sense of trust among my followers, as they know I am genuinely invested in their growth and happiness.

Additionally, I have made it a point to engage with my audience genuinely and consistently. Responding to comments and DMs and taking the time to understand the needs and aspirations of my followers has helped me foster a strong community. This engagement shows my audience that I value their support and that I am here to support them in return. It’s not just about broadcasting my message, but about creating a two-way dialogue that enriches both my content and the experiences of those who follow me.

My reputation has been built on authenticity, purpose, and community. By consistently being true to myself, aligning my work with my mission to help others, and actively engaging with my audience, I’ve been able to create a meaningful and impactful presence within my market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yourextraordinarylife.co/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahnaghafori/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MahnaGhafori
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-extraordinary-life/id1668957284