We recently connected with Dannelle Gay and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dannelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My hero is my Mom.

Why? Because she embodied values and principles that have profoundly shaped my worldview and life journey. One of her exceptional qualities was her unwavering belief that travel could be both enjoyable and educational. She had a knack for turning every trip into a rich learning experience. Whether it was a visit to a historical site or exploring a new culture, she instilled in me the idea that the world was a vast classroom filled with lessons waiting to be discovered. Her ability to combine adventure and knowledge left an indelible mark on me.

The lessons I’ve learned from her are invaluable. She taught me the essence of giving back, emphasizing the concept of offering a “hand up” rather than a “handout.” Her approach to philanthropy was a shining example of kindness and empathy. She believed that true generosity went beyond mere charity; it involved empowering others to improve their own lives. Witnessing her selfless acts of kindness and her dedication to helping those in need has left me with a deep sense of responsibility to make a positive impact on the world.

Relevant stories and anecdotes about my Mom abound. One that stands out is her involvement in a local community project to provide education and vocational training to underprivileged youth. Instead of simply donating funds, she spearheaded the initiative, personally mentoring these young individuals. Her guidance transformed their lives, and many of them went on to achieve remarkable success. This experience illuminated the power of her philosophy – that there’s never a better time to make a difference than right now.

Mom’s exceptional qualities, from her passion for learning through travel to her commitment to uplifting others, have significantly influenced my journey. Her legacy inspires me to approach life with a thirst for knowledge, a heart full of compassion, and a determination to take meaningful action in the present. She remains my hero, a beacon of wisdom and kindness, guiding me on my own path of self-discovery and positive impact.

Dannelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

About Me and My Journey:

I’m a seasoned travel writer with over a dozen years of experience, specializing in exploring and sharing the wonders of the world. My journey into the world of travel writing began with a passion for adventure and a deep love for storytelling. From the outset, I was captivated by the idea of not just visiting new places, but delving into their stories, cultures, and hidden gems.

During the challenging times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, I took a bold step. I brought together an exceptional team of Midwest travel writers, all navigating the restrictions of their own states, to collaborate on a Midwest road trip book. The result? An unexpected best-seller that not only brought us recognition but also cemented lifelong friendships. It was a time when many travel writers chose to step back, but we saw an opportunity to shine.

My Offerings:

My portfolio includes a range of travel books, each meticulously researched and crafted to offer readers a unique and immersive experience. From Midwest Road Trip Adventures to my latest release, 100 Things to Do in Wisconsin Before You Die, my goal is to provide readers with much more than a list of tourist spots; I aim to share the essence of a place, its untold stories, and the experiences that set it apart.

Beyond travel writing, I’ve ventured into the world of gourmet coffee, curating a line that embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery. Additionally, I’ve taken to the screen, hosting a TV show that invites viewers to embark on journeys alongside me, unlocking the beauty and secrets of diverse destinations.

What Sets Me Apart:

What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to authenticity. I believe that travel is not merely about ticking off places on a checklist but about forging connections, embracing diversity, and learning from the world. My books, coffee line, and TV show reflect this ethos, offering readers, coffee enthusiasts, and viewers a genuine, immersive experience.

Proud Achievements:

One of my proudest achievements is the opportunity to give back to my home state, Wisconsin. My latest book allows me to donate up to a million dollars to Wisconsin non-profit organizations, supporting their vital work in the tourism industry.

Final Thoughts:

What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about me is that I’m not just a travel writer. I’m a storyteller, an explorer, and a passionate advocate for the magic of travel. My work is a labor of love, dedicated to sharing the world’s beauty and the incredible people and places that enrich our lives. Through my books, coffee, and TV show, I invite you to join me on this unforgettable journey of discovery and connection.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

So, picture this: I’m in Bismarck, North Dakota, on a press trip with a bunch of travel writers. We’re by the water, and one of our group members, let’s call her Anne, is looking a bit hesitant about kayaking. You see, Anne had never kayaked before and was feeling a tad jittery about taking the plunge.

As we’re trying to reassure Anne and boost her confidence, along comes the reporter from WKFYR TV. This reporter was on a mission to capture some “B roll” footage for the evening news and had limited time to do it.

She rushes over to us, a petite blonde with a camera, and asks if anyone is willing to hop into a kayak for a quick shoot. “I’ve only got a few minutes, folks,” she says, “so who’s up for some kayak action?”

Now, I fancy myself a bit of a kayaking pro as I also have a camping website and write occasionally for GoRVing. I’ve got both single and tandem kayaks back home, and I know the drill. So, without missing a beat, I volunteered to be her kayak model, thinking it’d be a breeze – a quick shot of me putting on the lifejacket, getting into the kayak, and we’d be done.

As my buddies stand back, having a casual chat, I slip on the lifejacket for that perfect close-up and hop into the kayak. It strikes me as odd that the kayak is parallel to the pier; I usually get in perpendicular. But, hey, no big deal, right? I can just hold onto the pier for stability while she gets her shots.

But here’s where things take a comically unexpected turn. As my friends cheerfully call out to Anne, “Hey, Anne! Are you watching? Dannelle will show you how easy it is!” – the world goes into slow-motion mode.

Anne turns her attention to me just as Ryan, the kayak guy, gently pushes me away from the dock and into the water. I was not ready for this or expecting it. Have you ever had one of those moments when life moves in slow motion, and you’re powerless to stop it? That’s precisely what happened.

The kayak starts to tip left, then a bit more, and ever so slowly, I tip right over into knee-deep water. I could see the reporter’s horrified expression as she captured the entire hilarious mishap on camera.

Amid the laughter from my friends and their pleas for copies of that footage, all I could think was, “Poor Anne.” So, I stood up, soaking wet, raised my hands, and flashed a smile to reassure her that I was perfectly fine.

But here’s the kicker – Anne’s expression changes from horror to concern. She saw I was bleeding, and she was genuinely worried about my well-being. (Turns out, she was the only one in the group who cared – thanks, Anne, you’re a gem!)

As I limped around the next day, nursing my scraped leg, I couldn’t help but find the whole situation hilariously ironic. I had set out to help the reporter and calm a colleague’s fears, only to end up with a limp while my buddies kept cracking jokes. It was a reminder not to take myself too seriously and to embrace those moments when life throws a curveball – or in this case, tips a kayak. And you know what? I’d do it all over again.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

If the pandemic didn’t teach anyone the art of the pivot, they must have been living on another planet, right? I mean, especially if you were running a business during that time, LOL. As for us travel writers, well, let’s just say we weren’t exactly globe-trotting during a global pandemic. In the United States, we were pretty much locked down in our own states, and the idea of getting paid to travel? Forget about it – no one could travel!

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. About 40% of the world’s travel writers decided to wave goodbye to their travel writing gigs and explore other avenues. But not me. Nope, I had a different plan in mind.

I decided to reach out to my good friend Sara, who happens to be the co-owner of the Midwest Travel Network. I pitched her an idea: Why not select one writer from each of the Midwest states and create a collaborative road trip book? It was a chance to pivot our way into something exciting and new.

And you know what? We did it. We brought together this fantastic group of writers, and guess what happened next? Our collaborative road trip book took off like a rocket and quickly soared to the bestsellers list. Talk about a pivot that paid off!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TravelingCheesehead.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/TheTravelingCheesehead
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dannelle.gay/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannelle-gay/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheesyDannelle

Image Credits
All my picutres :)