We recently connected with Julia Gonzales and have shared our conversation below.

Julia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I Was Trading Time for Money—At a Cost I Couldn’t Ignore
During COVID, while working remotely, my kids were home too, doing virtual school. And for the first time, I truly saw how much I had missed. Moments I could never get back. For years, I had done the “responsible” thing—working tirelessly to provide, especially as a single mother. My career gave us a comfortable life, but it also took all of my time. Guilt ate away at me. Because now that I was home, soaking in those moments, I felt something I hadn’t in years—sadness. Sadness for all the time I couldn’t rewind.

Turning 40 & Facing My Own Clock
In 2021, I turned 40, and while most people joke about a mid-life crisis, mine felt more like a countdown. Since I was 17, I’ve lived with an internal clock ticking down to 44. Why? Because that’s when my dad passed away from pancreatic cancer.
At 17, 44 seemed old. But as I got closer, I realized how painfully young it really was.

And that question haunted me:

💭 What if I only have four more years left?

💭 How do I want to spend them?

So, I Made a Drastic Change
By this time, I had re-married. And for the first time, I didn’t have to carry the health insurance for my kids. The job I once needed no longer held the same weight.

After long, honest talks with my husband, we put a plan into motion:

✔️ We downsized our life—sold both our cars, bought an older used one.

✔️ We paid off all debts.

✔️ We cut out unnecessary expenses to live fully on his income.

All so I could step away from the 9-to-5 grind and finally breathe. Focus on my family. Travel. Figure out my next chapter.
I knew one thing for sure—I would always work. I love to be busy. But I’ve always had a deep desire to build something of my own.

This was my chance.
And so, I took the leap.

YouTube was NOT my plan.
My husband and I had recently found this new freedom—he could work from anywhere, and for the first time, I wasn’t tied to a limited number of vacation days. The weeks my son was with his dad gave us the perfect opportunity to travel while my husband worked remotely.

But there was one big question: What was I going to do while we were on the road?

While my husband worked, I started taking random travel footage and adding little narrations over it—just for fun. Then, I started uploading them to YouTube. They were awful. Like, really bad. But I actually enjoyed the process. It gave me something to do while traveling, and it felt creative in a way I hadn’t experienced before.

I was about to quit before I even got started, my Aunt and Uncle convinced me to keep going. They couldn’t travel because they hadn’t gotten the COVID vaccine, so they lived vicariously through my videos. They cheered me on. They loved seeing the world through my eyes. So, I kept going—for them.

A few months in, I imagined my husband and I appearing in videos together, traveling as a duo. But when I brought it up to him, he shut it down fast. He wanted no part of being on camera.

He told me, “If this is something you want to do, you’re doing it alone. I’ll support you, but I don’t want to be in any of the videos.”

I won’t lie—I was let down. I didn’t think I could do this on my own. Putting yourself on YouTube is terrifying. The idea of filming myself, talking to a camera, and sharing it with strangers? It felt impossible.

But then, we went to Peru. And I told myself: Just try it. See what happens.

I started posting videos from Peru, not expecting much. But then…1,000 views, 5,000 views, 10,000 views, and then 15,000 views. That’s when my husband looked at me and said, “Okay… you might be onto something.”

He still didn’t want to be on camera, but now he was willing to help behind the scenes—coming up with ideas, supporting me, and making sure I kept going.

Now, two years later, I have 50,000 subscribers with almost 2 Million views and a channel that has brought me more joy than I ever expected. No, we’re not rich from YouTube. But that was never the point. The real reward? Helping people plan their travels, sharing food and culture from around the world and sometimes making people laugh.

Julia, 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?

Travel planning can be time-consuming, but we’re here to make it easy. Our goal is to share our experiences and provide you with all the essential details—so you can plan your own trip without the hassle of endless research or the cost of a travel planner.

As a Travel and Food Curator, I’m on the road exploring new destinations and uncovering the best experiences to help you travel smarter, eat better, and make the most of every trip.

From hotel recommendations and must-see attractions to the best local eats and hidden gem restaurants, we provide everything you need to plan your next adventure with confidence.

Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly travel tips, food recommendations, or the ultimate itinerary, we’ve got you covered. When it comes to travel planning, I’ve made it easy—just copy and paste the information from my YouTube Video descriptions to help guide your trip.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Many successful creators will tell you to “Just start” or “Just post,” and I completely agree. You have to begin somewhere. At first, your content won’t be perfect—but that’s part of the process. As you go, you’ll improve, discover what works (and what doesn’t), and evolve naturally. Growth on social media is a learning journey, and everyone’s path looks different. Greatness is a grind you just have to keep at it.

Focus on One Platform First
I recommend starting with one platform and growing from there. It’s easy to spread yourself too thin, and you can’t master every platform at once. I’ve noticed that creators who thrive on YouTube don’t always have large followings on Instagram or TikTok, and vice versa. The key is to go where your content fits best.

Example:
Comedy sketches or cute animal videos? TikTok is a great fit.
Lifestyle, fashion, or travel blogging? Instagram might be the way to go.
Long-form storytelling or educational content? YouTube is ideal.

Passion Fuels Consistency Whatever platform you choose, find a topic you’re passionate about. That internal drive will keep you going when things get tough. Also, lean into the existing communities in your niche.

YouTube, in particular, can feel lonely in terms of the creator-to-subscriber relationship. No matter how much love you receive, there will always be negativity—that’s just part of being online. However, the creator-to-creator connections can be incredibly supportive. Many people have been through the same struggles and can offer advice, encouragement, or simply a sense of camaraderie.

I’ve also made great connections on the road. For instance, I met a fellow creator, Finding Gina Marie, while traveling in Greece. I saw her filming a video, and when her content later popped up, I subscribed. We’ve now kept in touch for almost two years, frequently chatting through our social channels.

I also love listening to The YouTube Creator Hub with Dusty Porter. Many of his guests have been in my shoes, and it’s comforting to hear their stories—it reminds me I’m not alone. Another great resource is The Social Media Marketing Podcast, which provides valuable insights into trends and the ever-changing landscape of social media.

At the end of the day, start where you are, stay consistent, and build relationships within your creator community. Growth takes time, but every step forward is a step toward success.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

For many years, I only had a week or two of vacation—sometimes not even that. There were years when time off wasn’t really a break at all, just sick days spent at home with my kids. That’s why I feel incredibly grateful to now have the opportunity to travel, share stories, and help others do the same.

I want to make travel planning easier so that when you finally take that well-earned break, you make the most of it. You visit the right places at the right time, eat unforgettable food, and create memories that stay with you for a lifetime. Because life isn’t just about work—people deserve to truly enjoy it.

On a recent trip to Copenhagen, I learned about something called hygge (pronounced hoo-guh). It’s a Danish concept that embodies warmth, coziness, and the joy of simple pleasures—sharing meals with loved ones, sipping wine by candlelight, or just being fully present in the moment. Whether it’s a cozy dinner at home, a relaxed café gathering, or a leisurely meal with friends, hygge is all about comfort, connection, and contentment.

If you find yourself in Copenhagen, sitting around a table with good food, wine, and great company, you’re experiencing true hygge.

And that’s what I want to inspire—more hygge in life. More moments of connection, joy, and presence. Because at the end of the day, that’s what life is really about.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliagonzalestravels/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gonzalesjulia/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JuliaGonzalesTravels

Image Credits

Harold Gonzales