Meet Jessi Bang

We were lucky to catch up with Jessi Bang recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessi, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

When I started my blog, I was inspired by a travel family based in Salt Lake. I never set out to be like them, but I did hope to land free travel opportunities the way they had. I’ve always been someone who shows up as myself, no matter how that looks to others, even from a young age. That didn’t mean launching my blog came without hesitation or fear of judgment. But I quickly learned that strangers often become your biggest supporters, sometimes even more than close friends and family, and that’s OK. Staying true to who I am is what built my social media following, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m an outdoor enthusiast with roots in family road trips, camping, and visits to national and state parks. Nature has always been my reset button, and that love only deepened as I got older. Thirteen years ago, I visited my sister in Scotland, caught the travel bug, and haven’t looked back. I now run a hiking and adventure travel blog where I share detailed itineraries packed with the best places to hike, stay, eat, and explore. My goal is to make epic adventures easy to plan.

I collaborate with hotels, Airbnbs, and adventure companies, and I create all my own content, including writing, photography, video, and drone work. I taught myself everything from web design to editing and social media strategy when I launched my blog, and content creation quickly became my passion.

By day, I’m a full-time news reporter focused on local businesses, artists, and travel. Whether I’m covering a story or chasing a trail, storytelling is always at the center. And right now, I’m doing it all while 8 months pregnant, proof that adventure doesn’t stop, it just gets a little more interesting.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three most impactful things in my journey have been adaptability, self-taught creative skills, and a deep sense of authenticity.

Adaptability has been tremendous. From balancing journalism with content creation to learning new platforms and tools on the fly, being flexible has allowed me to evolve with the industry and keep growing. For anyone starting out, my advice is to get comfortable being uncomfortable. The landscape changes fast, and the ability to pivot is more valuable than having a perfect plan.

Creative skills like photography, video editing, writing, and even drone flying have opened doors I never expected. I taught myself everything through trial and error and a lot of late nights. If you’re just beginning, don’t wait to be an expert. Start small, learn as you go, and build confidence through action. There’s so much free knowledge out there if you’re willing to dig in.

Authenticity is what has truly built my brand. I never tried to be someone I wasn’t, and that’s what people connect with. For those just starting, don’t get caught up in the comparison game. Show up as yourself, share your perspective, and trust that there’s space for your story too. That’s what turns followers into a community.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always looking to collaborate with people and brands who share a genuine love for the outdoors, adventure, and meaningful travel. I’m drawn to those who value experiences over things, care about protecting natural spaces, and believe in inspiring others to explore the world around them. Whether it’s a small outdoor gear company, a boutique stay tucked into the mountains, or a fellow creator passionate about trail life and storytelling, I’m excited to team up with those who bring heart, purpose, and authenticity to what they do.

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