Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Tustin.
Hi Kendra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I initially began my social media journey as a Beauty Influencer back in 2014. I was obsessed with makeup/beauty hauls, makeup tutorials and etc. I grew a decent following through my love of makeup, beauty and skincare. After some time, I realized I wasn’t passionate about it anymore. Also, I felt so much negativity and toxicity from the community and I knew it wasn’t good for my mental health anymore. Plus, I was spending so much money on makeup, I went into debt.
It wasn’t until I turned 29, I realized that I wanted to do something more in my life and for my life. To do something that brought value and meaning. I started getting outdoors by hiking in my local areas within a few hours from me. I went to a spot close to where I grew up called the Donner Pass Summit Tunnels. It’s located in Truckee, CA. I hiked up some slick mounds of snow leftover from the Winter and found a bunch of jagged rocks stacked on one another. I climbed up the rocks to find an amazing view of Donner Lake. It was that moment when I felt on top of the world and my breath was taken away. I thought, “I love nature… why have I gone away from it for so long?”
I grew up in a very small town called Alta, CA. (literally only 700 people live there) My family lived on top of a mountain (where you have to drive a very steep and narrow dirt road… which made winters very interesting), but we had 9 acres of pure forest. Beautiful trees for days. Bears in the backyard and nothing but dirt. I had a wonderful childhood playing outside all the time.
Back to Donner Pass, that moment made me think back to my childhood and growing up in Alta and I became somewhat sad because I forgot just how amazing nature can be. At that moment I said, I want to be out in nature more often. I am making it a priority. I did a COMPLETE 180 on my social media to be all about traveling and adventuring. Safe to say, my beauty followers hated it, but I’ve gained a lot of new followers who share the same passion as I do and they’re the best community on the planet.
As I was pondering all of the places within a few hours of me I can make a day trip out of, I forgot about the wonder of all wonders; Yosemite.
Believe it or not, I have lived in NorCal all my life and I NEVER once went to Yosemite and it was right in my backyard. So, I planned I bought a reservation and went to Yosemite bright and early in the morning in June of 2021 to spend the day there. After doing so much research on the park, I was beyond elated. Like a kid on Christmas morning. I couldn’t wait to see Half Dome, especially. I took the drive with my boyfriend at the time (who didn’t seem excited to be there), we went on Glacier road and made our way to Glacier Point. One of the most breathtaking viewpoints of Yosemite Valley.
Boy oh boy, a view it was. Half Dome was so close, I felt like I could touch it. The light hit the Dome with such perfection that I started crying.
That was the moment. The exact moment. The moment that changed my life.
I was flabbergasted at the extent of what Yosemite was, I was honestly overwhelmed. I couldn’t believe that this was something our Earth naturally did. Something that wasn’t man-made and I was in awe. I knew right there that National Parks were special.
It was at that point, as I drove home, I said, “I’m going to see all of the parks before I die.” Thus my mission was born.
I am on a mission to see all of the National Parks in the United States. I became, to be completely honest, totally obsessed… and still am.
In the course of 11 months, I have traveled to 10 National Parks. Each park is so unique and amazing, I will never forget them.
From the waterfalls of the rainforest at Haleakala National Park to the stunning red rocks at Arches National Park.
I currently have 5 more parks I am planning on seeing through September of this year.
The most important part of my journey is what I discovered. I discovered what really mattered to me in life and how I want to live the rest of my life.
I realized that creating experiences and memories was way more important to me than materialistic things. I was tired of being tied down to “stuff.” Stuff that created no value. Seeing these amazing places on our planet, adds much more value to my life. I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to see all of these beautiful places, especially in my home country. I’m also so grateful that I have found a partner that wants to create these experiences with me.
When my boyfriend and I started dating in October 2021, I told him about my mission about seeing all of the parks.
I asked him, “Would you be ok with coming along on these trips?”
He said, “Absolutely! Just as long as you plan them.” 😉
He and I have been to 4 national parks together so far. I’m grateful to make the experiences with him. I’m grateful to share my stories to my friends, my family, the traveling community and other national park enthusiasts.
Aside from having the goal of seeing all of the national parks, I do have one final goal. One of my most important goals.
I want to live to be 99 one day and say “Wow… I lived one hell of a good life. Want to hear some stories?”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road, but that’s how life is. It’s a journey that is going to have ups and downs. I’m expecting it to still have some ups and downs, but I’ve accepted that is how life is.
I’ve gone through much self-growth since 2014. I went through a horrible dark time. I suffer from anxiety and dysthymia. I struggled with that, but was able to work on myself by seeing a therapist and really finding myself again. Eventually, I did and I’m finally happy with myself. I love who I am and I know who I am.
The biggest struggle I had was being with an unsupportive partner for 3 years. He was not very supportive of my dream/mission of seeing all of the national parks or traveling. I really wanted to experience these beautiful places, but I wanted to share it with someone. He and I fought many times over it and how he hated the parks… so I said I didn’t want him going with me anymore. I told him, “Just because you don’t want to go, it isn’t going to stop me. I’m still going to see these parks whether you’re with me or not.” I finally stuck up for myself in our relationship and that was a turning point where I knew I deserved better. I broke up with him shortly after that.
Even though I was single, I still was determined to go (travel to the NPs) as often as I could. I would go with someone else who actually cared, like my mom. My mom is a huge supporter of mine and loves seeing the parks and going on road trips. We always have a great time. After each trip she says, “When’s the next one?” (since I’m the planner)
That was the biggest struggle. Having someone in my life that wasn’t supportive, but I refused to let that hold me back.
It worked out anyway because I ended up meeting someone else who is so special to me and supports my mission/passion to see the parks. He’s down for the adventure too. 🙂
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I still work the 9-5 and I have switched my perspective about my work. My work helps me fund my future travels. I currently work at home full time for a Property Management Company as a Fair Housing Specialist.
I teach all of the employees on preventing discrimination. I work with lots of Attorneys all over the country to address anything and everything Fair Housing related.
I’m really proud of my work ethic. My dad taught me at a very young age to work extremely hard to get where you want to be in life. That’s always stuck with me, so I hope I’ve made him proud.
I truly believe that to get where you want to be in life, you have to work your absolute booty off! That’s what I’ve been doing since I entered this world. Worked hard and I’m still working hard every day to achieve my dreams.
How do you think about happiness?
So many things. I’m a happy person, so literally, just about anything makes me happy. Waking up and snuggling with my boyfriend in the morning before work. Having my energy drink in the morning to start my day. Spending time with my family. Going for a long walk. Sitting in the sun. Of course, being out in nature.
Nature, I believe, has healing effects and is good for the soul. I feel so refreshed and rejuvenated every time I get back from being in nature. It’s like I’m on a high for a week afterwards and I love the feeling.
The national parks make me happy. Seeing our earth in its natural state makes me happy, seeing the world makes me happy. Long road trips listening to music and laughing the entire way.
Living life the way I want makes me happy. Living with a purpose makes me happy. Living for the journey makes me happy. I can’t explain why, but it feels like my soul’s purpose in life. Creating memories and experiences that I can look back on for the rest of my life makes me happy. Being able to reflect on the wonderful times makes my heart jump for joy. The big things make me happy, but the little things make me happy too.
Contact Info:
- Email: kendratustin@gmail.com
- Website: https://kendratustinadventures.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendratustin/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpenRoadWanderlust
