Today we’d like to introduce you to Gentry Hale
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Gentry Hale and I am a freelance travel journalist from Salt Lake City, Utah. I began my career by being curious, a little uncertain, but driven by an explosive desire to explore, create and put fun at the forefront of everything I do in life. In the early years, I was more focused on the pursuit of happiness than any clear path, and it has paid off.
I studied environmental sustainability at the University of Utah for my undergraduate degree, but it was my poetry minor that captivated my heart. I found a deeper sense of fulfillment in the creative expression of language than I ever did in the rigor of science. After graduation, I packed up my car and took off to San Diego to fulfill my life-long dream of learning how to surf. What began as a few months of adventure turned into years, as I fully embraced the laid-back beach lifestyle before I knew it was time for the next chapter.
That next step led me to Missoula, Montana, where I earned a master’s degree in environmental journalism, a perfect fusion of my love for creative writing and my foundation in environmental science. In Missoula, I cut my teeth in conservation and wildlife journalism, causes that I know and care deeply about. Eventually, I returned to my wonderful home state.
Throughout all of this, one constant remained: my unwavering love for travel. Between each adventure, I was planning the next. Writing and exploration had become the two forces that powered my life, so I took a leap of faith. I left behind a stable magazine editor job, fully aware of the risks, but certain that the freedom to chase my passions would be worth the uncertainty. I ventured into the realm of full-time freelance travel journalism. And here I am today, traveling the world and sharing my experiences through my writing.
It isn’t easy and there is still so much I need to figure out, but my relentless determination to live a life of fun and creativity, as well as my connection to what brings me joy in life, has led me to one of the most exciting and fulfilling career paths I could imagine.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not been smooth. There are still moments when I question if the sacrifices I’m making are worth it. The uncertainty of choosing a freelance career, especially in the unpredictable world of journalism, is constantly in the back of my mind.
Financially it is also difficult. There are plenty of sleepless nights spent wondering if I am making the right choice and if I will be able to sustain myself. And there is also the constant hustle, juggling deadlines, pitching ideas and maintaining that delicate balance between passion and practicality. It’s exhausting, especially when the paychecks don’t always match the effort you put in.
But I believe that the people who make it and become successful in life are the people that ignore these moments of second-guessing themselves and follow their passions relentlessly.
The rush of getting a new story published, the joy of getting to go on trips, the incredible people that I get to meet along the way, make it all worth it. I have no doubt that I am doing what I am meant to be doing, and the unpredictability of freelancing will never overpower the fulfillment, excitement and purpose that it brings me in my life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have built my entire life around traveling and having fun: chasing adventure, meeting new people and saying “yes” to the kind of experiences that turn into the best stories. From following musk oxen across the frozen tundra in the North Pole to performing the Australian Bush Dance with Sherpas at the base of Mount Everest, experiencing what the world has to offer and sharing that information with readers is my life goal. My writing aims to blend firsthand travel experiences with a deep love for adventure, human connection and the great outdoors. When I am not writing, I’m exploring new places, feeling the most at home when I’m not at home.
Beyond travel writing, I have a background in environmental journalism, specializing in land and wildlife management. I have a soft spot for ungulates and could talk about land use policies for hours. My latest project is a travel blog that merges practical travel insights with personal stories of those whose lives have been positively impacted by tourism—because the human side of travel is often overlooked. Stay tuned by following along on Instagram @gentry_the_journalist !
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people know me for my love of adventure and travel, but what they might not realize is how much I obsess over the craft of storytelling, especially editing and story structure. I love the challenge of shaping a messy first draft into something sharp.
I also love editing the work of other writers. I can spend hours rearranging paragraphs until a story flows effortlessly or fine-tuning sentences to get the rhythm just right. I find just as much thrill in the editing process as I do in the experiences that inspire my writing.
Another fun fact about me: I have a very serious, totally unnecessary tradition of taking a mirror selfie in every airplane bathroom I step foot in. I post them on my Instagram story with the ultra-creative caption “airplane.” I call it high-altitude art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gentryhale.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gentry_the_journalist/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentryhale
