Posted May 29th, 2026

What started as a simple idea back in 2021 has now grown into a small but mighty travel agency. These last five years have reshaped how I see travel, how I book it, and how I show up for the people who trust me with their time away.

When I launched Mountain Man Travels, I stayed close to what I knew best at the time: cruises and solo trips. That was how I was traveling, so that was how I was planning. It was fun, fairly predictable, and comfortable for a brand-new advisor still learning the ropes of the industry.

Then life changed—and the business evolved right along with it.

From “Me Trips” to “We Trips”

As I met my wife and her kids, my own travel shifted from solo adventures to shared experiences. Suddenly, I was thinking about different ages, activity levels, and comfort zones. That mindset naturally followed me into my work as a travel advisor.

Group trips started to show up on my calendar. Friends traveling together. Families coordinating school schedules. Multigenerational groups trying to balance everyone’s wish list. At the same time, more and more clients reached out asking for trips that didn’t fit into a standard package.

They wanted something custom. Something built around how they actually like to travel.

That’s where FIT came in.

What FIT Travel Really Means

In the travel world, FIT most commonly stands for “Flexible Independent Travel” or “Free Independent Traveler.” In practice, it means a fully customized trip built around an individual traveler, a couple, or a small group—not a pre-set itinerary sold off the shelf.

With FIT, instead of choosing a one-size-fits-all package, we can:

• Handpick each stay based on your style and budget
• Connect flights, trains, rental cars, ferries, and transfers in a way that actually flows
• Layer in tours, activities, and experiences that match how you like to travel—active, relaxed, cultural, food-focused, or a mix

Every FIT itinerary is like building a unique puzzle: all the logistics, timing, and experiences need to fit together so the trip feels smooth and intentional for you, even though there’s a lot happening behind the scenes.

Early on, that level of complexity honestly felt like a lot. Now it’s where Mountain Man Travels does some of its best work.

Growing Into Complex, Adventure-Forward Trips

At the beginning, cruises and simpler trips felt safe and repeatable. Custom FIT itineraries looked like a juggling act reserved for “veteran” advisors. I thought I would stay in my lane.

But each time a client said, “Could you help us do something a little more custom?” I chose to say yes.

Trip by trip, that stretched me to:

• Design multi-stop journeys across countries and regions
• Blend “wow” adventure moments with slower days and local experiences
• Plan around real-world factors like weather, strikes, tight connections, and accessibility needs

Those challenges changed how I see my work. They pushed me from “booking trips” into truly designing travel experiences—and that’s where I realized I thrive.

Today, Mountain Man Travels is intentionally focused on thoughtfully planned, custom FIT travel while still handling a full range of trip styles. That means active and adventure-forward itineraries, ocean and river cruises, escorted group tours, and all-inclusive getaways—all designed to match how you actually like to travel, whether that’s being on the move, slowing down at a resort, or mixing a bit of both.

Bucket List Journeys That Marked the Path

Over the last few years, that growth has shown up in some incredible bucket list journeys.

One was a three-week New Zealand adventure for clients who had been dreaming about it for years. We built a route that wove together hikes, scenic drives, coastal towns, and time to slow down and actually feel the places they were visiting. It took careful timing, smart routing, and a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination—but hearing how it turned into their “trip of a lifetime” made every late-night planning session worth it.

Another was an almost three-week trip through Europe for a local Arvada couple, with a strong focus on Germany. They told me they wanted to tackle a few big trips while they still could, and we built this one around places that mattered to them, pacing that fit their energy, and experiences they might not easily find on their own. Knowing that this wasn’t just another vacation, but one of the big trips they’d remember for years, made every decision feel that much more meaningful.

I also had the privilege of planning a Thailand journey for a couple celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. That itinerary balanced adventure and romance: cultural experiences, time in nature, and chances to slow down and reconnect somewhere completely different from home. Designing something that personal—and being trusted with such a milestone—was a powerful reminder of why I do this work in the first place.

Trips like these have pushed me to grow as an advisor and reinforced how important it is to listen closely, plan intentionally, and treat each itinerary like it might be the dream trip for that traveler.

Lessons Learned (And Carried Forward)

Five years in, there have been incredible wins and a fair share of hard-earned lessons.

Not every detail has gone perfectly. Flights change. Weather interferes. Partners occasionally miss the mark. Those moments have taught me to:

• Build in buffer time and backup options where it matters
• Communicate clearly and quickly when something shifts
• Advocate hard for my clients when things don’t go as planned
• Turn every challenge into a better system or safeguard for the next trip

Those experiences have made me a stronger planner and a better partner to have in your corner when you travel.

Gratitude for the People Behind the Scenes

While clients see the finished trips, there’s a whole community behind the scenes that has helped me grow into the advisor I am today.

To my fellow travel advisors who have been a listening ear on the tough days, offered guidance when I felt stuck, and helped bring clarity when things got complicated—thank you. Your willingness to share knowledge, brainstorm through challenges, and celebrate the wins has made this journey a lot less lonely and a lot more rewarding.

I’m also deeply grateful for my host agency, WorldVia Travel Network, for consistently believing in their advisors and investing in our success. Their trainings, industry connections, and strong supplier relationships have given me the tools and support to push further into adventure travel and complex FIT itineraries. Having a solid team behind me makes it possible to deliver a better experience in front of you.

A Heartfelt Thank You to My Clients

Of course, none of this growth—from “cruises and solo travel” to complex, adventure-focused FIT itineraries—would have happened without the clients who trusted me along the way.

To everyone who:

• Took a chance on a small, first-responder-owned agency
• Asked for something a bit more adventurous, a bit more unique, or a bit more “you”
• Shared honest feedback, sent photos from the road, or referred friends and family

Thank you!

You’ve shaped how Mountain Man Travels looks today. You’ve given me the chance to learn, improve, and keep raising the bar on what a custom trip can be.

Ready to Plan Your Next Adventure?

If you’re ready for a trip that feels like it was built just for you—not a generic package—this is exactly where the next five years of Mountain Man Travels are headed.

Here’s how to get started:

• Share a few basics: where you’d like to go, how active you want to be, and who’s traveling
• I’ll design a custom, adventure-forward itinerary that fits your style, pace, and budget
• We’ll refine it together until you feel excited, confident, and ready to go

When you’re ready to start planning your next trip—be it a custom FIT itinerary, a cruise, an escorted tour, or an all-inclusive escape—reach out to Mountain Man Travels and let’s build your next adventure together.