Hey! I'm Gabby Beckford. The Exit Row is a reminder to stay one decision away from adventure, optimism, and a sky full of possibilities—and so is this monthly newsletter.
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Reader, , sometimes I look back at how far I’ve come and can’t help but laugh and stare in awe.
Despite so many viral stories of instant success, none of it happened overnight for me.
I had many many many moments of doubt and frustration.
But every step and detour, every “what am I doing?” moment was a breadcrumb. Here's how it went down (the quick version):
- 2013 – Took my first solo trip to Iceland at 17. 🇮🇸 I was terrified. Full-on shaking in the airport bathroom kind of terrified, but even with everything that went wrong on that trip, it cracked me open. It made me realize I wanted to see more.
- 2014 – I won my first scholarship for school: $1,000. That tiny check felt like the biggest “yes” from the universe. I remember thinking, “Wait, I can get paid to do things I love?”.
- 2017 – Hitting the end of university, studying. Scored $40,000 in study abroad scholarships and spent a year in Dubai, UAE. 🇦🇪 It was wild. Desert safaris, dating, culture shock, growth. I also realized… I didn’t want to be an engineer. Lol, sorry Dad.
- 2018 – Working my 9–5 engineering job. It pays the bills, and it there isn't anything technically wrong. But something is missing. Won my first fully-funded Paid Travel Opportunity (PTO) and got paid to spend a week in South Korea 🇰🇷 The moment I stepped off the plane, I knew this was just the beginning.
- 2020 – Quit my engineering job to travel full-time on a Friday... The pandemic hit that next Monday 🥲 So I stayed home. Built my brand. And somehow, made six figures from my living room. Still one of my proudest pivots.
- 2021-2024 – Finally hit the road for real. 15 countries in one year. Laptops, airports, content shoots, repeat. Remote Work & Digital Nomad Queen 👸🏽 Even won a PTO to Austria 🇦🇹 It was chaos, and it was perfect.
- 2025 – I'm 30 (!). Still going, growing, and saying yes to the dream. Living in New York City. Getting paid to speak on stages for Mastercard, Google, and Chase Bank. And best of all, I get to live a life where I help women like you realize their dreams and incredible adventures.
Each milestone was a result of persistent delusional confidence. The dots only connect when I look back over the past 13 years.
But wow, do they connect!
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When you look at my timeline, which belief shows up in your body: tight chest, buzzing thoughts? Is it the one that says you’re behind because someone else hit their milestone first?
That if you were really “meant” to do it... it would’ve happened already?
Or that every detour means you took a wrong turn?
Here’s the truth: those beliefs are what make the scenic route feel like failure.
But the long road is often the one that builds the most resilience, creativity, and character!
The version of me in 2013 couldn’t have handled what I do now. Neither could the 2018 version, honestly.
Growth takes time. Detours were data. Every delay had a lesson.
So if your body feels tense right now, unclench.
So, if you’re a corporate girlie who wants to travel more: start where you are.
Map out long weekends early in the year to stretch your PTO. Start building your remote work-friendly skills.
Build a side hustle you're passionate about, on Fiverr or Upwork. Dedicate even 3 hours a week just to putting something out there so you can test what feels right.
Regardless of where you're at, the truth is:
There’s no perfect route or “right” timeline. Only the one that feels right to you.
Stay consistent.
You’re not late. You’re learning.
Shift the belief, and the journey starts to feel like progress again.
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- Is having a boyfriend embarassing now? 🤔 - This Vogue article has flooded all my social media feeds, and for good reason (let's all clap and thank the Black-British author, Chante Joseph!) We all know the answer is yes, but read the actual article for the nuance. My favorite line: "Having a boyfriend typically takes hits on a woman’s aura,”. It resonated so much with why love solo travel: it's you-centric, there's no compromise, and thus maximum life and minimal regrets.
- Pls don't strangle your boss—here's how to travel more in 2026 - If you're a full-time corporate girly with limited time off, traveling can feel impossible. Here are 3 tips I used when I was also a corporate girl to travel as much as possible!
- My FAVORITE night out in Cayman Islands 🇰🇾 - Ladies, I had a Mamma Mia moment in the Caribbean and it was to die for. 📢📢📢 Add it to the bucket list!
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- 💳 In October, I've been loving my Bilt Credit Card. It's the only way to get credit card points for paying your rent (most people's #1 expense). I live in NYC so I pay a lot of rent—totally worth it!
- 💬 Reader, are you job searching? Did you know there are around 250K searches for language skills per month on LinkedIn? Duolingo x LinkedIn just partnered up to show your Duolingo language scores on your profile, and I looove that. Travelers who have studied Spanish or Japanese as a passion, can now recycle that work and maybe it will help you land a job! 10/10. Here's the link to auto connect your accounts.
- Another Intrepid plug because they just dropped "Short Breaks"—2-6 day mini group trip itineraries designed for the girlies trying to squeeze in an adventure with limited vacation days. I love them so down for making travel more accessible in so many ways!
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Baggage I'm claiming 🧳
SeekPTO’s 1-year anniversary is right around the corner 🥹 It's crazy how the time has flown. We've accomplished so much already. In November, I'm ✨claiming✨:
My goal is to:
- Finish the year with 100 more community members
- See your name next to the 70+ others on our SeekPTO Winners Wall.
- Have someone email me absolutely in tears because they just got a "CONGRATULATIONS" email for the travel experience of their dreams.
2026 is the year we check off multiple experiences on our bucket list and let someone else pay for them. Join the fun in SeekPTO 🙏🏽✨
"What's Next?"
I'm currently on my way to VIETNAM 🇻🇳 with Intrepid Travel and a special guest: my mom 🥹
After that, it’s back home to prepare for the holiday season. For those of you who are true to this, the Packs Light Holiday Gift Guide is making its grand return this year. I'll be sharing some intentional Black Friday Deals, travel-inspired gifts, and surprises I can’t spill just yet 👀
Seeya on socials!
Gabby 🌺✈️❤️🔥
P.S. I want to start doing more lives to connect and answer questions from you guys more regularly! So respond to this email and tell me: Instagram lives, or TikTok lives?
