[10.01] How Early Travel Adventures Shaped My Passion and Career

• Grew up with a travel agent mom, sparking a passion for travel from a young age.
• Started working at 13 to save for studying abroad at 15, emphasizing early financial independence.
• Studied at Oxford University at 15, marking the beginning of solo international travel.
• Traveled to the Netherlands at 18, visiting 10 countries alone and expanding global experiences.
• Emphasizes making travel a priority and working hard to achieve it.
• Met Steven in college, combining different travel backgrounds and perspectives.
• Explored California’s national parks and enjoyed budget-friendly road trips.
• Adapted to travel limitations during COVID by exploring nearby locations.
• Encourages discovering natural beauty and hidden gems beyond major cities.

[16.41] Unforgettable Encounters and Insights from Middle Eastern and Basque Travels

• Faced stereotypes about the Middle East, visiting Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Jordan.
• Took a memorable trip with my mom for her 60th birthday, highlighting family-oriented travel experiences.
• Met exceptionally kind locals, including a driver who went above and beyond to enhance our experience.
• The driver paid for Turkish coffee and provided his portable Wi-Fi unit, showcasing generosity.
• Explored Petra, one of the new seven wonders of the world, enjoying its historical grandeur.
• I witnessed a different lifestyle in Spain’s Basque Country, which contrasted with the American work-centric culture.
• Observed that people in the Basque Country prioritize leisure and family time, influencing our own work-life balance.
• Gained a new perspective on balancing work and life, inspired by diverse cultural practices.
• Emphasized how travel can transform perspectives, promoting a richer understanding of different ways of living.

[21.17] From Passion Projects to Viral Success: How Embracing Content Creation Led to a Million-Following

• Began with hiking and capturing adventures, initially for personal memories and to document travels.
• Used photography and videography to share experiences, showcasing the beauty of diverse locations.
• Organic growth into content creation as people started asking for more details about their adventures.
• Launched a solo blog called “The Blonderer,” which eventually evolved into a couple’s adventure blog.
• Seized the opportunity during COVID lockdowns to dive deeper into photography and editing skills.
• Use free online resources like YouTube tutorials to enhance content creation skills.
• I noticed significant progress over four years, despite the initial content being less polished.
• Emphasized that growth comes from consistent effort, even if early content isn’t perfect.
• Highlighted the importance of taking action and learning from experience to achieve long-term success.

[32.21] Inspiring Travel and Making the Most of the World

• The journey began with the simple aim of inspiring others to explore new places.
• Surprisingly, over 80% of Americans don’t have passports, which shows a big gap in international travel.
• Traveling to Italy at 18 was eye-opening, revealing the incredible diversity just beyond familiar borders.
• Even short road trips within the U.S. can offer a completely different cultural experience.
• Weekends can be more than just routine chores—consider driving to nearby destinations for fresh experiences.
• Technology makes travel planning easier with tools like Google Maps and social media, which offer a wealth of information.
• Sharing travel stories and itineraries has had a real impact, helping others plan unforgettable trips.
• Traveling exposes you to various geographies, cultures, foods, and architectural marvels, broadening your perspective.

[43.51] Mindset, Planning, and the Power of Preparation

• At the start of the year, there was skepticism about achieving a 50-fold growth in two months.
• Despite the doubts, the goal was reached with 95,000 by the end of the year.
• G consistently pushes the team to aim higher and always comes up with detailed plans.
• Key aspects of mindset include both belief in one’s abilities and realistic planning.
• G is recognized for her role as the planner and strategist for the team’s goals.
• Reading entrepreneurial books reinforced the value of a growth mindset over a fixed mindset.
• The journey from nine to five to running a business involved learning both content creation and business management.
• Preparation and continuous learning positioned them for opportunities when they arose.
• Embracing an abundance mindset and removing excuses are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving success.

Giselle and Stephen Jiroch are the founders of The Lovers Passport. They are professional travel photographers and videographers, working with tourism boards, hotels, and top travel brands all around the world. What started as a passion project during COVID to inspire people to get outside and travel has turned into over 1.4 million followers and a 7-figure business in just 3 years. Their work has been featured in places like BBC, Business Insider, and more.

And now, they are coaching other aspiring content creators how to do the same through the power of organic social media in their online course and coaching program The Creator Passport.