If you bill yourself as the “Trusted Travel Girl,” you better be a travel expert. A travel enthusiast from a young age, Valerie Joy Wilson earned that title years ago and continues to merit it.

Very active in sports and travel, Wilson found her sense of adventure at summer camps in her youth. Those passions only increased through college. A diagnosis of Lyme disease temporarily derailed her path, but Wilson was determined not to let it define her life. Likewise, not wanting to be defined by her 9 to 5 job, Wilson chose to follow her true passion of travel. Thus, Trusted Travel Girl was born.

Ever-adventurous, Wilson doesn’t just visit cities; she fully immerses herself in the culture. Her goal is empowering women to solo travel like an expert. While her part of her focus is on women travelers, her platform includes solo travelers, off-the-beaten-path and luxury travel.

Appearing in print, online and on television, Wilson’s reports include destinations, travel hacks, deals and more. Wilson gives advice on finances, mental health, packing and any topic that impacts travel.

Unlike some experts, Wilson readily admits she doesn’t know everything about travel but is always eager to learn from other experts as well as common travelers. She is open to hearing thoughts from others and incorporate them into her platform.

Wilson’s spirit and integrity make her one of the top travel advisors. Travel isn’t just her job, it is her life.

Talking Travel is an interview series on Global Traveler. Subscribe to the GT YouTube channel to be notified of all future interviews and other travel-related videos.

— John Wroblewski, podcaster