What does freedom look like when you navigate the world on wheels? For Jenna Udenberg, it arrived in the form of a Firefly - an electric attachment that transformed her manual wheelchair into an adventure vehicle capable of tackling trails she'd only viewed longingly from afar.

Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age seven and using a wheelchair by eight, Jenna refused to let her mobility challenges define her life's boundaries. From becoming a left-handed trumpet player (despite being told it wasn't possible) to creating adaptive music programs that helped non-verbal students find their voice, her journey exemplifies resilience and creative problem-solving.

The pandemic marked a turning point when Jenna left her 19-year teaching career and discovered a new calling as a disability advocate. Through her nonprofit "Above and Beyond With U," she champions the philosophy that true accessibility transcends mere ADA compliance checklists. As she powerfully states, "Nothing for us without us" - accessibility planning must include disabled voices from the very beginning.

Our conversation explores how Jenna discovered newfound independence on Minnesota's state park trails, the transformative power of community support, and why her autobiography is titled "Within My Spokes." You'll gain fresh perspective on what adventure truly means and how accessibility benefits everyone.

Whether you're disabled, know someone who is, or simply care about creating a more inclusive world, Jenna's insights will change how you think about accessibility in outdoor spaces. Listen now to hear more inspiring stories of people finding their own unique paths to adventure despite life's challenges.

Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out.

Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

#158 - What if your moments of greatest confusion were actually doorways to your most authentic self? Giovanna Silvestre's remarkable journey proves exactly that. From the high-pressure halls of Hollywood to the difficult decision of walking away from her family's beloved Italian restaurant, Giovanna's path shows how embracing uncertainty becomes your greatest strength.

With refreshing candor, Giovanna shares her descent into depression after attaching her self-worth to external validation—her Hollywood career, the family business, romantic relationships. The turning point? A disciplined approach to rebuilding herself from within through yoga, meditation, and gratitude practices that culminated in a profound spiritual awakening. "I woke up one day and literally felt like I was on Molly," she laughs, describing the natural high that forever shifted her baseline of inner peace.

The conversation takes us through her creation of the "Confused Girl in the City" blog, where weekly adventures from bungee jumping to flying trapeze taught her that confidence comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. We journey alongside Giovanna as she develops a crystal-inspired yoga clothing line that sells internationally, then follows her intuition to Bali and Berlin—spending two years abroad to write her new book "Confused Girl: Find Your Peace in the Chaos."

Giovanna's wisdom resonates deeply: "Confusion is the fuel for your self-discovery journey." Her story proves that when we remove the shame from not having all the answers, we open ourselves to living the life we truly desire. If you're feeling lost, uncertain, or simply curious about your next steps, this episode offers both comfort and practical guidance for transforming your confusion into clarity.

Ready to embrace your own journey? Pre-order Giovanna's book before May 13th at confusedgirlinthecity.com and enter to win a two-night oceanfront stay in Maui!

Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out.

Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

When David Schafran felt his life spiraling into depression and emptiness, he discovered an unexpected lifeline – salsa dancing. That first night on the dance floor sparked something profound: "It makes me feel so happy because it's so joyous and flavorful and juicy." This moment of clarity eventually led David from his high-stress tech startup in Boston to the vibrant streets of Medellín, Colombia, where he immersed himself in dance for five transformative months.

David's story challenges conventional thinking about wellness and healing. Despite practicing meditation and yoga, these solitary pursuits weren't enough to lift him from his emotional fog. What he desperately needed was connection, expression, and embodied joy – elements he found abundantly in the salsa dancing community. As he puts it, salsa offers three essential gifts: "joy, flavor, and affection."

This revelation didn't just change David's personal life – it birthed a mission. Through his company Soma Loco (meaning "we're crazy together"), he now creates personalized dance immersion experiences that help others discover the same transformative power of movement. Whether you're an experienced dancer or someone who believes they have "two left feet," David's approach proves that dance isn't about performance but feeling. The results speak for themselves, with participants describing the experience as genuinely life-changing.

Ready to discover how movement might transform your life? David's journey reminds us that sometimes healing isn't found in stillness, but in rhythm; not in isolation, but in connection. As he advocates, dance isn't just fun – it's medicine that should be taken seriously as a path to well-being. Follow your curiosity to somoloco.com or @dancesomoloco on Instagram to learn how you might find your own rhythm.

Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake

Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out.

Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.