Jeff Jenkins: “Hesitant to travel? Just commit!”
Travel influencer and TV host Jeff Jenkins shares how he found the courage to tread his own path—and inspire others along the way
Jeff Jenkins is on a one-man mission—to inspire people of all shapes, sizes and colors to see the world. “I truly believe that representation matters,” says the travel influencer and TV host. “A lot of times I don’t see myself represented, and when you see yourself represented, it encourages and motivates you to do things you wouldn’t normally do,” he adds, speaking to the current conversations around intersectionality, and how to make every part of every community feel included. “Inspiration comes from representation.”
Jenkins is the brains behind Chubby Diaries, the online community he’s been growing for five years “for plus-size travelers who are passionate about seeing the world, experiencing new foods, and learning clever hacks along the way.” He wants to give those like himself encouragement to live to the fullest. “No matter your race, no matter your size, I always tell people to live for now.”
Growing up in Orlando, Florida, his first overseas trip was to Japan, at age 20. He was bitten by the travel bug. “My travel style is adventurous, joyful and energetic,” he says. “The biggest thing I gained was realizing the world is smaller than you think and it’s there at your fingertips.”
His infectious enthusiasm caught the eye of television executives, and the 36-year-old—who, when not traversing the globe, lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife—has his own series on National Geographic and Disney+. Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins sees him push himself to his limits while tackling everything from white-water rafting to hiking over glaciers and sailing in windstorms.
Jenkins says that traveling has shaped his character—and he wouldn’t change a thing. “I’ve been diving in a cage to see great white sharks in South Africa. I’ve been to 46 countries, and I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for the journeys I’ve been on.”
Jeff Jenkins’ travel tips
01
Don’t let negative self-talk stop you
“I remember my first time going to Belize. It was my first solo trip. I was so nervous—would I be able to enjoy myself? Would I be alone? When you’re a solo traveler, it pushes you outside of your comfort zone: You talk to people you normally wouldn’t talk to. I met some incredible friends, and I had the greatest time. I tell you, it is worth living that way.”
01
Think about purpose
“Be a responsible traveler. I want to leave places I visit the same or better than when I got there. Be alongside local people, find how to restore or rejuvenate an area. I’m down for it. Sign me up.”
02
Change your perspective in a day
“My first flight was to Japan, and it only took me 11 and a half hours. But from Orlando to New Jersey took me 18 in a car. I was in a whole other continent and that blew my mind—I realized there was a whole world outside the States. I got to experience new cultures and the food was immaculate. It was so different from how I grew up and it deeply impacted my life.”
03
Focus on the experience
“When I’m exploring a city or doing a hike, it can be challenging for a person my size, but I think about the destination or the experience. It gives me fuel to push myself because, if I’m climbing a mountain, getting to the top and seeing that view makes it all worth it. I feel exhilarated; I have achieved something beautiful.”
Meet the ultimate travel insider
01
Do your research
“The more you know, the better experience you will have. As a new traveler, I would go to the destination and then pick activities, but I was wasting time. Planning ahead can save you headaches and help maximize your travel experience.”
Lara Kilner is a lifestyle journalist, who has contributed to The Times, The Telegraph, and more. She has traveled extensively through five continents, but her most memorable trip was the one on which she met her Malaysian husband.
