At first, @DameTraveler might appear to be just another Instagram account with pretty pictures, but those who read between the lines understand that the Dame Traveler brand has long evolved to cultivate and empower an impactful community of travelers around the globe. Noticing a lack of Instagram accounts that showcase the work of female travel photographers, its founder, Nastasia Yakoub, began the account in 2014 while on bed rest recovering from a workplace injury.  

Through passionate dedication and a clear vision, Yakoub grew the account to its some 593,000 followers today. She has also launched the successful Dame Traveler blog and, more recently, published a book titled Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure. But so much of how Dame Traveler — an authentic space that encourages independent women to travel — came to be is due to Yakoub’s own personal background, principles, challenges and successes.  

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Yakoub takes listeners through a childhood heavily influenced by her Chaldean-American background; her education and work in nursing; and the very beginning of Dame Traveler, as well as the inspiration behind it. She also reveals how she confronts anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, from solo trips in Italy to long, meditative walks in her home of New York City. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE  

Dame Traveler Blog: www.dametraveler.com  

Dame Traveler’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/dametraveler 

Nastasia Yakoub’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/nastasiaspassport

Love Letter to New York City Instagram: www.instagram.com/lovelettertonewyorkcity

Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622677/dame-traveler-by-nastasia-yakoub

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.