35: The Realities of Being a Travel UGC Creator ( What Instagram Isn't Showing You)

Everyone wants to be paid to travel ( that is why you listen to this podcast)… but no one talks about what it actually costs you. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on travel UGC, burnout, and why I stopped chasing free hotel stays (even though I still make money as a content creator.)If you’ve ever scrolled Instagram thinking, “I want that life,” this episode is for you.Today I’m getting very real and very honest about my journey as a UGC creator and what three years of being a full-time travel and outdoor content creator actually taught me. We see reels all the time about creators getting paid to travel, working with hotels, Airbnbs, and tourism boards—and yes, it can be amazing. But there’s another side that doesn’t get talked about enough.I share how building my UGC business while living full-time in a van slowly led to burnout, why turning your hobbies into work can take the joy out of them, and how constantly filming while traveling started to feel exhausting instead of exciting.You’ll hear exactly why I’ve shifted away from hotel and tourism board work, how I structure my business now, and why focusing on product-based travel UGC has allowed me to enjoy my life and still fund my adventures. Spoiler: I still get paid… I just don’t work on vacation anymore.This episode is your reminder that you don’t have to do UGC the way everyone else is doing it. You’re allowed to change your mind, set boundaries, and build a business that actually supports your life—not consumes it.✨ What We Cover:The glamorized vs. real reality of being paid to travelWhy travel UGC can lead to burnout if you don’t set boundariesHow turning travel and hiking into work affected my mental healthWhy I no longer prioritize hotels and tourism boardsHow I make money as a content creator without working on vacationThe mindset shift that helped me move away from scarcityPractical boundary-setting tips for travel and outdoor creatorsWhy consistency (not perfection) built my UGC careerThis podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coachFREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library