From Burnout and $70K in Debt to World Travel with Annette and Daniel Fortner

An episode of the Zero To Travel Podcast podcast, hosted by Jason Moore, titled "From Burnout and $70K in Debt to World Travel with Annette and Daniel Fortner" was published on June 19, 2025 and runs 60 minutes.

June 19, 2025 ·60m · Zero To Travel Podcast

Summary

Trigger Warning: This episode contains honest discussions about depression and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255).  Is debt stopping you from traveling? What if the life you’ve been told to want is actually the thing that’s breaking you?   That was the reality for Annette and Daniel Fortner of Chase for Adventure, a couple who sold everything, paid off $70,000 in debt, and hit the road full-time - not because they had it all figured out, but because they knew they couldn’t keep living the way they were. Their journey into long-term travel started with depression and burnout, and turned into something entirely different.  Annette and Daniel share the full story behind their decision to leave behind high-paying jobs and a “successful” lifestyle in favor of travel, healing, and freedom.   This conversation goes way beyond the typical “how we quit our jobs to travel” story. You’ll hear what it’s like to hit emotional rock bottom and use travel as a lifeline, not just a lifestyle. Annette and Daniel open up about their mental health, the practical steps they took to make long-term travel financially doable, and what it’s really like to work, live, and grow alongside your partner 24/7. Their story is raw, funny, thoughtful, and full of honest reflections that anyone thinking about big life changes will relate to.  What’s one belief about success you’ve outgrown? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.  Tune In To Learn:  Why depression and burnout led Annette to rethink everything  How Daniel's emotional struggles surfaced after they hit the road  How they paid off $70,000 in debt and saved $16.5K to start traveling  Advice to couples traveling and working together (without losing their minds)  Why setting “hammock time” saved their relationship  The financial realities of long-term travel and how they tracked every dollar  How to decide how much savings you need to leave and when it’s enough  Remote work tips to fund a travel lifestyle  Why Southeast Asia was key to stretching their budget  Places that blew them away, and a surprise detour with 10 rescue dogs in Thailand  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Find Annette & Daniel at ChaseForAdventure.com  Follow on Instagram  Facebook  YouTube  ActionForDogs.com  Want More?  An Unconventional Approach to Challenges, Maximizing Travel With a Full-Time Job, Advice on Publishing, Creating Solo Travel Magic With Jen Ruiz  From Expat to Digital Nomad: Finding Your Travel Rhythm, Balancing Burnout, and the Digital Nomad Lifestyle with Kristin Wilson  Lessons from Quitting a Job and Selling Everything to Motorcycle Around the World with Mike Barr  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description