After years in corporate healthcare, Ashley Kaye, 36, sold her childhood home in Wisconsin and traded conventional life for the open road. Investing over $50,000 to convert a Toyota Tacoma into a traveling home, she has since explored more than 20 countries, embracing a life of freedom, uncertainty, and self-discovery.

Inherited a Family Home

Ashley Kaye inherited her three-bedroom, one-bath childhood home in Waterford, Wisconsin after her father’s death in 2015. Initially reluctant to leave behind this chapter of her life, Kaye says, “I started thinking, ‘Did I really want to live here forever?’” Her growing desire to travel ultimately pulled her in a new direction.

Corporate Life Burnout

Working long hours in healthcare consulting, Kaye found herself exhausted, isolated, and uninspired. “I worked from home, so I just walked from my bedroom to my office to the kitchen and repeat,” she recalled. A pivotal scuba diving trip to Honduras introduced her to a full-time traveler who encouraged her to reconsider her lifestyle.

Quitting, Saving, Struggling

By the time Kaye quit her job, she had saved about $37,000. Adjusting to life without the constant demands of work was difficult. “I didn’t know how just to do nothing. The first few months were really hard,” she admitted. But as she traveled more, her confidence grew, and she left those doubts behind.

Turning Point in South Africa

A trip to South Africa during the pandemic marked a turning point. When her aunt fell ill, Kaye flew home and realized she no longer belonged there. “Not a single ounce of my being was like ‘Yay, I’m going home,’” she said. The experience erased her hesitation about selling the house and embracing life on the road.

Choosing Truck Over Van

Though initially drawn to van life, Kaye ultimately chose a truck after connecting with overlanders traveling in a Toyota truck with a camper. When her house sold for $320,000, she purchased a Toyota Tacoma for $42,934 and moved her legal residence to South Dakota for tax and administrative reasons.

Investing in the Journey

Kaye spent months planning and renovating her truck while staying in Baja California. She invested over $50,000 in upgrades, including a camper, solar panels, a new truck bed, suspension upgrades, tires, custom bumpers, and an electric cooler. “Most people plan this type of adventure for years. I didn’t even have a truck when I accepted the offer on my house,” she said.

Living a Global Adventure

Starting from Denver, Kaye began driving the Pan-American Highway and has since visited every country in Central America, parts of South America, and over 20 countries total. She says, “It’s a lot of work and there are a lot of things you need to take care of, but it’s really incredible to wake up and just look at the map.” Though she stays up to 90 days in each country, Kaye has no plans to return to the U.S. permanently. “I like being able to live in towns where I can walk to get my groceries and have affordable rent and healthcare. The U.S. doesn’t check any of those boxes for me anymore,” she explained.