I feel like camping under the stars when traveling is an adventure that generally seems more romantic and fantastical than it usually is. Aside from the cold, it can be difficult to fully account for unexpected weather, invasive bugs, larger animals, and especially for solo traveling women, the threat of someone else inviting themselves into …

The only reason I was able to go to learn freediving in Mexico in 2022 was because I had been medically disqualified from my job offer in Antarctica due to my cancer treatment being extended for almost another full year, so I was feeling particularly sensitive about my body’s capabilities. I had already quit my …