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 travel
• Why travel UGC can lead to burnout if you don’t set boundaries
• How turning travel and hiking into work affected my mental health
• Why I no longer prioritize hotels and tourism boards
• How I make money as a content creator without working on vacation
• The mindset shift that helped me move away from scarcity
• Practical boundary-setting tips for travel and outdoor creators
• Why consistency (not perfection) built my UGC career

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

3-Month UGC Accelerator Program: https://maddyoutdoors.mykajabi.com/ugc-accelerator

Free UGC Masterclass: I've distilled my 3-month process into an easy-to-understand training that will give you clarity on your next steps to becoming a successful UGC creator, so you can work less and travel more! https://maddygarrett.myflodesk.com/accelerator-masterclas

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

I met up with 9 top UGC creators in Nashville and that weekend changed the way I see the UGC industry, and today I’m spilling everything.

Welcome back to the Paid to Travel Podcast, where we talk all things content creation, getting paid to travel, and building a freedom-first life as a UGC creator.

Let’s dive into what really went down at the Nashville UGC meetup… and the biggest lessons YOU can apply to grow your own creator business.

We talk about:
1. What is the #1 important thing to grow in the UGC Industry

2. How to Scale your UGC Business

3. Why There Is No One Way To Succeed in UGC

4. Why UGC Is NOT Too Saturated

5. How the Top Successful Creators Invest in Themselves

✨ Upcoming Events + Resources Mentioned
🎤 UGC Creator Connect — Utah, March 14th

I’m a keynote speaker (!!)
There will be 400+ UGC creators and 15+ top coaches.
This is the #1 event to meet other creators, network, learn, and build friendships that make the journey so much more fun.

Come meet me in person!!! 💛

📩 Bento — Automated Pitching for Creators

The Bento VA version sends 300–400 pitches for you every month.
If you want consistent deals without spending hours pitching, this is the tool you need.

>>https://app.onbento.com/?acode=MADDY
Use the Code : MADDY

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

3-Month UGC Accelerator Program: https://maddyoutdoors.mykajabi.com/ugc-accelerator

Free UGC Masterclass: I've distilled my 3-month process into an easy-to-understand training that will give you clarity on your next steps to becoming a successful UGC creator, so you can work less and travel more! https://maddygarrett.myflodesk.com/accelerator-masterclas

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

If you’ve been grinding so hard in your UGC or content creation journey that you can’t tell the difference between hustle and full-body burnout… this episode is your permission slip to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and build a business that doesn’t drain your soul.

Today, I’m sitting down with my friend Jordan Flynn — a life transformation coach and somatic practitioner — to talk about the real reason creators burn out, what “high-functioning burnout” actually looks like, and how to get back into alignment so your creativity (and confidence) can come back online.

Jordan has lived the corporate burnout cycle, rebuilt her life from the inside out, and now helps women regulate their nervous systems, rebuild self-trust, and step out of survival mode. If you’ve been feeling out of alignment, stuck, overwhelmed, or just off in your content creation era… buckle up. This convo will hit home.

✨ What We Talk About

• The truth about burnout and why it’s not just “being tired”
• How creators end up in high-functioning burnout without realizing it
• Signs your nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight
• Why misalignment — not workload — is often the real cause
• How to reconnect with your body so you can make aligned, confident decisions
• Daily micro-resets to regulate your nervous system
• How to prevent burnout before you hit the wall
• What to do if you’re exhausted from content creation or UGC client work
• Boundaries, delegating, and raising your rates so you can work less & earn more

✨ Connect With Jordan

Instagram: @thejordanflynn
Website

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

3-Month UGC Accelerator Program: https://maddyoutdoors.mykajabi.com/ugc-accelerator

Free UGC Masterclass: I've distilled my 3-month process into an easy-to-understand training that will give you clarity on your next steps to becoming a successful UGC creator, so you can work less and travel more! https://maddygarrett.myflodesk.com/accelerator-masterclas

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library