Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.
Name: Emily Schromm
Occupation: Personal Trainer/Nutritionist/Health and Wellness Entrepreneur
Hometown: Kirksville, Missouri (cow town on the border of Iowa and Missouri!)
Residence: In beautiful Denver, Colorado
College: University of Missouri
College major: Biology. I was Pre-Vet for three years until I got picked to be on a reality TV show, MTV’s Real World DC. At that point I moved to DC, realized how much LIFE existed outside of Missouri, and packed my things to move to the mountains to snowboard and serve coffee.
Website: I’ve got a few:
Twitter: @emfitmtv
Facebook: Emily Schromm Unleashed Fitness
Instagram: emilyschromm
Google+: +Emily Schromm
YouTube: Emily Schromm
Short bio: Emily Schromm is a personal trainer, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and entrepreneur helping others empower themselves by way of food and movement. Running online programs at emilyschromm.com, her other ventures include her backpack-turned-weight-training invention, the EmPack, her podcast, Meathead Hippie, her holistic tea line, Herbal Element, and her educational course on skincare, The BVody Awareness Project.
How often do you fly? 3-5x a month.
How many countries have you been to? 15+
How many continents have you been to? 4 (North America, South America, Asia, Europe).
Earliest travel memory: My first time seeing the ocean or being on a plane was when I was 19-years old. I’m from a tiny town in the middle of Missouri, so road-trips to Colorado when I was a kid are the earliest travel memory I have, searching for the mountains and making bets with my mom on who would see them first! My first moment in the ocean, during a spring break trip in Cancun of all places, was unforgettable. Touching the ocean and I knew then that I would never go a month without it again. That travel experience changed everything for me, knowing right then I had to find a way to make an income to travel and live a life that I never thought possible.
Favorite American city: I really love anywhere with good coffee and a view…Encinitas, Denver, Portland to name a few.
Favorite international city: Santiago, Chile.
Least favorite country: I have never been to a country where I regretted going, so I’m not sure I can answer this. Let’s just say North Korea.
I have no desire to go to: North Korea??! I mean, everywhere is magical in its own way.
Friendliest people in the world: Japan. They are just beautiful and kind people. Especially in Takayama or the mountain areas of Japan.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: USA lol.
Favorite airline: Icelandair. The blankets are soooo soft and the food is incredible.
Favorite aircraft type: Any aircraft is good if it has nice flight attendants. :)
Aisle or window: Aisle (I need to move about 10 times on a long-haul).
Favorite U.S. airport: Probably Portland: coffee, ways to move, chargers all over.
Favorite international airport: Vancouver, Canada. So beautiful.
Favorite hotel: Anywhere with good coffee nearby! (Can you tell I love coffee?)
Favorite cruise line: My first cruise will be this summer in Alaska! I typically avoid cruises like the plague.
Favorite travel credit card: Southwest. Say what you want about it, but to be able to cancel a flight with no penalty is a must for me!
Favorite island: KAUAI. Ugh. Magical. It just vibrates with goodness. I went originally because of my love for Jurassic Park and backpacked around the island, but have been there eight times since and never get tired of it.
Favorite beach: In Kauai, the beach that you can only get to through the Na Pali Coast hike, Hanakapiai Beach.
Favorite National Park: Torres Del Paine in Patagonia.
Favorite fancy restaurant: Sushi at Sugarfish.
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: In Brooklyn, a place with a market that turns into a bar the further you go inside. Grab some snacks and then get a cocktail.
Favorite airport restaurant: Root Down at Denver International Airport. They have gluten-free options to die for paired with unique cocktails and a fun vibe.
Favorite bar: Work & Class in Denver—welcomed with a tequila shot and served plantains shortly after.
Favorite fruit: Mmmm fresh pineapple and fresh lychee.
Favorite food: Coconuts and plantains: anyway, anyhow, any form.
Least favorite food: Octopus. They are so smart. Stop eating them. No one needs tentacles in their mouth.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Hot water. I bring my own teas!
Favorite travel movie(s): Well, not a travel movie, but Jurassic Park was my favorite movie growing up, and I told everyone I would go where it was filmed one day. I’ve been to Kauai eight times total—such a beautiful island.
Favorite travel show(s): LOVE Anthony Bourdain, Parts Unknown.
Favorite travel podcast(s): Joe Rogan and “The Daily.”
Favorite travel book(s): FICTION. I read too many non-fiction books full of facts. I love being able to dive into a mystery or suspense thriller.
Right now I am reading: A book on trauma and a nerdy book on FAT. Didn’t I mention, I need some more fiction in my life?
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs:
- I have been following Jada Yuan as she travels through the entire New York Times “52 Places to Go” list. It’s been empowering to watch a female travel solo!
- Shape magazine’s travel tips are always a great way to check out how to explore the world and stay fit at the same time. They have lots of great coverage on fitness and wellness retreats as well as places to stay and things to do whether you’re looking for a relaxing escape or true adventure.
- Conde Nast Traveler. Their writers know what’s trending before it is.
- Skift is also amazing for a broader outlook on what is happening in travel.
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Kayak.com :)
5 things you bring on a plane:
- Peppermint essential oil: for headaches, nausea, or bad breath.
- Tea: I always carry tea with me because no airlines have good teas. It’s a great way to hydrate and stay warm on cold flights.
- Bose sound-canceling headphones: Life-changers.
- Socks: Long, thick, comfy socks that work as compression as well, especially for long flights. I put them on as soon as I board the plane.
- An extra layer: a cardigan, a hoodie, or a sweater. Use it as a pillow or throw it on when it drops down to 32-degrees in the cabin, because you just never know.
What do you always seem to forget? I always forget a charger. Always.
What do you like least about travel? I hate not feeling refreshed when I land. When all I want to do is GO and EXPLORE but I feel groggy and out of my body, and I need sleep. I have a hard time sleeping on the plane, so if I could master it, that would solve all my issues :)
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? A big bottle of mezcal.
Favorite travel app(s): I have a couple translator apps I love, and Duolingo while I’m in preparation for a trip so I can avoid being so gringo when I land.
Most embarrassing travel moment: I traveled to Costa Rica for a month to surf and learn Spanish last December. I was there for three weeks using public transportation, but my mom and two sisters decided to visit me for my birthday and Christmas so I rented a car. Within 30 minutes of renting a car and in heavy traffic on narrow roads, I side-swiped a local worker’s car who was selling lunches on the side of the road. It was a HUGE scrape on both our cars, and word traveled fast in the small town I was in. I was known as the “workout girl who is a bad driver.”
I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: New Zealand—it’s just perfect for me. Adventure and nature and everything I love!
Worst travel moment: Also in Costa Rica! My first day of class, I was wearing white shorts and started my moon cycle, had to walk a mile to my hotel and in broken Spanish try to find tampons anywhere I could. It was quite humorous but definitely not something I would ever want to repeat.
What’s your dream destination? A month of surfing, coconuts and plantains with a beautiful bungalow and strong Wi-Fi so I can work, play and get all the sunshine. Anywhere that can allow me to do all of those things would be a dream.
Favorite travel charity: While it’s not a “travel charity” one of my favorite philanthropic groups is Girls Inc., a wonderful organization that inspires girls to be strong, smart and bold.
Best travel tip: For me, I am gluten-free and dairy-free, so it’s hard to travel unless I am prepared. I bring 5-10 different snack bars, my own tea, and digestive supplements and oils in case I have food I’m just not used to. It makes my whole travel experience so much more enjoyable knowing that I can relax a bit and have a backup plan.
I also would encourage anyone who loves to work out and stay fit to check out my fully functional backpack that doubles as a weight training pack. It’s perfect for jetsetters who struggle to find consistency in their workout routine and ways to stay healthy while traveling. It’s a perfect option for those that don’t want to find a gym or would rather opt for a workout outside. Check it out at: theempack.com.
