Life & Work with Samantha Baldwin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Baldwin. 

Hi Samantha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
About three years ago I was faced with the unique opportunity to travel the country as I completed clinical rotations as part of earning my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I found myself living in Arizona alone for a few months, and instead of letting the fear of solo adventuring hold me back, I went for it! I started hiking the area and planned weekends as a solo female traveler to some of the most sought-after outdoor destinations in the state. I quickly fell in love with outdoor adventures and decided I was going to go on as many as I could! 

I started my blog and social media, All Over Adventure, as a way to showcase my adventures and hopefully inspire others to do the same! The biggest excuse I hear from people about what holds them back from traveling is that they have no one to go with. I wanted to show others that there is nothing holding you back! Adventure is out there if we can all be brave enough to seek it. From there my adventure blog has grown beyond what I ever thought it would and I am so grateful for that supportive community. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely not! There was a lot of fear in starting down this path: fear of judgment on social media, fear of adventuring solo as a female, and fear of becoming stuck in the traditional lifestyle I knew I didn’t want. I really struggled learning how to balance a career in healthcare with a love of freedom and nature. And as my blog grew, I had to learn to stay true to myself amidst the pressure from others to cater the image I present to please society. Without those challenges, though, I would never have grown into the woman I am today. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My traditional career caters to serving the geriatric population as a physical therapist. I absolutely adore my job and the impact I get to have on others through it, but I have found another true passion in creating outdoor photography/videography. I created All Over Adventure as a way to be an inspiration to everyone who may be hesitant or scared to get out and explore this big, beautiful world of ours! I love sharing different outdoor locations, cultures, and modes of travel. 

I have one memory of the earliest days of my blog that impacted me enough to decide that I wanted to continue to grow it however I could. I received a message from one of my first followers about how I inspired her to go hiking as a single female, and a few weeks later she told me how impactful the experience was on her. I realized that my blog and social media could be about much more than showcasing adventure, but it could really make a difference in inspiring future members of the outdoor community. Since then, I’ve never looked back and the opportunities it has granted me are beyond belief. 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Absolutely! I’ve served patients impacted by COVID-19, and it has taught me the true importance of community. Seeing how isolated we all had to be to ensure our safety and the psychological impact it had on so many showed me how important it is to reach out to others. There are so many ways to connect, especially with the technology we now have, but often people are having a much harder time than they let on. It’s so necessary to reach out to those that need us and be supportive in whatever way we can, especially as our world deals with crisis. And to remember to be grateful for every minute we have, because things truly can change in an instant. 

Contact Info:

• Email: alloveradventure@gmail.com
• Website: https://alloveradventure.wixsite.com/website
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alloveradventure/