The "Get Uncomfy" story


Welcome! I’m Shannon, the founder of Get Uncomfy, a travel planning company for curious travelers.
I wanted to start by sharing my old corporate headshot (left) which was taken in 2017. I’ve received a lot of compliments on this photo over the years – “You look fierce…” “You look like a corporate badass…” “You look powerful…” However, when I really look at this photo, I see a 30-year-old woman who is exhausted and stressed.
I spent 12 years as a chief of staff, project manager, and organizer of chaos in financial services, and although there were many special moments like meeting colleagues who turned into best friends, traveling to India back and forth for an entire year, and many epic presentations followed by lots of beers and pats on the back, I knew I was lacking passion for the industry.
2023, the year of change
I quit my job, and the 6 weeks that followed were a whirlwind. My now husband, Matthew, and I moved out of the special home we had created in NYC, packed most of our belongings in storage, hosted an intimate celebration of our marriage, and embarked on a 4-month exploration of the world.
12 countries, 40 cities, 27 flights, 2 motorcycle trips, 1 skydiving experience, and countless bowls of noodle soup later, we returned to New York in serious need of sleep but with new connections and a deeper understanding of the world.
As I adjusted to being “home” and had time to reflect on our action-packed adventure, I came to terms with something I had known deep down for a while – I was ready for a change.
Taking time off to travel was not a rash decision. Matthew and I had discussed this idea for years, not just because it sounded fun but because we thought it would be a great way to pause and gain perspective. I felt like I was living on autopilot for far too long – everything was “good enough,” but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was watching life pass by, without actively choosing how to spend my time.
Time away helped me clarify and articulate the things I care about and the direction I’d like to take for the first time since I decided to deviate from my childhood dream of becoming a doctor in my early 20s.
It’s quite simple – I genuinely care about connecting with people, finding commonality, and helping others do the same. I think it’s important to give those who are different from us a chance, even though it’s more comfortable to surround ourselves with people who share our views and backgrounds. My parents taught my sisters and me to be welcoming to all, but it took 4 months of meeting new people daily, being vulnerable, and embracing differences to realize that I could create a company with this mission at its core.
And thus, Get Uncomfy was born.
About Get Uncomfy
Studies have shown that when people travel, their faith in humanity increases. The more immersive the travel, the more somebody learns how a world outside of their own operates, the more impactful it is.
At Get Uncomfy, we believe that the best travel happens just beyond our comfort zones, but that point is different for everyone. Whether it’s 1 night off the resort or a road trip through a remote location, we’ve got you covered.
First, discover your travel comfort level – Here, Near, Far, or Beyond.
Then,
Get planning with our personalized travel planning services.
Get inspired by our off-the-beaten path adventures.
Get connected to our global community.