Get Uncomfy

Welcome! I’m Shannon, the founder of Get Uncomfy, LLC.

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 that I was lacking passion for the industry.

2023 was a 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 trip, 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.

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 most meaningful travel happens at the edge of 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 help you have life-enriching experiences and learn about the world and others at your own pace.

How do we do this?

• We share travel inspiration, the details of our off-the-beaten-path adventures.
• We provide travel planning services to make meaningful travel attainable for all – whether you are a new or seasoned explorer, looking for basic suggestions or a detailed itinerary, and ready to get a little uncomfy or very uncomfy.
• We continuously grow our global community to share stories and local travel tips and highlight local businesses from all around the world.

Drawing on my extensive travel-planning experience and over a decade as a chief of staff and project manager in financial services, I would be honored to help you with your next mind-expanding adventure – whether it’s Here, Near, Far, or Beyond.