Building a Brand and Finding Myself
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| Exploring the trails with my Jeep Rubicon nothing beats the open road, fresh air, and a little dirt on the tires! |
At that point in my life, my boys were older, more independent, and didn’t need me in the same way. I had long since stepped away from my career in television news, and with each passing year, I felt a growing void.
Who was I outside of being a mom? What was my purpose now?
I didn’t have the answers, but I knew I needed to find them.
Using My Blog as a Tool for Self-Reflection
Starting my blog wasn’t just about writing—it was about figuring out who I was again. I used it as a self-reflection tool, diving deep into questions that had been lingering in my mind:
- What excites me?
- What activities make me lose track of time?
- What brings me fulfillment?
I followed the same steps I later wrote about in my blog posts on how to find your passion, documenting my journey as I uncovered the pieces of myself that had been buried under years of motherhood.
During this process, I realized that my Jeep wasn’t just a vehicle—it was a gateway to something bigger. I was stepping into a whole new world: the Jeep Life.
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| Chasing waterfalls and soaking in the beauty of the great outdoors! |
Discovering Jeep Life & The Off-Roading Community
At first, I had no idea what "Jeep Life" really meant. I thought I had simply bought a fun new vehicle. But as I connected with other Jeep owners online and in person, I realized it was a lifestyle, a culture, and a community.
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| From solo wheeling to finding my Jeep family —nothing beats the friendships made on the trails! Grateful for this amazing community. |
I took my Jeep on its first off-road adventure and was instantly hooked. The challenge of learning 4WD techniques like rock crawling, water fording, and hill descents reminded me of the adrenaline rush I once felt chasing breaking news stories. Only this time, it was me behind the wheel, forging my own path.
Through these experiences, my blog transformed. It wasn’t just about self-reflection anymore—it was about documenting my adventures, sharing what I learned, and helping others discover off-roading.
I even created an entire Off-Roading Guide for beginners, where I break down everything from trail etiquette to essential gear recommendations.
A Turning Point: Recognition in the Jeep Industry
I remember the first time Jeep aftermarket companies took notice of my blog. I wasn’t even looking for the opportunity, but suddenly, two well-known brands—Steer Smarts (formerly Powers and Sons) and Extreme Terrain—reached out to me.
They wanted me to test and review their products.
It was surreal. Until that point, I had simply been sharing my personal experiences, never imagining that companies in the industry would recognize my work. That moment changed everything. I knew I had something real. My passion had evolved into something more—it was influencing others and gaining credibility.
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| Throwback to when I was featured on the Performance Stability (Powers and Sons) website! They are now Steer Smarts. |
I tested multiple products, including the Steer Smarts Yeti XD Tie Rod and the Yeti XD Drag Link, sharing hands-on reviews with my audience. I also worked with Extreme Terrain, testing several of their products like the Barricade Rock Sliders, Rear Bumper, and Off-Road Lights.
My Jeep Tips Page became a hub for Jeep maintenance, modifications, and how-to guides—everything I was learning, I wanted to pass on to others.
Rediscovering My Love for Video Editing
As I continued writing, I realized that words alone weren’t enough—I wanted to show my experiences. That’s when I discovered YouTube.
In the newsroom, I had spent years behind a camera, capturing stories and editing video. When I left my career, I thought that chapter was closed. But as I started filming my off-road trail rides and Jeep modifications, my love for editing resurfaced. I was back behind the camera, this time telling my own story.
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| Is your Jeep’s air filter looking this bad? Don’t worry—I’ll show you how easy it is to change it! |
At first, I only posted videos for friends and family, sharing my Jeep experiences casually. But my youngest son encouraged me to think bigger.
"Mom, you should be making content for more than just us. You could really help people."
That was the push I needed.
I stepped into the role of a creator, shifting my approach from personal storytelling to educating and engaging a broader audience. This led me to launch my Top 5 and How-To videos, designed to help others learn from my experiences and grow their confidence in off-roading and Jeep modifications.
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| Putting new off-road lights to the test! One of my favorite parts of the Jeep life is upgrading and improving my rig. |
Building the Jeep Momma Brand
What began as a simple blog soon evolved into something much greater—a personal brand centered around empowerment, adventure, and education.
Through blogging, YouTube, and podcasting, I turned Jeep Momma into more than just a passion project. It became a platform to inspire others, especially women, to step out of their comfort zones and take control of their own journeys.
Each piece of content I created reinforced what I had been learning all along:
- It’s never too late to reinvent yourself.
- Passion and purpose evolve with time.
- Your past experiences can shape your future in ways you never expected.
FAQs: Jeep Life & Finding Your Passion
Q: What’s the best way for a beginner to get into off-roading?
A: Start with an off-road driving course or a guided trail ride. I took private lessons at Rausch Creek Off-Road Park with Off-Road Consulting, and it made a huge difference in my confidence.
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| From stock and stuck to lifted and ready for adventure! My first off-road class with Kyle at Off Road Consulting vs. my Jeep after upgrades. |
Q: How do I start modifying my Jeep for off-roading?
A: Start small! I began with floor mats and rock rails before upgrading to off-road lights and suspension enhancements. Check out my Top 5 Beginner Jeep Mods for my guide to get you started.
Q: How do I grow a Jeep-related YouTube channel?
A: I learned that engaging content matters most. I started with personal adventure videos but found that my “How-To” and “Top 5” videos got the most views. Focus on solving problems Jeep owners face.
Embracing the Future
I started this journey searching for meaning, and what I found was an entirely new version of myself. I wasn’t just a mom, a former journalist, or someone searching for direction—I was an adventurer, a storyteller, and a creator.
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| Standing on the edge of adventure! The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is absolutely breathtaking —one of those places that makes you feel small in the best way. |
The Jeep Momma brand wasn’t just about Jeeps or off-roading; it was about empowered living, embracing challenges, and proving to myself that I was capable of more than I had ever believed.
And the journey isn’t over yet.
✨ Follow My Journey: From Newsroom to Off-Road Trails to the Jeep Industry ✨
Want to read my full Personal Transformation Series? Head over to my Empower Page and scroll down to the Career Transition section to explore all 5 parts!
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