In 2015, Ashley Kaye faced a profound loss when her father passed away, leaving behind her childhood home in Waterford, Wisconsin. At just 27, she was entrenched in a demanding corporate healthcare job, clocking in 80 to 100 hours a week. The relentless grind was a testament to a system that often prioritizes productivity over personal fulfillment.
Years later, after a transformative diving trip in Honduras, Kaye reevaluated her life’s direction. A stranger’s insight—about the ease of travel and the value of experiences over material wealth—ignited a passion deep within her. It was a call to action, a reminder that the typical corporate ladder may not be the only pathway to a rich life.
After quitting her job, Kaye ventured into the unknown, demonstrating an admirable spirit of self-reliance—a trait too often suppressed by societal and governmental expectations.
Since living in the truck, Kaye has traveled to over 20 countries.
Ashley Kaye
Over the subsequent years, Kaye traveled freely, even amid the oppressive COVID-19 pandemic. However, life took another poignant turn when she learned of her aunt’s illness while in South Africa. She returned home not out of obligation but instead to reassess her priorities. What she discovered was not a desire to return to her conventional life, but a longing for the freedom that only travel could provide—something that made her reconsider her childhood home once more.
While caring for her aunt, she seized the moment to prepare her home for sale, contemplating alternatives like van life that would accommodate her adventurous spirit and beloved dog. This time, every decision echoed with a commitment to personal responsibility and independence.
Kaye estimates she’s spent over $50,000 on renovations.
Ashley Kaye
After diligent research, Kaye invested in a Toyota Tacoma truck, a choice emblematic of her desire for self-sufficiency and adventure. It was a financial decision that reflected a rejection of corporate elitism—choosing personal ownership over corporate rentals finalized her commitment to a life less ordinary.
As she embarked on this journey, she immediately sought to make her new mobile home practical and comfortable, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit that encourages Americans to innovate and adapt rather than conform.
‘The plan is there is no plan’
Her adventure commenced with a drive to Baja California, where she transformed her truck into a viable living space. This spontaneity challenges the conventional narrative of rigorous planning that often stifles the ambitions of those seeking a different path. There’s clarity in Kaye’s experience; life without an exact blueprint invites growth and genuine exploration.
While in Mexico, she further enhanced her truck’s capabilities with essential upgrades, embracing the core principle of hard work and innovation—a reminder of how individuals can exert their will against external constraints, be it governmental restrictions or economic challenges.
Kaye took belongings from her childhood home to use in the camper.
Ashley Kaye
As she invested over $50,000 into renovations, her story reveals a practical application of free-market principles. From sourcing supplies to upgrading essentials, Kaye’s journey reflects the resilience and responsibility of individuals taking charge of their destinies, rather than relying on government handouts or corporate welfare.
Her exploration of the Pan-American Highway, spanning from Alaska to Argentina, embodies a spirit of liberty—a chance to decide how and when to explore, unfettered by bureaucratic constraints. She acknowledges the challenges, the red tape, yet powerfully embraces the freedom it brings.
Kaye’s No. 1 lesson: ‘Life is too short, so just live’
Throughout her travels, Kaye has navigated various countries while retaining a fiery spirit of independence. Though her lifestyle is demanding, it offers an authenticity many seek but don’t pursue. Waking up to breathtaking landscapes each day, available choice stands in stark contrast to the limitations imposed by traditional careers.
Kaye’s primary lesson resonates profoundly: life is fleeting. She learned that the essence of living is not dictated by the confines of societal expectations but by the audacity to act on one’s dreams. Her father instilled in her the belief that anything is possible, a lesson that he imparted long before he passed away, tragically without ever realizing his own dreams.
Ashley Kaye has been living and traveling in her Toyota truck since 2023.
Ashley Kaye
Kaye’s journey serves as a clarion call to embrace personal agency and reject the complacency that government overreach and corporate elitism encourage. It’s about harnessing one’s own strength, living by traditional values of hard work, and aspiring to reach for the extraordinary. In Kaye’s world, every day is a testament to the belief that personal dreams are meant to be lived, not deferred.
