The Hidden Cost of a Dream Travel Career

For years, Meredith Bethune lived a life many would envy. As a travel writer, her calendar was filled with international flights, coastal cruises, and exclusive events. She was flying internationally nearly once a month, crisscrossing the globe to cover incredible destinations. Invitations like cruising the Norwegian coastline or attending a buzzy restaurant opening in Las Vegas were too good to refuse, even when they happened back-to-back.

On the surface, it was the dream. But beneath the glamour, a relentless schedule of overnight flights, indulgent meals, and erratic sleep was quietly taking a toll. Bethune found herself gaining a substantial amount of weight and feeling constantly exhausted. For a long time, she accepted this as the necessary price of admission for a career built on bucket-list-worthy experiences.

The reality behind the dream was a grueling routine that left little room for self-care. It often took nearly a week to recover from jet lag after returning from a trip. Her stress levels were consistently high, dealing with flight delays, tight deadlines, and navigating different countries. The constant exposure to dry air on planes, combined with chronic stress, weakened her immune system, leading to frequent colds and flu.

Bethune's diet and exercise habits also suffered under the pressure of the job. Her meals were largely indulgent, consisting of press trip menus where she felt an awkward pressure to try everything to write about it. The tight schedules left no time for workouts; she would return to the hotel late, wake up early, and spend hours in a van between stops. As she noted, some fellow writers managed to fit in workouts, but for her, "It wasn't a priority for me then."

• Constant exposure to dry air on planes
• Chronic stress from delays and deadlines
• Lack of balanced nutrition and exercise
• Erratic sleep schedules and jet lag

After nearly a decade of jet-setting, the consequences of her lifestyle became impossible to ignore. By 2019, her mother's memory problems had progressed beyond normal aging. While the official Alzheimer's diagnosis came later, the reality was already clear. This personal crisis became the catalyst for Bethune to finally prioritize her own well-being.

She threw herself into researching the disease, concerned about her own future. While Alzheimer's is not preventable, some studies suggest that lifestyle changes—like being physically active and managing blood sugar and blood pressure—may lower the risk or delay symptoms. This knowledge reinforced her decision to change her habits, not just for the present, but for her long-term health.

My mother's diagnosis felt like a wake-up call to prioritize my well-being.

It has been over five years since Bethune significantly cut back on travel. The results have been transformative. She exercises almost every day, follows a balanced diet, and has lost over 50 pounds. Her sleep quality has improved dramatically. The constant feeling of being drained has been replaced by renewed energy and vitality.

Her approach to travel has also fundamentally changed. She now travels with more intention, focusing on trips within driving distance of the Northeast. She takes an overnight or weekend trip about every six weeks and flies for work only once or twice a year. This new pace has allowed her to enjoy bigger trips more fully. Recently, she hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim—an accomplishment that would have been impossible during her previous lifestyle of being out of shape and constantly fatigued.

Giving up the constant travel was not an easy decision, but it was a necessary one for Bethune's health. She realized that she couldn't control the future or prevent certain diagnoses, but she could take control of her daily habits. By prioritizing her physical and mental well-being, she has found a sustainable way to live and work.

Today, she feels better than she has in years. The dream of a globetrotting career has been replaced by a different kind of fulfillment—one centered on health, stability, and the ability to enjoy adventures without sacrificing her well-being. As she puts it, she wants to feel good and stay in great shape for as long as she can, "even if that means finding peace at home instead of abroad."