Today, I am speaking with a former property manager from South Carolina who decided life was too short to spend it working 24/7. So she and her husband sold everything, bought a travel trailer and hit the road in search of a slower, more fulfilling life.

Katherine Skiles dove into the Workamping lifestyle and has held a wide variety of roles in places like Arizona, California, Michigan, the Outer Banks and Texas.

She managed RV parks, sold memberships, and even helped build a membership organization from the ground up.

But, over time, she realized that true happiness wasn’t found in running things, rather it was found in bonfires, friendships and freedom.

In this conversation, Katherine shares practical tips for other Workampers, such as how to avoid common job pitfalls, what to look for in a good employer, and why traveling light, reducing debt, and having a written agreement really matters.

She also talks about cooking pizzas over a campfire, camping through a Michigan winter, and how six surprise puppies in Death Valley taught her the importance of staying flexible.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Workamping can truly lead to a more joyful life, Katherine’s story will give you hope and a few good laughs, too.

Katherine discovered that Workamping isn’t just about finding a job, but more about building a life that gives you room to breathe, explore and connect with people.

After years of running a busy business, she chose a different path that let her cook over bonfires, make friends across the country and see the United States through her dogs’ eyes.

She reminded us how important it is to go into Workamping prepared. That means reducing debt, knowing the legal ins and outs of compensation, asking smart questions during interviews and always getting the details in writing.

Her experiences, both good and bad, have shaped how Katherine approaches each opportunity on the road and she’s happy to share those lessons with others.

If you’d like to follow Katherine’s journey or get in touch, she shares her adventures on Facebook at The Traveling Fluffies where she posts updates from her travels, often from the perspective of her dogs, Marley and Daisy.

That’s all for this week’s show. If you have been Workamping for one season or many years, we would love to hear about your adventures. I encourage you to schedule an interview with me at workampershow.com.

We’d love to hear about your Workamping experiences, how you got started RVing, and what you love and dislike about the RVing lifestyle. Help others explore all the different ways to live this great lifestyle by sharing your story.

If you are an employer of Workampers, then we invite you to be on the podcast, too. Share all of the details of your Workamping jobs in a future episode. It only costs a little bit of your time.

Schedule an interview with me today by going to workampershow.com. You’ll find the schedule buttons at the bottom of the home page.

It’s at freezing or below throughout much of the country today, so I have you bundle up and enjoy some hot chocolate. We’ll see you on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thanks for listening!

Today, I am speaking with a woman in her 20s who has been RVing on her own with her dog for several years and loves the Workamping lifestyle for the freedom it brings to her life.

Elana McManus is a solo Workamper who has spent the past three years traveling the country with her dog, Lily Mae.

Elana began her Workamping journey after leaving a corporate sales job and deciding she wanted more freedom, fewer commitments and a chance to explore while she was young enough to fully enjoy it.

In this episode, Elana shares what it was like to jump into Workamping with a small trailer, no bathroom and very few safety nets.

She talks honestly about her first Workamping job in a remote national forest, the mistakes she made early on and why those challenges turned out to be some of the most important growth moments of her life.

You’ll also hear about the wide variety of Workamping and volunteer roles she has held across the country, from campground hosting and resort work to front desk operations and park volunteering.

Elana explains how those experiences shaped what she wants next and why she is now looking for more mentally-challenging seasonal roles.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Workamping could work for someone who is younger, solo or traveling with a pet, Elana offers a realistic perspective on why trusting your instincts matters more than having everything figured out before you start.

Elana’s story is a great reminder that Workamping is not just about free campsites or seasonal jobs.

For her, it has been a crash course in self-reliance, decision-making and learning when to move on from situations that no longer feel right.

She shared practical advice about keeping a financial safety cushion, choosing rigs and jobs carefully and understanding that Workamping work is rarely about building wealth.

Instead, it is about funding experiences and exploration while maintaining control over your time and choices.

Elana also talked about navigating safely as a solo traveler, building friendships on the road and why volunteer positions have often felt more rewarding to her than paid Workamping roles.

Her experience highlights how different this lifestyle can look depending on your age, goals and expectations.

If you’d like to follow Elana’s travels or reach out with questions, you can find her on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube under the name Lana and Lily Explore.

If Elana’s story helped you think differently about what’s possible with Workamping, be sure to share this episode with someone who might be considering life on the road.

Today’s episode was sponsored by Workamper News. Creating a resume can be a cumbersome, intimidating task – especially if you haven’t written a resume in many years.

The unique Workamper News Resume Builder takes you through a step-by-step process to build a complete resume with all the information Workamper employers are looking for when reviewing applications.

Once complete, your resume can be emailed to anyone, and the software tracks when and who you have sent it to. You can print out the resume or make it into a PDF which can then be uploaded or emailed.

Some employers NEVER ADVERTISE, not via Workamper.com or anywhere else. They find all of their applicants just by searching the Workamper News resume database. If you don’t have a resume in the Workamper.com database, you will be missing out on some great opportunities.

To open the door to more Workamping jobs, become a Workamper member today by visiting www.workamper.com.

That’s all for this week’s show. Next week, I will be speaking with another Workamper who found her ideal job through her Workamping network. I’ll have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thank you for listening.

Today, I get to talk with the organizer of one of the largest RV shows in America, which starts this week in Tampa, Fla.

Dave Kelly is the executive director of the Florida RV Trade Association and the organization behind one of the most talked-about RV events in the country, the Tampa RV SuperShow.

It opens today at the Tampa Fairgrounds and runs through Sunday. If you can’t make this one, there are five other shows planned around Florida this spring.

Dave has been involved with the SuperShow for nearly four decades, and he offers a behind-the-scenes look at what makes this event such a draw for RVers, Workampers and people just beginning to explore the RV lifestyle.

We talk about the sheer scale of the show, from the number of RVs on display to the thousands of attendees who come through the gates each year.

Dave also explains why the SuperShow is such a valuable stop for people who are shopping seriously, including the opportunity to compare models, talk directly with dealers and manufacturers and even trade-in an RV on site.

He shares what’s new this year, including hands-on towing education, expanded exhibitor space and entertainment designed to keep the experience fun and family friendly.

If you’ve ever wondered whether an RV show is worth your time, Dave offers practical insights that can help you plan smarter and get more value out of the experience.

It’s clear that the Tampa RV SuperShow is more than just a place to look at RVs. It’s an opportunity to learn, compare options and immerse yourself in the RV lifestyle, whether you’re a longtime RVer or just starting to explore the idea.

If you’re planning to attend the Tampa RV SuperShow or any of the other Florida RV Trade Association events, Dave strongly recommends doing a little planning ahead of time.

Interactive maps, show layouts and ticket options are all available online to help you make the most of your visit and avoid feeling overwhelmed once you arrive.

For complete details about the Tampa RV SuperShow and the other Florida RV shows happening throughout the spring, visit the Florida RV Trade Association website at frvta.org.

There, you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit and to get a jumpstart on your next RV adventure.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Workamper News. Much more than just a job-listing website, when you put the tools of this professional service into action, you’ll find out just how easy it can be to turn your Workamping dreams into reality.

A Workamper membership opens the door to a one-stop-shop for all-things Workamping. Being the original resource for Workamping, you’ll find the largest number of job listings, be able to connect with a community of Workampers, and view resources compiled by experts who have been enjoying the RV lifestyle for many years.

If you’re serious about leading a successful and enjoyable Workamping lifestyle, then membership is for you. Join today at www.workamper.com. Embark on new adventures today with the support of Workamper News behind you!

That’s all for this week’s show. Next time, I will be interviewing a woman in her 20s who decided to jump into the RV and Workamping lifestyle while she was young enough to truly enjoy all that it offers.

I’ll have that interview on the next episode of the Workamper Show. If you enjoy these interviews, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.