Welcome to With Gusto!
Namaste, friend!
My name is Adrian—and I’m over the moon you made it here.
For years, so many trusted friends and mentors have begged me to write a book.
While my journey is unique by American standards, the thought of authoring a memoir scares the sh*t out of me. Even still, maybe I shouldn’t rule it out for one day down the line. Because, why the F not?
However, for right now—due to the rapid growth and positive buzz this platform continues to generate—Substack is where I’ve finally chosen to put down some roots.
A Little About Me
I’m half-Mexican, half-American and was born & raised in Dallas, Texas.
Spending the better part of two decades as a bonafide global nomad, I’ve now shoestring traveled through nearly 80 countries. Along the way, when money got tight, I stopped to find (mostly legitimate) work in order to refuel my pockets and keep the travel dream afloat.
While wandering through Southern India in September of 2013, I received the phone call that no traveler is ever prepared for—my Dad was sick and I needed to return home immediately. After unexpectedly losing him just 12 days later, I spent the next several years in Dallas; working alongside my amazing sister in our family’s small insurance agency.
In March of 2022, I experienced my first ever battle with depression and mental health. I was scared and confused, but I also had the wherewithal to speak up and seek help. Which was the catalyst I needed in order to get back on track. Leading me to realize that what I needed most was the Freedom and Aliveness I’d experienced for so many years before while honoring my truest north—TRAVEL.
Although leaving family and the materialistic world behind isn’t as easy as it once was, I’ve now spent 12 of the last 24 months in Thailand, Cambodia, India, and Nepal.
What is With Gusto All About?
Yes, this newsletter will be anchored by intriguing, heartfelt connections and travel tales from the other side of the globe, but what With Gusto is truly all about is my deep desire in leaving this place better than I found it.
I’m fiercely committed to making a meaningful difference in this world—both within my own community and within the lives of the locals I befriend along the way.
For my subscribers, by bringing parts of the outside world directly to you, YOU, too, get to witness and experience the compassion, generosity, and human connection that has forever changed how I view the world.
Why Subscribe?
Are you interested in Community, Compassion, and Human Connection?
Then the real question is WHY NOT subscribe?
With Gusto will be churning out a variety of heart-stirring content from all around the world. And, by subscribing, you will never miss an update—as everything I do will immediately be delivered to you and your inbox.
This type of content collection and creation requires a substantial amount of time, energy and resources. So while offering a paid subscription is completely out of my comfort zone—With Gusto is now my work.
Building this community so that we can together make small, but meaningful, differences in the lives of the less fortunate is something I take very serious.
This is a brand new project and we’re just getting started, however—I truly hope that my passion and purpose radiate through the screen and you feel inspired to join the With Gusto movement.
*Bonus Feel Good Benefit* As a paid subscriber, you’re not only supporting my work, but you’re also directly supporting the hard-working locals I forge bonds with and befriend along the way.
How cool is that?
