About me
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About Me
The Introduction
Hi, I’m Sophia Kitchen, but online, I’m Podper.
I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, as the second oldest of five siblings. From an early age, I learned that life doesn’t always hand you perfect circumstances, but it does give you the chance to decide what you’ll do with them.
Today, I write, travel, and create in the hope of showing my siblings (and anyone else following along) that a fulfilling life isn’t reserved for extraordinary people with thousands of dollars to spare. It’s built through curiosity, hard work, courage, and the willingness to keep turning the page that is life.
Living with scoliosis taught me that limitations don’t have to become our identity. I don’t travel because life has been easy; I travel because it’s worth embracing despite the challenges. If my journey encourages even one person to chase a dream they thought was out of reach, then every chapter has been worth writing.
What is a "Podper"
Podper began as a childhood nickname bestowed upon me by my mother. It evolved from “Podperoni” before eventually being shortened to Podper. The name was partly inspired by my obsession with Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper, as I could not pronounce “pauper,” and partly by my habit of wrapping myself so tightly in a blanket that I resembled a pea pod, minus the peas.
The nickname followed me into adulthood, becoming my username across nearly every social media platform and, eventually, the name of the brand you see today.
Mission
The Core Mission
Explore Unfiltered
Discover the beauty, history, and reality of unfamiliar places
Honest Education
Sharing practical advice, local history, and the lessons learned along the way
Accessible Adventure
Prove that exploring the world is not reserved for the wealthy, fearless, or perfectly prepared
Cultural Connection
Inspire people to continue writing their story, even when the world fights against them
What i can offer
Whether I’m writing about how travel mirrors life, the beautiful and sometimes terrifying reality of exploring alone, or simply sharing practical tips to help you on your way, you’ll always get the unfiltered truth.
I’m here to share the lessons life teaches us on the road, and I’m so glad you’re along for the ride. I can’t promise the highway will always be clear, but I can help you avoid a few of the crashes I’ve already survived.
Let me be your GPS.
Journey
The Journey So Far
Since turning eighteen, I’ve traveled to 17 countries, most of them independently. I worked my way through high school, said no to paths that never felt like my own, and slowly built a life around curiosity instead of comfort.
With little more than a laptop, Google Maps, and a willingness to figure things out, I found myself backpacking across Europe, sleeping in train stations, getting kicked out of hostels, flying over Rio with a broken arm, and collecting stories I never could have planned!
Every adventure has taught me something different. Some lessons were beautiful. Others were expensive. All of them became chapters worth writing!