Here we go!

Written By Jenny Zink
middle aged woman in warby parker glasses smiling.

Fresh Warby Parker glasses inspiring this post and hopefully many more. Hi. I’m Jenny.

Starting 

I’ve been stuck for months about starting this project. I have a vision, an outline, and ideas galore, but I have no idea how to start—not a point of entry. So I sit and stare at the website I started. I open Substack and stare at that screen. 

I got new glasses yesterday, and they are giving me a bit of a boost. My husband described them as bitchy but approachable—perfect. People often describe me as looking bitchy until they get to know me. I had a resting bitch face before resting bitch face was even a thing. Could these glasses be my signature look? 

I asked Claude.ai how I could get started writing because I am BLOCKED, and he said to set a timer and write about being blocked. That’s what I’m doing because The Intrepid Project is all about starting—starting where you are and with what you have. This is where I am—stuck but trying. 

I started The Intrepid Project during my time with Women on Adventures. I envisioned it as a sitcom spin-off. But it never happened because I’m like a Labrador retriever at times and easily distracted, and boy, was I distracted. 

Over the years, I have had dozens of conversations with people who want to do the big, scary things but don’t know how to get started, so they never do. They wait and watch and see other people doing those amazing things they dreamed of doing. But there is nothing to stop us. We can do it, but sometimes, we need some help and encouragement.

When I looked in the mirror this morning, I said I would start today. I would post something—anything. With Black Pink on the speakers and a very full coffee in hand, here I am, starting. 

Here are a few highlights from the last 15 years that will give you an idea of where this is going. 

  • I started a yoga studio in 2010. 

  • I sold it to my business partner in 2012.

  • I got laid off from my photography job in 2014.

  • I moved to Phoenix in 2015.

  • I started Women on Adventures in 2015.

  • I got sober in 2016.

  • I traveled alone to India in 2017.

  • I hiked across England alone in 2018.

  • I hiked in Luxembourg with Women on Adventures in 2019.

  • I hiked in Japan with Women on Adventures in 2020.

  • I closed women on adventures in 2020.

  • I opened a cheese shop in 2022.

My experiences are vast, and while I seem easily willing to try new things, I am usually fearful and anxious before, during, and after. 

So with my new glasses on, I present The Intrepid Project to you. I’ll share many stories from my experiences with Women on Adventures, sobriety, and personal adventures. 

Here we go. 

Jenny Zink