·S4 E10
Jeff Jenkins: Chubby Diaries Plus Size Adventures & The Nat Geo Never Say Never Story
View Transcript
Episode Description
🎙️ Please make sure to click the ‘Follow’ the show – It really helps the show, thanks!
In todays episode i sit down with Jeff Jenkins — creator of Chubby Diaries and host of Nat Geo’s Never Say Never. Inclusion in adventure. Owning your story. Building a mission-first business that opens doors for plus-size travelers.
Jeff grew up in Orlando, found purpose building low-cost wells in Rwanda, and—after a life-check moment—committed to “travel the world, help people, and get paid.” He turned Chubby Diaries into a real company (S-Corp), consults across the travel industry, and fronted a National Geographic series by doing the simplest, hardest thing: being himself on camera. We dig into practical access for plus-size travelers (wetsuits, chairs, seats, hills and trams), brand storytelling, and why “live life now” beats waiting for permission.
- Candid, practical guidance for plus-size travelers who want to start today
- Behind the scenes of landing a Nat Geo show—and keeping it authentic
- A playbook for turning a niche into impact, community, and revenue
Highlights
- From choir teacher to creator: the pivot that followed personal loss
- Rwanda wells: proof that mission + action builds confidence fast
- Consulting travel brands: speak the language of outcomes and revenue
- Accessibility wins: seating, spaces, gear, and inclusive marketing moving mainstream
- “Your pace still gets the view”: adventure without comparison
- Creativity with guardrails: protecting the brand while you grow a team
- Next big dream: Antarctica (seven continents, here we come)
Call to Adventure
You don’t need permission. Start local, choose your pace, and go anyway. The view’s still yours.
Resources & Links
- Chubby Diaries — Live Life Now: https://chubbydiaries.com/
CHUBBY DIARIES - LIVE LIFE NOW - Jeff’s show Never Say Never: https://chubbydiaries.com/never-say-never/
CHUBBY DIARIES - LIVE LIFE NOW - Trailer (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHisUWlH4VU
YouTube - Florida A&M University (FAMU): https://www.famu.edu/
famu.edu - East Africa Energy Solutions (biodigesters in Uganda): https://www.eastafricaenergysolutions.org/
EAES - J
Thanks For Listening.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment and subscribe for more exciting content.
Follow us https://linktr.ee/adventurediaries for updates.
Have a topic suggestion? Email us at ideas@adventurediaries.com.
AdventureDiaries.com
#AdventureDiaries #AdventureStories #NationalGeographic #Discovery #NaturalWorld