At 18, Maddy was a lost supermarket cashier. Today, she is the first face of the TESSAN 100 Travelers. From the streets of Southeast Asia to the depths of the Amazon, she shows us that travel isn't an escape—it's a journey to meet your bravest, truest self.
"Once you prove to yourself that you can survive the hard things alone, you start to believe you can do anything."
At 18, Maddy was working in a supermarket in the UK, feeling stagnant and unsure of her future. Desperate for a change, she booked a one-way ticket to Southeast Asia. It was March 2019, and she was throwing herself into the world for the first time.
"I saw the most beautiful beaches I'd ever seen, but I also thought I was going to die alone in a hostel room," Maddy recalls.
Riding a motorbike through northern Vietnam, she was bitten by a dog and had to navigate a foreign hospital late at night for a rabies shot. In Laos, severe food poisoning left her bedbound and terrified. Fear was a constant companion in those moments. Yet, it was precisely these trials that taught her to trust in the kindness of strangers and to understand her own resilience. That was the genesis of Maddy's travel philosophy: The world is full of unknowns and risks, but kindness always outweighs the bad.
"It really emboldens you," Maddy says. "You realize you are capable, strong, and street-smart." Travel became more than just sightseeing; it was a masterclass in self-discovery.
Breaking Prejudice, Seeing the Real
Maddy has a penchant for the "unusual" destinations. She has ventured into misunderstood Iraq, deep into the Amazon rainforest, and through the streets of Pakistan. Where media headlines painted pictures of war and danger, she found welcoming smiles and selfless help.
In Iraq, strangers fought to pay for her dinner simply to welcome a guest. On Lamu Island in Kenya, near the Somali border, despite warnings of danger, she received countless invitations for Iftar during Ramadan, feeling a warmth that transcended borders and religions.
"What they show in the media is often just the political picture," Maddy notes. "But on the ground, people are always amazing and lovely." Through her lens, she captures these real stories, dismantling stereotypes and building bridges of understanding.
Connection: The Ultimate Meaning of Travel
For Maddy, the most precious part of travel isn't the scenery—it's the connection. It's swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon river, feeling the wild pulse of nature. It's getting her nails done in a favela in Brazil to support a local female entrepreneur, rather than observing the community like a zoo.
She admits that while she is naturally introverted, travel forces her to connect. "You gain infinitely more if you talk to people," she says. "Everyone has a story, and every connection enriches your journey.".
This connection is what makes the world feel like home. Maddy's story echoes exactly what TESSAN stands for: Connection is not just about power; it’s about the spark between people.
TESSAN: Powering Every Departure
In Maddy's backpack, there's always a spot reserved for TESSAN. As a content creator, staying powered is her lifeline to the world. Whether she's in a remote jungle or a bustling city, the TESSAN Universal Travel Adapter is her essential companion. "It's portable, lightweight, and works in over 200 countries. I genuinely don't leave home without it," Maddy shares.
As the first of the TESSAN 100 Travelers, Maddy hopes her story encourages more women to take that first step. "If you have the means, traveling alone is the best thing you can do for your confidence," she advises.
Join Us, Be the Next TESSAN Traveler
Maddy's journey continues—next stop, Bangkok, then perhaps the remote islands of Indonesia. But your story might just be beginning. Whether you're a full-time explorer like her or just seeking a moment of clarity, TESSAN is here to power your journey.
Let's go further, together.
