When Wright State’s classes shifted online and the world seemed to pause in 2020, Tina decided to move in the opposite direction. With a solo cross-country van adventure as the backdrop and one guiding rule: say yes to everything, Tina set out to explore National Parks, beaches, deserts, mountains, and places they had never seen before.
What followed was a journey defined by grit, curiosity, and creativity. As a Trip Leader at Wright State, Tina was no stranger to the outdoors, yet this adventure pushed them into new territory: getting stranded on a Louisiana beach, hiking a mile every morning at Corpus Christi National Seashore just to find wifi for class, perfecting the art of free overnight camping (from incredible hidden spots to many nights in Cracker Barrel parking lots), solving the question of where to shower, how to cook without a refrigerator and learning how to travel safely as a solo explorer.
Although the trip began as a solo mission, the path was filled with meaningful connections. Tina visited their grandpa’s best friend in Florida and learned stories about their Grandpa they’d never heard before. A distant family member Tina didn’t know welcomed them to a ranch in Texas. A college friend invited them on a spontaneous trip to White Sands, which turned into a week spent with her family in New Mexico. Tina visited their great-uncle in Arizona and spent precious time with their Nana before she passed. Even an impromptu trip to Mexico with a family friend to see where she lived. Eventually, the journey led to California, where Tina parked in friends’ driveways in Los Angeles and even worked on music videos amid a pandemic.
Most importantly, this adventure became the catalyst for everything that followed. It sparked a move to Los Angeles, continued solo travels in the PNW, a chapter in Chicago, and ultimately a return to Ohio and Wright State to pursue graduate studies in Exceptionalities. This trip strengthened Tina’s confidence, deepened their connection to the outdoors, and clarified their purpose: working with children and making outdoor spaces accessible for individuals of all abilities.
Tina’s journey shows that stepping into the unknown and being open to all experiences can open doors to growth, connection, and clarity of purpose. Throughout their travels, Tina was also navigating deep personal grief: the loss of a brother and a father whose stroke changed everything. Solo travel brought moments of loneliness, but it also created space to process emotions, sit with sorrow, and begin healing in their own time and way.
Through challenges, resourcefulness, and unexpected relationships along the road, Tina discovered a renewed sense of confidence and resilience. These experiences strengthened their connection to the outdoors and ultimately clarified their purpose: working with children and making outdoor spaces accessible for people of all abilities.
Tina hopes people will walk away with a message of courage and compassion. An invitation to embrace uncertainty, trust their capacity to adapt, and recognize that meaningful experiences, even the difficult ones, can shape who they become.
Bio
Tina Hohman is an adventurer, educator, and lifelong learner. They earned a BFA in Acting from Wright State University and served as a Trip Leader, combining a love for teaching with a passion for the outdoors. After traveling across the country and living in Los Angeles and Chicago, Tina returned to their hometown of Columbus to work in children’s theatre, developing new works for young audiences, and to continue their education with an MEd in Exceptionalities at Wright State.
Growing up with a brother with autism, Tina is deeply committed to making outdoor experiences accessible for all. During their second year of graduate school, they worked as a Naturalist Teaching Intern at Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center in Yellow Springs, teaching youth across Ohio about nature and outdoor skills. As they focus on completing their degree, Tina is excited to continue a career supporting children, exceptional individuals with diverse needs, and fostering connections with the outdoors.