Gerry + Shannon Arner shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Gerry + Shannon, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for us starts outside with the pups. Before emails, before coffee, before thinking too hard about anything, we take Rue and Bea for a walk. It’s a non-negotiable. Getting fresh air and moving our bodies first thing grounds us, clears our heads, and sets the tone for the day in a way no to-do list ever could. It’s as much for our mental health as it is our physical health.
From there, the day unfolds in focused pockets. Coffee happens, then work shifts with the seasons. Writing, editing, recording, planning, and the less glamorous admin pieces that keep everything running. We step away when we need to, cook most of our meals at home, and build in pauses instead of pushing through them. A good day now isn’t about doing everything. It’s about staying steady and connected, leaving room for life to exist alongside the work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re Shannon and Gerry Arner, the couple behind Arner Adventures. At its core, it’s a space where we share how we live more intentionally, from mindful travel to simplifying everyday life. A few years ago, we stepped away from a nonstop work culture and started redefining what success actually means to us.
Right now, we’re in the middle of another lifestyle shift. We’re downsizing again and building a tiny house, not to live smaller, but to experience life in a bigger, more meaningful way. Less space, fewer things, and more freedom to choose how we spend our time. Through Arner Adventures, we share that process in real time, the practical parts, the emotional parts, and the lessons that come with letting go. Our focus is on creating thoughtful content, working with aligned brands, and building a life that feels intentional, flexible, and entirely ours.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
For us, bonds start to break when boundaries aren’t respected, or worse, when they’re never acknowledged. That can look like constant access, unspoken expectations, or relationships built on obligation instead of mutual care. When people feel stretched thin or unheard, resentment creeps in and connection suffers.
What restores those bonds is clarity and respect. Naming boundaries without guilt and honoring them without taking it personally. Slowing down enough to actually listen, communicating honestly, and allowing relationships to evolve instead of forcing them to stay the same. Boundaries don’t create distance; they protect connection, and when they’re respected, trust and closeness have room to grow again.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
For a long time, we thought strength meant keeping things together and pushing through quietly. We didn’t talk much about anxiety, burnout, or the emotional weight that came with constantly performing and staying “on.” At some point, we realized that hiding our pain wasn’t protecting anyone; it was isolating us.
We started being more open when we understood that sharing our mental health honestly could help someone else feel less alone. Talking about it doesn’t fix everything, but it reduces stigma and creates space for authentic connection. Using our pain as power doesn’t mean leading with struggle; it means allowing our experiences to inform how we show up, with more compassion, honesty, and permission for others to do the same.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
Some of our most foundational beliefs are so ingrained that we don’t always think to say them out loud. We believe people are allowed to live lives that look different from the so-called norm, without needing to justify themselves. We believe in meeting others with curiosity rather than judgment, whether it’s how someone grieves, who they love, where they come from, or the choices they make about their own bodies and futures.
At our core, we believe humanity should come first. Kindness, empathy, and allowing people the freedom to seek a better life, in whatever form that takes. These truths guide how we move through the world and how we show up in our work, even when they’re not always explicitly stated. To us, they aren’t radical ideas. They’re simply the baseline for how people deserve to be treated.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
We used to be driven by what was expected of us, what we were told we should do. We followed the version of success that looked responsible, impressive, and acceptable from the outside, even when it didn’t feel right on the inside.
Now, we’re much closer to doing what feels true to us. Not because we have it all figured out, but because we’ve learned to listen to ourselves instead of outside expectations. Choosing a slower life, redefining success, and building something on our own terms feels less like a bold leap and more like a return to who we’ve always been.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://arneradventures.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arneradventures
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arner-adventures/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Arneradventures/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/arneradventures
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-arner-adventures-podcast/id1600935456
