52: How to Say YES to Life on Your Terms, with Janna and Austin Jenkins

<p class="p1">Failure isn't anything special, it's just a part of life. It's how we learn and move forward. So keeping failing forward, keep learning, and keep saying YES. </p> <p class="p1">Join Natalie Kraus with Austin and Janna Jenkins as they chat about their experience making a home out of a van, the challenges they faced, and the perks of living in it. Austin and Janna loved traveling, and because of this, the couple decided to get themselves a van to convert it into their cozy home. In this episode, Austin and Janna share their journey as a married couple building their van and the lessons they pick up along the way.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1"><strong>Building a Home</strong></p> <p class="p1">Austin and Janna love to travel, and so they explore their options, from backpacking around Europe to working abroad. One thing they realized, though, is that the ideas they were thinking about are not sustainable. It’s a good thing Austin and Janna found the solution to their dilemma through an Instagram post: jumping into the van life. Three months after their wedding, the couple bought their van and converted it into a house on wheels. It was perfect for them because they can get to travel along with their belongings. To expedite the project, Austin and Janna had to work two full-time jobs each and moved into the basement of Janna’s parents’ house that served as their apartment in the meantime. The two did not have any experience building a van, and so they were learning throughout the process. With that, Austin and Janna were able to deepen their relationship and fulfilled their desire to travel without hassle.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1"><strong>Living Small</strong></p> <p class="p1">Transitioning from living in ample space to a 50 square foot home was not an issue for Austin and Janna, but they came across a bumpy road. The couple was worried about sizing down their wardrobe and their stuff a lot since they have limited closets and storage space. It was a challenge for them because it tak