ADVOCACY ON THE ROAD: Amy Zellmer on RV life, advocacy and tips for hitting the road as a survivor of brain injury
Amy Zellmer is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, activist, and a TBI survivor. Now, more than 10 years after surviving her injury, she has embraced the RV life. Roaming the country as an advocate in pursuit of adventure, the Brain Injury Association of Arizona caught up with her during a Spring 2025 stop in Phoenix.
BIAAZ: Tell us about yourself and your life before you hit the road in an RV.
AMY: Most recently, before setting out on my RV journey, I had been living with my parents in a caretaking role. While it was an incredibly meaningful time, it also made me realize how much I craved a sense of independence and adventure. I always knew that moving into an RV was going to be the next step in my life, but my parents fast-tracked that idea when they finally agreed to move into a senior apartment.
With that transition in place, it felt like the perfect time to take the leap and start this new chapter—one that would challenge me, inspire me, and allow me to continue my advocacy work from anywhere. I am grateful that I am able to work on the road, and wherever I roam is where I call home. I have been in Phoenix since Thanksgiving and will be on the move this summer as I chase the cooler temps North.
BIAAZ: Did you have any experience camping or with RV/ Van life prior to your road trip?
AMY: Not really! I had camped a little as a teenager with friends, but I wasn’t exactly what you’d call “outdoorsy.” The whole RV lifestyle was completely new to me. I had no idea what I was doing in the beginning, but I learned as I went—figuring out everything from how to hook up the RV to finding the best places to boondock.
I had started researching RV life a few years ago, following several YouTube couples, and making lists of what I needed, and learning how to do all the necessary things from dumping the black tank to conserving water. And to be clear, RV life doesn’t have to resemble camping or roughing it in any way. 😉 It’s just a small home on wheels that travels with you wherever you go!
BIAAZ:As a brain injury survivor, what tips or tricks do you have about being a nomad?
AMY: Traveling as a brain injury survivor comes with unique challenges, but it’s absolutely doable with some planning and self-awareness. A few things that helped me:
- Pacing Myself: I learned to listen to my body and not overdo it. Driving long hours or trying to pack too much into one day would lead to fatigue and brain fog. Slow travel became my best friend.
- Tech & Apps: I use apps like Harvest Host and Google Maps to plan routes and find quiet places to park overnight. Having a routine helped me feel more grounded, even on the road.
- Community Matters: I connected with other travelers, especially through Facebook groups for RV’ers and solo female travelers. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone in my journey.
- Mind-Body Practices: I practice yoga, meditation, and Reiki, which have been essential for managing stress, pain, and energy levels. The beauty of these practices is that I can do them anywhere, anytime, with little to no space—whether it’s inside my RV, outside in nature, or even in a rest stop parking lot.
BIAAZ: What is one of your favorite memories or things you saw while on the road?
AMY: One of my best memories was experiencing the incredible kindness of strangers. I had a major RV malfunction at my overnight stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My hosts for the evening, Harry and Ruth, went above and beyond to try to help me with the situation. These were complete strangers, yet they showed such warmth and compassion. The next day, they called to follow up and make sure I was doing okay. It was a powerful reminder that the world is full of good people, and sometimes, those little acts of kindness can make all the difference when you’re on the road.
BIAAZ: What’s next for Amy Zellmer?
AMY: I’m always juggling a few projects! Right now, I’m working on my upcoming book, Not Invisible: Putting a Face on Brain Injury, an anthology series that brings TBI survivors’ stories to the forefront.
I’m also expanding my advocacy work, including a new course on legislative policy and activism, helping others use their voices to create real change.
And, of course, I’m still writing, podcasting, and finding ways to connect with my community—whether on the road or not. Who knows, maybe another big adventure is just around the corner!
Amy Zellmer is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, activist, and a TBI survivor.
In February 2014, Amy Zellmer slipped on a patch of ice and fell, forcibly landing on the back of her skull. The impact briefly knocked her out, and when she started to get up, she immediately knew something was very wrong. Amy had suffered a TBI and her life had changed forever.
She now uses the knowledge she has accumulated over the past decade of recovery to help educate and uplift other TBI survivors. She does this through her online courses, Faces of TBI podcast series, her numerous books, and in-person events.
Amy enjoys traveling across the country in her RV to help raise awareness about TBI, which is a silent and invisible injury that affects over 3.5 million Americans each year.
You can follow her adventures on the following platforms:
Amy’s RV journey on YouTube: @amyzellmerwanderlust
Amy’s political activism on IG: @amyzellmer
Amy’s podcast on IG: @facesoftbipodcast
Upcoming courses: creatingwellnessfromwithin.com
Podcast: www.facesoftbi.com
Christina Eichelkraut is a recovering print journalist who founded Christina Copy Co. in 2011. When her keyboard isn’t clacking, she bakes complex artisan bread, nerds out on political science, uses her fountain pens to write to pen pals the world over, and reads long past her bedtime in a joyful disregard of her alleged adulthood. Christina earned her B.A. in Mass Communications with an emphasis in print journalism in 2006 from Franklin Pierce University.
ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA
The Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.
What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.