Hi, I’m Mimi, the founder of The Atlas Heart. I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California, where I grew up with the redwoods, long afternoons at the beach, and sunset coastal walks with my family. Those early experiences shaped my love for California’s landscapes and my appreciation for being outdoors.

If you can believe it, I actually didn’t travel internationally until I was 18, when I saved up for a trip to Costa Rica with a couple of friends after our high school graduation. I’d always been enamored with the idea of travel. In school, I was the kid constantly checking out books from the library about different countries, finding penpals abroad, and daydreaming about going somewhere new. And that first trip was what truly sparked my love for exploring the world.

At 21, I studied abroad in Florence and spent a summer traveling all over Europe. By the time I graduated from college, I was ready to move abroad to Australia and New Zealand for two years, and travel has been a major part of my life ever since.

I started The Atlas Heart in 2013 to share those travels abroad. And after more than a decade of exploring 45+ countries, I learned how much easier and more enjoyable travel becomes when you know exactly what to pack, which is where the new direction of this site comes in.

With the impact of AI on the travel industry and changing algorithms, The Atlas Heart has naturally evolved to focus more on packing lists, outfit ideas, and gear recommendations, and less on destination-based travel guides. I still update my destination content, but it’s no longer the main focus of this site.

Becoming a mom in 2025 also encouraged me to slow down and appreciate travel in a more intentional way. It helped me focus on simplicity, comfort, and preparation, and made me realize that I don’t always need to be on the go to find joy.

These days, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband, Suneel, and our son. I spend my time traveling whenever I can, exploring nature, writing, and creating content that helps women find joy in traveling light, stylishly, and with the right gear.