Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Schoeck.
Hi Kristen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began with a passion for travel, storytelling, and capturing the world through a lens. When I was in first grade, I boarded my first international flight, a 17 hour journey to visit extended family in Australia. The early exposure to travel opened up a new world of possibilities for me. By nine, I had a camera in my hands and a desire to film everything around me. Unbeknownst to me, these early sparks would ignite the genesis of Run The Atlas.
The defining moment came on an expedition to Iceland — dead of winter, long before it was on every travel bucket list. As a Californian, the harsh, icy unknown was both thrilling and intimidating. There was little information online about how to prepare for this destination. I turned to YouTube for raw, honest travel insights—real stories from real explorers, but there were hardly any videos on Iceland. That’s when it hit me: why not become that voice for others?
With my camera in hand, I documented everything—the wonder, the beauty, the truths of winter travel. I shared the video with Icelandair and our tour operators, never expecting much. But the response was overwhelmingly positive, and the video grew exponentially. The video struck a chord, gaining nearly 200K views and carving out a path for Run The Atlas. I realized I wasn’t just making travel videos—I was building a platform to inspire, inform, and empower adventurers around the globe. Today, the channel has generated over 8 million views and 31,000 subscribers.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building and running a YouTube channel is not for the faint of heart. It’s a journey of resilience, consistency, and passion. My brother Mike and I manage Run The Atlas while balancing demanding full-time careers, which means every piece of content we create is the result of strategic planning, late nights, and creative use of limited PTO. Every trip is not just an adventure—it’s an investment in our vision.
One of our greatest early challenges was carving out a niche in a saturated space. We tested various content formats before realizing our sweet spot: vlogs designed for weekend travelers—people like us, who crave exploration but live within the realities of busy schedules. That authenticity became our edge. Once we defined that unique angle, it opened doors to partnerships with tourism boards and travel companies. Our Iceland video, which started as a passion project, became a proof of concept that validated our brand.
The travel industry is deeply sensitive to global shifts—economic downturns, political tensions, and in 2020, a global pandemic. When international borders closed, we didn’t stop—we pivoted. We shifted our content to local, road-trip-friendly destinations across the U.S., embracing change as an opportunity rather than a setback.
Additionally, the media landscape has its challenges, from creating content to appease algorithms to deciding on how much to share online. It’s a tightrope to walk, but ultimately, I find that if I am true to myself and produce content that inspires, that is all that matters.
Entrepreneurship demands adaptability and perseverance. It’s about persistence and pivoting when needed. Success isn’t always instant, but when you’re aligned with your purpose, every challenge becomes part of the adventure.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I created and co-run Run The Atlas, a YouTube channel and travel blog dedicated to inspiring weekend warriors to maximize their getaways. Alongside my brother Mike, we produce cinematic vlogs and engaging short-form content that spotlight both local gems and global hotspots. Our standout series “Before You Go” delivers candid, practical advice travelers won’t find in guidebooks—helping them explore with confidence.
What sets our work apart is a commitment to elevating underrepresented destinations and local tour operators. For example, our Tunisia travel series was a major highlight because we partnered with a tour operator working to build sustainable tourism for Western audiences. The series not only took off on YouTube but also drove real economic impact, helping grow awareness and business for the local community.
The most rewarding part is hearing from partners and viewers whose lives were directly influenced by our content. Tour operators have told us our videos led to new bookings and fresh exposure—real proof that our content connects. Reading comments on our channel about how one of our videos inspired someone to book a trip and step out of their comfort zone is so gratifying. At its core, Run The Atlas is about more than travel—it’s about bridging cultures, boosting local economies, and inspiring meaningful adventures off the beaten path.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Before filming, I dive deep into books and podcasts about each destination to arm myself as much knowledge as possible on the history, political landscape, and culture. I also see what other creators have published on the destination on YouTube. Instead of competition, I view their content as inspiration to uncover fresh, untapped angles.
On the business side, I watch YouTube’s Creator Insider and use tools like TubeBuddy and VidIQ, which keep me informed on algorithm changes, performance metrics, and growth strategies. My go-to book recommendation for any entrepreneur is “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss—an essential read on how to find authentic alignment in work and gain more freedom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.RunTheAtlas.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/RunTheAtlas/
