Cassie toured every country in the world—in record time. (And that was when she was just barely getting started.)

Epic Traveler Cassie De Pecol

When it comes to dream-chasing, Cassie De Pecol—adventurer, triathlete, entrepreneur, fitness expert, future astronaut, and someone who smashed the Guinness World Record for fastest global travel—isn’t big on rainchecks. Her philosophy? Do it now.

A Connecticut native who sprints through airport corridors after long international flights, both to get the blood flowing and so she doesn’t have to stand in line at border control, De Pecol captured her dynamic approach in a June 2019 website post.

“I personally don’t believe in waiting to fulfill a life goal or mission,” she wrote while reflecting on two huge accomplishments she made happen before age 30, as planned.

Her first big goal, achieved when she entered Yemen in February 2017, was to travel to the world’s 193 sovereign countries in a shorter timeframe than anyone in history. Spending two to five days in each country, De Pecol trotted the globe in under 560 days, vaporizing the Guinness record by a full year and nine months.

She began training for her next goal—an Ironman Triathlon—the instant she wrapped Expedition 196 (Taiwan, Kosovo, and Palestine added three more lands). And in November 2018, after swimming 2.4 miles, biking 116 miles, and running a marathon, she’d bagged goal No. 2.

She’s given a TED Talk. She knows Krav Maga, the Israeli self-defense art. She’s working toward her private pilot’s license. In 2014, she spent 21 days in the Panamanian jungle alongside three others on an episode of the Discovery Channel’s hit survival show Naked and Afraid, which sends people into the bush nude, equipped with just one tool.

In 2017, Virgin Galactic picked her to be their first female astronaut.

Before corporate sponsorships and brand ambassador deals arrived later in Expedition 196, De Pecol had funded her journeys with money earned from lifeguarding, babysitting, and hotel cleaning jobs. Earlier, when she’d left college, she was up to her neck in loan debt. But once she harnessed her incredible drive and laser focus, she couldn’t be stopped.

Along with loving travel, De Pecol is animated by passions for sustainability (during Expedition 196, she gave talks on eco-travel to more than 16,000 students in 40 countries) and promoting women-owned businesses. These passions fuse in her nonprofit organization Her International, which funds female-driven businesses that encourage sustainable development.

De Pecol even has her own fitness app, World Fitness by Cassie. Available in the App Store, it offers customized plans and 120-plus workouts to keep you fit while traveling.

We spoke to this intrepid traveler, Ms. Cassie De Pecol, about her adventures, fitness secrets, Discovery show, and beloved cat Kishmere, a white Persian who often joins her on the road.

A few years before Expedition 196, you journeyed solo through 25 countries and worked in nine. What are your favorite memories?

Aguas Calientes, Peru, would be one. To get there I took a long drive in a little van through the Andes mountains, along rugged cliff-side roads. Then I followed train tracks on foot. The town, nestled in huge mountains, is near Machu Picchu. I stayed there two months and interned/worked for room and board at hostels. I also started my first business and would walk into Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel and advise staff and management on sustainability initiatives.

It was invigorating to be so close to one of the world’s great wonders, alone, with so much incredible nature to explore.

My favorite hike, a death-defying one, was Putucusi. It was scary climbing up a mountain cliff on hanging, broken ladders, but awe-inspiring at the top.

Another favorite memory? Turkey, in general. It was my introduction to a culture between East and West. I worked for free room and board there, too, and explored as much of the country as I could, alone, with little cash. I made great friends along the way and living/working in Olympos, on the Mediterranean, was an eye-opening experience.

Which region blows the mind of Cassie De Pecol more than any other?

Antarctica. If you’re not a nature person, you’re perhaps not going to see the value of such a place. However, once there, it’s impossible not to be inspired by the vast, serene landscapes and seascapes. The wildlife in Antarctica, from various species of penguins, to the seals and birds, and the sounds they all make that echo far and wide, is so beautiful.

Floating on a Zodiac boat and hearing ice crush beneath me while approaching massive icebergs was a favorite moment. Another was entering Drake Passage during a huge storm, with 30-foot waves and 60-mph winds. Hands down, Antarctica blew me away—at some points almost literally—with its nature and visuals.