Alex Wieteska-Gasior Makes $5K+/Month with Her Blog…Here’s How She Does It
What if you could travel the world, explore hidden corners of Europe, and actually get paid for it? That’s exactly the life blogger and photographer Alex Wieteska-Gasior has created for herself.
As the founder of Roam & Thrive, Alex turned her passion for wellness travel and beautiful destinations into a thriving business that now brings in over $5,000 a month – just from her blog. What started as a small side project grew into a full-time income through smart SEO, stunning photography, and content that inspires people to live and travel better.
I love stories like Alex’s because they show what’s possible when you treat blogging like a real business. When I started my own blog, I had no idea it could turn into a six-figure media brand or that ad revenue alone could cover a full-time income. Like Alex, I learned that with the right mix of strategy, great content, and consistent effort, you can build something that gives you both freedom and income while doing what you love.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of making money while traveling, or even just from your laptop at home, Alex’s story is proof it can happen. Let’s break down exactly how she did it and the key lessons you can use to grow your own blog too.
Do you dream of building your own blog? Sign up for my free 7-day email course to learn how!
Who is Alex Wieteska-Gasior of Roam & Thrive?
Alex is a blogger and photographer who has always had a passion for traveling. She was born and raised in London, but she left at 25 to teach English as her ticket to travel the world.
She lived and traveled through China, Chile, Nepal and much of Asia.
But teaching wasn’t enough to support her dreams over the long term. She wanted to build an online business that would allow her to continue pursuing her passion of traveling while gaining financial freedom.
So, she launched her blog Roam & Thrive, which focuses on travel, healthy living and mental health.
Over the years, Alex evolved her blog into a space that celebrates slow, intentional, and luxurious travel experiences. She inspires her readers to explore the world through mindfulness, connection, and wonder—making each journey more meaningful than just a stamp in a passport.
Her nomadic lifestyle has taken her to over 50 countries, including long-term stays in the United States, the UK, China, Mexico, and Italy, where she truly immersed herself in each culture.
Her writing and photography have been featured in major publications like USA Today, Authority Magazine, Expedia, and TUI, and she’s even been published by Assouline – How exciting is that!
For a while, she lived nomadically in Costa Rica and Mexico. Eventually, she returned to Europe and now lives in Puglia, Italy for half the year. The rest of the year? She’s out traveling.
Today, Alex continues to share bespoke travel guides, hidden gems, and conscious luxury tips that inspire travelers to slow down, connect deeper, and travel with purpose. You can read more about her exciting journey on her about page here.
How Much Does Roam & Thrive Make?
According to Alex, Roam & Thrive makes $5-6k/month. Like any other blog, her income fluctuates throughout the year, depending on ad RPMs and what’s trending in the travel space.
Here’s a breakdown of her income sources:
- Mediavine ads – 45%
- Affiliate marketing – 35% (primarily bookings for car rentals, hotels and tours)
- Sales of her specialist map guide of Puglia – 15%
- Sales of her photography prints – 5%
It’s important to note that this is only the income she generates from her blog.
She also makes money:
- As a professional photographer for travel brands and hotels. I’m willing to bet that her income from this work is far more lucrative.
- From licensing photography from her travels to clients
I’m not sure how much she earns from these sources, but it’s safe to say that she’s doing more than okay if she’s traveling full-time for 50% of the year.
It took some time for Alex to grow her blog. She says her success comes down to:
- Creating high-quality content
- Optimizing her site for Google
- Staying active on social media, especially Pinterest
- Focusing on long tail, low competition keywords
- Regularly updating old content
- Building quality backlinks to her blog
- Email marketing every quarter
Alex says that her #1 marketing strategy is to create immersive and interactive content that resonates with her audience.
With AI making it easy to spin out tons of low-quality content – especially in the travel sphere – Alex says that her genuine advice and tips are part of what makes her successful.
She recommends making sure that you’re showing your audience that you’re actually traveling to these places and know what you’re talking about.
She also sends out quarterly emails showcasing the top places to visit, stay and eat in destinations she’s traveled to recently. These are exclusive, unique recommendations that AI can’t make up.
On average, she works on her business for about 6-7 hours a day, but this is often more than just Roam & Thrive. She may also be working on freelance projects, editing photos or writing.
What are Her Favorite Tools?
Alex uses a number of tools to grow and support her business, including:
- KeySearch to find keywords to focus on
- RankIQ
- Pomodoro timer to stay focused and on track
Lessons You Can Learn from Alex’s Success
If you want to grow a profitable blog like Alex, take note of what she’s doing right. She didn’t just post random travel photos and hope for the best, she built a brand with a clear message and mission. Everything about Roam & Thrive feels intentional, from the dreamy photography to the mindful tone of her guides. You instantly know who her content is for travelers who want to slow down, explore consciously, and still enjoy a little luxury along the way. That’s what makes her brand magnetic.
What really stands out about Alex’s journey is that she treats her blog like a business, not a hobby. She’s strategic about her keywords, consistent with her content, and thoughtful about her audience. She shows up like a pro, something a lot of new bloggers overlook. I can relate to that because my own blogging success came when I finally started thinking the same way. Once you approach your site like an actual media brand and focus on quality content, everything changes.
Another thing that I really like about her blog are her amazing photos. This is something that definitely makes her blog stand out and no AI tool can take it away from her. This and her high quality content and traveling tips are what make her blog unique and makes people remember her blog and want to come back for more.
The biggest takeaway? Find your niche, create content that genuinely helps people, and stay consistent. Blogging isn’t about luck, it’s about building trust and value over time. Alex’s story proves that when you combine creativity with strategy, you can turn your passion into something that gives you both freedom and income.
Final Thoughts
Alex’s story is nothing short of inspiring for anyone who wants to make a living traveling. But she also cautions that aspiring online entrepreneurs should invest in their business and skills early on while also focusing on their mental health. Entrepreneurship can be demanding, so it is crucial to take care of yourself.
Wanna hear more stories like this one? Subscribe to my newsletter here!
