• Home
  • 40 Countries Before 40
  • Speaker
  • More
    • Home
    • 40 Countries Before 40
    • Speaker
  • Home
  • 40 Countries Before 40
  • Speaker

 aya philémon

Idk I just be doing whatever.

That’s taken the shape of a lot of random adventures over the years. Adult summer camp, cosplay contests, starting ballet as a grown adult, learning archery for no practical reason, being an extra in multiple superhero movies.


Some of these start as jokes. Some turn into real doors opening. All of them teach me something about confidence, rejection, and how much of life is just logistics once you decide to try.


I document the process as I go. What I applied for, what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently, so other people can see that interesting lives are not mere accidents. They’re intentially built one side quest at a time.


If you’re curious, bored, or wondering “could I do that too?”


You probably can.

     

 

 

 

current side quests

40 Countries before Age 40

40 Countries before Age 40

40 Countries before Age 40

I'm currently on country #31, mostly solo, wandering into places alone, figuring things out as I go, making friends with strangers, and collecting stories I couldn’t have imagined.


Learn more Here

Follow series on  Instagram

Follow series on Tiktok

Cosplay

40 Countries before Age 40

40 Countries before Age 40

Catch me at Dragon Con every year! I've cosplayed Calliope, Lady Danbury, Katara and Princess Yue, Mel Medarda, Shuri from Black Pather, and so many more.


Follow Series on Instagram

Follow series on Tiktok

Adult Ballet Lessons

40 Countries before Age 40

Adult Ballet Lessons

I started ballet classes when I was 27 years old, and eventually advanced to the pointe shoe class. It's never too late to learn a new skill and build new strengths.

Follow series on Tiktok

Archery

and I Also Draw Comic Books

Adult Ballet Lessons

This is the newest skill I am learning. Something I tried at Adult Summer Camp (yes that is a thing, more on that later). If I started as a kid I could be an Olympian by now!


Follow series on Tiktok

Public Speaking

and I Also Draw Comic Books

and I Also Draw Comic Books

I promise I started out "arms are heavy, knees weak, palms are sweaty," just like everybody else! But it turns out speaking is easier than we think. I've spoken at tech conferences, panels, podcasts and newscasts. Turns out the hardest part is saying yes.


Learn more (or book me!) here.

and I Also Draw Comic Books

and I Also Draw Comic Books

and I Also Draw Comic Books

but more on that some other time....

past side quests

Movie Extra

Roadtrip Nation (PBS)

Roadtrip Nation (PBS)

From riding a hovering train in Black Panther, to dancing at a frat party on Vampire Diaries, to running for my life in Captain America, I pop up here and there in many of the biggest TV shows and movies. It's surprisingly easy, and anyone can start.

 

Learn how to start on Instagram

Learn how to start on Tiktok

Roadtrip Nation (PBS)

Roadtrip Nation (PBS)

Roadtrip Nation (PBS)

Please forgive my appearance. I was living out a vehicle lol


I was invited on a summer-long road trip where I interviewed designers, engineers, architects, and many other professionals about their careers for season 12 of the show.


Watch all my episodes on PBS.org

Adult Summer Camp

Roadtrip Nation (PBS)

Adult Summer Camp

It's exactly what it sounds like. Shared cabins, hiking, ziplines, lakes and boats, archery...and an open bar!

I never went to summer camp as a kid, but I don't think the 12 year olds party this hard....



Watch Series on Tiktok (there were BEARS!)

you can become your most interesting self

I break down how I apply for things, get rejected a lot, and still end up doing cool stuff. You can do the same. Here’s how to start.

Follow the lessons on Instagram

Follow the lessons on Tiktok

download the application tracking spreadsheet

follow my story, and get started!


aya philémon | side quest queen

Copyright © 2026 aya | side quest queen - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept