About Karissa

A shameless selfie captured in Saudi Arabia.

Let me give you the tweet version and not the blog version about me.

Here we go.

•Had a stroke at 21 in my senior year of college.

•Graduated from college 4 years “late” after the stroke.

•Took my first trip abroad at 26.

•Shot off to China to teach that next year.

•Slid into Saudi Arabia to teach English at the largest women’s university in the world. (There was a monorail on campus, y’all!)

•Made it to my 7th continent, Antarctica, at 29.

•Met you.

It’s a delight to greet you. I’m Karissa Denae Johnson and I’m an explorer. My heartbeat cries #LetsGoDoBe everywhere I go.

“Go into everywhere that you must go. Go and do everything that you must do. Go and be everything that you must be. That is our anthem:  Go. Do. Be.” – kdj

Can you IMAGINE where we’ll go? What we’ll do? And who we’ll be?

#LetsGoDoBe together.

Drop me a line at karissa@sevenby30.com and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Twitter @sevenby30.

Can’t wait to see where life takes us.

Ciao for now!

P. S. Snag my eBook for a buck at sevenby30.com/books. It’s been read on 6 continents. Still trying to get those penguins in Antarctica to crack it open.

18 thoughts on “About Karissa”

    1. Great question! Once I accomplish my goal, I look forward to sharing future plans. I’m enjoying the beauty of each new day and all of the mysteries that each day brings.

      Where are you writing from? And what dream are you currently pursuing?

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  3. It’s amazing to watch God stretch you and impart His wisdom in you as you travel. I’ve enjoyed watching from the sidelines and cheering you on, with every picture, video and blog you post. I know I haven’t visited the places you have, but I’m thankful you have openly shared your window’s view with us all. I have seen God’s great playground through you. What an awesome reality show you’ve produced. #7×30&beyond!

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    1. Thank you so much for your support throughout the years. It’s a blessing to have people who believe in you and push you to new heights. Thank you so much, Darius and yes, 7×30 and beyond! I believe it!

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  4. This is beautiful!! I love seeing someone whom I know of who enjoys traveling to different countries and learning different cultures and ways of life. Thanks for sharing your journey with us and I only hope that one day, I’m afforded the opportunity to travel abroad. You’re beautiful, smart and such a sweet soul and God has truly blessed you. I’ve always admired you and your sisters with your beautiful voices from singing with you all in the Y.F.C. Choir to seeing you all as adults, and I’m glad I know of such an awesome soul. Blessings to you as you continue your journey!

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    1. Oh wow! Thank you so much, Tesa! Thank you for the love and support. God has been so good and I’m forever grateful for how He’s guided me. I’m blessed to know you and I trust that you’ll be afforded the opportunity to travel abroad. Your life will be changed because of it. The world needs to see more of Tesa and you will love seeing more of the world. 😉

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  5. Karissa,

    Shame on me for not getting to your beautiful blog sooner. You encourage me along my traveling journey and I want to become the best of friends when I gather my belongings to teach abroad next year. I love this journey God has you on, am grateful to know you, my love and live vicariously through your expeditions. Keep being a light and a legacy, my love. I promise to visit this blog often to see what Miss Seven by Thirty is up to. Love to you my fellow Nebraskan.

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    1. Thank you soooooo much! I truly appreciate your love and support! If you ever have any questions about your move abroad, send them my way. I can’t wait to watch you soar even more! I love you!

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  6. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I have a similar passion to visit other countries and was blessed to spend a month in Nigeria in December. It is a life changing experience to experience the lifestyle of others. Have you been to Africa? I don’t see it mentioned in this article.

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    1. I have been to Egypt in 2012 and Kenya in 2014. I have to update that in my About Me section. Thank you for mentioning that. I didn’t include all of the countries I’ve visited, but you brought out a great point. I would love to spend more time in Africa though. My trip to those two drastically different countries touched my heart in a huge way. I must see West Africa and beyond, so I’m glad you made it to Nigeria. And for a month?! What were some highlights of that experience for you?

      Also, on my blog and in a Gospel Today Magazine article online, you can find stories of my trip to Kenya. My GT column is called Diary of a Travel Diva. Looking forward to hearing from you, Aida. Thanks for writing!

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  7. After reading your inspiring story and seeing just what you have accomplished only one word keeps coming to mind….WOW!! Congratulations to you….can’t wait to read the book!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Chris! I truly appreciate you stopping by and sharing such kind words. I look forward to sharing the book with you very soon. Thank you for the encouragement and I’ll see you soon!

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  8. Karissa, great meeting you last weekend. Quite an impressive blog and world adventures! Travel is addictive and I am glad to have found someone who shares travel experiences. Looking forward to reading about your Antarctica trip.

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  9. Karissa,
    Your story is a lesson of “InSPIRATIoN”, a motival story that will energize every one that is crippled by life challenges.
    Yes you did !
    You did not feel hopeless !
    You did not sit there crying all day and years long ,
    You did get up and” MOVE THE MOUNTAINS”…
    WOOOOOOOOOOWWW!!!
    CONGRATULATIONS!
    WAY TO GO KARISSA******

    Camille S M G

    Liked by 1 person

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