Jeremy Jauncey’s Story

Jeremy Jauncey, 30, is one of the founders of a digital health company called Tictrac, which strives to change the healthcare industry using data science and technology.

What was the impetus behind starting Tictrac?

Our aim is to help individuals better understand their health through rich visualizations of their personal data and tailored insights, working with big brands like Samsung, AT&T and BlueCross Blue Shield. I’ve been a tech guy all my life and passionate about healthy living for as long as I can remember. In the early days I wanted to be a professional rugby player and played for Scotland through the age grades before deciding to start my own businesses and doing things with technology. To be honest, I love what I do so much that it really doesn’t ever feel like work; I do things I’m passionate about, which makes life a lot more fun!

You mention ‘businesses’, what else do you do?

Another passion of mine is travel and I’m also one of the founders of the world’s largest travel influencer on Instagram, Beautiful Destinations. We have almost 4.5 million followers across our portfolio of accounts and work with leading travel and lifestyle brands and tourism boards to create engaging content and drives sales through Instagram.

What are your biggest motivators?

Challenge is a huge motivator for me. I really enjoy taking on things that either haven’t been done before or that others have deemed not possible. I guess that’s the appeal of ‘start-up’ life. I get a buzz from taking risks and trying something new, and without that in my life I don’t think I’d be as happy. I’m also very motivated by exercise, hitting the gym or going for a run really helps me think straight, deal with all the things I’ve got on and stay positive. I’m very close to my family, who also provide a source of inspiration and motivation for me.

You spend a lot of time globe-trotting for work – how is travel important to you on a more personal level?

Travel expands your horizons and broadens your outlook on everything in life. It is a means of self-discovery. The world is huge and there are so many amazing places and cultures to explore that I think travelling is one of the most important things people can do in their lives. We set up Beautiful Destinations to show the endless beauty of the world through the lens of people who had been to a place and captured its essence.

What is your favorite place in the world?

Definitely one of the hardest questions I’m ever asked! I have actually curated a list of my favorite places on Instagram called the BD Bucket list, but ones that spring to mind are Hvar in Croatia, the Amanyara resort in Turks & Caicos and Tokyo.

Have you ever been somewhere that has shifted your perception on life?

New Zealand. I was very lucky to go there playing rugby and spent a season in Christchurch and a season in Wellington, with a summer in between to drive up and down the country. No other place has had such a profound impact on me. It instilled a strong work ethic, a belief in my ability to achieve anything I wanted and a desire to embrace new cultures and people. Something I think that kiwi’s do better than most.

How do you feel when you discover a new destination?

I love finding new places, it’s one of the most exciting things for me. With Beautiful Destinations we’re lucky to be sent images of wonderful spots around the world every day, from people who have actually visited them; with Instagram enabling you to get lost in photos, it’s never been easier or more fun to find new places in the world. We have some great partners from National Geographic photographers to hugely influential bloggers and social media influencers, so discovering new places happens on a daily basis. I just need to find time to go there and experience them myself!

What would your advice be for people who want to take ownership of their future?

Don’t be scared to take risks. What’s the worst that can happen? Be positive and sure of the choices you make, everything happens for a positive reason, no matter how difficult things may seem at the time. And have fun! Life is far too short to spend it not doing what you love. Think big and go for whatever you set your sights on.