24-year-old Taylor Demonbreun visited all 196 sovereign countries in just one year and 189 days

Her trek began on June 1, 2017 and ended on December 7, 2018

She broke four Guinness World Records, including the records in the process

Demonbreun said her most memorable experiences happened in Iran and Libya

Almost everyone dreams of traveling the world at some point in their lives, but not many people can say they've visited every country on the planet.

Especially not by the age of 24.

Pensacola resident Taylor Demonbreun can now make that claim with four brand new Guinness World Records on file to back her up.

Between June 2017 and December 2018, the Tuscaloosa, Alabama, native and Vanderbilt University graduate stopped in all 196 sovereign countries. In the process, she broke these four world records:

Youngest to travel to all sovereign countries (overall)

Youngest to travel to all sovereign countries (female)

Fastest time to visit all sovereign countries (overall)

Fastest time to visit all sovereign countries (female)

Taylor tracked her historic quest using the hashtag "#TrekWithTaylor" on social media. She began in the Dominican Republic on June 1, 2017, and finished in Canada on Dec. 7, 2018, for a total of one year and 189 days on the move.

She traveled solo for all but 10 of those days; her family met her in New Zealand for 10 days, which was the most time she spent in any one country.

The biggest obstacle Demonbreun said she encountered was a recurring one: Securing travel visas.

"We're really lucky to have the U.S. passport, but even with it, there are so many countries that you still have to have a visa for," Demonbreun said. "I think there's over 60 countries, some are a lot easier and some are a lot harder than others. And the requirements are constantly changing, especially countries like Venezuela. That was one of my hardest visas to get because a lot is going on there right now."

Studying abroad in 20 different countries during her time at Vanderbilt, where Demonbreun majored in both economics and public policy, sparked her desire to travel more. Much, much more.

As Demonbreun's spent the last few months submitting more than 5,000 pieces of documented evidence to Guinness, ranging from witness statements to photos and videos, she's reflected on her almost unfathomable journey. She said her biggest takeaway from the trip is how genuinely nice people are.

Read about another local record breaker:Pensacola man recalls adventure as youngest person to cruise America's Greatest Loop solo

"Everyone in the world is just very kind, I feel like I can't emphasize that enough," Demonbreun said. "Some things today are very divisive, but I just experienced unlimited kindness. And I'd like to highlight that, 'cause it was an amazing experience. Of course anything can happen anywhere or anytime, but I feel really lucky to have had really great experiences and met so many cool people."

Demonbreun, who received her Guinness certificates on June 10, said she was sponsored by "95 to 99%" of the hotels she stayed in. Lodging costs aside, airfare and day-to-day essentials totaled about $70,000, which came out of her own personal savings account, Demonbreun said.

Demonbreun said she worked in finance as an investment banker during summer vacations in college.

"People might think, 'Oh your parents must have helped,'" She said. "They were obviously very supportive, but not in that way. I worked every summer during school and saved money."

Demonbreun mentioned dinner at a local family's house in Iran and visiting Libya as some of her most life-changing experiences, ones not everyone would expect when they hear she stepped foot in every country on earth.

She reiterated that the human element of her journey served as her overall most memorable experience.

"I found out how similar we all really are," Demonbreun said. "People might look different or speak a different language or have a different religion but we all want the same things in life when it comes down to it. Being safe, having a good life and having a good life for your children. That, for me, to be able to have these experiences and meet these people, just completely changed the way I viewed the world in so many ways."

Jake Newby can be reached at jnewby@pnj.com or 850-435-8538.