Meet Cassie Pauley, an LA based creative and newly minted marathon runner.
When we first crossed paths with Cassie, we were intrigued by her energy: an all-out creative, passionate about what she's working on, but also committed to downtime and the furtherance of personal outlets - one such outlet being her newfound love of running. As an Associate Creative Director for Expedia, travel is also high on the priorities list, so it is at this intersection where our worlds collide. Read on to learn a little bit more about Cass, your new highly relatable friend.
Meet Cassie Pauley, an LA based creative and newly minted marathon runner.
When we first crossed paths with Cassie, we were intrigued by her energy: an all-out creative, passionate about what she's working on, but also committed to downtime and the furtherance of personal outlets - one such outlet being her newfound love of running. As an Associate Creative Director for Expedia, travel is also high on the priorities list, so it is at this intersection where our worlds collide. Read on to learn a little bit more about Cass, your new highly relatable friend.
Please introduce yourself.
I’m Cassie Pauley but my good friends call me Cass - I’m an Associate Creative Director by title, an introverted homebody to my core. I work at Expedia where I get to blend storytelling, culture, and inspiration to bring travel to life on social. Outside of work, I’m usually rearranging my loft just because, planning dream trips I may or may not take and spending time with my two cats, Mew and Homer. I thrive where creativity meets curiosity and I never say no to trying an “out-there” idea or an iced vanilla latte.
Tell us something about you that is truly unique.
Anytime I’m driving in my car alone, I pretend I’m on a popular podcast as a guest. I share stories about my career, dating history, quirks, hobbies, life in general. I think it stems from my fascination with fame and hoping one day when I’m invited on a podcast I’ll be READY.
What does escape mean to you?
To me, escape is when my brain gets to play. It’s when I’m pulled out of my routine, the autopilot, and I get into a new rhythm. New sights, ideas, inspiration. It’s like a creative refresh button. I notice colors more, I take photos of random textures. I get curious again. Escape lets me reconnect with that spark that gets buried sometimes in the everyday. It’s less about leaving something behind and more about returning to myself with a little more wonder.
Please introduce yourself.
I’m Cassie Pauley but my good friends call me Cass - I’m an Associate Creative Director by title, an introverted homebody to my core. I work at Expedia where I get to blend storytelling, culture, and inspiration to bring travel to life on social. Outside of work, I’m usually rearranging my loft just because, planning dream trips I may or may not take and spending time with my two cats, Mew and Homer. I thrive where creativity meets curiosity and I never say no to trying an “out-there” idea or an iced vanilla latte.
Tell us something about you that is truly unique.
Anytime I’m driving in my car alone, I pretend I’m on a popular podcast as a guest. I share stories about my career, dating history, quirks, hobbies, life in general. I think it stems from my fascination with fame and hoping one day when I’m invited on a podcast I’ll be READY.
What does escape mean to you?
To me, escape is when my brain gets to play. It’s when I’m pulled out of my routine, the autopilot, and I get into a new rhythm. New sights, ideas, inspiration. It’s like a creative refresh button. I notice colors more, I take photos of random textures. I get curious again. Escape lets me reconnect with that spark that gets buried sometimes in the everyday. It’s less about leaving something behind and more about returning to myself with a little more wonder.
You have recently become a runner - what is it about running that has you hooked?
The runner’s high. I used to hate, no loathe, running and would joke that “I wouldn’t run if someone was chasing me.” But the sense of accomplishment after logging some miles is like no other. The endorphins really help too.
Do you have a goal that you are working / training towards?
When I first started running I thought maybe I could do a 5k someday. Then it turned into dreaming about running a half marathon, which I did last October. Then this year I had the chance to run the LA Marathon pretty last minute (3 days notice). I went into it thinking “I’ll just try to finish it, but above all I just wanna have fun.” And it ended up being one of the best days of my life. My next goal is to run an ultra marathon, maybe 50 miles to see what my mind and body is truly capable of accomplishing.
Finish this sentence: I like to remind myself that...
It’s okay to figure it out as you go. We’re all just faking it till we make it.
As a creative do you have discipline around finding inspiration, or is it more organic?
It’s a mix of both. I absolutely believe in setting aside the time, whether that’s scrolling through niche corners of TikTok, browsing through design blogs or walking through a new neighborhood with fresh eyes. But the magic usually hits when I least expect it. Mid-shower, falling asleep at night or a coffee chat with a friend. So I’ve built discipline around capturing inspiration whenever it hits, not just waiting for the right moment.
Working at Expedia you must be immersed in the world of travel - what is your best travel tip?
Let go of the pressure to see “everything.” The best memories usually come from slowing down, getting lost, or saying yes to something totally unplanned.
Where was the last place you travelled to and what was your most memorable experience there?
Copenhagen, Denmark. I spent a full day by myself with zero plans. I wandered through some side streets, ducked into cute cafes and people watched. It was such a reset from the way I usually travel, with everything planned out and hitting all the tourist spots. I left Denmark feeling like I had really been there, not just visited.
Where to next?
I’m absolutely enamoured by Japan. It’s been at the top of my list for a long time. There’s something about the way tradition and innovation coexist that fascinates me. Quiet mornings at temples in Kyoto or the electric buzz of Tokyo at night. I’m dying to have some authentic ramen too.