A “keystone species” in the plant and animal kingdom is one that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment, individuals that are essential for the health and success of others’ survival. While chatting with Amy and Marcy, I had a strong feeling they were exactly that for Noovo and the vanlife ecosystem.
After decades spent caring for others in the medical field, the couple now spends their days helping women pursue a life they once only dreamed about. Through vanlife communities and events, their group Adventure Together, and countless conversations around campfires, they have become mentors, connectors, and trusted guides for people looking to take the leap into life on the road. And they are absolutely essential to the Noovo family.
Between Marcy's work in radiation oncology and Amy's time in hospice care, they witnessed countless people looking back on their lives. Rarely did anyone wish they had worked more; instead, they spoke about meaningful relationships, unforgettable adventures, and the moments that made life worth living. Marcy and Amy also observed that many patients they encountered never actually reached retirement or were able to enjoy the time they worked so hard to secure.
As they talked about their own retirement and life goals, this gave them pause. Maybe it was time to pursue a different kind of life, to not put anything on hold. Thus their mantra became:
Marcy and Amy always shared a love for travel. After their picturesque wedding outside of Sisters, Oregon in January 2021, they started talking about vanlife. They desired to escape the 9-5, have flexibility in their schedules, and simply do more living. So they started to check out vans. They rented a few different kinds, and quickly discovered what they did and did not want. (They definitely wanted a bathroom, they did not want to have to take apart and set-up their bed every night, they enjoyed a more open floorplan, and they liked the ProMaster chassis best).
After researching multiple van conversion companies and trying a few out, they decided to visit Noovo's facility in Las Vegas while visiting family nearby. They immediately fell in love with the Noovo Lite, but ultimately it was the people who won them over. They met Paul and Antoine (two of Noovo’s founders), and appreciated their authenticity, educational approach, and commitment to building relationships rather than simply selling them their product.
“They asked us what we wanted in a van,” notes Marcy, “They said ‘Let’s see if this is the right fit for you,’ rather than just telling us it was the right fit and trying to make a sale.”
Combined with Noovo's warm interiors, practical layouts, and willingness to listen to customer preferences, the experience at the Noovo headquarters made their decision easy. Shortly after, Marcy and Amy drove “Juliet” off for her first adventure. Four years later, that trust has only grown stronger, evolving into a partnership built on shared values, ongoing support, and a genuine sense of community.
Everyone who steps inside Marcy and Amy’s van knows immediately it is a well-lived in and well-loved home. (All it took was one look for Jennifer to want one too!) Crystals line the shelves. Prayer flags hang in the back. Family photos decorate the refrigerator. Artwork collected on their travels fills the walls. Even the plants (though admittedly artificial after several failed attempts to keep real ones alive) help create a space that feels warm and welcoming.
Visitors often comment on the freedom of the layout and the beautiful wood ceiling, but it's the personal touches that make the strongest impression. Every shelf, photo, and collected stone tells a story, turning the van from a vehicle into a scrapbook of their adventures.
"We've been in vans that are completely bare," Amy says. "For us, it's important that it feels like home." The collection of rocks they've gathered from around the country makes it uniquely theirs. While most travelers collect postcards or souvenirs, Marcy and Amy return home with stones from favorite places, sometimes much larger than seems practical. They add the rocks to their garden back home in Bend, Oregon, creating a mosaic of their adventures.
Other essentials include the gooseneck kettle for the morning coffee ritual, museum putty to secure the crystals and plants in place, a portable speaker for music, and their latest favorite addition: a Wonder Oven. Since they are in one of the earlier models of the Noovo Lite, they do not have a microwave, and the small oven gives them the freedom to roast veggies, bake muffins, and reheat leftovers easily, expanding what they are capable of making and eating in the van.
Over the years, Marcy and Amy have made a few other thoughtful modifications to Juliet to better support life on the road. One of their favorite additions is a slide-out drawer and storage shelf in the garage, making it easier to access biking gear, outdoor equipment, and everyday essentials without constantly unpacking and repacking the space. Their garage also contains a well-loved game of Sorry for evenings spent with friends.
Of course, no adventure would be complete without their two dogs, Riggins and Lucca. While both have adapted to van life, Lucca can become anxious and protective in busy environments. When attending large events like Peace, Love & Vans or Overland Expo, Marcy and Amy often hire local Rover sitters to care for the dogs. It's a solution that keeps both the dogs and their owners happy, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy the experience with less stress. But as Lucca crawls up into Amy’s lap during our chat, all I see is a ball of fluff and love.
Most travelers book campgrounds months in advance and follow set itineraries, but Marcy and Amy prefer a different approach. They typically have a general direction in mind but leave plenty of room for spontaneity. Most travel days are short. If they find a place they love, they stay. If the weather changes, they adjust. If they meet people they connect with, they spend time with them.
That openness has led to some of their favorite memories. They've spent unexpected holidays with people they met on the road, extended trips with fellow travelers who became friends, and discovered that some of the best adventures happen when you stop trying to control every detail. They often feel limited by having to make reservations for camping or national parks, which forces them to follow a rigid timeline. Instead, they wake up early and enter parks at 4am to beat the crowds. One of their favorite memories was a sunrise in Glacier National Park. Marcy watched otters playing in a lake while sipping her coffee from the stoop of the van, other animals were quietly waking up, and then the sun peaked perfectly over the mountain top, warming the day.
They're also drawn to the dispersed camping areas of western Wyoming and the Beartooth Pass region, where wide-open views, tall peaks, and untouched wilderness create the kind of stillness that's increasingly hard to find. Their most memorable destinations aren't necessarily the most popular spots, they are the places that leave room to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect to the quiet. For a couple that spent decades working in highly structured healthcare environments, the freedom to seek solitude and simply see what the day brings has become one of the greatest luxuries of all.
Unlike many van companies, Marcy and Amy’s relationship with Noovo didn't end the day they drove their van off the lot. During one winter trip near Flagstaff, frozen pipes threatened to derail their plans. Marcy was freaking out, worried it was going to permanently damage the van and be an incredibly expensive repair.
“I was so stressed… I called Paul (at Noovo) and said, ‘What do we do? What do we do?’ And he's like, ‘Marcy, don't worry. We've got you.’” And just like that, Antoine drove four hours from Las Vegas to help get them back on the road. When he arrived he hugged them, took his time making repairs, and then sent them on their way. “There is no way they can keep up this kind of (customer) service,” thought Marcy at the time. “But they have kept it up, and they continue to help people over and over. If they can’t come themselves, they send someone else to fix issues immediately.”
“It proved to us that Noovo was the family and support we were looking for,” notes Amy. Over the years, Marcy and Amy have remained closely connected with the Noovo team, offering feedback on everything from drawer latch designs and light switch placement, to larger layout and usability improvements. As Noovo has grown, they've watched that feedback shape future models and product updates, creating a relationship that feels far more collaborative than transactional.
But even deeper than product input, Marcy and Amy have become essential to the Noovo community and entire vanlife ecosystem.
What began as a personal adventure has evolved into something much larger. As they traveled, Marcy and Amy noticed a recurring theme among women interested in vanlife: many wanted to try it, but lacked the confidence, support, or technical knowledge to take the leap.
So they decided to create the community they wished existed. Today, their women's vanlife community, Adventure Together, includes more than 2,000 members. Through virtual gatherings, educational workshops, book clubs, safety discussions, and in-person meetups, they've built a space where women can ask questions, learn new skills, and find support from others who understand the journey.
For many members, the group becomes more than just a resource. It is a place where they can ask technical questions without judgement, find travel partners or best parking spots, troubleshoot challenges, and build confidence. Most of all, this group creates a sense of belonging and community that did not exist before. Marcy and Amy also help with the Noovo Van Owners and Enthusiasts Facebook group, answering questions, directing people to resources, and creating a place where people can connect about vanlife.
With both of these endeavors, the goal isn't just education, it’s about creating family.
For Marcy and Amy, buying a van was simply a way to experience more of the world. But four years later, it's become something much bigger. They have become integral to the Noovo ecosystem. From van events to Adventure Together to exploring new trails with their pups, they have created a life centered around connection, adventure, and helping others find the confidence to follow the road wherever it leads.
As our conversation came to an end, I asked them what words described their Noovo experience. Without hesitation, they replied: connection, freedom, family, community, and purpose. This is what a keystone species does. It holds the framework together so that the ecosystem as a whole can grow and thrive. We are so grateful that Marcy and Amy discovered Noovo many years ago, and we can’t wait to see what’s down the road for them.
—
To learn more about Marcy and Amy’s adventures and work in the vanlife community, check out their website One Life Van Life or shoot them a message on their Facebook group.
Want to read more?
Discover similar content with these recommended articles.
