Posted on

Is Chris Hughes the Coolest Digital Nomad Alive Today?

If you flew to Panama with a lot of debt, a little cash, no experience and nothing but a plan to make money online, would you still play it cool?

A common theme of this podcast is to explore transition. No one gives permission to do this stuff. It takes a leap of faith to make it happen. I love to ask how the most successful people made it happen.

My guest today is Chris Hughes (@whosChrisHughes). We met at KoHub one night. I dive into that story in the podcast.

Lots of people say that building a business is like jumping off a cliff and building an airplane before you hit the ground. For Chris, that plane was a Duck Dynasty Facebook fan page. Duck Dynasty caught him before he hit the dirt. He’s still flying. It’s a crazy story.

“Do the stuff you’re supposed too, before you do the stuff you want too.” – Chris Hughes

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

Travel Topics:

  • How Chris almost killed his friend [02:20]
  • Starting a life of travel [02:40]
  • The viral power of Duck Dynasty [03:35]
  • Using a Facebook Fan Page to buy a margarita [06:50]
  • Valet-parking cars for Orlando Magic [10:45]
  • Refusing job opportunities to keep your freedom [14:10]
  • Learning how to make money online [16:05]
  • On completing college for your parents [18:03]
  • Burning your ships and making the leap [22:38]
  • Being smart with your money [23:20]
  • Juggling for video games [25:20]
  • The benefits of Capitalism [29:05]
  • Leaving the surfing haven of Costa Rica [30:35]
  • Building systems for your business [33:30]
  • Making business work on Facebook [35:50]

Chris Hughes Talking Points:

Facebook | WhosChrisHughes

Music Credit:

Take Action:

What was your last important life transition?

Posted on

James Abbot: From Living on a Boat to Building a Coworking Space

Welcome back to the show everyone.

Today I’m talking to the brains and mastermind behind KoHub – the tropical coworking space in Koh Lanta – James Abbot.

James was a digital nomad before there was even a name for it. He used to divide his time between programming remotely using his collection of 3G sim cards, exploring undiscovered scuba diving spots, and sailing around South East Asia on the boat he lived on!

Since then James has traded in his life of perpetual travel, sold his boat, and now spends his time building a community within his coworking space along the Andaman sea.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

Travel Topics:

  • Feeling like something is missing [03:11]
  • Asking the boss if you can take a year off [03:49]
  • Selling all of your stuff [04:00]
  • Are workers who live the nomadic lifestyle happier? [07:00]
  • Is digital nomadism a movement or industry? [10:45]
  • The need to run a coworking space as a business first [11:45]
  • Making Thailand your home [15:00]
  • The Coworking Unconference Asia (CUASIA) [16:25]
  • The growing number of digital nomads in South East Asia [17:45]
  • Working from a boat with 3G [20:00]
  • Cabin Fever! [23:45]
  • Rekindling the love of diving [25:00]
  • Why James sold his boat [29:00]
  • The sustainability of living on a boat [30:00]
  • The trials and tribulations of visas [31:00]
  • Organizing the weekly beach cleanup [37:00]
  • Traveling vicariously through the stories of the people you meet [40:00]
  • The difficulties with finding staff in Thailand [42:00]
  • The philosophy of the risk-taker [46:00]

James Abbot Talking Points:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Music Credit:

Take Action:

Have you ever thought about moving your life to Thailand?

Posted on

Marcus Meurer: Building a Better World for Digital Nomads

Compliments of V D’Rozario

Marcus Meurer and I have businesses that don’t involve location requirements. That empowers us and people like us to live in a new city every 1-3 months. It’s great for individual freedom, but what about community?

Marcus Meurer is the mind behind a lot of companies. He is now focused on the problem of community for the digital nomads. He is one of the founders of DNX, a co-working organization which sets up events, camps and a lot more for all these digital nomads scattered like glitter across the earth.

I met him on the island of Koh Lanta on the Andaman Sea side of Thailand. He was leading DNX Camp at the time and graciously offered a bit of his time to share with us how he is supporting the digital nomad community.

“Getting the first client and getting the first bill paid changed everything for me.” – Marcus Meurer (Tweet It)

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

Welcome back to the show everyone.

Some of you may have noticed that Love Affair Travel got knocked out by a team of Chinese, Russian, Myanmarian hackers. It was a nightmare. The good news is, we’re back better than ever. The site loads faster, is more secure and just looks better. We’ve even added forums. My hope is that I can be of assistance to those who are listening to this show.

Just to catch you up, V and I have moved to a small island on the western coast of Thailand in the Andaman sea. It’s called Koh Lanta and we’re not alone here.

There is a large group of Digital Nomads here and one sect of them is the DNX camp headed by Marcus Meurer and his girlfriend.

In this podcast we discuss the nature of the digital nomad community, how it’s growing and what we can do to make the scene more vibrant for those new entrants.

Marcus Meurer Talking Points:

  • Working with other digital nomads
  • Transitioning from the 9-5 into the nomad lifestyle
  • The challenges of building and working with remote teams
  • On removing the barriers that you create when the business needs you to grow
  • What is Freedom Podcasting and what do we do?
  • Exploring loneliness, a significant challenge for digital nomads
  • Co-working and how to create a hub for the modern workforce

Lovely Links:

Twitter  | Facebook | Instagram

“Sometimes you have to NOT make a science out of everything. Get started and get the content out there.” – Marcus Meurer (Tweet It)

Music Credit:

Respond:

How to think about community?

Posted on

John Blomquist: Climbing Expert Regales Travels to Central America

Host of Chalk Talk, a Climbing Industry Podcast.

John Blomquist remembers his travels to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Running through the jungle, sometimes in pouring rain.

Host Ian Robinson made a great travel buddy.

John loved Costa Rica so much he got married there years later.

Introducing the champ, John Blomquist.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

“Punta Mona, it’s kind of like this Garden of Eden & you’re greeted by people with the biggest smiles on their faces, because they’re living in heaven.” – John Blomquist (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • Recently started a climbing podcast, Chalk Talk
  • Traveled to Costa Rica with host Ian Robinson in 2007
  • Went to Puerta Viejo en route to Punta Mona
  • Punta Mona is a center for Regenerative Design and Botanical studies, founded by Stephen Brooks
  • How he got lost in the jungle by himself, nearly killed by a coconut
  • Ran through the jungle in the pouring rain with Ian
  • Got married on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica
  • How the unfortunate growth of Costa Rica has lead to it loosing it’s charm
  • After Costa Rica, went to Nicaragua, to Ometepe Island
  • stayed at El Zopilote on Ometepe
  • Traveled to San Juan del Sur
  • More tales of his travels to come on the Love Affair Travel podcast

“Nicaragua still has that developing country charm & it’s such a treat.” – John Blomquist (Tweet It)

Lovely Links:

Facebook | Twitter | Chalk Talk

Music Credits:

Posted on

The Traveling Dutchman: Using Airbnb to Fund Your Travels

He optimized use of his Amsterdam flat by listing it on Airbnb.

He used the income from renting to travel the world.

He also writes a blog about it.

Now he advises others on how to make a living on Airbnb.

Jasper Ribbers has become The Traveling Dutchman.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

“Traveling opens your horizons, you start challenging the things you think are normal & you start questioning things.” – Jasper Ribbers (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • Was traveling a lot and renting out his flat in Amsterdam
  • How he wasn’t making money on it so he couldn’t stay at his flat when he returned
  • How he’d used Airbnb as a traveler so decided to try it as a host
  • Renting his flat on Airbnb makes it financially feasible to live the traveling lifestyle
  • Once his income was covered he started doing what he thought was fun… Blogging and Writing
  • Tourism isn’t the only demand for Airbnb
  • Was a trader in Chicago, en route to settling down, knew it was time to make the dream of travel happen
  • Went on an inspirational vacation by himself to the Philippines, wanted more of those experiences
  • People are investing in properties for sole use with Airbnb
  • Sometimes disruption of an industry can be a good thing

“Not only does Airbnb allow accommodations to be used in a more efficient way, it also connects people.” – Jasper Ribbers (Tweet It)

Lovely Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Music Credits:

Posted on

Graham Brown: Learning the Business Lifecycle and Fitting it into Your Traveling Lifestyle

A telecom business made him traditionally successful.

Then Graham started to examine what success really meant.

So the transition from being a CEO to just a guy with a backpack began.

His family slowly scaled down their lives and started traveling the globe.

Now he enjoys Zen-like moments around the world.

Our next guest, Graham Brown.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

“Everybody has a different way of traveling. People need to know there are options, there are different ways of doing it.” – Graham Brown (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • Lived in Japan in the 1990s where he saw the beginnings of the mobile revolution
  • Why Graham scaled down his telecom business to make it more profitable
  • How he learned to be wary of taking on any overhead
  • The importance of the business life cycle
  • Benefits of being detached enough to step back and see what the business needs
  • How he saved money from real estate investments
  • The important part of your finances when traveling: what direction your bank account is going
  • How he wanted to live some place exotic and warm (who doesn’t, really?)
  • His son goes to local school wherever they go, allowing the family to integrate into the local community
  • Books are about starting your own business, making it autonomous, getting rid of material stuff, and being able enjoying the adventure
  • Tips for getting started: Educate yourself, write down your travel goals, be aware that it’s a process
  • How people think traveling is going to get rid of all their problems… It won’t!
  • If you’re a guy with big feet, buy your shoes before you go to Japan
  • How children are far more adapted to this lifestyle than adults

“Children don’t care about making mistakes and they are natural travellers.” – Graham Brown (Tweet It)

Lovely Links:

  • Connect with Graham:

Barefoot Journal | Facebook | Google+

Music Credits:

Posted on

Bianca Forzano: From Corporate Office in Rome to a Kite Board in the Dominican Republic

Imagine moving to a foreign country.

You’ve got no money.

All you know is that you want to kitesurf.

Sounds crazy right?

Well it worked out pretty well for our next guest.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce, Bianca Forzano.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

“For me, it’s more important to have freedom than safety.” – Bianca Forzano (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • A special message from guest Jim Carrey
  • Safety as a traveler on the North Shore of the Dominican Republic
  • The power of travel and the impact of expats in developing countries
  • The mechanics of kite camps in Dominican Republic and Italy
  • Transitioning from a corporate office in Rome to a Caribbean kitesurfing instructor
  • The founding story of Bianca’s Bikinis and the first sale
  • Inspiration, adventure, travel, waves and the ocean
  • Breaking away from the systems which limit freedom yet provide a sense of security
  • Lifestyle perceptions and they shift with travel
  • Awe moments

“I want to be the first bikini line for girls to feel cool and sexy in the water.” – Bianca Forzano (Tweet It)

Lovely Links:

  • Want to be the face of Bianca’s bikini’s in your country? Tweet Her
  • Connect with Bianca:

Music Credits:

Posted on

Chris Kirkland: Building a Freedom Driven Internet Business and the Hobo CEO

During a vacation in Goa, India, Chris felt like a naughty school boy.

Answering client issues whilst adventuring, he realised he could have it all.

Since then he’s moved to Tokyo, Japan and runs his own business.

In this episode we discuss his business and the things that inspire him.

Welcome Chris Kirkland the Hobo CEO.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

“The threshold of what you’re capable of doing tends to grow a little bit.” – Chris Kirkland (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • A great way to start out your Hobo lifestyle and internet business
  • The cheating feeling one gets from working where ever they desire
  • How it took about 18 months to establish himself as an expat in Tokyo
  • Fond memories of the freelance days vs. the job of the entrepreneur
  • About the headstands, the story of the original inspiration and the philosophical implications
  • On overcoming anxiety in business and day to day life
  • Viewing subtle and subconscious entrepreneurial opportunities after living abroad
  • How to cultivate a network of location independent friends and the social permission to live like this
  • All the other Lovely Stuff

Lovely Links:

ArtWeb | Mr. Kirkland | HoboCEO | Twitter | Facebook

Music Credit:

Take Action:

What’s your internet based business looking like? Have you started it? If not what’s holding you back? If you have, please link it up. It will get you back link and perhaps there will be another member of the community who could use your stuff.

Posted on

Niall Doherty: How to Write a World Class Book and Cross the Pacific Ocean on a Cargo Ship

Niall is back on the show.

He’s the first guest to be featured for the second time on the Love Affair Travel podcast (he was Episode 1).

Since our first interview Niall has gone a long way on his journey.

We caught up with him just after his pacific crossing.

He wrote an amazing book and is here to tell us all about it.

Give it up for the avid traveller, Niall Doherty.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

“I’m not sure if I burn more cash or more fuel.” – Niall Doherty  (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • How to decide if a cargo ship pacific crossing is the right decision
  • Strange stories of South Korea
  • About Disrupting the Rabblement
  • How Niall lives a nomadic life
  • The value of tracking expenses and how to do it
  • The emotional challenges of living and moving in India
  • New ways to understand gratitude
  • The challenges of environmental decision making
  • Book recommendations for rational thinkers
  • How to get comfortable with flirting
  • Business strategies for those who don’t live in one place
  • The role of work and success
  • Daily routines and how Niall’s evolve from country to country
  • How to start a blog
  • The future of Disrupting the Rabblement

Lovely Links:

Business | Manliness | Travel

Suggested Books:

Music Credits:

Take Action:

If given the opportunity to travel abroad and earn online, could you have a healthy work ethic and not be distracted by your awesome new lifestyle?

Posted on

Jock Purtle: How to Build, Buy and Sell an Online Business and Live a Life of Travel

Selling businesses isn’t just for multinational corporations.

Indeed, all you need to do is create a recurring cash flow.

Anything that generates cash flow, can be sold.

Our next guest is the master of this process.

He travels the world, brokering big deals and you can too.

Here he is, Jock Purtle of Digital Exits.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

“There’s risk in everything, but I’ve positioned myself so that I know I’m making the right move.” – Jock Purtle (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • Where he is and where he is going
  • How to mix business and travel for pleasure
  • The story of Mardi Gras and business conferences in New Orleans
  • What it took from Jock to sell his first business
  • An unstoppable strategy for getting a big list of clients fast
  • Why and how Jock sold his cash flowing websites and went full time with business brokering
  • Jock’s vision for Digital Exits
  • Jock’s moments of awe: thousands of elephant seals during mating season
  • The guy who sells “dead things” and why it matters
  • How to start making money with an online business
  • How to sell an online business
  • Logical thinking strategies for business deals
  • How to see the numbers when selling businesses
  • The best way to measure success
  • Plus, much more…

“I’m inherently lazy & what that means is, I’m always going to look for the most efficient path to the result.” – Jock Purtle (Tweet It)

Lovely Links:

Digital Exits | Twitter | LinkedIn

Music Credits:

Take Action:

Ready to start a business? Did you learn from something in this episode? Please let us know in the comment section down below.

Thanks so much for listening. 🙂