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

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?

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.

“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:

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.

“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?

Jonny Blair: Unstoppable Travel Mindset for Going Wherever You Dream

He has been on the road for 10 years.

He’s gone everywhere and he writes about it.

He can find a job anywhere and his stories are unreal.

If you want to see the world this is the mindset to make it happen.

Say g’day to the travel connoisseur, Jonny Blair.

“Anyone can do any thing if you want it.” – Jonny Blair (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • How Jonny got started on his 10 year journey
  • How much money he saved
  • How picking apples in Tasmania got Jonny to Antarctica
  • What separates long term travelers from the still
  • On the perils of international travel
  • On the road less traveled
  • The key to a successful travel blog
  • Personality traits of  successful travel bloggers
  • From travel jobs to entrepreneurship
  • How he developed an Unstoppable Travel Mindset
  • Getting to Antarctica
  • How to do the Inca Trail
  • How a Northern Irish man sees world peace and how travel impacts his perspective

Lovely Links:

  • Connect with Jonny:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Music Credit:

Take Action:

What are your thoughts? Do you have faith that you could go to any country on earth and find a job?

Sean Ogle: The Location Rebel who Builds Businesses that Can Be Run From Anywhere on Earth

Dreaming of quitting the high paying 9-5 job?

Our next guest proposed a remote work agreement and received his resignation papers in exchange.

Now he runs his own business and lives where and how he desires.

He shares his lifestyle with the world.

Please welcome the Location Rebel, Sean Ogle.

“People are getting more creative with businesses they create. It’s sort of the best of all worlds.” – Sean Ogle  (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • Sean’s transition from portfolio analyst to Location Rebel
  • Agreeing to move to Thailand to work with Dan Andrews
  • The story of building a profitable blog
  • The value of giving back with a location independent business
  • Why the a selfish investment in lifestyle can lead to greater impact
  • Sean Ogle’s favorite places in the world
  • Reminiscing over the magnificence of Bali, Indonesia
  • Bali vs. Thailand – Starting a business and designing a lifestyle
  • The evolution of Location Independent hotspots
  • How Sean is making playing the Top 100 Golf Courses in the USA into a business exercise
  • The abundance of entrepreneurial solutions to be capitalized on
  • All the other lovely stuff

Three steps to becoming a Location Rebel:

  1. Build relevant skills – Basic Copywriting, SEO Basics, WordPress
  2. Freelance that skill
  3. Apply the skills you master to your own project

“Instead of complaining about what’s wrong, always look for problems so that you can provide answers for people.” – Sean Ogle (Tweet It)

Lovely Links:

  • Connect with Sean:

Personal Site | Location Rebel | Twitter

Music Credits:

Take Action:

Do you love toasters? If so, we’re sorry about all the negative toaster talk. But hey, you’ve got amazing potential as an affiliate blogger so maybe this is a turning point in your entrepreneurial career.

Thank you for listening. Comment below and tell us something you’re going to put to action from listening to Sean.

Turner Barr: Tigers, Corporate Piracy and the Best Job in the Whole World

Dreaming of travel working around the world?

He’s an agave farmer & an elephant keeper.

Knows how to harvest rice and treat tigers.

He wrote an epic blog about it and then his idea was stolen.

Here is his story…

The expert, Turner Barr.

“If you want to really get into the nuts and bolts of a culture, of what it`s really like, immersing yourself is the way to go.” – Turner Barr  (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • How ‘Going with the Flow’ empowers your journey
  • Turner’s experience at the Tiger Temple
  • Working in a Buddhist Conservation Park
  • Interesting job opportunity for travelers – from children’s festivals in Holland, to Krambus in the Alps
  • The evolution of a traveler – Hostels to CouchSurfing to working
  • Why working somewhere is so powerful in understanding the culture
  • Corporate Piracy and the Best Job in the Whole World
  • Turner tells us about the Adecco Situation
  • The importance of taking action… Now!

Lovely Links:

  • Connect with Turner:

Around the World in 80 jobs | Twitter

Media:

  • One of Turner Barr’s duties at Tiger temple:


Music Credits:

Take Action:

Have you ever been somewhere as a tourist where you would like to get to know the people and culture more? What kind of job do you think that you could do there to enable you to stay longer and understand them better?

Big ups:

  • Wim Dewale for once again providing us with the Episode Art!

Will Peach: Shifting Away from Gonzo Road Life

He thought he wanted a life of travel.

So he created a way of doing it.

This taught him a lot about himself.

He discovered that life is forever changing.

He found the importance of being true to himself in following his dreams.

Say hello to our next guest, Will Peach.

“Life is a constant process of evolution, it’s a journey and nothing is permanent.” – Will Peach (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • Not leaving university and going straight into a 9-5 graduate job
  • Funding yourself in becoming location independent
  • Psychological and social challenges of traveling
  • Travel blogging and entrepreneurship-seeing a gap
  • Using the internet to work effectively
  • When is the time to settle down?
  • Doing what is important to you at that time
  • Embracing change and transition

Lovely Links:

Website | The Gonzo Traveller | Twitter | YouTube

Travel Tools:

Music Credits:

  • Breath by Telepopmusik
  • Boa Sorte by Vanessa De Mata remixed by Brizi & David Gueta

Take Action:

Think about what you really would like to be doing in your life.  Is it what you are doing right now?  If not how could you adapt your situation to enable to you be fulfilled?

Benjamin Jenks: Hitchhiking the USA and a New Perspective on Fear

A spontaneous decision led to a journey across America.

All with the goal of meeting people from all walks of life.

On that path he learned that helping people enriches, enhances and reflects who we are as human beings.

So sit tight for the stop-motion video genius.

The one and only, Benjamin Jenks.

“Once you realise that we will all pass away some day, there is no fear.” – Benjamin Jenks (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • How Benjamin started with a travel blog and no clue how to sustain himself
  • Willing Workers On Organic Farms (WWOOF) experiences on a flower farm
  • Tales of the Bayou with Timmy Joe Thibodeau, the French-Cajun outlaw
  • Quality of life vs. nominal value of your money
  • Hitchhiking USA… Yay or Nay?
  • The spiritual journey of entrepreneurship
  • How to travel on the cheap

Lovely Links:

  • Learn more about Gary Snyder the model for Kerouac’s “Dharma Bums”
  • Find out about Couchsurfing
  • Connect with Benjamin:

Adventure Sauce | Twitter | Facebook

Books Mentioned:

Music Credits:

Take Action:

Head over to AdventureSauce.com to learn more about Benjamin.

He’s got lots of sweet GIFs over there like this one.

Luxurious Housesitting Lifestyle & Firing Fantastic Bosses with the Globetrotter Girls

Leaving high paying city jobs isn’t easy.

Especially if your plan is to travel indefinitely.

But leaning into uncertainty is the first step in living THE dream.

Having lived the location independent lifestyle for years these two girls have specific steps to save you money.

Welcome Dani and Jess, The Globetrotter Girls.

“The idea that you can run your own business from your laptop and travel the world is the ultimate goal.” – Globetrotter Girls (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • Deciding to leave high paying jobs for nomadic freelancing
  • Dealing with a quarter life crisis
  • Why housesitting is the best way to travel the world and build a business that you love
  • How to hack classy accomodation, pools, jacuzzis & workspace
  • Tips on running an online businesses while you travel the world
  • World traveler time management
  • Should I Start a Travel Blog?
  • Travel is not as expensive as you think
  • Why slow travel is the best way to see the world

Lovely Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

The Top 3 House Sitting Websites:

  1. TrustedHousesitters.com
  2. HouseCarers.com
  3. MindMyHouse.com

Music Credits:

Travel Tools:

Take Action:

What’s your favorite hobby?

Do you think you could make money writing about it?

Leave a comment below! We’ll send pizza if you’re lucky!

Alan Perlman: A World Traveling Cost of Living Analyst finds The Holy Grail

He’s travelled to over 60 countries.

Researching the cost of living.

The Indiana Jones of the Internet World.

Give it up for, Alan Perlman.

“Fortune favors the bold!” – Alan Perlman (Tweet It)

Travel Topics:

  • How he became A World Traveling Cost of Living Analyst
  • The magic of getting off the beaten track
  • Why human connections fuel his long term travels
  • An expert’s opinion on the best places according to cost/lifestyle ratio
  • Leveraging travel experiences and a blog into a career
  • How spare time in travel (waiting for visas, bribing officials) helped him through his Personal MBA
  • Running on adrenaline and shooting from the hip – how dealing with unusual situations rocketed his professional goals
  • Living out an Indiana Jones fantasy: seeing the temple of the Holy Grail in Petra, Jordan

Lovely Links:

 Hubspot | Twitter | Website

Music Credits:

Travel Tools:

Take Action:

Tweet us if you enjoyed the show!