Leap In Life

“Finding somebody who's interested and able, to either work from that time zone or take that like the right amount of time off work is a challenge.” - Caroline Lupini   Caroline Lupini is the managing editor for Credit Card and Travel Rewards for Forbes Advisor. She is a journalist, traveler, and pilot and has been location independent since 2014. In this episode, Caroline discusses how she started her journey into travel hacking while researching ways to save money on her trip to Europe in 2011, and learned about it while blogging about it after graduating college. Her blog earned her a few hundred dollars per month, but it wasn’t until she lost her engineering job that she started making more money from travel hacking. Since starting her full-time travel career, she has enjoyed exploring new places, but also enjoys revisiting places she’s been before. [00:01 - 06:22] Transitioning From Blogging To A Career In Travel Caroline shares how she started researching travel hacking How she started making money from it and how she transitioned into a career in travel   [06:23 - 19:33] Tips On Travel Hacking And Redeeming Rewards She shares how she decided to travel to Asia and booked her flights using miles Her first premium cabin experience She attended a travel hacking conference where she was introduced to the managing editor of Forbes She highlights her travel experiences over the past year traveling to over 100 countries Finding deals on flights to various destinations, including first-class flights   [39:34 - 30:41] Travel Hacking And Breaking Records  She shares one of her memorable experiences traveling first class Travel hacking involves looking for deals on flights and accommodation Looking for deals as early as possible Flexibility Being aware of airline cancellations She shares her journey to traveling the United States in 12 days by private aircraft and breaking the Guinness World Record She is now planning to travel to Italy and Scotland   [40:42 – 36:32] Wrapping Up!  Caroline recommends listeners to follow her on her Instagram! Get in touch with Caroline! (Links below) Key Quotes   “There is a way that I could fly through somewhere to get to where I'm trying to go and that travel can be a better experience.” - Caroline Lupini   “There are a lot more opportunities out there now. There are a lot more remote jobs available. There's a lot more support for remote workers.” - Caroline Lupini   Connect with Caroline Instagram: @Caroline.lupini Twitter: @Carolinelupini LinkedIn: Caroline Lupini Website: Forbes.com     Interested in learning more about Remote Year? Get a $100 Remote Year Marketplace Credit when you sign up with my referral link.     LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to make that leap. For weekly inspiration listen to previous episodes on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

“When I chose a career, I wanted something that was creative but also had an impact on the world.” - Sergio Sala   Sergio Sala, originally from Mexico, is a digital nomad who has lived in over 25 cities and visited more than 40 countries around the world. He started working online as a web designer, then a blogger, and now is a full time YouTuber, filming cities to live and work in remotely. He shares how he first became interested in YouTube when he saw how people could make an income from it. He began making videos about his experiences living and working in different cities around the world. He talks about the importance of having a business that you love and how it’s important to be creative with your marketing in order to find new clients. He describes how she went from being a full-time Spanish speaker to a full-time English speaker, and how it was a difficult but necessary shift. [00:01 - 02:46] The Journey To Become A Digital Nomad Sergio shares how he started working online as a web designer and now is a full-time YouTuber, filming cities to live in and work in remotely He shared his story at Nomad Fest and talked about how he became a digital nomad He spoke about his experience living in Torino, Italy, for a year as part of an exchange program     [02:47 - 10:26] The Challenges of Being A Digital Nomad Sergio discusses the challenges of being a minimalist when travelling The main challenge is carrying too many items with you He describes how he transitioned from an architect to a digital designer This led to him starting to receive more clients from outside of his field He talks about how he started charging for his services and how this has helped him to sustain his travel lifestyle   [10:27 - 28:01] Building Connections And Growing Your Audience As A Digital Nomad Sergio describes how he became a digital nomad There were no established digital nomad communities when he started He shares how he was selling small courses online and building an audience through blogging and social media He discusses how he started making YouTube videos and has built an audience He talks about his key inspirations for her YouTube channel He emphasizes that his style is not to make cringe content, but rather to make videos that are interesting and engaging to his audience   [28:02 - 50:40]  How he changed his content to be all in English The shift was not easy but was supported by his audience He started to make videos about managing cities and how his audience grown over time He discusses how they’ve had to change their channel’s name to English in order to avoid algorithm penalties, and how their audience has continued to grow internationally He discusses the best way to find sponsors and make a living from YouTube   [50:41 – 01:01:45] Wrapping Up!  Sergio recommends checking out his content on Instagram and YouTube! Get in touch with Sergio! (Links below) Key Quotes   “I knew I could make something different and something that had a unique style.” - Sergio Sala   “I like to create things that I also like to consume.” - Sergio Sala   “I still don't believe it's been so long. It's part of my life, it's my lifestyle forever.” -  Sergio Sala   Connect with Sergio YouTube: Sergio SalaInstagram: Sergio Sala     Interested in learning more about Remote Year? Get a $100 Remote Year Marketplace Credit when you sign up with my referral link.     LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to make that leap. For weekly inspiration listen to previous episodes on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!

“Find a way to figure out what company you want to work for or companies you want to work for. Put yourself in proximity of the people. Put yourself inside the ecosystem of the company, know how it is that they talk to their customers.” - Jordan Carroll     Jordan Carroll, aka, The Remote Job Coach, As a remote worker, Jordan has built a life around travel, living, and working in 15 different countries on 5 continents. As The Remote Job Coach, he helps high performing individuals land remote jobs to gain freedom and flexibility in their lives. In this episode, he talks about how he started working remotely for IBM, and he found that this arrangement was beneficial to their productivity and that it allowed them to focus on developing other aspects of their lives. He recommends taking control of your career by attracting organizations with quality content and optimizing your social media presence. [00:01 - 07:46] The Allowed Flexibility in Remote Work Jordan shares his story of travelling and working in 15 different countries How remote work has helped him be more flexible in his life   [07:48 - 25:27] How to Find a Remote Job and Work From Home Jordan talks about his working conditions at IBM How he negotiate his work to be remote full time Remote work has grown exponentially in the past few years How he started as a remote job coach, but eventually transitioned to full-time work as a marketing consultant Creating original content on LinkedIn and YouTube to increase client referrals   [25:28 - 28:27] Systemize Your Job Search for Maximum Success He created a program called the “Accelerator program” It’s aim is to help clients transition from remote work to full-time employment Create an avenue for someone to find you by constantly putting yourself in position to be found Doing multiple strategies, networking, and branding Systemize the process The importance of setting boundaries while doing remote work How he became flexible in his life and found ways to get out there and live a little bit more   [28:28 – 37:48] Wrapping Up!  Jordan recommends taking small steps towards change in order to gradually expand one’s comfort zone To avail of all his free resources and information about how to find a job remotely, visit his website at https://theremotejobcoach.com/! Get it touch with Jordan! (Links below) Key Quotes   “I want to be in a position where I feel like I'm in control of my decisions, and that's what led me to it.” - Jordan Carroll   “Take freedom one step at a time. It doesn't need to be a huge leap.” - Jordan Carroll   “If anything comes up in my life that I find changes the course of where I want to pivot, I have the choice to do it.” -  Jordan Carroll   Connect with Jordan Website: https://theremotejobcoach.com/ LinkedIn: Jordan Carroll Facebook: Jordan Carroll Instagram: Jordan Carroll YouTube: Jordan Carroll     Interested in learning more about Remote Year? Get a $100 Remote Year Marketplace Credit when you sign up with my referral link.     LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to make that leap. For weekly inspiration listen to previous episodes on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!

“We are basically dealing with the entity that understands the only language, which is a brutal power, nothing else works. And unfortunately, we are facing a situation when military is the only way to resist and to restore peace.” - Orest Zub   Orest Zub, from Lviv Ukraine, is a freedompreneur, a digital nomad who has visited 129 countries, a blogger, and an author. Orest has been in the Ukraine documenting events on the ground during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He has shifted his focus to supporting the resistance against Russia. He provides information on Ukrainian culture and travel, and he has also developed a membership platform for freedom travelers. His work has received positive feedback from attendees of his events. He shares his experiences of visiting Poland and Bulgaria to purchase a van for the Ukrainian orphanage in Bansko. He shares his message to his listeners, urging them to stay with Ukraine as the country fights for its freedom. [00:01 - 07:46] Becoming a Digital Nomad and A Freedompreneur Orest has been documenting events on the ground during the war in Ukraine He talks about how he made the leap to becoming a digital nomad, his experiences working as a legal assistant His successful project developing a membership platform for freedom travelers   [07:48 - 25:27] Staying Aware and Support Ukraine Orest talks about how the scale of conflict in Ukraine is unprecedented He documented war crimes The conflict has drawn together nations behind Ukraine leading to increased support for Ukraine from NATO Stay aware and remember that there is a war in Ukraine   [25:28 - 28:27] The Impact of War On Both Countries Involved Orest tells us that Ukraine is a top country for potential remote workers The war has driven up prices of energy resources Sanctions against Russia has not just affected the government but also the everyday lives of Russian citizens The impact of the war on children is devastating   [28:28 – 37:48] Wrapping Up! Orest encourages listeners in Bansko who are staying to spend their time helping refugees, painting with them, and going for walks and speak English with them He encourages people in the west to stay engaged with Ukraine and help mitigate the high cost of freedom Get it touch with Orest! (Links below)     Key Quotes   “The worst thing in every conflict is that people die and suffer and, this cannot be justified in any possible manner.” - Orest Zub   “We see that the fight of good against evil is going and the outcome here and my message is that, freedom is not free.” - Orest Zub   “I invite you to stay aware and remember that there is war Ukraine happening.” - Orest Zub   Connect with Orest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZubOrest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orestzub/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/orestzub2     Interested in learning more about Remote Year? Get a $100 Remote Year Marketplace Credit when you sign up with my referral link.     LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to make that leap. For weekly inspiration listen to previous episodes on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!

“The one thing that is easiest for beginners to absolutely start with, is not necessarily like an online business, is just freelancing... and it's a good way to eventually transition into an online business by offering these services, seeing what's in demand, seeing how much you can charge, and even just learning a certain skill.” - Yury Byalik   Yury Byalik left New York five years ago in pursuit of location freedom as a digital nomad. He is the Director of Strategy and Acquisitions for Onfolio, a holding company that acquires and runs online businesses. He shares his story of how he became a digital nomad and how he made the decision to go all in and quit his job. He shares that it was a lot of work to get rid of everything, but once he did, he felt a mental release. He recommends starting an online business as a way to make money while traveling and having more control over your life! [00:01 - 14:36] Online Business Models That Support Your Independent Lifestyle Yury talks about online business models for those of us pursuing location independent lifestyles and also gives us some tips on buying online businesses He shares his journey into the nomad lifestyle, which started when he decided to quit his job and travel in order to find himself He recommends getting rid of all physical possessions before embarking on a nomadic journey in order to reduce the amount of weight that feels burdensome   [14:37 - 23:43] Affordable Ways That Will Allow You To Work While Travelling Yury recommends slow travel over fast travel because it is more affordable and allows him to work while travelling He recommends having an online business in order to be able to live and work in beautiful places He shares different ways to make money online Freelancing Drop shipping Subscription boxes Buying an existing business   [23:44 - 31:59] Popular Ways To Make Money Online Yury discusses how one of the most popular ways to make money online is through affiliate marketing, which can be done with Amazon or other websites Buying an online business can be expensive Flippa MicroAcquire It is important to look at the industry the business is in   [32:00 – 01:00:10] Wrapping Up!  Yury recommends reading and watching videos to learn more about what you’re interested in Find a mentor to help you save time and money Get in touch with Yury! (Links below) Key Quotes “You find yourself when you lose yourself in the service of others.” - Yury Byalik   “Buying an existing business, that's already making money can save you a lot of time, a lot of money, and it's already profitable.” - Yury Byalik   “If you can find a mentor, that's the best way to save a couple of years. The best thing to do is not to kind of go and listen and read as much as you can. You first want to know what you're trying to do, and then when you have questions or you're trying to figure out a problem.” - Yury Byalik   Connect with Yury Website: https://onfolio.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybyalik/ Twitter: @YuryByalik Crunchbase: Yury Byalik Instagram: @scorpio8401   Interested in learning more about Remote Year? Get a $100 Remote Year Marketplace Credit when you sign up with my referral link.   LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to make that leap. For weekly inspiration listen to previous episodes on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!

“One of the beauties of the way that we are traveling is the degree of freedom that we get from the level of growth that we have as individuals. I thought it was beautiful, I would not think of doing some of the things that I'm doing right now.” - Alejandro Pedraza   Alejandro Pedraza is a psychologist, a passionate traveler, and a human experience enthusiast. He is also the community leader of a 12-month Remote Year Program. He discusses the traveler’s mindset of stepping outside of your comfort zone and how this can be a growth process. He reflects on their own journey and how it led them to realize that their job was not fulfilling. He enjoys the sense of community that comes with being on a remote year program and the opportunities it provides for personal growth. [00:01 - 14:36] Stepping Outside of Your Comfort On Your Way To Self-awareness and Growth Alejandro is introduced to the show! He invites you to join his program, “12-month Remote Year Program” Stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to growth in self-awareness and understanding Meeting new friends as a traveler Reevaluating your value and structure in life   [14:37 - 23:43] Being Unbound from any Obligations and Expectations Alejandro tells a story about how he wanted to be near his girlfriend in Barcelona The change in environment allows you to reflect on your life He decided to take a yoga teacher training course in India Being unbound from any obligations or expectations   [23:44 - 31:59] Showcase Yourself Better In Order To Get Better Opportunities Alejandro discusses his experience in Sri Lanka following a religious violence attack He taught yoga and freediving in the Philippines He developed a stronger sense of self and a connection to the ocean Learn how to showcase yourself better in order to get opportunities He served as a volunteer during the pandemic Being around different people has helped him grow and learn more about himself   [32:00 – 01:00:10] Wrapping Up!  Alejandro shares that there are a lot of opportunities to learn the flamenco He found inspiration from a book, “The Four Agreements A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” Knowledge is important, but wisdom is more important Get it touch with Alejandro! (Links below) Key Quotes “Knowledge will just sit on the shelf. Wisdom will improve your life.” - Alejandro Pedraza “There's nothing holding me or pulling me anywhere. This is a choice that is entirely mine.” - Alejandro Pedraza “One thing is not caring about what other people are going to say. Another very different thing is knowing that no one’s going to say anything.” - Alejandro Pedraza   Connect with Alejandro  Instagram: @jano_insta_ Email: [email protected]     Interested in learning more about Remote Year? Get a $100 Remote Year Marketplace Credit when you sign up with my referral link.   LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to make that leap. For weekly inspiration listen to previous episodes on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!

“You can leap if you want, I'm a leaper, I'm someone who just jumps right into things, but I know not everyone's like that. However you want to get there, whether you want to tip-toe, crawl, roll, or just leisurely walk, as long as you're going in that direction, it doesn't even matter when you get there. Just keep going.” - Patricia Serrano   Patricia Serrano is a travel-host, actor, writer, and producer with a passion for one-of-the kind life experiences and off-the-beaten path adventures. She has her own travel business (FreshTraveler.com) where she designs vacations and honeymoons to off-the beaten-path sustainable properties around the world. She is also the Chief Sustainability Officer at Myght Travel Network, the first travel agency focused exclusively on sustainable travel.   [00:01 - 13:38] Off-the-beath path Adventures Patricia is introduced to the show! She shares her life experiences and off-the-beaten path adventures   [13:39 - 28:35] The Positive Effects to Local Business with Sustainable Travel Patricia has seen the positive effects of local businesses and the kindness of people around the world She encourages sustainable travel, which can be done in a variety of ways: Exploring off-beat paths Staying at local businesses   [32:12 - 56:34] Enjoy Your Vacation With Sustainable Travel Patricia shares her long and varied career in the film industry, which includes: Travel videos Blog posts about off-the-beaten-path travel in the United States She recommends that people read the fine before making any decisions Consult with experts in areas such as taxes or healthcare She shares that when traveling you should try: Staying in neighborhoods that are locally owned Visiting touristy places Exploring the real neighborhoods of a place more when travelling   [56:34 – 01:02:28 ] Wrapping Up!  Patricia shares the quote from a Chinese proverb, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” She encourages listeners to take the first step towards their goals, no matter how daunting they are How to contact and connect with Patricia   Key Quotes “It's not just about travel. It's about any journey that you have.” - Patricia Serrano “The soul of a place is the people. Sustainable travel is not just about the environment. You can't just invest in the environment. People are part of the environment.” - Patricia Serrano   “It's easier than ever to find these off the beaten pathways. The only thing I would recommend is that if you see these listings on Google, double check that they're still there or that they're open.” - Patricia Serrano   Connect with Patricia Website: http://www.freshtraveler.com/ Instagram: @Freshtraveler Facebook: @Freshtraveler          Interested in learning more about Remote Year? Get a $100 Remote Year Marketplace Credit when you sign up with my referral link.   LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to make that leap. For weekly inspiration listen to previous episodes on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!

“I know I'm gonna die. I never want to be 80 years old and afraid to die.” - Reid Paryam   Reid Paryam, originally from Denver, Colorado, was a member of the inaugural Remote Year program in 2015. He has been traveling internationally and working remotely ever since. In total, Reid has visited over 60 countries. [00:01 - 14:39] Remote Year, Football, and Chatting    Talking about Football and how Jerald and Reid met and formed a friendship in Remote Year   Experiencing the cultural differences in sports in foreign countries as a traveling nomad  Jerald talks about one of the most memorable nights of his time in Mexico in December  [14:40 - 32:11] Getting to Know Reid  What Reid’s life was like prior to his remote lifestyle  Reid talks about his life working an office job but wanting to feed his spirit of travel  How Reid found out about Remote Year and quit his job  The challenges and changes of remote working  How management needs to adapt to leading remote staff  Why minimalism goes hand in hand with traveling  When you minimize the things in your life, the simpler life becomes and the more space for opportunity you have  The aspect of when you realize the part of you that’s changed due to travel  Acknowledging the privilege of travel and why you should maximize it   [32:12 - 47:58] Why People Don’t Seize the Opportunity to Travel  People mistakenly perceive that remote work has a high barrier to entry, is dangerous, and difficult Talking about the community in Mexico City  Finding people that are like-minded Reid talks about tips to avoid hiccups and challenges in your travels   When booking an Airbnb find a room with a rating of 9.8, rated by more than 5 people  Have the filter on for a washer, dryer, and workspace. Note: Some places will say they have a dryer when they really have a drying rack  Having low or no expectations is a super important skill to develop for travel   [47:59 - 42:34 ] Favorite Places Travelled  Reid talks about how amazed he was by his travels in South Korea  How traveling energizes your soul  A formative memory that inspired Reid to travel and determined to not be afraid to die  Tips and tools for remote work and travel  Roost Laptop Stand Clever Fox Planner Fuji Film Camera [36:56 - 42:34 ] Wrapping Up!  Favorite things to do in Mexico City  How to contact and connect with Reid  Key Quotes   “I think we recognize that many of us have that spirit of need to move and to discover and explore, which is inhibited in our traditional societies.” - Reid Paryam   “Travel is like anything, it's a skill that is acquired, and you start out at the bottom of any skill and you slowly increase your competency.” - Reid Paryam   “Having low expectations, or really not having expectations is a super important skill to develop for travel.” - Reid Paryam     Connect with Reid Website: www.reidperyam.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/reidperyam/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reidperyam         Interested in learning more about Remote Year? Get a $100 Remote Year Marketplace Credit when you sign up with my referral link.     LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to make that leap. For weekly inspiration listen to previous episodes on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!    

Krystal Pino is the Founder and Chief Nerd in Charge of Nomad Tax. She is a CPA and PFS with a BA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Pino, as her travel companions know her, has been a digital nomad for nearly five years, visiting 49 countries.   In this episode, Krystal shares her experience after leaving her corporate accounting job to pursue a career in digital nomadism.  Krystal runs into some bumps in the road but manages to grow Nomad Tax into a successful business serving the needs of digital nomads. Her biggest accomplishment is establishing herself as a go-to source for advice and support for remote tax professionals. Krystal plans on continuing to provide value to her clients even as she continues his travels around the world.   [00:00 - 05:35] Introducing Krystal to the Show! Krystal Pinot discusses her experiences as a digital nomad, her tax business that serves the needs of the digital nomad community Krystal recalls her time deciding to move on to other opportunities   [05:35 - 15:17] Travelling While Being a Remote Employee Choosing to travel the world after studying finance Why you shouldn’t leave a company during tax season Being a remote employee and the difficulty of juggling work and time zones Traveling remotely for over a year, finding success in the community, and creating her own company   [15-18 - 30:23] Remote Work for Digital Nomads Jerald and Krystal share their experiences in taking their MBA exams The importance of a strategic advisor and a service-based company Remote work and taxation challenges Key Points for Digital Nomads in Foreign Countries Save up through foreign earned income exclusion  Frequently Asked Questions from Digital Nomads   [30:23 - 35:21] Wrapping Up! Krystal and Jerald share their future travel destinations and favorites about Mexico City Krystal shares her parting words     Connect with Krystal: Website www.Nomadtax.io Instagram @pinomadic     Tweetable Quotes: “Just be open to trying new things and meeting new people.” - Krystal Pino   "We fail when our client has to reach out to us and ask Where's my return was happening, that kind of stuff." - Krystal Pino   "Entrepreneurs basically jump off a cliff and build a parachute on the way down." - Krystal Pino   Interested in learning more about Remote Year? Get a $100 Remote Year Marketplace Credit when you sign up with my referral link.   LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to make that leap. For weekly inspiration listen to previous episodes on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!  

Traveling through different countries, experiencing different cultures, not paying rent anywhere, getting off to the beach after work. Sounds like a dream? This is what life has been like for DC Castellano, a former US Navy now a successful Sales Account Executive. After going through a major breakup, he decided to leave everything behind and embark on a journey he never imagined he’d be doing a few years ago. Join us today as we dive deep into his journey and how this could be an option for you too! [00:01 - 03:28]  Introducing DC to the show From a US Navy to being a successful salesman DC shares his adventure of travelling around the world [03:59 - 40:28] The Realization That Life Is an Adventure Moving on after a breakup    Discovering work from home lifestyle in the middle of the pandemic The beauty of work play How traveling helped him slowly overcome his foreign PTSD Leaving everything behind for a nomadic lifestyle Establishing a routine to balance work and rest [40:35 - 44:29 ] Wrapping Up!  DC’s recommendation for those who want to visit Lima DC shares his favorite quote   Key Quotes“I learned that no matter where you go, or what you're doing, whether you're at home, whether you're traveling, people are very important. Like, the people that you surround yourself with are very important.” - DC   Connect with DCInstagram: @dcsadventures222 Facebook: dcsadventures YouTube: DC's Adventures!!   Tik Tok: @dccastellano Interested in learning more about Remote Year? Get a $100 Remote Year Marketplace Credit when you sign up with my referral link.   LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to make that leap. For weekly inspiration listen to previous episodes on Spotify,  Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!