Q&A
Who is Johnny?
A remote entrepreneur (born and raised in Los Angeles, USA) who changed his life to avoid working 9 to 5, and decided to live around the world.
Why do I travel or live a nomad lifestyle?
Because it’s so fun, spiritually-fulfilling, and recharges my soul. Seeing new places, meeting new people, trying new food, learning new languages, experiencing new cultures. But it’s not also about always finding the “new”.
I also love revisiting places, reuniting with friends. And having the power to go anywhere I want, anytime I want. This life is better than I ever imagined. And trust me…it’s better than you ever imagined, too. Try it!
How do I survive, make money?
I have 3 businesses. All online and mostly passive.
Do I ever get tired?
Of course. And that’s why I settle and slow-travel sometimes. Not always jumping spots every few days. I might spend weeks or months in one place. It doesn’t take long before I’m fully-recharged and excited to explore again.
You know what tires me? My old life at home, waiting around all day like a house dog wondering when my friends will get off work to hangout. You’re not really free if you only hang out at places and with people that operate on a rigid schedule. Being free is not tiring!
Will I live like this forever? Do you ever want to settle down?
I can’t predict the future. I used to imagine that I would get tired one day but it never happened. I closed my apartment in Los Angeles and never looked back.
Having a family and kids sounds like a lovely idea. Obviously haven’t met “the one” and have no idea if I ever will. But I can’t argue with such a great life. So will continue going with the flow.
How do you pick your places?
I used to pick places based on good things I heard about them from people, pop culture, and from other nomads. But nowadays I find myself much more interested in off-the-beaten path locations, and ones nobody knows about. I’m in a rush to visit undeveloped places before they become developed. It’s a natural progression for every nomad…because all developed places tend to end up being the same.
I usually need a couple seeds planted before I visit a totally new place.
- Having met someone from there.
- It’s conveniently along my route, or close to another country I am.
- I have another nomad friend interested in the same place.
- I have free time and need to do a VISA run, or am avoiding bad weather elsewhere.
- It’s cheap.
Personal principles about the nomad life?
Be respectful of the places you visit.
Try to make a positive impact everywhere you go.
As much as you can, minimize any negative tourist impact on local lives.
Don’t tell everyone your favorite places. 🙂
I no longer want to help people travel. I sincerely hope you don’t do it.
Most of today’s newage version of nomads and expats are not making the world better.
They’re making it worse, like the world they left behind.
If you’re going to live in the world, you owe it to make it better.
Stop taking from places, and instead try to give.
My nomad story (the long version)
I’ve been living an “alternative lifestyle” for nearly as long as I can remember. Over 20 years already. As a child, I grew up watching my father do real estate. He managed the houses here and there, and mostly sat back and collected rent. Spending his free time to hang out with friends and pursue his hobbies. He was probably my first inspiration for not working a 9-to-5 job.
I became a tech entrepreneur. Running an IT business…then moving to web development and web marketing, where you can work from home.
But it wasn’t enough. I made good money and had control of my work schedule. But never fully utilized it. I was a workaholic. Putting in 12-15 hours a day easily. Not long after, my girlfriend of 4 years broke up with me for not spending time with her.
A sad moment at the time but it inspired me to never work again. I’m not against working, I just don’t want to sell my life away hour by hour. So I made new businesses that gave me more freedom.
With this newfound freedom, I had a sudden surplus of free time. Like all the time in the world. You start watching every movie and reading every book you ever wanted. Doing all the things you love (or think you love). Picking up new hobbies along the way. Hanging out with anybody you want. Traveling to visit friends anywhere and everywhere. And then roaming freely around the world.
In short…I loved it. This life was even better than I could have ever imagined.