My Story
I remember the moment vividly. I was sat in the departure lounge of Barcelona's El Pratt airport. I may have had a return ticket in my hand, but the reality could not have been further off. It was early in the year—March 1st. The idea of me going on this journey was born somewhere on the hills of Jazkeabel, the heart of Basque Country, half a year ago.
That was the first time I realised I wanted to travel with no end date. It's been my 8th or 9th time visiting Spain, although it's one of my favourite countries. I realised there is so much more to explore. Besides spending a few days in Morocco, I'd never left Europe. This is the beginning of my commitment to a fully nomadic lifestyle. A lifestyle that has become so popular in the last decade. With the ever-present opportunities on the internet, it has become a dream of many.
I grew up in the northern Slovakia. In a tiny little town. Remember those Eastern European memes all over Instagram? Yes, that's precisely how my hometown looks. From childhood to teenage adventures and beyond, I've found joy in exploring the nature & outdoors surrounding me. I always strived to be an active kid. I was trying to live an active life in any form. Playing 5-a-side through the first "street parties" to camping nights under the stars. During winter, my days were spent skiing or playing pond hockey. Together with my friends - we would always seek adventure. In essence, we were running away from the daily reality.
My university years were spent exploring Western Europe and living in countries such as Denmark, Belgium, and Spain. This experience opened my eyes to the vastness and diversity of the world. While I had travelled before, this was the first time I spent significant time away from home. It was an eye-opening experience that made me realise the number of opportunities beyond my familiar surroundings.
Beyond broadening my horizons, these years taught me something else: I missed the great outdoors. Living in countries where the highest peak was a mere 300 meters didn't satisfy my yearning for nature. While I loved exploring new places, cultures and traditions, I longed for the freedom and tranquillity of the Slovak mountains.
As time passed and a pandemic gripped the world, I found myself back in Slovakia. I had all the things I had missed: spending time with childhood friends, exploring mountain huts across the country, and enjoying life's simple pleasures. I had a stable job and seemingly everything I needed, yet I did not feel happy or fulfilled.
I knew I had to do something about it. As the world adapted to the challenges of the pandemic, I yearned for a new adventure. I quit my job, eager to once again explore the world. My first journey took me along the Camino del Norte, the captivating northern route of the renowned Camino de Santiago.
With a desire to clear my mind, I set off for Spain, my beloved country. It was a transformative experience. I walked between 20 and 40 kilometres daily, engaging with strangers, listening to their stories, and finding inspiration in their journeys. Waking up to the sound of the ocean and walking along its shores became a daily ritual.
During this walk, I began to reflect on my values. What truly drives me in life? What brings me genuine happiness?
I discovered four fundamental elements that do:
People, Outdoors, Sports, Knowledge
These passions drive, inspire, and occupy a central place in my life. I sought a way to weave them together, to create a life that revolved around these core values.
The answer, I realised, was travel.
I've had dreams of unlimited travel for quite some time. Edmund Hillary, Miroslav Zikmund & Jiri Hanzelka, or Christopher McCandless. These were all my heroes from the pages of books. Many questions arose. Did I possess enough money for prolonged travel? And what would be my purpose? Where should I even begin? Travelling without a goal seemed purposeless.
As someone naturally curious and thirsty for knowledge, I yearned to learn, grow, and work. So, I decided to give "this whole digital nomad thing" a shot.
Fast forward over two years.
I've journeyed through 20+ countries spanning 3 continents, boarded over 60 flights, and traversed over 90,000 kilometres.
All this while maintaining a full-time job. How, one may ask? It has demanded considerable time, energy, finances, and stress. Yet, every moment was cherished. I embraced what I loved and truly lived it.
The majority of nomads are fascinating individuals. Apart from being extremely open-minded, they are entrepreneurial, hard-working & kind. They are willing to share. Share their passions, share their ups & downs, their lessons learned. Being a part of a nomadic tribe presents some of the best levels of education one can get.
I can imagine plenty of questions swirling in your mind.
How does one secure a remote job? How does one find the right community? How does one select the perfect destination? How does one strike a balance between travel and work? How does one discover affordable and dependable accommodation? How does one navigate finances and taxes while living abroad?
I will help you answer all of them. Everyone learns from their own mistakes - but learn about my fu*k ups so you can save yourselves some! This may be the 100th time you read about it online - but I promise you, it will be unique.
My perception of life has never been the same since I hopped on this train.
So, what are you waiting for?
