From Corporate Lawyer to Full-Time Nomad With Kevin Martin of 30 and a Wake Up

Kevin Martin is a full-time traveler and creator of the popular YouTube channel, 30 And A Wake Up, about how to prepare to live your best #vanlife.

After serving in the military for 20 years and becoming burnt out from a hectic career in corporate law, Kevin finally found freedom in being a digital nomad - inspired through watching Kristin's YouTube videos back in 2018!

In this episode, Kristin and Kevin talk about the challenges and benefits of leaving a secure, high-paying career to pursue a life of adventure and freedom as a digital nomad. 

Kevin shares stories from his life in the military and his transition from corporate life to van life during the covid-19 pandemic. He shares his best tips and advice for living in a van, investing money into passive income streams, and making friends and being social while traveling the world solo. 

Do you believe life can be better with a smaller paycheck and a tiny home on wheels? Tune in to hear Kevin’s candid thoughts on digital nomadism and why he decided to sell his van and move to Thailand via Hawaii! 

EPISODE 113 TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Why Kevin will never sell his time for money again.
• Kevin’s experience coming of age in Hawaii and port hopping around the Mediterranean. 
• Advice for people in high stakes jobs that feel like they can’t leave.
• How Kevin retired early and how he makes a passive income.
• Tips for living in a van and combating loneliness as a traveler.
• Pros and cons of living in a tiny home & a typical day in the life living in a camper van.
• Why Kevin sold his van, immigrated to Thailand on a long-term visa, and moved back to Hawaii.
• Kevin’s top travel tips, van life resources, books, and travel gear.

 QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

• Why did you decide to join the military at 19? 
• How did you end up living on an island in Italy? 
• Why do you love cruises for productivity, relaxation, and saving money? 
• Having lived in Hawaii for so long, which island is your favorite?
• Why did you pivot to law school after leaving the military?
• How did you start investing and making passive income?
• How did you walk away from a six-figure salary to pursue full-time travel?
  
• Where did you travel in your van during the covid-19 pandemic?
  
• What are the essential parts of a camper van set up?
• Are you totally fulfilled living alone in a van? How do you connect with people while on the road?
• What are the best destinations for working remotely and for relaxing?
• And much more!

RESOURCES

Join Kristin's Monthly YouTube Live Stream! (Last Sunday of each month)

Featured Product:

• Remote Health Insurance - International health insurance for expats, digital nomads, and remote workers (including US and Canadian citizens). Get 5% off your first year of Remote Health! Activate discount on checkout page. 
• SafetyWing Emergency Travel Medical Insurance

How Kevin Started Traveling as a Digital Nomad: With Remote Year

Books:

• Vagabonding by Rolf Potts
• The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
• How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price
• The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
• On the Road by Jack Kerouac
• Two Years Before the Mast by Dana Henry

Travel Gear & Tech Gear:

• GoPro
• Unbound Merino
• Osprey 30 L Backpack
• Nomatic 20-30L Backpack
• Nomatic Store
• ZOOM Microphones
• RODE Microphones

Videos:

• Watch the video version of this interview (Coming Soon)
• Bulgaria Cost of Living
• Bansko for Digital Nomads
• Living Abroad in Bangkok, Thailand with Erick Prince of Minority Nomad
• Full-Time Travel: Living Abroad Like a Local (Minority Nomad Part 2)
• Life begins at 40: the biological and cultural roots of the midlife crisis
• SOLO TRAVEL Van Life 🚌 Things They Don't Tell You About LIVING IN A VAN and Camper Van Life

Podcasts:

• How to Travel the World Like a Vagabond with Rolf Potts
• Travel Like a Boss - Johnny FD (Episode with Kevin)
• Nomad on Fire (Episode with Kevin)
• Beer for Breakfast
  
  

Travel Services:

• Remote Year
• Skyscanner
  
• Thousand Trails
• Campendium
• Xscapers
• Storyteller Overland

Connect with Kevin:

• Visit his Blog
• Subscribe to his YouTube channel
• Follow him on Instagram
• Follow him on Twitter
• Connect with him on Facebook

Connect with Kristin: 

• Follow on Instagram
• Subscribe to Traveling with Kristin on YouTube 
• Subscribe to Digital Nomad TV on YouTube
• Follow on Medium
• Follow on Clubhouse @KristinWilson
• Join the Badass Digital Nomads Facebook Group

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• Buy Me a Coffee
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• Leave a 5* Review: https://lovethepodcast.com/digitalnomad 
• Buy Official Merch 
• Search All Episodes: www.badassdigitalnomads.com

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Thank you to my 2021 Patrons: Teklordz, Trader Walt, Shawn, Gary, Gary R, Yozhik, Bronwyn, Cynthia, Erick, Yasmine, Mike, Isaac, Michael, Scott, Karen, Erik, Heather, Craig, RZ, Timothy, Richard, Fred, Lakshay, Yohji, Annie, Ray, Ron, Henry, Kelly, Alejandra, Keith, Stephen, Eddy, Warren, and James. 

Warm welcome to my newest patrons, Javier and Daniel!

Become a Patron for $5/month at Patreon.com/travelingwithkristin

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