The New Nomad

Exploring the World as a Means of Self Improvement with Shay Doran | TNN38

January 10, 2022 Andrew Jernigan and Allen Koski Episode 38
The New Nomad
Exploring the World as a Means of Self Improvement with Shay Doran | TNN38
Show Notes Transcript

Travel and exploration is a wonderful and fulfilling way to improve yourself on so many levels. Breaking out of your comfort zone is so difficult to do. Human beings are almost programmed to find whatever makes them feel safest and do it over and over again, even if it prevents them from growing. Traveling will force you to take a different approach. It’ll push you outside the comfort zone you know and love and open you up to new experiences. And the best way to learn all this is to be coached by a seasoned traveler and digital nomad, Shay Doran.

In this episode of The New Nomad, Shay joins our hosts, Andrew Jernigan and Allen Koski, in discussing what travel can do for you in terms of self-awareness. They also talked about balance in the digital nomad lifestyle and how to achieve it by time management. As digital nomads, they also stressed the importance of technology and how it helped us shift from the office cubicle to being able to work anywhere. The perfect start of the year episode with a ton of tips and gold nuggets peppered everywhere! Truly an episode you don’t want to miss.


[4:46] Your environment helps you balance your life

[9:24] How much does it cost to travel?

[12:48] How crucial time management is for the laptop lifestyle

[16:50] Helping others positively as digital nomads

[20:34] Using technology to meet new people

[27:18] Ethiopia: A culture of food and sharing


GUEST BIO:

Shay Doran is an entrepreneur and a digital nomad with 13 years of success in business (Corporate Banking & Startups). He achieved location freedom and time freedom from 2018 onwards. He spent 2 years of personal & professional training from those who’ve achieved outstanding success, including Tony Robbins & Dr. John DeMartini.

A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and believes in learning from and coaching clients to whom he can directly relate.


Shay Doran Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shay-doran
Website: greenrevolt.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shaydoran


Follow Insured Nomads at:

Instagram: @insurednomads

www.insurednomads.com

Allen  

Welcome again to The New Nomad Podcast, the podcast that supports the folks that have the location independent lifestyle, we're gonna have a very interesting guest today. We're going to really discuss entrepreneurship, we're going to discuss balance, and we'll probably hit on a couple other different tangents there. Shay Duran will join us today. But before we bring Shay in and love to catch up with Andrew Jernigan, who himself has been balancing entrepreneurship, with life, balance, etc, family, etc. It's an area that we talk about quite a bit. Andrew, your thoughts today?


Andrew  

Wow, you know, so many people with this great resignation around the world that we've that is hit the spotlight this this fall, we are really on a surge of people saying, Okay, I need to hone my skills, I need to focus and find a way to accomplish what I want to do wherever I want to do it, whether it's within my own country, but just outside the city, or moving to a different province, a different state, a different country, you know, and even being quite mobile from one to another. So we're we're approaching an era when you know, this, the new nomad formerly known as just an explorer, an expat a, you know, now it's the location independent, the digital nomad, the, you know, whatever the label is, in the next season, these these new workers that have the realization that they can shift, are going to need to find the skills to do that, to hone that in and, and sharpen it, it's it's an exciting time, really, people are waking up to a newness of possibility.


Allen  

Certainly, that newness will be much more positive once the epidemic ends and people can help out. But to your point, right now, I see a great time where people are looking for coaching, and taking this time to really evaluate themselves and where they want to go. And many of the guests that we've had on this podcast, it's it's not only a time of external exploration, but internal exploration. So I think Shay will have a great, you know, advantage here because he himself has been helping others in that. So why don't we bring Shay to the conversation? And by the way, you know, Shay has been, it's kind of interesting, as we were, we were talking earlier, had quite a sojourn around the world. Just before COVID travelled a bit, Shay. Welcome to The New Nomad podcast. Where are you at today? And how are you feeling about things?


Shay  

Going it's positive, there's always a positive. So I'm feeling positive about things. I think what has happened has created some incredible shifts, particularly for those that want to focus now more on a digital remote lifestyle through offering digital products and services. So I think that's been incredible. And I'm in London right now. So I've just got back to the UK a couple of weeks ago. I was in Athens previously before that.


Allen  

So we've had a couple of conversations, but Andrew and I just earlier about balance and understanding. And I understand you work with folks. And I know that you've lived in a digital environment, etc. What are some of the things that get you by and when you work with folks? What are some of the things that you share with them that you think makes a real difference?


Shay  

And so in terms of balance, I guess we're going down that angle, just to clarify, oh, well being mental mental balance in that age, have everything been to do so how do you still make sure we're connecting in person? Is that right? 


Allen  

Well, wherever you want to take it. I mean, we're here to learn from you. But I mental belts is extremely important. And but if you want to go any other direction, we're all good. 


Shay  

Okay, yeah. So I would say, you know, what I have absolutely loved over the last year is, I feel I've been able to truly understand which environments I'm the most productive in when it comes to my own business and consulting. And that's that's been quite a transformational shift. It's not something I'd experienced before. So over this last year, despite COVID I was still able to get out into the world and travel, yes, fewer countries, but still travel whilst I was running my business. And what I found is that moving between cities and then in locations that were closer to the ocean. On average, I would say I move every three weeks I'm country but just accommodation where I'm staying, I'd move around every three weeks. And this that rapid shift really helps me to understand where I felt like I had the most balance. And to bring it to life with an example, when I was in cities, entrepreneurs will relate to this, a lot of your time is invested in your business, especially if you're a solopreneur. It can feel quite lonely at points. And so if you're in a city, I certainly found that I saw people out drinking in bars all of the time, everything was buzzing around me, and I had this huge fear of missing out, it was constantly in my mind, you know, should I be, you know, not focusing as many hours on this and going out and socialising a little bit more. And then yet, when I moved to those areas that were by the sea, I found those thoughts completely went away. And I felt so much more focused and balance, and nature just totally replaced that fear of missing out. So, yeah, for me, I would say that has been my biggest lesson of balance that use use your environment and intentionally see how your environment environment makes you react when it comes to balance when it comes to productivity, and use it to your advantage.


Andrew  

Yes, so 14 months of travel, and working during that time, I assume, right? That's what we're working during that.


Shay  

So 10 of the month, so nine or 10 of the month note for the months. Yes. And then this last year of travel now the whole year, yes, has been working whilst traveling.


Andrew  

Okay, so a lot of people hear that I think and, and just think, wow, I would love to have a job to where I could work in Namibia and Ethiopia and Tibet, and places where you've been. And, you know, whether that's within their current employer or stepping out as a consultant. You know, one of the things that comes up is, you know, people think, well, how can you be in those places and not be distracted to go out and see nature, and hike all day, instead of working and being productive, you know. Were you able to be productive and get all your work done, but also enjoy the, the sights and the opportunities of those places.


Shay  

100%. And so, there is definitely about, there's a balance to strike. Because of course, if you're in a new country, the purpose of being that is because you love exploring. As a nomad, as an adventurer, you want to explore, and that's what you feel called to do. So you don't want to be in a place and hardly see it. So I found the balance that worked for me, it's just I shifted my week. So it was the Mondays and Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays is my time, that would be business time focused, I'd make sure I had a Wednesday, at least a Wednesday afternoon free where I could go and explore at least a few hours each evening, and the on the weekends. But that has been in the last year. So that has been a definite big shift for me compared to the year before that travelling where I'd saved enough to not have to work. And it's just a totally different kind of experience. So what I would say from going through this is you have the type of travel where you don't have to worry about work, and that you can get into some really remote places, you don't have to worry about internet connection, etc. But the reality is when you are traveling whilst working, there's there's different adjustments that you have to make. And internet, of course comes into that, and how far you can adventure comes into that. So my LAN, in my experience, there has been not to see those two types of adventure as the same thing. They're not. But the overriding ability to still be out into the world, out in the world and still explore and be amongst different cultures. Even if you are having those set days where you're having to work, it's still it still brings so much fulfilment.


Andrew  

And do you feel like that people need an advanced degree they have to finish university and have all these different skill certifications to be able to, to have the level of income to travel the world? 


Shay  

No, and there isn't quite so I from firsthand, I didn't go to university. I started I started my career at quite a young age 17. And so University is definitely not a requirement for this. Budget as well, because that's the number one question right? There's in a lot of people's minds that want to get out there into the world, I haven't got enough. I just need to save a bit more to be able to do it. You meet all sorts of people on all different types of budgets. Whilst I've been out. I've met people who are living month to month. So they're either finding a job, a physical job in the country where they're up, or you have those that have an online job, but don't have a set amount of money in savings. Myself, personally, I make sure that I always have six months, at least six months worth of income, it's sitting in sitting in my bank account, just just in case, you know, if all of my clients were to drop off all of a sudden all the consulting was to finish to give myself that space that headspace. So it's not constant pressure. But back to the question you have any university degree, no. Having endless amounts of money or a big pot of money, no. There is a way to make this work for anybody. And I think it's really about anticipation, you know, seeing the seeing the skill is what are the next set of skills that have been required. And there's so many different simple ways to learn these skills now, online courses, blogs, from experts who have achieved it courses from experts who have already achieved the skills that you're looking to acquire. So there's an insane amount of resources, whatever the field may be, that we've never really had access to before. So this is a unique opportunity to upskill yourself very quickly.


Allen  

Well, it's interesting, many of the studies that that I've seen over the years, people that are intellectually curious tend to be most successful, regardless of degree or not degree. And, you know, the fact that you've travelled, like you have shows an intellectual curiosity out there, that that differentiates and I'm sure you bring different messages back. One thing that did resonate with me was, as you did travel to Andrews question, you know, picking a particular day to work, etc. I've worked with folks that are in the surfing community and other communities, and they'll be like, you know, if it's a rainy day, I'm going to work 12-14 hours. And if it's a sunny day, you won't find me working. And one of the things about when you're travelling, you can pick your spots. So maybe some of your comments about as you were travelling around, how maybe you picked your spots a little different, like if this place was a little bit more interesting. You know what I'll do, I'll spend a little more time here and work a little harder this other location, but I, you know, as you work with entrepreneurs, I know that I hate to put it this way, but it's almost like a culture of spurt working, people are just work, they'll work for 12 hours, 15-24 hours straight. And then that burst of energy. And then I loved your comment about being near the beach, where you don't have the same fear of missing out. So maybe some of your comments on some of the different people you ran across, or different ways that you've were, depending on whether it's sunny or rainy, whether it's a place you really liked or didn't like, or, or maybe even just a product project that had a big deadline.


Shay  

Yes. So for me, you know, what I teach, and what I preach is having set outcomes and set time set structure and routines to be able to follow to get get your mindset in the zone and focus. So I have to preach what I teach. And I absolutely, I have to do what I teach. And I absolutely follow that. So for me having set hours and I have this blocked out every day, I know from this time to this time, I'm working on my own business from x time to in the afternoons, I will focus on consulting, and then have my you know, physical activities, workouts, etc, books in between that. So for me, the structure is really important to keep the focus. I also think there is a difference between those that are entrepreneurs have their own businesses versus those working for a company. From experience, I've seen that not the not the slack, slack isn't the right word, but the ability to, you know, work a bit less on this day and a bit more on this day. It's, it's possible with both entrepreneurs and workers, but I find it less with less or with entrepreneurs, because the absolute focus is on building the business. And there's less comfortability, that gets there's not as much certainty that the bills are going to be paid, there's not as much certainty that you're going to be able to pay your employees' salaries. So the it's more of a, I guess there's more of a why that is driving you. Whereas those that are workers, those benefits are taken care of, or there's a bit more certainty around it, which can give a bit more flexibility. Yeah, but for me, personally, is the sticking to the sticking to the structure has really worked to keep to keep my focus.


Allen  

And we hear that you know, there's there's different different styles I, I would have to say that it's really good to know also, there's a constancy that people know they can reach you at a certain time during the day, because you're working to get things get things done on that. Now as you travelled around. I know in your in your past you worked for an organisation that was focused on an ethical platform worldwide. And obviously sometimes culture conflicts with ethics in different cultures, you know, as they come together, etc. Share with us a little bit about your perspectives on culture and ethics as you travel around. Well, I mean, you must have seen all different types. And and certainly on your trip, I would love to get some of your stories as you you traveled about.


Shay  

Yeah, so it was green, it was Cook Green Revolt, and it was a company ethical consultancy firm that I started a while back and focused on helping businesses leverage the ethical markets, you know, do the right thing, and also how you grow your business at the same time. Just going to pause for a second to make sure you can still hear me. Can you hear me okay? I can see you talking. But I can't hear you at the moment.


Andrew  

Luckily, we have an editor guy, and this will be edited out. I know that our unmute also. We're both talking. Yeah, that's cool. This is recording. And this is recording even when video signal is weak. So that's the good thing about the Riverside platform is in the end, we'll have all the videos still going to be there. And the editor will splice us together the producer will and it will be great. So when you're ready to resume Valerie


Shay  

stop with Yeah, so go. Yeah, there we go. Green Revolt was a consult ethical consultancy firm that started over maybe a year and a half ago now. And that was focused on helping businesses leverage their ethical market, so do the right thing. But also how do you grow your business and tap into a niche of growing consumers who want to buy products in that way. But that came from the reason why that came about was see seeing the different standards, whilst traveling and seeing the impact, I guess, of living in the Western world. And the impact that that had our consumerism had then on places that, India is a place that came to mind also Colombia, the Philippines, just for all for different reasons, but whether it was so the Philippines to bring that to life in Manila, very a huge contrast of a city with some very, very poor people living in extreme poverty. And then you walk 10 minutes, and you're in this pristine Business Centre, with skyscrapers, etc. Where a lot of the call centres are for the Western world. And I think people from the city actually not for the homeless people are not even allowed able to access that area, you would think you're in a totally different place so that these moments just strike you and go into your soul. You know, so that was that was one example. Another example, when I was in Jaipur in India and working volunteering for a couple of weeks there with street kids. And behind there, the slum, where they lived was a Holiday Inn, like premium Holiday Inn. And so it just didn't feel right. You know, and it's like, how do you help companies understand that there is more of a role to play. Here, they have more of a responsibility, but also how to use that to that advantage. Patagonia is an awesome example of that, you know, they've taken they've accepted responsibility that they have an ethical role to play. And because of that they have tapped into the market for people who want to buy in that way as well. So yeah, that was what Green Revolt was about an air bed it started from those hits to the soul of CNY. Gosh, we need to step up here.


Allen  

Well, you know, shade that's, that's why I really was excited when I read your background that I think we all feel that way. I think many of us part of the reason we're in this digital nomad community, we travel so much as we try to get out of the bubble and, and help others positively. And I know in our firm, you know, Andrew and I, there's very strongly about the spirit of giving and leaving this a better place. So I really we really salute you and appreciate that. The other thing that comes to mind as you travel about and this comes up this question quite a bit is, you know, how do you come back when you travel by yourself kind of that feeling, you know, you touched a little bit upon fear of missing out the old FOMO. But also, sometimes loneliness, and you really want to share it with somebody. So you must have some some tips on that. And, you know, obviously, you're an outgoing person. So obviously, you'll meet people on this journey. But there must be some times that you're like, you know, let me combat my loneliness here. And I wish I had somebody with me to share.


Shay  

Yeah, say, I found a whole new love for for apps or what are used in in your home country is traditionally dating apps or hookup apps. Let's be honest. Actually, you have been in countries that use these apps. So I'm part of the LGBT community. And Grindr is a good example today, Grindr, Tinder, those kinds of apps, right. And I found that I had a whole different experience that actually that enabled me they enabled me to meet make friends with locals so much faster than if I had just been wandering around by myself, you know, waiting for somebody to start a conversation in a bar. And so I would say that there's apps which I'll come back to in a second but also, there's I found digital nomad groups in pretty much every country that I went to, and whether that's Facebook groups through to WhatsApp groups that you can join, it was actually very easy once you set once I searched for that and found that it was very easy to start connecting with people. The reason why I took both routes is because I wanted to meet Yes, a mix of traveling digital nomads, traveling entrepreneurs, but also locals too. So I found the these friendship, dating apps, whatever, whatever we want to call them. Really helpful for meeting locals. And I've built some lifelong friendships now, from doing that, which was incredible, which has been incredible just I've been able to explore, you know, when you get a locals perspective on something, it's a teacher understanding and connection with that country to a whole nother level. So I would really encourage people to use use Tinder use Grindr, use those apps for to your advantage to meet locals and soak up the culture and make friends local friends discover things that you would have never known before. And then on the other hand, to meet other traveling digital nomads, that will be WhatsApp groups, there will be somebody leading a digital nomad forum in that country, and it's just about searching for it. It's very easy to connect with people whilst you're doing it. So I've never felt I've never ever felt lonely on that whole journey. And I've always known that if there's, if I want some social time, it's totally possible to find it.


Allen  

So So you had mentioned also that you you go to location for about three weeks is that was that an arbitrary? Or did you find out that that works best for you. And what I what I like about it is Andrew and I have talked a lot of people just breeze in and breeze out of a location it sounds like three weeks to me give you a lot of time to explore. Without maybe overstaying your welcome so to speak. It was there some science behind that or just it just worked for you?


Shay  

So this three weeks is in a country I'll be in a country for longer usually between two to three months I'll stay in the country but three weeks is how regularly I'll move around to different parts of that country. And yeah, I felt that's that's something that has been a great balance, struck the right balance for me. I'll spend enough time to in the evenings, that half day in the week and at the weekends to be able to go out explore go on the free walking tours and you know, explore different parts of the city. And then after that three weeks, it's I've generally start getting itchy feet and feel like it's time to then explore a new area. So individual for everybody. I've met people that have just wanted to stay in the city for the whole time. And people who move on faster than that as well. But three weeks felt like the right balance for me


Andrew  

so this is that time when I love to hear from you on an overlooked place, person, book, experience from your life around the world. It could be in your own neighbourhood. It could be something you've you saw in China or Tibet or Ethiopia one of these places that is just everyone should know about.


Shay  

Okay, yes, I wrote down Ethiopia as my my place, if I was only allowed to pick one. Ethiopia was mind blowing. It was I didn't go there with any set expectations. I was actually a bit apprehensive about going there because I'd heard some stories of a few digital nomads who had gone into just found it a bit bit difficult in the country. And it's culturally very different Ethiopia was, I think the only country in Africa that wasn't colonised for a long period of time. So what that means it, you just feel a big difference in the in the culture as soon as you're there. And the mix, what I loved, absolutely loved about Ethiopia is the mix of the religions there. So I went to a place called Aksum. And you know, they have Orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims are just a huge mix of religions, because of the country's history and people invading, not succeeding, other people trying to invade not succeed. And as a result of that, there's this huge, incredible mix of people there now, and I just found that a beautiful thing, that you have so many different types of people who have strong feelings about a particular area, but they are so integrated and live life all together. And then aside from the people, that the nature, the beauty of the country, the mountains in the north of the country, also went to the Danakil Depression, the hottest place on Earth, their trek to the volcano, climbed up this volcano to look down and just see the lava and hear the sound a bit will never leave my mind to my heart, it was an absolutely beautiful, beautiful country. Wonder if I would tell anybody to go to. And it's one that is not yet set up for exploring easily. So I would say, you know, it's not necessarily not for the faint hearted, you can do both, you can pay a bit more and then go on an organized trip there, absolutely. And so do that if that's more your vibe. But if you're more of a backpacker, and like to just get on the road, figure these things out yourself. It's absolutely possible just takes a bit more going with the flow. Gotcha. Things are not gonna flow as simply there and you just have to roll roll with it and be okay with that.


Allen  

Shay, what did you think of the food there?


Shay  

Oh, the food's incredible. It's, I love any kind of food where you're able to pick from a mix of things. And you know, Ethiopia has this the traditional end injera, which is the round breads type dish, and then lots of different food that you can mix with that. And what I loved about the food culture is that it's a sharing culture. So even when I went to a restaurant, by myself for one evening, locals immediately would be saying, Oh, come and sit with us come and have some of our food is all about sharing in Ethiopia. And I thought that was a beautiful part of the food culture.


Allen  

And the reason I asked that question is, people really overlook Ethiopian restaurants around the world. If you can't get to Ethiopia, I highly recommend that in the city that you are if there is an Ethiopian restaurant, it do avail yourself of that type of because as you said, sharing culture, unique food, wonderful food, but I see a lot of people shy away from it because they don't understand and have not tried it before. And just an excellent call out to try. Not only different plays, but different food style. So Shay, this this has been fantastic. where can folks learn more about you? Where can folks reach out to you, perhaps for some one on one coaching and other you know, things that you might be able to help folks with, here's your chance to share.


Shay  

Awesome. Okay, so if you are an entrepreneur, listening or an aspiring entrepreneur listening and you want to get into this lifestyle of location freedom, time freedom, and you are not sure how to do it, that's exactly what I work one on one with the clients now to help them achieve this ultimate lifestyle of time and location freedom. So head to my website, Shay-Doran.com DORAN. And that's where to get in contact, contact with me through the website.


Allen  

Fantastic. Well learned a lot today and thank you so much for sharing that. Andrew, before I share what I learned today I'd love your perspective on your learnings on today's podcast.


Andrew  

I This has been so fascinating because it's you know this things he said and other things on his website that I've read, just draw me in to want to learn more and and say here are the stories and the journey of you know, discovery and you know, one integrating into the the healing and growth process so that you can be what you should, should become in life and not just writing that rut that oftentimes we find ourselves in, or that some people do anyway. And, you know, being whole with, with who you are and looking at ways in places you visit, to help spur that on. So that's those are some of the things I grasped from one from things he's said here and things he's written on his, on his site. And so it's, it's a good thing to, to encounter people who are in that process and have have had seasons of growth, and then help other people reach it as well.


Allen  

But you know, what really resonated with me was, was this comment about when I go and visit a city on vacation, there's an energy level and I have that fear of missing out. So I feel like it's even though it's a vacation it's not really it's frenetic energy. But then when I go to a, you know, place, although it's a city, a place like San Diego, where I can just walk by the Pacific Ocean, or you could go hiking in the mountains or go mountain biking on a trail. I don't have that same fear of missing out because is a nature, nature calls and it relaxes you. So his his comment there, I didn't know how to really enunciate it until he did in the podcast, but now it really resonates with me. So wonderful call out there. So a great episode today. We hope those of you in the location independent lifestyle community, continue to travel, learn and share with us. We appreciate your time with us today. We look forward to seeing you next week. Have a great week and take care.