How Freediving Launched Her Digital Nomad Journey with Sarah Ifurung | EP 20

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What if losing your dream job was actually the doorway to a more extraordinary life than you ever imagined?

Ryan is joined by Sarah Ifurung who was climbing the corporate ladder in hotel management when she suddenly lost her job. Instead of giving up, she discovered a whole new world of remote work possibilities that eventually led her to become both a digital nomad and professional mermaid performer.

Sarah shares her inspiring journey from non-swimmer to freediving instructor while building a location-independent income. Sarah's story demonstrates that you don't need advanced tech skills to work remotely.

Chapters:
00:07:12 - What is freediving and how to get started
00:011:44 - Losing a job and finding a remote career
00:20:49 - Slow travel for digital nomads
00:25:27 - Finding community while traveling solo
00:28:27 - Sarah’s most memorable travel experience

Learn how she transformed customer service experience into marketable skills, created a flexible work arrangement that allows for adventure, and even performed as a professional mermaid in a tank in India—all while managing client work remotely.

Sarah explains how she finds community while traveling solo, and maintains a sustainable lifestyle that balances work and exploration. Her approach to slow travel offers valuable insights for managing your finances abroad.

From finding community in co-living spaces to confronting travel fears, this episode provides a realistic look at the challenges and rewards of location independence.

Listen and learn why getting lost is often the beginning of finding yourself as a digital nomad.

Connect with guest: https://www.instagram.com/finsandbikinis/

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Learn how to be a Digital Nomad: https://www.thedigitalnomadcoach.com/

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DISCLAIMER:
Listening to stories of beachside zoom calls, mountainside work views, and island-hopping entrepreneurs may cause severe wanderlust and an irresistible urge to turn your laptop into a passport to freedom. Side effects include daydreaming about tropical coworking spaces, working with Ryan to learn how you can start working and traveling and buying a one-way ticket to Bali. Get ready to start living your dream life today!

Chapters

• 7:12 What is freediving and how to get started
• 11:44 Losing a job and finding a remote career
• 20:49 Slow travel for digital nomads
• 25:27 Finding community while traveling solo
• 28:27 Sarah’s most memorable travel experienc

Transcript

[00:00:00] Ryan Mellon: What if you could build a career that lets you travel the world while still earning a great income? Today, I sit down with Sarah Ifarang, a digital nomad who's turned her passion for the ocean into a lifestyle of freedom and adventure and online income. She went from working in a hotel in Napa Valley to traveling the world as a professional mermaid and freediving coach, all while managing a fully remote career.

[00:00:24] Ryan Mellon: You'll discover how she overcame the fear of solo travel. found community abroad, and built a flexible work schedule that lets her explore places like India, Thailand, and Japan. Plus, Sarah shares her best cost saving secrets that can help you stay on the road longer. Stick around until the end because her unexpected travel story in India will leave you inspired to begin your own digital nomad adventure today.
[00:01:00] 

[00:01:48] Ryan Mellon: ~Hey guys, welcome to another episode of Digital Nomad Nation.~ Today I have Sarah Eprong. Welcome, Sarah.

[00:01:51] Sarah Ifurung: Thank you so much for inviting me. I'm so excited to be here.

[00:01:54] Ryan Mellon: Awesome. ~And~ I was recently looking on your Instagram and I saw that you, one of the things that you [00:02:00] do,~ uh,~ for work is you're a professional mermaid. So tell us a little bit about that.

[00:02:04] Sarah Ifurung: am! So yeah, I, okay, I started freediving 2021. It's ~um, ~ you know, like, during the height of the pandemic, I wanted to learn something and also, like, do something for the time that I have. So I tried freediving. I was a non -swimmer so I can't really swim, panic swimmer. Then dove into freediving. I learned it. I loved it.

[00:02:30] Sarah Ifurung: I got obsessed with it. And then during my travels, it's one of the things that I'm so looking forward to doing. So that actually started my solo travel journey. I traveled around the Philippines, different islands, ~um, ~ in the Philippines. Filipinos and non -Filipinos. So I just met so many people who are freedivers and also like working remotely like me.

[00:02:59] Sarah Ifurung: And [00:03:00] yeah, last year, during my travels, ~um, ~ So, since I do already have the connections with freedivers and mermaids, one of my friends, she actually did a mermaiding gig in India. And then, she invited me to also do it. And I was at first hesitant because again, like, I was on travel mode. I said, ~um, ~ I really wanna travel first.

[00:03:27] Sarah Ifurung: ~Um, ~ I'm not sure if I wanna do it. And then, she said, well, this is, ~uh, ~ not for me. This opportunity is actually not gonna be here always, but you can always travel after mermaiding. And yeah, like, I realized that. And also, I wanted to travel within India. So, it would be a nice opportunity for me to be there, ~um, ~ fly for free, and then live like a local.

[00:03:49] Sarah Ifurung: Like, really see how it feels like to live there. And then, like, after, it's just, like, one and a half month of, ~ um, ~And then I can travel around India. [00:04:00] So that's what I did. I was there for three months.

[00:04:03] Ryan Mellon: That's amazing. Tell us more about what a professional mermaid does like paint the picture for us because I don't think I know I've never really heard of it and I bet you most of the listeners have not.

[00:04:14] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah, so it's crazy because that's the first time I did it. So I'm a freediver, so I already possess, ~um, ~ you know, like the skills that I need, ~um, ~ to do the mermaiding. And then they already have, you know, like the, ~uh, ~ equipments and, ~um, ~ the tools that I've been needing. So I just, Literally flew there, and then, ~uh, ~ we were swimming in a tank.

[00:04:35] Sarah Ifurung: So it's like, ~um, ~ an ocean park kind of thing.

[00:04:38] Ryan Mellon: Okay,

[00:04:39] Sarah Ifurung: so, marine, ~um, ~ yeah, like marine expo. So, there are aquariums, and we are basically the main, kind of like the main event, ~um, ~ of that expo, and then we perform, ~um, ~ every day, so I do perform two hours a day, apart from my full -time remote job. So I thought, you know, that's just a good [00:05:00] mix for me, since I do miss, Again, like a social, the social aspect part of, ~um, ~things when you do work remotely, sometimes it can get really isolating.

[00:05:12] Sarah Ifurung: It's, ~um, ~ really hard to, like, find a community of like -minded people. And before, my job was in hospitality, so literally, I was meeting tens of people every day from that to, like, working for myself. So, yeah, like, it was pretty, ~uh, ~ it was a pretty hard adjustment. But then when I started solo traveling, that's when I appreciated my remote job more.

[00:05:35] Sarah Ifurung: So, yeah, like the mermaiding thing, it's like just, ~um, ~ kind of like a plot twist that happened last year. And it's a fun experience for me because, again, like I think it's just so magical to, like, experience that, ~um, ~ once in my life, to be able to, like, you know, like, ~um, ~ make kids believe mermaids are real and spread magic and smile.

[00:05:53] Sarah Ifurung: So it's like a performance, like, literally, ~um, ~a performance show. I 

[00:05:57] Ryan Mellon: very cool. So I [00:06:00] imagine you have like a mermaid suit

[00:06:02] Sarah Ifurung: Mermaid Tail, yes,

[00:06:04] Ryan Mellon: and everything and you're You're using your pride free diving skills, right? Because you're, you're staying underwater for how long at a time are you staying underwater before you go up for air?

[00:06:16] Sarah Ifurung: So, yeah, like I was using the breath hold skills that I have, ~um, ~ with the freediving. With that, I would say, like, I would say underwater, 40 seconds to 1 minute. Since it's like, ~um, ~ an entertainment show, it's not a competitive, you know, like, ~um, ~ show. It's just really, ~um, ~ making people happy.

[00:06:36] Ryan Mellon: that's awesome. Very unique. ~Uh, ~yeah, so very cool.~ Sounds like a good experience and anytime a new Mermaid gig comes up, hopefully they'll be, you'll be the first one they call. Yeah,~

[00:06:40] Ryan Mellon: Very cool. So tell us more about freediving. It sounds like you do that,~ um,~ for fun, but also as an instructor, right? Like what is freediving for those that don't know?

[00:06:50] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah, so freediving is a water activity where we go under the water without um,~ um, ~So we, ~um, ~ hold our [00:07:00] breath for as long as we can and then we dove as deep as, ~uh, ~ we could. So, that's, ~uh, ~ what I've been doing over the past couple of years while, ~um, ~ I'm traveling as well. And now, ~uh, ~ I'm actually coaching specifically, ~um, ~ so...

[00:07:12] Sarah Ifurung: Students who are first -timers, like, no idea about freediving, so intro, ~um, ~ intro students.

[00:07:18] Ryan Mellon: Okay, cool. And it's a job you really enjoy?

[00:07:21] Sarah Ifurung: I actually, yes, ~um, ~ for me, it's fun to be able to now be in a position to impart my knowledge and skills because, again, I've been doing this for a while now and, When I was starting, a lot of my friends went into coaching to, like, improve their skills and then, ~uh, ~ share knowledge, but I specifically didn't because I chose to enjoy it and do it for me, and do it while I'm traveling.

[00:07:48] Sarah Ifurung: But now, like, okay, I did all the traveling, I feel like I've learned so many lessons, and I don't want the lessons to stop for me now, like, okay, I was thinking, since I was back in [00:08:00] Manila, I'm like, okay, I think I'm gonna... You know, like, settle here for a while. Like, what can I do, ~um, ~ to still be able to, you know, ~um, ~inspire other people and then, ~um, ~ inspire other people who want to solo travel because I think freediving for me was the catalyst to me trying solo, traveling as well.

[00:08:20] Sarah Ifurung: So, yeah,

[00:08:21] Ryan Mellon: Very cool. Yeah. So you can freedive everywhere. There's water pretty much. So that's lots of opportunities when you're traveling,

[00:08:28] Sarah Ifurung: especially in the Philippines. Have

[00:08:31] Ryan Mellon: yeah, yeah. You guys have tons of islands. I

[00:08:33] Sarah Ifurung: you been here?

[00:08:35] Ryan Mellon: ~have, I have not, I, I always get stuck in Bali and Thailand.~

[00:08:35] Sarah Ifurung: ~In Thailand, yeah, there's, yeah.~

[00:08:35] Ryan Mellon: I'm on the, it's on the list, but like, I always get stuck in Bali and Thailand and I never, I just need to get on a plane and do it, but about the free diving though, like how many, how many meters or do you dive and like, how long do you stay under and are you exploring like coral reefs and stuff like that?

[00:08:54] Ryan Mellon: ~Or I'm just curious.~

[00:08:54] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah, so, ~uh, ~ different reasons why people freedive. Others are, of course, [00:09:00] to, like, conquer their, uh, fear underwater. So that was me before, uh, when I started, like, as a non -swimmer. And then others do, like, competitive, others do, like, applied, and others do recreational. So I don't do the competitive, ~uh, ~ freediving.

[00:09:14] Sarah Ifurung: For me, it's still more of a recreational thing. ~Um, ~ My personal best was at 20 meters.

[00:09:20] Ryan Mellon: Wow. That's, that's deep.

[00:09:23] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah, but also I was training more often. So yeah, it's not just a one -time thing when you try it for the first time and then you reach centimeters. So it's like, uh,~ uh, ~ with continuous training that you do, ~uh, ~ get to dive deeper as you go and then hold your breath longer. My static, ~um, ~apnea was, ~uh, ~ When I did my, ~um, ~certification, it was like 2 minutes and 40 seconds, I think.

[00:09:49] Ryan Mellon: Okay. That's, that's a lot. That's a long way. And you said 20 meters, right?

[00:09:54] Sarah Ifurung: Mm -hmm.

[00:09:55] Ryan Mellon: So that's about 60 feet for those folks 

[00:09:58] Ryan Mellon: in the 

[00:09:58] Sarah Ifurung: think,~ Yeah. ~

[00:09:59] Ryan Mellon: ~And, um, ~~yeah, that's really deep, especially to have no tanks, no oxygen. And I can imagine that it gets a little scary and how is it as far as like making sure that you don't damage anything or like, um, as you come up, do you have to come up slowly?~

[00:09:59] Ryan Mellon: ~Like, just curious about that~

[00:09:59] Sarah Ifurung: ~as you, um, descend, actually, um, yeah, like, you descend pretty much, um, slowly, not super slow, but like, um, you descend. And then same, same when you go up. Uh,~

[00:09:59] Ryan Mellon: ~same~

[00:09:59] Ryan Mellon: ~speed.~~ ~

[00:09:59] Sarah Ifurung: ~same speed, yeah, like, you don't rush going up, so just, um, control the contractions if you're already feeling, you know, like, something, like, urge to breathe, like, it's one of the trainings also that, uh, we go through when we do, um, breath hold training or breath work training.~

[00:09:59] Sarah Ifurung: ~So it became handy on the daily basis because, you know, like, with everything going on, like, when you're feeling stressed, okay, like, I just need to do, like, breath work, breath hold.~

[00:09:59] Ryan Mellon: ~Love it. Kind of like a meditation. Yeah.~

[00:09:59] Sarah Ifurung: ~Yeah, ~I actually [00:10:00] learned meditation through freediving as well.

[00:10:02] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, meditation is great, especially for just getting yourself centered and before the day begins, for me at least, and just, you know, if you get really stressed out, just taking the time out to sit quietly and focus on your breath really can give you a second wind and get you back in the game.

[00:10:19] Sarah Ifurung: ~So you do it regularly? I do, I've done even 10 day Vipassana silent retreats. I did one 10 day silent retreat in Northern California.~

[00:10:19] Sarah Ifurung: ~my gosh, that's amazing!~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~Yeah, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done because the 10 day of a past in a silent retreat. It's in like the beautiful setting in like Napa Valley. Um, in the woods, in the trees, in the forest, and you, um, are not allowed to speak. You're not allowed to read, write, eat meat. Um, And, um, a dish, many additional things, they split the guys and the girls up and you are meditating like 8 to 12 hours a day in group settings up to 2 hours at a time.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~Um, and yeah, it's a really good experience. I will say that, like, uh, the first couple of days you start to notice, like, people just missing that we're sitting And in group sittings with you and they just, they just drop out. I would say like 30 percent doesn't even make it past the third day. And then they usually sneak them out.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~So you never see anybody leave. So it'll be like at a mealtime or something.~

[00:10:19] Sarah Ifurung: ~Wow!~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~noticed less people there. And I made it the full 10 days, but I will say on the seventh day, I was about to lose my shit. Like I was just like, it was just so much, it was so much to take in and having, um, Um, not being able to talk and express yourself or read or write or anything, you know, but you're in a natural setting.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~So a lot of the downtime in between meditations was walking in the woods and being with yourself. So there was a lot to gain from it. And the greatest thing about these Vipassana retreats is. It's all based on, um, donations. So there's nothing to pay for this. Like if you have 0, you can go do a Vipassana retreat, 10 days.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~They will put you up, board you, house you, feed you, do the whole program, and you don't have to pay a dime. And when I did this, I was traveling the U S I didn't have a whole lot of money. So I, I didn't pay my first time, but then when I, what I did to help repay is I went back and I did a four day and I served and I volunteered and I was washing dishes for four days.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~And so that's kind of how I repaid my debt, but you know, if it's worth 100 to you or 10, 000 to you, if you have a lot of money, like that's how it works. And it's really cool how it. How the community, uh, comes together and they also have them all over the world. So,~

[00:10:19] Sarah Ifurung: ~crazy. I've heard the ones in Chiang Mai, I think. Like, three -day silent retreat. But I'm, okay, like, now I'm so curious. Like, what, uh, got you into it?~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~um, listening to podcasts specifically like Tim Ferriss, his podcast, he was, had a lot of high level, like tech CEOs and people that were really doing high level things were all, and there were several of them. That we're all going to these 10 day Vipassana retreats. And so just hearing about them, hearing about their experiences, plus you get the digital detox built in, like they take your phone.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~I didn't say no phone, but of course no phone or anything like that. Um, Uh, so I was hearing like about it and I was on a U. S. Road trip with my friends like one year and I was like, it takes months to be on the waiting list. And I was like, well, we'll be in California about this time. I'm gonna apply for this week.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~And if I get accepted and we're there at that time, I'll do it. And it worked out perfectly. And yeah, I did the 10 days. My friends were like, Oh, you're going to silent camp. They were giving me a bunch of, uh, a bunch of shit, but that's all right. It was a great experience and, uh, I really enjoyed it.~

[00:10:19] Sarah Ifurung: ~Would you recommend people to do, like, silent retreat at least once in their lives? I think that would be, like, a really interesting and, you know, like, I'm not sure if it's, um, kind of, like, part of your, a spiritual journey or something.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~Yeah, absolutely. I mean, you there, so there is like, when you're sitting in there and you're in these group meditations, there, there is someone instructing and talking about, um, life and, and it's slightly affiliated with Buddhism. Um, but they're really not pushing any religion and there's no religious symbols anywhere on the campuses and stuff like that.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~So I really like that. I like that. You could be anybody and feel comfortable there. But there was some things that were tied into buddhism. So, um, it, it definitely can be a. kind of philosophical or religious or experience for folks for sure.~

[00:10:19] Sarah Ifurung: ~That's so amazing to hear. Um, I haven't done any silent retreats, but, um, yeah, like what I've heard, uh, in Chiang Mai, I actually kind of want to do it, so if I go there this November, yeah, I might do it myself.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~You should definitely do it. Yeah, it's, it's, it's worth it. And if you, if you find, I'll send you the info, but if you find like a specific Vipassana one specifically, those are the ones that are donation based. There are other ones out there that are for money and it's not the same, I will say, um, and like the, the Vipassana ones, you have to do a 10 day first before you can do a, like a four day, you can't start with a four day, like you're all in with the 10 day, which is really like 11 days cause you start on day zero and you go home on like day 11, it's like true 10.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~9 days, you know, like, um, and then at that point they'll let you, yeah, Come back and do like the shorter, uh, ones, but yeah, I'll send you that info. And it's definitely worth checking out. And it's, it's a cool experience. So other than ~

[00:10:19] Sarah Ifurung: ~a~~ ~~total cleanse of...~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~yeah, sorry, go ahead.~

[00:10:19] Sarah Ifurung: ~said, like, it feels like just hearing it from you, it felt like a total cleanse of, um,~

[00:10:19] Sarah Ifurung: ~your I ~~literally came back, like coming out, meeting my friends again, like speaking again, and like looking at my phone was completely foreign, like it was uncomfortable, I would look at it and be like, ah, just put it away. Like, it's weird, like too much. coming in, like after having 10 days away from so many different things all at once, like it was very interesting coming back out, but it only took a couple of days to get kind of back to normal, but there are some things that I took away for sure.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~Um, from that experience that I still use to this day.~

[00:10:19] Sarah Ifurung: ~Amazing. Well, thank you for sharing that with me.~

[00:10:19] Ryan Mellon: ~Sure. Yeah.~ So take us back to the beginning. So was there a time or place, like moment in time that you remember, like, ~um, ~you know, working a traditional job or a non remote job, and then finally transitioning into traveling and working? Like, what does that look like for you? ~Awesome.~

[00:10:40] Sarah Ifurung: ~as I've mentioned, um, earlier, ~ I was working in the hotel industry, ~um, ~ Because that's what I took when I was in college. So I had a degree and that's, that's actually what I know because that's also what I love doing. Like I love, you know, like meeting people every day, just having daily conversations about, you know, like other people's experiences.

[00:10:59] Sarah Ifurung: So that's [00:11:00] what I did. ~Um, ~ the last hotel job I had was actually in Napa Valley in the US. I was, ~um, ~ I was doing my management trainee. So, ~um, ~that was the path I was on, you know, like, ~um, ~ climbing the corporate ladder, ~uh, ~ doing that. But I loved it, actually. I never imagined myself, like, working remotely, working for myself, traveling while working.

[00:11:21] Sarah Ifurung: Like, no, that's, you know, like, I didn't know of that world before. But when I lost my job during pandemic, I decided to go back to the Philippines. And that's where I... you know, like, discovered online work. So, at first, yeah, like, I was just watching YouTube videos, so I can earn online, um, maybe while I was waiting, you know, like, waiting for the news where I can go back to the U .S.,

[00:11:48] Sarah Ifurung: maybe I can start working remotely. ~Um, ~yeah, so that's what I did. So, I did, ~uh, ~ I did start with what I know, which is customer service. So, I did, ~um, ~ couple of customer service [00:12:00] jobs that's a couple of years ago. Literally, I thought all I know. I didn't have any tech skills. I hate tech. So, okay, like, what do I know that, you know, like, I can use to earn money while I'm at home stuck.

[00:12:15] Sarah Ifurung: Right? So that's what I did. And then slowly, actually, ~um, ~ I've learned, I've gained and learned a few skills ~uh, ~ doing those jobs. So I also studied, ~um, ~ digital marketing, ~um, ~ I did ~um, ~ I did, um, Study social media, and then, you know, like, building funnels, copywriting, and all that. Because there are courses available, ~um, ~ during pandemic that I just, you know, like, bought and studied.

[00:12:36] Sarah Ifurung: So, yeah, I just really used that time to, like, educate myself since I felt, like, you know, I felt defeated when I lost my job. I'm like, okay, like, ~um, ~ I thought it was, this was, you know, like, my, kind of like your dream life was taken away from you. I know, like. ~Um, ~it may be, ~uh, ~ not comparable for some but, you know, like, if you're coming from a third world country and you get to go to, you know, like a first world country, [00:13:00] like, it's a big thing, right?

[00:13:00] Sarah Ifurung: Like, everyone here wants to, like, work abroad, ~um, ~ have a better life. But, yeah, so, I did have social media clients and then I was working for, you know, like, U .S. companies. And then one of my clients then, ~uh, ~had a podcast. So I said, I love listening to podcasts. How can I, you know, like, learn how to, like, produce this podcast and, like, just, ~um, ~ take this load off of them?

[00:13:29] Sarah Ifurung: ~So, yeah, like, that's, um, the whole journey. And currently, uh, still I do, like, podcast management for my client who's from the U .S. As well. ~So again, ~ like, your question, uh, ~your question of, like, ~uh, ~ the transition part, ~um, ~ yeah, like, I didn't know about this whole virtual thing before, so it's not like, you know, I was stuck in my job, feeling lost, ~uh, ~ or sad about my job, like, it's not, because I already loved my job before, so this was just the opportunity that came up since Like had nothing to do, or didn't know what else to do.

[00:13:53] Sarah Ifurung: So, yeah. I just, I think like I just took the opportunity at the right time.

[00:13:58] Ryan Mellon: And overall, like looking back, [00:14:00] do you miss your old career? Do you feel like the transition and, and where you are now has, has been for the better?

[00:14:08] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah, definitely. Um, well, I was, when I was starting, again, I think the hardest part for me is, ~um, ~ always being by myself and always being alone. ~Um, ~really love like social interactions, ~um, ~ and learning from other people, and just sitting at home working in front of my laptop, I think, ~um, ~ yeah, like, it just didn't fit my personality at all.

[00:14:29] Sarah Ifurung: But, when I started working remotely, then I started meeting friends, meeting other people, ~um, ~ who share the same, now, like, we now have the same, kind of like, ~um, ~ career path or who do the same thing and has, you know, like, ~um, ~ skill that also, ~uh, ~ I have, like, freediving, like, the friendship is now based on, ~um, ~ the same hobby, so I think that's really helpful, and that's, ~um, ~ actually one of the, ~um, ~one thing I realized about friendships as well is that [00:15:00] you make a lot of friends at work, but they're not really your friends' friends.

[00:15:04] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah, like it's just ~um, ~ nice now to like, be friends with people who share the same, you know, like, values and interests and hobbies.

[00:15:13] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, I love that. So, ~um, ~you mentioned, you know, going from a third world country to a first world country. ~Um, ~let's talk about traveling with a. A third world passport. Do you have any challenges with that?

[00:15:28] Sarah Ifurung: ~um, ~ so just recently, ~um, ~ I applied for a Japan visa because we need the visa to go to Japan. Do you need the visa to go to Japan as an American

[00:15:38] Ryan Mellon: ~Um, ~I think we probably get so many days fairly easily. I haven't checked into it, but

[00:15:44] Ryan Mellon: Yeah. 

[00:15:45] Sarah Ifurung: So with us, um, yeah, like we even, we're just within Asia, we need a visa to go to South Korea and Japan, and this year, I wanna go and celebrate my birthday solo in Japan. ~Um, ~ it's a thing that I've been putting off, ~um, ~ [00:16:00] since I don't wanna process visa, like, just the waiting time, ~um, ~ I don't wanna deal with it, but like, this year, I, Yeah, one of the reasons also why I am in Manila because I need to process visa, like, in Manila.

[00:16:12] Sarah Ifurung: ~Like, can't be, you know, like, around while I'm processing my visa. ~So, yeah, like, ~um, ~ it took a while before I get it because now they have a new, ~um, ~requirement that we need to, like, submit all the requirements two months before you travel.

[00:16:24] Ryan Mellon: Okay.

[00:16:24] Sarah Ifurung: So, yeah, like, that's a long 

[00:16:27] Ryan Mellon: gotta plan. You really have to plan it out. Yeah.

[00:16:31] Sarah Ifurung: and Yeah, so that's just one of the challenges of, you know, someone who loves traveling but has a weak passport from a developing country.

[00:16:41] Sarah Ifurung: But I got approved so I'm gonna celebrate my birthday in Japan. That's

[00:16:45] Ryan Mellon: Congratulations! When is that gonna be?

[00:16:48] Sarah Ifurung: ~Uh, ~ so I leave, uh, March 14th and I'm gonna be there for 15 days. Only 15 days because that's the maximum allowed time that I can, yeah. I can be [00:17:00] there. Because there's like a single entry, and then multiple entry, and then with your first time, usually they get like the single entry, so yeah, those types of stuff.

[00:17:08] Ryan Mellon: I gotcha, I gotcha. Well, Jap Japan will be amazing. ~Um, ~it's always been on my list as well. The only reason I haven't made it there is it's usually cold there when it's cold in the U. S. And I just, I hate the cold. So, one of these days I will make it there when it's warm. But,~ um,~ are you gonna stay in one place?

[00:17:25] Ryan Mellon: Are you gonna travel 15 days? What's the plan?

[00:17:29] Sarah Ifurung: it'll be like a workation, since we're digital nomads, we're always working, still while traveling, so I plan to be in, since this is my first time, I want to do like, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka. Yeah, those three are my top three on the list. But experiences -wise, like, I'm so looking forward, of course, to eating authentic Japanese food.

[00:17:54] Sarah Ifurung: I love Japanese food. Do you love Japanese food?

[00:17:57] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, absolutely.

[00:17:59] Sarah Ifurung: like, me too. [00:18:00] And then, I do wanna go to a matcha -making class and, yeah, like, do onsen spa. Yeah.

[00:18:08] Ryan Mellon: Very cool. I've always seen like the thing where you can like drive the Mario cart like golf carts around like Tokyo and like be like, be like in the video game and I'm like, Oh man, I definitely want to do that one day.

[00:18:21] Sarah Ifurung: It looks so much fun. Yeah. But I don't have a license, so I don't think I can do that.

[00:18:27] Ryan Mellon: Okay. Okay. What about karaoke? Karaoke is pretty huge in Japan. I think too. Yeah.

[00:18:34] Sarah Ifurung: Actually, it originated in Japan. That's what I've searched. And then, Filipinos, I'm not sure if you've heard, like, Filipinos, like, Just love, karaoke everyday, you know, weekend, and just... On a random day, like we do karaoke for fun, right? ~Um, ~ yeah, but then Filipino just improved it, I think. Because I actually looked it up just recently.

[00:18:57] Ryan Mellon: Okay. Very

[00:18:58] Sarah Ifurung: this is a [00:19:00] huge part of the culture.

[00:19:01] Ryan Mellon: When I was in Vietnam, karaoke was everywhere and it was such a good time. Like, you know, like it's such an easy way to bond with locals and foreigners all and all alike. So always a good time. ~Yeah. Well, cool. ~So do you have any cost saving tips for those that are traveling these this part of the world?

[00:19:21] Ryan Mellon: ~And, um, you know, us digital nomads are all pretty generally pretty frugal. So it's always good to hear like, what are your cost saving tips? Mm~

[00:19:21] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah, absolutely. So, one thing I do for me to be able to, you know, like still manage my finances well, is to travel slowly, like really embrace slow traveling. And I personally love slow traveling because I just, I don't want to move around a lot. Yeah, especially when you're working, you kind of, you know, like, Not every day is an adventure day, so I really try to build a routine, and it takes me like a week for me to be able to be familiar, you know, like, ~um, ~ in a certain place.

[00:19:57] Sarah Ifurung: So, I like going to coffee [00:20:00] shops, and I like going... Going back to the same coffee shop. So that's what I like when I'm traveling as well. So yeah, like really, ~um, ~ Taking it slow again. Like this is your lifestyle now. You're not For you know, like people who are who want to like travel with their remote jobs Like this is your lifestyle now, so it's not you want it to be Sustainable.

[00:20:25] Sarah Ifurung: ~Um, ~ as much as you, yeah, like you want it to be like a sustainable thing for you and not just, you know, like a thing where you do for a couple of months and then you burn yourself out and then you go back to, you know, like, ~um, ~ your home country. I mean, that's fine, too, if that's what you want. But like, just I think like for us, obviously, you're now in Bali and I've traveled for a couple of years also around the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

[00:20:48] Sarah Ifurung: Like, I tried the same. Stay at a place for at least a month. 

[00:20:53] Ryan Mellon: That's good advice. Yeah. Slow manning is, is becoming more popular. I think, especially with digital [00:21:00] nomads, because for us to be really productive,~ um,~ hopping around like new countries every two weeks or three weeks, like I did when I first started, I can't believe I, you know, I did eight. Countries I think in like six months or something and it was a whirlwind, you know, and like now i'm like no there's no way like You know, You want to get your routine in you want to know where the grocery store is where the gym is Where how to get around and all that stuff.

[00:21:27] Ryan Mellon: So slowing down is definitely Good for your wallet as well, because you get discounts for staying places longer, you get to find out where the local spots are, you know, where you're not paying tourist prices for food and stuff like that. So 

[00:21:43] Ryan Mellon: I think that's very good advice. Cool. So If you were to start over again, or you were to talk to someone who's about to become a digital nomad, they're curious, they're interested in the lifestyle, do you have any [00:22:00] advice for them to start?

[00:22:01] Sarah Ifurung: ~Mm -hmm. ~Yeah, so I think in general like I get questions. How do I not get scared? ~Um, ~ solo traveling and one thing I always tell them is I still travel scared, you know, like for example, me solo traveling in Japan. I need to be planning a lot because I'm not good at navigation so I get lost so many times but I've accepted that, I've already accepted that it's part of the journey, it's part of where I find like, you know, a random thing.

[00:22:34] Sarah Ifurung: ~Um, ~ so yeah, like it's just part of the adventure, getting lost, you know, like feeling really scared but know that when you try solo traveling you actually discover that, ~um, ~ You become more of a problem solver and you become more self -sufficient and I think that those are two of the most important skills that one can actually have.

[00:22:57] Sarah Ifurung: I

[00:22:58] Ryan Mellon: 100%. I totally agree [00:23:00] with you and facing that fear and just getting out there and doing it's huge. And the more you do it, it still can be scary, but you, you get more comfortable even in new places. Right? And you can always use Google Translate and talk to strangers on the street. Like, I've been to so many countries and mostly 99 percent of everyone is pretty nice.

[00:23:22] Ryan Mellon: And they're going to help you out if you really need it. And Get you on the right path, you know, ~um, so yeah, very cool.~

[00:23:28] Sarah Ifurung: love


[00:23:29] Ryan Mellon: So as far as like the work you're doing now, or is there any like platforms that you're using or how are you finding clients? Is it mainly referral based? Are you working on any platforms to find clients?

[00:23:41] Sarah Ifurung: So, since currently I do have one full -time client, I used to have three last year. So, I was doing the mermaiding thing. I also have like three clients under my belt. But actually, my full -time, ~um, ~ I'm just filled full -time, but I don't really work eight hours. ~So, I get the space in, uh, two of my clients, which, um, who, you know, like, really need You know, like, personal assistants, like, really basic, um, assistants, so, um, and I know, like, uh, our contract is just for short term, so, like, I can, you know, like, I can take on it, I can take them as my client, because I know it's just gonna be three months, it's just gonna be six months, right? So, um, With regards to that,~ currently, [00:24:00] since I'm also coaching, no, I'm not taking on more clients because I really want to, like, see if, I'm still kind of thinking if I want to, like, scale this to, you know, like, a full, ~um, ~ like, ~um, ~ an agency style kind of thing because you can, if that's one route that you can do it, or I really like, you know, like, just, It's just me.

[00:24:24] Sarah Ifurung: And then still do, like, other things, and not just, you know, like, focus on everything remotely. Yeah. So, like, for me, currently, it's, what's working is that I have a full -time, and then I get on part -time if I need or if I want.

[00:24:40] Ryan Mellon: ~Okay. So it's flexible. I like that. And do you, are you able to like do any free diving and instruct free diving? Like when you travel, is that a possibility? ~

[00:24:40] Sarah Ifurung: ~Yeah, I'm not sure yet, actually, because typically, when you, um, visit, like, for example, Kotao, um, there's a lot of freedivers there. I'm not sure if that's... Maybe if I decide to like stay there longer and show interest that I wanna be part of the coaching. Maybe that could happen but yeah, I haven't tried it.~

[00:24:40] Sarah Ifurung: ~And also like I'm just in the beginning of my coaching, um, coaching era. Coaching, um, teaching, uh, journey. So, yeah. I haven't thought about that yet but I want to, yeah, experience diving in Kotao and other places as well.~

[00:24:40] Ryan Mellon: Okay, cool. So do you tend to solo solo travel?

[00:24:45] Sarah Ifurung: A lot, yeah, over the past couple of years. Thank you so much. So, yeah, it's something I haven't done before and just something I discovered I can do and just embrace it, enjoyed it.

[00:24:56] Ryan Mellon: Awesome. So how do you find like community [00:25:00] and friends and meet people like,~ uh,~ when you're in a different country?

[00:25:04] Sarah Ifurung: So, I typically stay in a hostel or co -living spaces.

[00:25:09] Ryan Mellon: Okay.

[00:25:10] Sarah Ifurung: you know, like, I really like the setup of, you know, like, having, sharing, like, a communal, communal style living. Yeah. And some of the hostels have, you know, like, really nice lounges and co -working areas. So, that's easy for us, you know.

[00:25:27] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, I'm in my first co living right now. Like I've stayed in hundreds of hostels back. In my earlier years as a backpacker, which that that person is kind of gone and I'm different. I've got a rolly suitcase now and, you know, I stay in different places, but I was a great time and a great place to meet people, especially when I was younger.

[00:25:52] Ryan Mellon: So, yeah, I think it's a good. Good way. But this co living thing is nice because like, you know, I have this Skype booth here, what they call Skype [00:26:00] booth for these private calls and the podcast and out there there's air conditioned space for working non air conditioned space out in the nature, overlooking the jungle and Ubud and you have community here, right?

[00:26:14] Ryan Mellon: You, they have events and so yeah, it's a, it's, it's a very good experience and a good way to travel when you're. Solo.

[00:26:20] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah. I really like the setup of communal, communal living too.

[00:26:25] Ryan Mellon: Yeah. Yeah. It's perfect for solo travelers, especially if we're all working and doing our own thing, you know, you see other people working, you feel like you're not missing out on Adventures.

[00:26:37] Ryan Mellon: Tell me one. Yeah, exactly. Which is always a challenge. Tell me one of your top experiences that come to mind, like of all your travels, like what is one of the coolest experiences.

[00:26:49] Ryan Mellon: Yeah. Experiences you've had.

[00:26:52] Sarah Ifurung: Whoa. Like, there's just so many. I think, I think, ~um, ~being in India and [00:27:00] seeing, yeah, like, being in India and seeing Taj Mahal.

[00:27:03] Ryan Mellon: Okay.

[00:27:04] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah.

[00:27:05] Ryan Mellon: What about Taj Mahal was?

[00:27:08] Sarah Ifurung: think it's because it's very, ~um, ~ historical, and it's part, you know, like, it's part, it's, ~uh, ~ I used to read it in books when I was in elementary, right? So just seeing it in front of, in front of me, like, it feels so surreal, and, yeah, like, it just feels unreal when I saw it in person, and I never imagined that I will be, well, first traveling to India, so just, ~uh, ~ being there and seeing it up close, like, it just, ~uh, ~ yeah, it gave a different feeling for me, for sure.

[00:27:34] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah,

[00:27:35] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, I definitely want to check out India. And how about the cultural differences between India and the Philippines? Is that, was that like a challenge? Or like was there a really big difference there? Like tell us about that.

[00:27:48] Sarah Ifurung: ~um, ~ it's so funny because, ~uh, ~ I lived in India for three months basically. So, India is such a huge country. When you step into a new city, it feels like [00:28:00] a different country. So, where we lived in South, in Kerala, it's near Sri Lanka. So, it's a coastal city, very modern, it's like Manila. But when I went to the North part of India, It feels so different, more raw, authentic, ~um, ~more chaotic, but again, ~um, ~ it's still India.

[00:28:23] Sarah Ifurung: ~Um, ~ I would say like the cultural difference, a lot of similarities, ~um, ~there's a lot of similarities, ~uh, ~ between India, Indian culture and Philippines culture, I would say. ~Um, ~ both cultures, cultures are very, ~um, ~ You know, like, family -oriented, ~um, ~ people live in multi -generational house, which I think is amazing.

[00:28:43] Sarah Ifurung: Yeah, and I would say, like, ~uh, ~ India also, one of the most hospitable, you know, like, country and Indians are one of the most hospitable people I've met as well. So, yeah, there's a lot of similarities. I didn't really [00:29:00] have a difficult time staying there. Yeah,

[00:29:04] Ryan Mellon: Okay. Very cool. I've heard tons of good things from friends that have been there many times and it's on the list and I just haven't made it but it's always good to hear about.

[00:29:14] Sarah Ifurung: yeah. I feel FOMO now because Holi, I think, is happening in two weeks, the biggest festival, so yeah, I'm missing it. I thought I would be in India by now because I'm gonna do like another mermaid contract, but I didn't, so yeah. Now, I'm just gonna see it all over Instagram. I'm gonna feel FOMO for sure.

[00:29:34] Ryan Mellon: yeah, definitely. It's like Songkran Festival for me in Thailand. Like, I have a friend visiting me here in Bali, but if, if it wasn't for that, I would be on a plane just to do Songkran and come

[00:29:46] Ryan Mellon: back. Like, it's such an amazing experience. Like, man, but yeah. Well, cool. Well, as we wrap up, I just have a couple rapid fire questions for you.

[00:29:57] Ryan Mellon: ~Um, ~what's one item that you would never [00:30:00] travel without? Other than your laptop or your phone.

[00:30:04] Sarah Ifurung: Other than laptop, I mean, FOMO my wallet. My

[00:30:07] Ryan Mellon: Okay.

[00:30:08] Sarah Ifurung: card? Yeah.

[00:30:10] Ryan Mellon: I like that. Yes. Yes. All right. That is always definitely a must. For sure. Okay. Love it. ~Um, ~favorite. Do you have a favorite, like, co working space that you, or co living that you've stayed in somewhere?

[00:30:25] Sarah Ifurung: I would say in Bali. I stayed in Tribal. Though it's a hostel. But, ~um, ~they also have like, really gorgeous co -working spaces down, co -working space downstairs. I'm not sure if you've been to Tribal yet.

[00:30:39] Sarah Ifurung: It's in Changu, Yeah, 

[00:30:41] Sarah Ifurung: I

[00:30:42] Sarah Ifurung: really like it. 

[00:30:43] Ryan Mellon: don't think I have. I haven't been back to Chengdu in a while. ~Um, ~it's just so overcrowded for me.

[00:30:49] Sarah Ifurung: Busy, busy. Yeah.

[00:30:51] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, too stressful. I'm not here for stress.

[00:30:54] Sarah Ifurung: They don't like stress.

[00:30:55] Ryan Mellon: Not if we don't have to, right? Like Ubud is way more chill. Although the [00:31:00] traffic here is getting gnarly as well, but like it's all a Bali. Everyone's finding out. It's an amazing place. All right. And. Do you have a, like a favorite online digital nomad community or forum that you use or,~ um,~ to find or make friends or plan trips or,~ uh,~ connect with other nomads,

[00:31:21] Sarah Ifurung: don't use a specific, ~um, ~ a mobile app, but, ~um, ~ I find Facebook groups really helpful for finding, ~um, ~ digital nomad communities.

[00:31:31] Ryan Mellon: yeah, just like digital nomad. And then the country,

[00:31:34] Ryan Mellon: Bali, Digital Thailand, yeah.

[00:31:37] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, no, definitely. And like, it's such a great place to, to meet other people and ask questions and kind of get a feel for, you know. What's going on there and,~ uh,~ seeing the other posts and the events and stuff like that. So yeah, I think that's a really good,~ um,~ a really good insight.

[00:31:55] Ryan Mellon: Cool. Well, thank you so much for taking the time today. [00:32:00] So tell me, where can people find you?

[00:32:02] Sarah Ifurung: you so much again for inviting me to your podcast. Um, ~ I'm really looking forward to listening to our conversation once it's out. Um, ~ people can find me just on my Instagram. My Instagram is finsandbikinis. So that's very, ~um, ~ that's very freediving. ~Um, ~that's my 

[00:32:14] Sarah Ifurung: freediving name. Yeah.

[00:32:15] Ryan Mellon: Free diving, travel, all of the things. Fins and bikinis on Instagram.

[00:32:21] Sarah Ifurung: Thank 

[00:32:22] Ryan Mellon: Okay. Thank you. Have a great day.

[00:32:25] Sarah Ifurung: ~You too. Bye.~

[00:32:25] Ryan Mellon: ~Bye.
~ [00:33:00]