#002: How a Fuming Royal Marine Found Freedom in Thailand & Entrepreneurship (with Joe Gray)

In this episode of The Nomad Podcast, host Joshua Snitgen interviews Joe Gray, a former Royal Marines Commando who traded military structure for digital nomad freedom. Currently based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Joe shares his journey transitioning from nine years of military service to building his own location-independent coaching business with no safety net.

What You'll Learn

✔️ How military discipline creates a foundation for entrepreneurial success  

✔️ The radical transition from extreme structure to complete freedom  

✔️ Strategies for building a business with "no Plan B"  

✔️ The unexpected challenges of solitude after years of close-quarters military life 

✔️ How to apply resilience from military training to business challenges  

Episode Highlights

[00:22] Joe's background in the Royal Marines and his motivation to join  

[02:52] The intense selection process - from 37 recruits to just 6 graduates  

[05:30] Nine years in the military and the decision to pursue something different  

[07:48] The desire for freedom after years of highly structured military life  

[11:12] How a difficult period in the military led to Joe's first visit to Thailand  

[13:01] The unique resilience military life builds for handling major life changes  

[14:39] The unexpected challenge of being alone after living with fellow Marines  

[16:00] The realities of building a coaching business while traveling  

[18:31] Using military severance pay to invest in business mentorship  

[21:25] Why having "no Plan B" creates the determination to succeed  

Key Quotes

"They tell you what colour socks to wear...tiny pieces of elastic around your ankles that you can't even see. The last couple of years I was there, I was like, I just want to be so free that no one can tell me what to do."

"If you really do have no safety net, you'll be surprised, genuinely surprised, of what you can do."

"There is no failure...there is no Plan B. This is Plan B. I'm not in the military anymore, that's Plan A. So Plan B has to work, there's no Plan C."

Resources & Links

🌴 Connect with Joe Gray

🌴 Connect with Joshua Snitgen

🌴 Be a Guest on The Nomad Podcast

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Resources [FREE & PAID]

🌴 FREE GUIDE: 5 Critical Decisions Before Going Nomadic (Avoid the common mistakes that send many nomads home within months)

🌴 THE FIRST 30 DAYS NOMAD KIT: A comprehensive week-by-week action plan for your transition to nomad life. Includes checklists, troubleshooting guides, and practical tips for your first 30 days as a digital nomad.

🌴 NOMAD CONCIERGE: Skip the trial-and-error phase with direct WhatsApp access to Joshua for 60 days. Personalized guidance when you need it most (🚨 Limited to 5 people per month).

🌴 JOIN OUR FREE NOMAD COMMUNITY: Connect with fellow nomads and get your questions answered.

Support the Show

If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support the show is to :

- Leave a review on your favorite podcast app

- Share the episode with a friend who might find it valuable

- Follow us on social media @thenomadpod