As I am sitting in my typical coworking space where I do most of my work here in the Philippines, awaiting for my Gopro equipment to finish updating on the newest software, I was just thinking about how I came to this point in my life.
How did a skinny, shy and not so bright person who was a "momma's boy" end up traveling around the world while running a small internet business? I was an extreme introvert, never really made a lot of close friends, and hated being in the pubic eye. I didn't do very well in school, and was always and still terrified of public speaking.
How did I get here?
I have no idea! My mom has told me many times that` when I was a little kid, I was always talking about traveling around the world and owning my own business. I think it stemmed from reading and collecting old National Geographic magazines at an early age. I was always fascinated by different cultures and people and exploring new places, pretty odd for being such an extreme introvert. I was also exposed to entrepreneurship at an early age by my father. Although he was in the Navy, my Dad always had a gig on the side to make extra money. When he was still in the military, he started a food concession business on the weekends where he simply towed a trailer and sold oriental food at fairs, music festivals, and flea markets. His business grew and he began to travel all over the USA selling food. His food concession business was so successful that` he was able to open up several restaurants as well as a catering company. I witnessed all of his hard work and dedication at an early age, and I was also voluntarily involved in the family business which at the time I didn't enjoy. But all of those years with my father has taught me about work ethic and the drive to BE MY OWN BOSS.
I didn't go to school for business, I studied Hotel Restaurant Management, and even did a culinary apprenticeship at Walt Disney World and became a Chef at the prestigious 5 Star Restaurant Victoria & Alberts. I learned so much about world cuisine while I was there, and even had the opportunity to cook for several famous celebrities.
Through the years, I went from job to job, but mostly stayed in the hospitality industry. I dabbled with all kinds of ways to earn extra income from day trading, starting an online casino, having a nightlife marketing business, travel business, and I even did Amway!
The first time that` I traveled abroad was I believe in 2001 or 2002, I can't remember, but I traveled to 5 european countries in 30 days, I was hooked! From that`point on, I made a goal for myself that I would somehow find a way to have a business that`would allow me to travel around the world. It took many many years, a failed marriage, lost financial and time investments, many more jobs, and a lifestyle change, but I was finally able to make it happen. In 2012, I was able to retire from 3 of my jobs, and be my own boss. My dream finally came true, it only took over 16 years!!! =)
Am i successful? I think so, but success to me in terms of financial wealth has changed through the years, I guess I've learned a lot. I have learned that it really isn't how much you make, but more about how much you save. I don't consider myself financially wealthy, I guess you can say that I am rich in happiness.
Over 3 years ago I became a minimalist. In the beginning, I did it to save money and to be honest, I just started selling things off because I needed the money to pay my bills. But it was through that experience that found that it wasn't about how many material things that`you accumulate, it was about the experience. It brought me back to my backpacking trip that did in 2002, I learned how to stretch my money for 30 days, and how to have `fun without spending a lot of money. So today, I have gained so much more knowledge about how to travel around the world and gain experiences with a shoestring budget. When people say it takes money to travel the world, I say "yes it does". I believe that if it's important to you, you will make a point to travel. And when you do, I promise you that you will gain many fun and educational experiences. I challenge you to travel for 30 days, I challenge you to go to a place you've never been, I challenge you to travel solo, I challenge you to do it now.
It's like when people say, when you have a flat tire what do you do? Well, you get it fixed, because without your car, how can you go to work and pay your bills. When something happens in your life, we are programmed to solve it and move on, that's what`humans do. So if you leave and travel for 30 days, I promise you that you will survive. But not even that, you will learn so much about yourself, and what's so bad about that?
I've never forgotten where I came from, and that has inspired me to continue my path. I don't know what your goals are,I don't know what's going on in your life right now, but all I do know is that that's not that`important, because five years from now you will understand and be glad that you had the determination to do something great, and to do it for you! :).
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Much success to all of you, and I hope to see you all soon! If you would like to connect with me in regards to travel, fitness, or business ideas, feel free to message me here.
Arnel is a donation-based filmmaker, digital nomad, sponsored adventure traveler, and online Beachbody Coach.
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