Valley of Fire State Park

I've always wanted to visit Valley of Fire State Park which is about 45 minutes to an hour away from Las Vegas, and it was totally worth it. They banned the flying of drones here recently, so I was not able to take any aerial shots for my video =(, but we still took some amazing video footage, check it out!

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Valley of Fire State Park

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Having Multiple Streams of Income - My Little Story

I'm a World Juggler

IS VERY IMPORTANT AS AN ENTREPRENEUR.

I remember growing up in a small Florida town, and watching my Dad work so hard. I often wondered how he was able to support all six of his children because my Mom didn't work, well she did....taking care of six kids is no small feat, but you know what I mean =)

As I grew older, I began to notice that my Dad worked on multiple projects, he was always busy! He would wake up bright and early, and come home late at night. He was also in the US Navy, but that was just the tip of the iceberg compared to what he really had going on. My Dad has always been a workhorse, and always believed in having multiple streams of income, and that's where my entrepreneurial journey began.

GROWING UP

I always knew that I wanted to be like my father. What I mean by that, I knew that I wanted to be in business for myself. The idea behind someone telling me what to do just didn't fit in with my mindset, it just didn't. During my adolescent years, I worked with my Dad at his restaurants, catering and concession companies. I learned so much as a kid, and by the time I became an adult, I was managing my father's companies.

My Dad and daughter Lauren

PARTING WAYS

As time progressed and I became more and more independent, I wanted to venture out and try things out on my own, I wanted to explore outside of the family business. I went to culinary school and did a culinary apprenticeship at the Walt Disney World Resort and worked at the finest hotels and resorts. I began to learn more about the hospitality industry and thought that this was the place for me.

Working as a Chef at 5 Star Restaurant Victoria and Alberts - Walt Disney World

I worked in the hospitality industry for a decade I would say, and while working, I was woken up by something bigger when I backpacked Europe for a month in the early 2000's. It was nothing that I ever experienced and I knew right then and there that I wanted to do something that would allow me to keep exploring the world we all live in. Travel was now my ultimate dream.

Get Cash Back every time you book your travels like me!

"I grew up reading my Mom's National Geographic magazines, that's where my itch to travel originated"

BUT, BUT HOW?

The internet bubble was just coming in full circle and I bought my first Web TV, some of you might remember that, but unfortunately, the company failed. I started learning about how the internet works early on, but I never found my place it it. I did everything from online casinos, to travel sites, to Amway, and even tried the infamous chain letter lol. Nothing ever brought me success, but I never quit. I was always juggling, exploring, and trying new things.

AND THEN

Finally, after years of working odd jobs, countless business fails, I found internet affiliate marketing, it was the beginning of a new life, and an eye-opener to what I can really achieve online as an entrepreneur.

TODAY

Marks almost 10 years that I have been in the industry. And for those of you who are not familiar with online affiliate marketing, it's kinda like eCommerce, well.....it all works hand in hand. ECommerce and Affiliate Marketing is a very broad thing to say because there is so much that you can do within the field. Let's just say that I partner with companies who already have a strong infrastructure. They take care of my research and development, drop-shipping, customer service, and technical issues. So what do I have to do? Well, I simply market their products and services and earn weekly paychecks. It sounds simple right, but trust me, it took me years to create a full time income!

Hustle and flow at my Airbnb in Cyberjaya, Malaysia

AM I RICH?

Hmmm, that is all based on what you call success. For me, I don't need much as a minimalist, but I still work hard. Heck, the richest man in the world still works hard day in and day out, it's no wonder why Jeff Bezos is worth billions, oh and by the way....his business is eCommerce =)

SO WHAT ARE MY STREAMS OF INCOME?

Glad you asked, and I'm surprised that you made it this far =). I just have a thing about giving people a little bit of history before getting into the dirt. If you want to know what I do, here goes:

1.  Online Affiliate Marketing - this all ties in with everything that I do with eCommerce, Network Marketing. I market everything from health and fitness, lifestyle products, and online travel services, but only market things that I use =) I have to believe in what I share with my friends, that's important.

How I Workout When I Travel

2.  Video Media and YouTube - I run a small youtube based media business where I film obstacle racing events, adventure travel, and cause-related non profit organizations. This is not really a business, but I tend to get companies and individuals asking me for my video services, so if I believe in their mission, I will help them out. As far as non-profit organizations and charities, I create content for them for free, it's just my way of giving back to the community.

Morzine, France to film the Spartan European Championships

3.  Airbnb - I found this business model while traveling all over the world on video projects and decided to give it a shot. I am currently working on a few properties that will also include local tours and experiences. It's what I love to do when I am stationary and not traveling. By the way, I'm a Super Host =)

Get $40 off your next Airbnb Travel Accommodation!

4.  Restaurant - Well, I am not technically doing this at the moment (but planning and re-designing is in the works), but I am trying to encourage my Dad to retire so that he can relax and enjoy his life that he worked so hard for. Once this happens, if it ever does =) I will be taking over the family business that I left many years ago. Many people ask me why I would do such a thing and run a bricks and mortar type of business, and this is what I say, "it's where it all started for me", I want to continue my father's legacy. For as long as I am here, I will help my parents, because I am so grateful for what they have done for me. Taking over the family business is an honor, and I will cherish it forever.

My Dad and I at a Spartan Race in Tampa, FL.

So I don't know what you thought you would be getting by reading this blog post. I guess the main thing that I wanted to point out is that, if you really want success in life, it's not about just doing one thing. I would not be who I am today if I didn't juggle my whole life. Life is not about monetary things for me, it's all about the experiences. Today's society is moving so fast, and trust me, I know how difficult it is to keep up. My little piece of advice should you choose to take it is, no matter what you do, make sure that you love dong it, and helping people along the way.

What are your streams of income? What is your story? I'd love to hear from you. And if you are looking for another stream of income, please feel free to connect with me, I'm sure that together we can find a solution to help you get to the next level of your life.

Working multiple streams while filming adventures in Nepal

Have an amazing day! =)

Subscribe to my Youtube Channels:
- OCRTUBE.com, Obstacle Course Racing
- Lagalag Mafia, my personal family adventures

Get CASH BACK on your Travels.....like me =)

So I've been getting a lot of questions about how I find the best travel deals when I am exploring this vast planet. As most of you all know, I am a budget traveler, so I am always looking for the best prices, not necessarily the cheapest (because cheapest isn't always the best, trust me on this one).

With that being said, just because I am a budget traveler doesn't mean that I don't enjoy nice places either. If you do your homework like I do, you can find some really nice places for great rates, I've done this many times during my travels at over 40 countries. It's really all about knowing when and where to book to find amazing deals!

THAT'S WHAT THIS BLOG POST IS FOR

My purpose for this blog is to share with you where I book my travels, and why. With almost 20 years of travel experience, I have found what platforms have yielded me the best deals, and now it's time to share them with you, only because messaging all of you every week on this matter is just very time consuming =).

BEFORE YOU BOOK TRAVEL

It's important for you to know that I only use a handful or platforms. I may find a good deal at one place but book somewhere else because I may get a kickback, or incentive from my travels, so loyalty is also important in the world of travel. It's all about taking care of the people, or company who takes care of you....again, cheapest isn't always the best.

MY TOP PLACES TO BOOK TRAVEL, and get cash back:

- FLIGHTS

1.  www.CashBack4Travel.com - this is where I book flights and get cash back. They also have a free membership program so if you refer other fellow friends and travelers to the search engine, you can either receive cash back or even commissions on their travel. There isn't any other travel site that does that.

Also, if you have a concierge business, or any hospitality type of business, you can use this platform to offer free travel services to your clients and get cash back or commissions towards your business. Not a bad deal!

2.  Kayak.com - I tend to find the cheapest tickets on this search engine, but I have also had the most terrible experiences with the booking from doing it the cheap way. For example, extra fees on baggages and getting charged for not checking in via web etc. Again, cheapest from the beginning doesn't mean cheap, they will get you somewhere along your travels.

3.  Skyscanner.com - I enjoy using this platform mostly during my European travels. But just like Kayak, I do not ever get cash back.

How I Workout When I Travel

- HOTELS and ACCOMMODATIONS

1.  Airbnb.com - I have been using Airbnb for plenty years now, and I am also an Airbnb Host, a SUPER HOST at that =). Airbnb isn't for everyone, but it is a great place to find great deals and local people to hang out with. I'll include some links to help you get up to $55 usd off your next booking, and if you decide to become a host, I'll include that link too. If you decide to host, you can earn as much as $1,000 and more, of course this all depends on your location and service.

Get up to $55 off your next Airbnb Booking, click here!

Become an Airbnb Host, make extra income!

2. CashBack4Travel.com - I rank this up there with Airbnb because there are times that I would rather stay at a hotel. This platform works with companies like Priceline, Booking.com, and Agoda, so with that combined inventory, there are thousands of hotels at really good prices, and on top of that, you will always get cash back every time you book. You won't get this anywhere else on the web.

3.  Kayak.com - Again, a great app for flights, hotels and even car rentals. Just beware of the cheapest rates, they can give you the biggest headaches when you are finally on your vacation. Spend the extra bucks to ensure a better trip, so for this, I would go for CashBack4Travel.com first, and then Kayak.

4. HostelWorld.com - No brainer here, this is where I go when I am traveling alone and on a really tight budget. It's also a good way to meet other travelers too.

5. FreeCampSites.net - I use this site on my long road trips. Most of the campsites listed are all FREE, but you must make a reservation far in advance. The site isn't that great, but the savings is all worth it. Great for the outdoor traveler =)

How I Travel 7+ Months Per Year!

- CAR RENTALS

1. Turo.com - This is really the only place that I rent cars. Turo is like the Airbnb for car rentals, and the rates are very comparable to all the other car agencies out there, but I enjoy bypassing the car rental counter. Also, by using Turo, there are no hidden fees like the other car rental agencies tag you for just for a commission. The downside is that Turo doesn't really allow unlimited mileage, so if you are going to use the car for a long time, then just go with booking on Kayak.com to find the best rate =).

2.  CashBack4Travel.com - If you want cash back every time you rent a car, then this is a no brainer =) This platform has better rates than Turo.com most of the time, but you still have to deal with the counter services and annoying car agents trying to make a commission from you.

Get $25 of your next car rental with Turo

Hope this helps! I like to keep things simple, I've found that these platforms yield me the best travel deals. If you have an suggestions, or would like to ask me anything, please feel free to contact with me anytime!

Mount Mayon Viewpoint - Legazpi City, Philippines

Youtube: Lagalag Mafia

I took my parents and Arlene's niece's on a road trip to Legazpi City, Philippines. One of the most spectacular sights to see there was the Mount Mayon Volcano which was visible as we were driving from miles away. We had an amazing time at the Quituinan Hills Ranch where I believe is the best place to view the volcano. Another place that we enjoyed was the Cagsawa Ruins, I'll post the links of the places that we stayed =)

Quituinan Hills Ranch Mt Mayon Viewpoint

Cagsawa Ruins Church Tower

Links:

Quituinan Ranch

Cagsawa Ruins

Places we stayed:

Sleepadz Naga City (Get 10% Cash Reward when booking - click here)

Sweet Haven in Legazpi City (Get $40 off your next travel accommodation with Airbnb - click here)

GET PAID TO TRAVEL THE WORLD

Enjoy my video, and happy travels!

Mount Maynuba Waterfalls Hike - Philippines

This was a really fun hike!!

Mount Maynuba is only considered a 3/9 hike as far as the difficulty factor, and although it was an easy hike, Mt Maynuba had a lot to offer in terms of scenery and waterfalls....8 waterfalls to be exact! If you are one of those extreme junkies like me, I'll have you know know that there are 2 out of 8 waterfalls that`you can actually jump from, it was so much fun!

The only downfall to this hike was the time that we began hiking, it was pretty darn late (which means it was also really hot, there is hardly and shade during the first portion of the hike so be prepared with water and snacks) despite our 5am start from Cubao, just out side of Manila. One of the highlights of this hike is to see the "Sea of Clouds" and for that, it is best to hike up the evening before, camp out and see this sight very early. We were not able to see it, but we plan, at least my fiancé and I plan to come back and check it out the proper way =)

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I posted a video below that`can help you with determining the cost of the trip from Cubao MRT train station. But if you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. This trip will also be available soon on PinayHikes.com, so if you enjoy experiencing the Philippines and it's mountains the authentic way, then head on over to my finace's fb page (Pinay Hikes) and we can take you based on our availability.

PinayHikes takes you to the mountains in 

authentic filipino modes of transport, just like this =)

Enjoy my quick video, and if you also are looking for the best quality Philippine Outdoor Gear company at very affordable prices, make sure to head out to Lagalag Store Manila in the SM North shopping complex. They also have an online store which you can visit here.

Mount Maynuba Waterfalls Hike

Hike Mount Daraitan - Check out this hike!

Mount Maynuba Summit

Arnel is an Online Beachbody Coach, Digital Nomad, and Sponsored Adventure Traveler. Need some health and fitness motivation and coaching? Feel free to message me here, all fitness levels welcome!

Free Online Coaching from Arnel, click here (USA link) All other countries, message Arnel directly here.

TOP 8 Sightseeing in Kathmandu, Nepal

Pashupupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Nepal

Kathmandu is an amazing ANCIENT CITY and there is so much to see, so the question is, where do I start right? For people who are on a really tight budget then I recommend the Free Walking Tour Kathmandu. The free tour normally starts at 9-9:30am and last for about 5 hours, click here to visit and make your reservation on Facebook. You get a great guide, but the places that you will see is limited. If you really want to see the best places, read on...

How I Workout When I Travel

To be honest, the best way to see Kathmandu is via motorbike! You can either rent a motorbike, or you can do what`I did, and book through the best company in Nepal, Himalayan Trekkers. Also known as Adventure Mission Nepal, they can handle all of your trekking, city tours, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and even tours to Bhutan, Tibet and India.

Here are my Top 8 Places to See in Kathmandu: (Watch video below)

1.  Syambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple

2.  Patan Durbar Square

3.  Bouddhanath Stupa

4.  Garden of Dreams

5.  Kathe Syambhu

6.  Indrachowk

7.  Pashupupatinath Temple

8.  Golden Temple

GET PAID TO TRAVEL THE WORLD

For this city tour, I met at the Adventure Mission Nepal office around 10am, and the motorbike tour lasted about 6-7 hours. This city tour can be totally customized depending on your mode of transport and the amount of people in your party. The more the merrier, and cheaper =). Contact Raj at Himalayan Trekkers here, mention me for a great`deal! =)

Top 8 Places to See in Kathmandu

Having Breakfast with Mount Everest

Breakfast in the Himalayas

When I posted this TITLE to one of the Facebook groups along with my photos from this Luxury Helicopter Tour by Himalayan Trekkers, I was very surprised to receive over 2,000+ likes!

Yes, it was definitely an amazing trip, and the company Adventure Mission Nepal (Himalayan Trekkers) really hooked it up! I spent a total of 30 days in Nepal......and it was NOT enough time!

During my time in Nepal, I was able to film a couple video projects and stay productive. The one thing that`some people forget is that when you are a long term traveler, you can't just stop working, unless you are one of those trust fund kids, or as rich as the ZUCK. As for me, I have to work as I travel =)

Workout and Travel anytime, anywhere!

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The one thing that`I really loved about Nepal, other than the fact that it's the HIGHEST place on earth, was the people and the culture. So many people travel to different countries and because of time constraints, they only have time for the touristy activities and don't delve into the culture of the local people, and for me, that makes all the difference.

Anywho, I just wanted to share with you the video that I created for Himalayan Trekkers in Nepal, and if you ever make it to this magical place, I would like to encourage you to head on over to Adventure Mission Nepal and mention my name, you might save some cash and score some free stuff! =)

Breakfast with Everest Heli Tour Nepal

Book this trip!

Related Links:

- Adventure Mission Nepal, for all your trekking and touring needs in Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and India

- My Travel Youtube (its really small so don't expect much)

- How I work and stay connected to WIFI while I travel to over 100 countries, Get 10% off Skyroam Global Wifi here

How I Travel 7-10 Months out of the Year

How I Travel 7-10 Months Out Of The Year

Live everyday like it's your last!

I've been getting a lot of comments here and there on my social media channels about how I am able to travel long term. To be honest, I thought that I posted a blog on this awhile back, but to do something different, I'm going to jot down "for the curious", some of the things that I do that allow me to do just that.....travel on my own terms.

IT'S NOT THAT COMPLICATED

1.  I DON'T SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON ACCOMMODATIONS - I mean, I see no reason for it if I am going to be out most of the time exploring, and going on film projects that take all day and for some, all weekend. I have friends who are so kind that they allow me to stay at their place for free, but when I am not with friends, I save TONS by booking at rare-find Airbnb's, Free Camp Sites, and Hostels. Yeah, I've been to some dodgy places, but don't forget, I film races in some of the most remote places, so I am just not that picky.

Oh, and trust me, every once in awhile I stay at really nice places, but its definitely a rarity. Think about how much of the planet you can see if you didn't spend $300 per night at a hotel, I can fly to two countries with $300 while you're all cooped up in a hotel room!!! =)

Surround yourself with people who care about your future!

2.  I DON'T DO TOURS - All it takes is for you to get on google and do a little research and find how you can do the very same tour that these companies are charging an arm and a leg for. Some tours are even free! If you want to get the best experience from your travels, try doing it yourself, it's much more meaningful.

There are some places where it isn't possible to see a place without a guide, and there are reasons for that, but what I'm saying is if there is a way that you can plan an adventure on your own, then I highly encourage it. The best plans are the ones that are never planned =) Be an adventurer, it will save you some cash, and educate you at the same time.

3.  I STAY AWAY FROM EXPENSIVE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION - Like taxis! I walk, run, or bike everywhere. If I'm too lazy, I use public transportation like buses and trains. Uber is probably the most that I would pay for transportation, and then a car rental from Turo.

Also, if you are using public transportation like trains, I recommend trying to book online, it's a lot cheaper than the ticket machines and tellers most of the time. Again, it's all about making your money last for a long time if you want to travel long term.

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4.  I COOK MY OWN MEALS - if and when possible. Find the nearest market to your hotel, and cook your own food, you can save so much money this way. Eating out is fun especially if you're at a different place, but if you want to travel long term, eating out will drain your pockets really quick and send you back home eating ramen noodles!!!

Spend that extra money for a kitchen in your room, or stay at a hostel or airbnb that offers kitchen use. You will save a bazillion bucks and even meet others who can eventually give you even more tips on long term travel.

5.  IT'S NOT A 3 RING CIRCUS - You don't have to go out every night, you don't have to drink and party all the time. There's a difference between travel and vacation. Travel is more long term, and if you are traveling for months at a time, you have to somehow create some sort of routine, otherwise your money will go bye bye real quick. Make sure that you allow time to relax. Sometimes not doing anything is everything =)

It's all about pacing yourself. If you feel that you have to do something every day, then you'll soon find out that home will be sooner than you think, and who wants to go back to the same old grind?

6.  I FOUND A WAY TO CREATE INCOME ONLINE - So that I can work from anywhere around the world. With technology these days, it's getting easier to find ways to create an online income. I started my online business about 6 years ago, and I continue to work and build it while I travel.

Working an online business remotely is not for everyone, but if you want to travel long term, than I cannot think of another way to do it unless you have a million dollar trust fund.

Always set goals, dream big, and tell those TOXIC PEOPLE to shut the heck up!

Sometimes people work as they travel (hotel work, bartending, working on farms, teaching etc), so that is another option, but I'm sure that you agree that being your own boss and traveling on your own terms sounds more appealing, at least for me it is. There are some online freelance websites out there if you are the creative type. Check out Upwork and maybe even Fiverr. Or better yet, ask me about how you can do what I do.

------------------------------------------------------------

So that's about it folks. Travel doesn't have to be expensive. Just a little practice and doing a little research will take you a long way. If I can assist you in any way, please feel free to contact me, I'd love to help out =).

Running up to the PAGODA - Reading, Pennsylvania

Watch Video Below

So I'm traveling and filming obstacle course races (for my OCRTUBE Media Project) in the Pennsylvania and New York area for a few weeks, and a friend of mine was kind enough to let me stay at her place while I am in between races. She told me about this Pagoda that I can run up a little north of Reading, PA so I decided to give it a go. It was pretty flat running through the city of Reading, but once you hit Hill Rd, that's where the steady incline and the real workout begins. There was a nice park on the way which I will probably end up doing some sort of Insanity Max 30 Workout there before I leave, but the run was pretty scenic, and the homes were beautiful. I even ran into a couple deer kinda scared be a little because they were STOMPING at me, I guess they weren't thrilled that I was taking photos of them, they just wanted me to leave =)

Shadey's Rugged Run - Lancaster PA (2017)

This was a local mud run that I filmed while staying in Reading PA

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Once I made it up to the Pagoda, it was closed, but only the inside. You could still access the viewing areas and some trails below. When I was up there, I actually felt like I was in Japan, it had a sorta calm feeling about the place. I spent about an hour there just walking around and taking photos.

Overlooking the City of Reading, Pennsylvania

The Pagoda is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And they also allow guests to rent out the place for events. If you would like more information on the Pagoda in Reading, just click here.

Here is my quick video on my run up to the Pagoda. I plan to be doing this run at least a couple times before I leave Pennsylvania, it's really a great workout! If you're ever in the area, definitley check it out. Oh and you don't have to run up, you can also drive too, but where's the fun in that?

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Running and P90X

How I Manage To Stay in Shape While Filming Races Around The World

Filming at Shale Hill Adventure - Vermont

Well, I'll have you know that it's no simple task, and I can't tell you that I stay committed everyday, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I can share with you.

When I travel from race to race, and from country to country, it can get very exciting, but it can also be a bit stressful to my mind, body, and spirit.

EASY EXCUSES

It was so easy for me to say things like:

-  I'm traveling today, so I'll just make this a rest day
-  There isn't enough room in the place that I'm staying so I won't workout today
-  I traveled all day yesterday so I need to catch up on some work
-  I can't find a gym nearby, and I don't want to spend money for an uber/taxi/bus etc to get to one
-  I'm sore today, so I'll just lay in bed

REAL LIFE RIGHT HERE

I'm sure that I'm not the only one making excuses, but yes, its tough but the one thing that I've learned is that if I want to be happy and healthy, and want to be able to mark things off my growing bucket list, that I won't be able to do that if I am fat, sick, and unhealthy. So what do I do? I force myself to get uncomfortable. Is it easy? HECK NO!

MY SECRETS

Let me be upfront with you. There are no fitness secrets out there. It's all about hard work and dedication, and something that most people don't event think about.....finding people who think like you. Yeah, I know...it can be tough to find people to workout with you while you're traveling, but it's not impossible. The first thing to do is just ask people. Huh? Yeah, most people just assume that when people travel, all they want to do is drink, party, and sleep....but I know better because I've met so many people who think the opposite, and all I did was ask.

Interviewing Mr Mouse from Tough Guy - Wolverhampton, England

IT'S ABOUT THE SMALL THINGS

Here are some things that I do to keep me in shape while I travel the world filming races for my cause-related media project:

Learn more about my OCRTUBE Media Project

1.  I take the stairs everywhere that I go, and never the elevator, escalator, or anything that would give me an advantage. Now if I'm at the airport and I'm about to miss a flight, I will get on that fast track thing, but I'm hustling and either running or fast walking, not just standing on the right side watching people walk on the left of me.

2.  When I'm on an airplane or any mode of transportation, I tend to do a lot of calf stretches because my calves can get pretty tight while traveling. So I'll simply straighten my legs (one at a time) as much as I can (benefits of being short I guess), and just rotate my feet, point them up and down, etc. This keeps me moving and my calves loose so they won't swell.

3.  When I have long layovers, I will literally find a small area and do either a short stretch or full body strength and conditioning workout. Sometimes I will pay money to go to the lounge so I can get more privacy, but these people don't know you, and you'll probably never see them again. Plus, you may find someone to workout with you. I've done a quick T25 workout from Beachbody on Demand, and it always just makes me feel good...25 minutes and I'm done.

Hanging out with friends at a hostel in Zurich, Switzerland

4.  Lot's of times I stay at hostels and camp sites. At hostels, there isn't a lot of room especially if you are in a dorm room. So I basically try to look for a nearby gym and ask for a free trial pass, or even find a nearby fancy hotel and pay for a day pass and go to town on my P90X workouts. Working out at camp sites are very easy, there is a lot of space to run and do a lot of body weight resistance workouts. I sometimes will bring resistance bands or my TRX, it all depends if I'm traveling domestic or international. I only travel with one small carry on which can also pass for a personal item. I travel light with only my camera equipment, and a few clothes. Toiletries can always be bought anywhere, so I don't even pack that stuff. I film a lot of races, and just use those free race shirts while I travel, and i'll leave them behind if I feel that it is too much to carry in my pack when going back home. I never pay for check in baggage, NEVER...that's how light I travel =).

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5.  Staying at Airbnb's and hotels are definitely easier and I can never make an excuse to not workout because I have my own room. Unfortunately, because I travel 7 months out of the year, staying at Airbnb's and Hotels are like a luxury to me, it doesn't happen all the time. I will mostly do an Insanity or P90X workout, or simple run on the treadmill. I love it when the hotels have their own gyms, it makes it easier to workout, which I prefer Body Beast workouts at the gym. I do love doing my workouts outdoors, but when I've been outdoors filming races all weekend, sometimes I'd rather just stay indoors.

Hotel Gym Workout - Body Beast

6.  When I travel and stay at places for a long period of time, I tend to explore and find out where the best outdoor parks are. Some of these parks have great running trails with fitness equipment along the running path. I've found other parks to have some amazing outdoor gyms for as low as $1. Being outdoors is definitely what I love the most, so I will always prefer an outdoor park over an indoor gym any day.

7.  You'll be surprised of how many free group fitness classes are out there. I will simply google free workouts and find all kinds of free group fitness classes to attend. Most of these are donation based but it's always worth it. Get a better workout and run to the class instead of using public transportation.

8. When I am out sightseeing or exploring, I try do everything myself instead of using a tour guide or tour company. For one, you save a lot more money, and you will see a lot more because you will be on your own time, and not the time set by the company. Now because you will not book through a company, you may have to look for your own transportation, you may get lost, and you might have to hike longer etc. But if you want to see things off the beaten path, and get fit at the same time, then DIY travel should be on the top of your list.  I normally choose tours or activities that keep me active such as Volcano Hikes, Walking Tours, Bike Tours, and Surf Trips etc.

Concepcion Volcano Hike - Nicaragua

9.  Lastly, if I cannot workout for some reason, or I am literally just being lazy, the least I can do is make sure that I am eating super healthy that day. I mean it's always a good idea to eat healthy all the time, but I'll admit, when I travel...I enjoy eating the local foods and an occasional beer or wine. It's ok to live your life, but remember...you only have one life and one body, so take care of it and moderate the junk foods.

10.  I lied. One last thing. I am part of of an online community of people who I coach. Now even though I coach these people with their health and fitness, it doesn't mean that I am anywhere near perfect. My online community inspires me, motivates me, and keeps me accountable while I travel. They are a constant reminder of why I decided to become healthy and fit in the first place. They remind me that coaches aren't perfect and we need help too. It's so important to find the right people to surround yourself with, and an online accountability community at your finger tips will do the trick, that is if you make it a priority. It's like having you're own personal gym and motivators (cheer squad) everywhere you go. If you need to be a part of one, ask to join my group, it's always free =)

AND THAT'S ABOUT IT

Traveling and getting fit is only difficult if you make it difficult. If you use my tips above as a guideline, it will help your travels be a lot more enjoyable, and you won't miss out on a lot of EPICNESS because you were too out of shape to make it up the mountain.

Make me your Free Coach - Click here!

Safe travels, and I hope to see you somewhere around the world.

Filming in Monterrey, Mexico

My TOP 10 Travel Apps of All Time

A lot of my friends ask me how I plan, book, and organize my travel, even how I exercise while I'm on the go....so I decided instead of repeating myself a millions times, why not post a blog and just share the link...HA, brilliant! =)

I DO NOT USE TRAVEL AGENCIES OR BOOK TRAVEL PACKAGES

No way Jose! If you travel a lot, that can become very, BERRY expensive. I've learned many years ago about traveling independently, and with the advent of APPS, it's makes planning my travels so much easier.

YES, I HAVE AN IPHONE

But I'm pretty sure that the apps below will have Android versions, in fact as popular as they are, I want to say that I am positive that they do.

MY TOP TEN (not in order as pertaining to favorites)

1.  Airbnb - I rarely stay at hotels these days unless I get a super good deal. When I travel, I enjoy meeting other people, and staying with the locals. Hotels are very touristy, and that is something that I try to avoid. With Airbnb, I have the opportunity to stay with some amazing locals and save a lot of money.

Get $40 in Airbnb Travel Credit - Claim it here!

My Airbnb in IJmuiden, Netherlands

2.  Uber - I like the fact that when I use Uber, I am supporting a regular person just like you and I with having their own business. I can also save up to 50% or more on my fares and have much better conversations with Uber drivers. Thank you Travis and Garrett for inventing this!

Get $15 Off Your First Uber Ride

3.  Hostel World - When I travel, I really don't care about how fancy my accommodations are, so many times I stay at hostels. And don't think for a minute that hostels are gross, yes...there are some sketchy ones, but I've stayed at many boutique hostels that were way better than a 5 star hotel, seriously! With hostels, you have the option of dorm-style or private room accommodations, and you meet so many people from around the world. 50% of my friends I've met from hostels, so if you enjoy meeting travel-minded people, than this might be right up your alley. This app rates the hostels and provides reviews which makes it easy to choose the best accommodation for you.

Hostel in London, England

4.  Kayak - I book 90% of my flights with this app. It's searches hundreds of sites to help you find the best deal. If you like saving time and being more productive like I do, than this app will save your life! This app also searches multiple sites for car rentals and hotels.

5.  Turo - This app is like the Airbnb for car rentals. You rent from verified car owners instead of corporations. The cars are comparable to what you would get from your typical car rental agency, but with less the hassle and hidden fees. What I like best about Turo is the selection of cars from economy all the way up to high end Tesla's and Maserati's. I don't own a car anymore so most of my cars I rent from Turo when I need a car for a hot date (lol JK). One time I rented from a Jamaican family and when I returned the car, they had Jerk Chicken prepared for me! When's the last time Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise or Dollar did that for you.....NEVER!

Get $25 Off Your First Car Rental with Turo

6.  Skyscanner - This is the app that I primarily use to book my air tickets all over Europe. I once bought a ticket from England to Norway for $15, yup....I'm not kidding!

7.  XE Currency - I use this app all the time! When you visit different countries, you have to be smart and understand their currency and the conversion rates, and this app can help you with that. If I didn't have this app, I would've probably been ripped off many times over. If you don't like getting ripped of, then get this app.

8.  iTranslate - Ok, I'm embarrassed to say that I only know and speak one language! Yes, I am filipino, but I can only say the bad words LOL. So what do I do to get by when I travel to different parts of the world, I have my handy dandy translator on my iPhone. I may not have perfect pronunciation, but at least I try to speak their language, and the locals really like that. When you visit different countries, I encourage you to learn the basic greetings such as: thank you, have a good day, hello, good bye, and where's the bathroom....that's important =)

iTranslate

9.  Maps.me - This is the best app when exploring the city on foot or hiking trails. It's amazing how this app can find small single tracks behind people's back yards. This is the ultimate off-the-beaten path app, google maps doesn't have nothing on this one. I once got lost in the Norwegian forest and guess who saved my life? This app!

10.  Beachbody on Demand - Ok this is not really a travel app, but I have to say that it is one of the most important apps while I travel because it helps me stay active and in shape during my back to back trips. With over $6,000 worth of online workouts, I can do everything from yoga on the beach to Insanity in the jungle, to P90X at the gym. This app is like the Netflix of fitness, how else can I be strong enough to hike strenuous mountains, chase top athletes when I'm filming endurance races, or run away from bandits who think I'm rich =)

Try Beachbody on Demand for 30 Days FREE!

So there you have it! I hope that you find this to be super helpful with your travels, and if you have any questions at all, please feel free to connect with me, I'd be happy to share more tips and even learn from some of you!


Workout Anywhere, Anytime - No More Excuses!