FREE GUIDE: Digital Nomad and Remote Lifestyle Coaching Business

start a digitl nomad lifestyle

How to Live the Digital Nomad Coach or Trainer Remote Lifestyle:
Travel & Adventure Business Models

Any Budget. Any Adventure. Any Destination. Any Business Niche. Enjoy Location Independence.

COVID-19 and the life-altering events of 2020 rapidly accelerated the opportunities for remote work, long-term slow travel, digital nomadism and location freedom for personal trainers, fitness pros and coaches.

Imagine traveling anywhere in the world while making a great living. You can enjoy as much time as you like in each location. You can enjoy a highly successful fitness, wellness nutrition, or any niche coaching business while spending less money each month than you are right now. Coach or train your clients online, at a resort, on a cruise ship, at a retreat or ______, and see the world on your terms.

Does it sound impossible?  It’s not.  It’s just the reality of living a digital nomad/location independent lifestyle as a coach or trainer. Keep reading, because you are about to learn how to make this dream life…YOUR LIFE!

living the fitness lifestyle

This in-depth article will guide you step-by-step to living a life of adventure while you see the world and build a highly profitable training or coaching business. You will find the path that works for you.  Keep reading.

A quick reality check: The world is different than it was just a short time ago. We can agree that some things are better, and some things have taken a downward turn. Running a brick-and-mortar gym can be rewarding and lucrative. It can also be a huge responsibility and very costly. In some cases, it’s just not worth the effort and the headache. Having a physical space such as an office increases your fixed monthly costs and holds you in place. Having a mortgage is a 30-year commitment to something that may or may not work out as expected.

You need certification(s) to effectively help your clients and prove you have professional skills.
Click here for coaching certifications and here for training certification.

Some things are out of your control. Many things are within your control. TAKE CONTROL.

If you are displeased with your current situation, or even the conditions in your city, county, state, region or country, YOU HAVE GREAT ALTERNATIVES.  Become a nomadic training and coaching pro. Life is short, so live one filled with adventure.

If you think this is NOT possible, please acknowledge the following statement: “You have never completed in-depth research on each of the topics you are about to read.” So, it makes sense if you don’t yet know of the incredible opportunities that await you. They are waiting for you now.

A quick trip back in history: In 2007, Tim Ferriss wrote the now-infamous 4-Hour Work Week which detailed his adventures around the world including Tango dancing in Argentina, city tours, and martial arts competitions in China while outsourcing his business and responsibilities. He was able to work just 4 hours per week for years while traveling the world. This iconic book influenced and changed the lives of millions of people around the world.  Suddenly, people realized they can have a life of adventure while making a great living. Over time, this lifestyle became known as being a “digital nomad”.

Today: The digital nomad and remote work community is growing worldwide – FAST.  Due to technology, better travel options, and a massive shift in “business as usual” you can train and coach clients who live anywhere in the world while you live or travel anywhere in the world.

What is the definition of a digital nomad? According to Investopedia.com, Digital nomads are people who are location-independent and use technology to perform their job. Digital nomads work remotely, telecommuting rather than being physically present at a company’s headquarters or office.  In many other cases, they operate their own businesses and offer various products or services to customers regionally or globally.

As of mid-2022, there are over 35 million people around the world who identify themselves as a digital nomad. And many more, 17 million, aspire to someday become nomadic.  These numbers has doubled since 2019.

how to start a digital nomad lifestyle

Myth debunked: Digital nomads usually don’t work from the beach with a colorful drink in their hand. The sun, heat, and sand make working with a laptop very challenging. So, don’t be fooled by the beautiful optimized, and filtered Instagram pictures with oversaturated colors.

The basics: You can live a better life, save money, help more people, and have a successful business living this lifestyle. You only need simple tech, knowledge, and a sense of adventure.

First, do this: Get rid of everything you don’t use, need or want. Adopt what we call “practical minimalism”. Practical is the keyword. Be smart and think it over. “Stuff” is just that. Over time, it loses its appeal and often its value. Consider only investing in a few important aspects of life. They are the following: Your education, health, portable technology, business, experiences, family, travel and philanthropy.

reduce costs as a fitness business owner

Don’t just place things in a storage unit. That is quite possibly one of the biggest wastes of money in the world. Sell it, donate it, recycle it, or throw it away.

Have you ever moved, and as you are cleaning out your house, you ask yourself, “When did I collect all this stuff?” Your next thought is likely, “Why did I think this was important?” Then, when you get to your new location, you realize you should have sold, donated, or thrown out even more? Let it go now.

Nobody, at the end of their life, says, “I sure wish I would have bought that 7,000 sq. ft. house, and not settled for that 1,700 sq. ft. house.” 

That statement has never been made at the end of someone’s life.

Think about this: Traditionally, travel can be expensive for someone for a few reasons. They still have a mortgage or high rent they are paying while traveling. They may have a lease for a gym, shop, store, or club. They have memberships, car insurance, car payments, and other fixed costs WHILE they travel.  Then all, or most, of those expenses are eliminated BEFORE you become nomadic and travel becomes very affordable. And, when you add in the knowledge of using points, discount travel, seasonal discounts, and various incentives, your cost to travel the world goes down significantly.

Life Lessons for You: A few years back, there was an article written by a nurse who took care of people in the last years of their life.  The nurse kept a journal of her patients’ life lessons they wanted to share with her. None of the elderly said they wanted more material possessions. The vast majority said nearly the identical thing about what matters most, and what they regret the most. The people in the last year of their life said what they regret most is not traveling more, worrying about what people think, not spending more time with people they love, and not educating themselves more. When it comes down to it, they said love, experience, health, and living life on your terms is most important. It’s highly unlikely all of these people are wrong.  Learn from their lifetime of collective wisdom.

Saving money on expenses while continually traveling:  You may be wondering how you can save money each month while continually traveling the world while enjoying a rewarding training/coaching career. There are endless examples of how this works, but here are some examples. If you were previously living in high-tax and high-regulation cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Sidney, or London, just selling your house, terminating your lease, and moving out of the area will save you 10% – 20%. Living in a place like Thailand can have a total cost of less than $1,000/month.  There are some nomads who live and work in Chiang Mai, Thailand for as little as $600/month in total expenses. As an example, a meal is usually under $3. A beer is $2. A 1-hour massage is about $15 including tip. While you live in Thailand, you can outsource your work to highly skilled workers for considerably less than you may think.

Quick Question: What will you do with all your money when you are making just as much as you are right now, but only need $1,000/month to live well?

digital nomad living in thailand

NOTE: In the picture above, your daily home expenses are just $14.  Remember, this INCLUDES all utilities. There is a gym, pool, and spa included as well. Add in $15 for all your meals of the day, and some miscellaneous expenses and you are at roughly $30 -$40/day total expenses.  How much do you charge for 1 session?  Let’s contrast that with JUST RENT in Chicago for a 2 bedroom apartment – $2500/month ($83/day just for rent). Make sense now?

For 50% less than you can hire a U.S. worker, you can help a great person provide for their entire family (not just an individual).  Everyone wins. Some of NESTA’s team is based in India. They are smart, hard-working, loyal, and wonderful. Remember, when you are nomadic, you also have no reason to pay for a car, car insurance, cable TV, expensive groceries, or expensive public transportation. In many cases, no need to pay for Internet access either. Is it getting easier to see how you can save money and travel?

CONTROVERSIAL and STILL 100% ACCURATE

Completely remove yourself from high-tax states/regions. If you are going to be nomadic, let go of unnecessary tax burdens. In America, states such as Hawaii, California, Illinois, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey have INSANE TAXES. If you are going to live a life of adventure, consider changing your state of residency to a no-tax/no-tax state first. We understand this may be an odd topic, but keep reading and it will make sense. We are not suggesting you will give up U.S. (or other country’s) residency or citizenship to be nomadic. We are saying that if you want to travel the world indefinitely (or even 9 months a year), why be taxed at the highest level if you aren’t even going to be there to use the state’s services? You must do it legally and correctly.  It’s not difficult. If you want to know the truth about taxation, and how to live more affordably, check out this site https://www.howmoneywalks.com/.  It shows how people are leaving high tax/high burden states to no/low tax areas. It’s factual. It’s undeniable. Data proves it. Simply do what is needed to legally move your residency (domiciliary) to a more tax-friendly location before you travel, and you’ll instantly save 10% – 20% of your income before you even get on the plane. Consult your CPA or tax advisor for specifics. Of course, this is NOT required, but why not save a lot more money?

leave high tax high regulation states

Early retirement? This is maybe the most interesting and surprising thing about being a digital nomad.   If you are younger, you may not yet be thinking about it. However, if you think in those terms now, you will be much better off than people who did not think like this in their 20s. When done correctly, you can endlessly travel, and save more money every year so you can invest it and retire earlier (or just better).  When done correctly, you will eliminate high rent, eliminate high state tax, cable TV/phone/utility bills, save on food, reduce the need to buy and maintain household electronics/appliances and in some cases, eliminate out of control U.S. health insurance costs.

It is not unreasonable to consider you will save an extra $10,000 – $30,000 per year.  It could be a lot more.  $30,000 saved per year is $300,000 in just 10 years without the benefit of compounded interest. When interest is factored in, that amount could be anywhere from $400,000 – $500,000.  Those are real numbers. Keep reading and you will see why it’s not just possible, but likely.

PRO TIP: If you have a long flight to your new location, make the most of that time. You can write, edit, review videos, create a program, write emails (Gmail will push them out once you connect to the Internet), or do essentially any other task. In many cases, you can get Wi-Fi on the plane and increase your productivity. You can also communicate with your outsource team to do all their tasks for the next week so you can relax and have fun for a while.  Use your time wisely.

Saving money on transportation (flights and ground transportation): You can get a credit card that gives you airline miles. You can redeem them for free or discount travel. The American Express Delta Rewards Card is excellent.  There are countless others. Using a company credit card makes your accounting simple and you get discounted or free travel.  Pay it off each month. Just use it as a tool. This website is an excellent resource: https://thepointsguy.com/.

When on the ground, you can always use Uber or Lyft in countries where it’s offered.  Another fun alternative in Thailand is taking a ride in a Tuk Tuk (a fun, 3-wheeled open-air cab). At the moment, the going rate for a short Tuk Tuk ride is about 150 baht (US$5) for a journey that would cost 50 to 70 baht (US$2) in a metered taxi. Compare that to a cab ride in NYC.  It’s 80% less.

tuk tuk nomad transportation

When you don’t have Uber or Lyft, you have Grab. Grab is Southeast Asia’s #1 ride-hailing app, food delivery service, and cashless payment solution all in one. With the new Grab app, you’ll get the most convenient booking service for private cars and taxis from the largest community of drivers in the region, food delivery from your favorite restaurants to satisfy any craving, and cashless payments in-app and at merchants across the city. Whatever you need, Grab has you covered.

A Wide Range of Accommodations and Experiences: Of course, you can stay in a fancy hotel, but you will burn through your money too quickly.  Fortunately, you have many affordable options.  If you want to go really low budget, you can stay in a hostel. A hostel is a low-budget accommodation shared among other travelers. When you book a stay at a hostel, you typically book a bed for the night, and not a room. Your bed may be in a room with four other travelers, or in a room with up to twenty travelers. Each is unique.

remote work from a hostelBathrooms are dorm-style; large, with several shower stalls and a row of sinks. Hostels usually have only one or two bathrooms on each floor. Hostels tend to lend to more interaction, cost much less than a hotel, but do not provide the privacy or personal service found at a hotel. You will spend anywhere from $10 – $30/night in most cases. Here’s a great resource for hostels: https://www.hostelworld.com

Another low budget and adventurous accommodation option is to couchsurf. Couchsurfing is a service that connects members to a global community of travelers. Use Couchsurfing to find a place to stay or share your home and hometown with travelers. Couchsurfers organize regular events in 200,000 cities around the world. There’s always something to do and new friends to meet. For more information, visit https://www.couchsurfing.com.

Of course, you can stay in an Airbnb. In places such as Thailand, you can stay ON the beach for less than $40/night.

hiking group trips for nomad travelers

Backpacking: Obviously, this isn’t for everyone.  But, it is one heck of an adventure.  You may be wondering how you can run a coaching/training business while hiking/backpacking through Europe. Here’s just one example… You set up an online transformation program and hire another coach/trainer to facilitate it for you. Now, you have 30-60 days to go have fun. You can also create several online courses and sell them on various learning platforms and make money while you backpack. This program shows you how.  You can also outsource your entire business – forever – and just go have fun.  Here are the best countries to backpack: https://www.hostelworld.com/blog/worlds-best-backpacker-destinations/

Sleep for free: House-sitting is a service where a homeowner entrusts their property, possessions, and pets, for a period of time, to one or more “house sitters”.

And… what do house sitters do? Well, by mutual agreement the sitters get to live with no accommodation charges in exchange for house sitting responsibilities. This may include taking care of pets, look after the home and keeping it clean and tidy, organizing occasional maintenance in the event of something going wrong, and generally making sure that everything runs smoothly, just as if the owner was at home.

It’s a trust-based value exchange that should result in happy homeowners, satisfied house sitters, and a fur family that benefit from keeping to their normal routines, being looked after by people who love pets! You can always work with clients online while house-sitting. For details, visit https://housesittingmagazine.com.

Ethically Leverage Your Business and Lifestyle

Go where you are treated best: This principle is named “geo-arbitrage”. Go where you can live your best life.  Earn your money (charge for your services) in the currency that gives you the most global buying power. Hire qualified outsourced workers where your money goes the furthest. Live/travel where you have a lower cost of living. Do your banking where you get the highest interest on your saving and the banks are safest. Get your medical treatments where they are affordable, and they have the best services for what you need done (dental, cosmetic, surgery). Travel to your favorite places when the prices are lowest and/or when the weather is best. Do your research and plan your travels to a specific location while they have optimal weather. Travel when a particular city is having an event you want to attend (festivals, concerts, competitions, sporting events).

teach fitness in porto portugal

Top digital nomad destinations: As with anything, people’s opinions vary widely.  However, there is usually some point of consensus on a few things.  This list is the “best” places for digital nomads according to several top resources and community groups: Canggu, Bali, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand, Lisbon, Portugal, Porto, Portugal,  Barcelona, Spain, Medellin, Colombia, Berlin, Germany, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Porto, Portugal, Budapest, Hungary, Krakow, Poland, Kiev, Ukraine, Tbilisi, Georgia, Prague, Czech Republic, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Sofia, Bulgaria, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Vilnius, Lithuania.

Of course, there are many other locations that are on “experts” top pick lists, but these keep popping up as top locations to travel to for short or long trips on your nomadic journey.  There are several factors that are considered for making the top destination list. These factors include, but are not limited to the following: Wi-Fi speed, cost of living, public transportation, LGBTQ friendly, racial acceptance, fun, quality of life, nomad community, weather, activities/lifestyle, cell service, humidity, healthcare, safety, peace, nightlife, places to work, and cultural experiences.  Visit https://nomadlist.com/ for even more information.

RV living and working

Coaching from, and living in, an RV:  In the past, traveling in an RV was something primarily reserved for a retired couple who wanted to “see the country” in their retirement. Things have changed for many reasons. First, RVs (recreation vehicles) are much more advanced than in years past. They are efficient, affordable, technologically advanced, and designed for full-time living in many cases.  There are incredible Wi-Fi systems available that essentially turn your RV in the “mobile Starbucks”.  Here’s a great article on Wi-FI set-ups for an RV. https://thedyrt.com/magazine/lifestyle/rv-wifi-traveling/ You can make a variety of coffees with customized coffee makers and connect multiple devices at once while streaming HD video. You can work anywhere you can drive.  RVs come in a wide range of styles and prices.

You may choose a Class A RV, which is the one that looks like a bus. Top-of-the-line models can cost $1M dollars or more. Yet, you can get some slightly used models over 35 feet in length for about $60,000. Class C models look like a truck or van in the front and have the “box” in the back. In general, they cost a bit less than a Class A. Class B are van conversions. They can be very simple (sometimes with conversions done by the owner for less than $30,000). Or, they can be really expensive when on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis and totally customized. Some can go for more than $200,000. You have endless options and all price ranges.

live in RV work as a coach trainer

If you really want to keep it lean and mean, and want a real sense of adventure, check out the sub-culture of “Van Life”. What Van life means? Vandwelling, a portmanteau of the words “van” and “dwelling”, is a lifestyle of living full- or part-time in a vehicle, typically a van that has been modified with basic amenities, such as house batteries, solar panels, a bed platform, some form of a toilet, sink and storage space. Millennials are embracing this new way of life. The hashtag #vanlife has more than 6 million posts on Instagram. The nomadic lifestyle has likely become more popular because of flexible work arrangements, the gig economy, and the minimalism movement. You can easily run a six-figure training/coaching business online while living the van life.  If you want to go down the rabbit hole, start following #vanlife on Instagram.

nomad couples

Of course, you and also get an RV trailer. They cost less because they have no engine and drive train. But, you need a car/truck that can pull it.

How does an RV save you money?  If you buy it outright, it costs much less than a home. It is considered a home and can be a huge tax write-off. And, you can have your company own it (since it is also your office).  This can offer additional tax benefits.  Ask your CPA or tax advisor.  If you finance the RV, your payment will be much less than rent or a mortgage.  Often you can camp for free. Some national parks are less than $20/night. In other cases, you can stay a luxury RV parks for under $50/night with amenities including washer/dryer, pool, spa, gym, WiFi, convenience store, and more. You can also do what is called “dry camping” where you are off the grid. Zero cost.

A final thought on RVs: If you decide to invest in an RV, buy used regardless if you finance it or not.  You can save at least 20-50% when buying pre-owned.

Then, there is Overlanding. This is a real adventure. Overlanding is self-reliant overland travel to remote destinations where the journey is the principal goal. Top vehicle choices include the following: Toyota Tundra, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus GX, Mitsubishi Pajero (4th Generation), and Nissan Pathfinder. Some essentials for your adventure include a way to call home in case of an emergency, a tough navigation system for going off-road, a tent for your truck, a stove, a way to make drinking water on the go, campsite power, a bag to keep you organized, the right containers to carry extra fuel.  You have three choices for work if this is one of your adventures: Work in between trips, work via satellite Internet (not cheap) or outsource your entire business.

overlanding fitness programs

How to stay fit as a digital nomad coach: This is fun and easy. When you travel, walk everywhere possible.  It’s the best way to learn, explore, and slowly see the world. Go for a hike. Ride a bike. Take a class. Get a day pass or month-long gym membership where you are staying. Do yoga anywhere. Find a running track. Do bodyweight exercises in a park. Do plyometrics in deep sand on the beach. If you are living in an RV, you can hang a TRX from the roof, carry a kettlebell in the storage area, bring boxing gloves and mitts, bring a jump rope, bring your mountain bike, or resistance tubes.

How long should you stay in each location while traveling?  This is always up to you. Experienced nomads seem to have the same stories and similar advice.  Most say when they started the nomadic life, they moved quickly and looked at life as a checklist. Their goal was to “check off” as many destinations as possible as some sense of accomplishment.  As they gained experience and wisdom, they slowed down and focused on the quality of each experience and immersing themselves in local culture, nature, food, and architecture.  This strategy is named “slow travel”.  Slower travelers will stay in a single location from 3 weeks to 3 months (or more). It gives you the time to dive deep into your adventure and it reduces fatigue of travel.

remote work as a fitness instructor

How will you work as a nomadic coach? This is the best news of all.  You have so many options to make money, you will have to decide which one(s) to do first.

One of the most popular and fastest ways to get started working with clients while you travel is to coach/train online. You have many options for software.  Any, you can do it with just Zoom.

How to be a digital nomad coach or trainer with a family: If you have a family, you may be wondering how you can live this life with a family.  You can.  It’s easy.  If you have kids, you likely had to home school or do online schooling because of COVID-19.

Did you know there are global resources for your kid’s education?

Here’s one example: https://www.k12.com/. Here’s another resource for completely free online education for your kids while you travel the world and work online or at exotic locations. https://www.metrokids.com/MetroKids/Education/Free-Online-Education-Tools-to-Keep-Kids-Learning/ .

how can a couple become digital nomads and start a coaching business

Now, think of this. What is a better learning experience for your child? Would you rather have a teacher (who’s likely never been to a specific location) tell your child XYZ about that location, or having your child experience the location, museum, art, building, or structure? The answer is obvious.  They will also develop a better pallet because of the wide range of food experiences, and they will more quickly learn foreign languages.

Your spouse or significant other can be your videographer/photographer for your social media posts and educational videos you sell online. He or she can also proofread your articles, help edit videos or help market your services.  In some cases, he or she may also work online in training/coaching, or another field to help supplement your income as you grow your nomadic business.  One thing we learned from COVID-19 is that much more can be done remotely than we ever thought possible.  Now, use that knowledge and see the world.

What else can you or your partner do for money while building your online/nomadic business? Teach English.  If either of you is interested in teaching English abroad as a means to get started, or supplement your income, here is a resource. https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/teaching-english-abroad-requirements.  There are many options to teach English online as well.  If that’s the case, your partner (or you) can teach English anywhere you travel. Again, this is just a suggestion for additional income while you build your online coaching/training business.

co-working locations for coaches and trainers

What is a co-working space?  Wikipedia says co-working is “a social gathering of a group of people who are still working independently, but who share values and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with people who value working in the same place alongside each other.”  In Google’s dictionary terms, co-working is a type of work that includes “the use of an office or other working environment by people who are self-employed or working for different employers, typically so as to share equipment, ideas, and knowledge”. Basically, you can work in these locations if you like, or if needed while you travel.  Some are free. Some offer hourly or day rates. Others offer long-term options. In most cases, it’s not needed but desired. Over 90% of nomads just use a smartphone and a small laptop and use Wi-Fi in a hotel, Airbnb, Hostel, or public access.  In many countries, Wi-Fi is better in other countries as compared to the U.S.  You can run online body transformation contests online while working from a co-working space.

What are some technology considerations for travel? There are a few different electric socket types used around the world.  It’s a simple problem to solve. Just go to Amazon and get a power adapter kit.  It’s very affordable. You may consider a solar charging pack that can be strapped to your backpack. Simple back-up power supplies can recharge your phone multiple times and take up very little space. Your cell phone should work just fine as you travel. In some cases, you may be prompted to get an internal plan by your carrier. It doesn’t cost much. Some people just use Viber, Facetime, WhatsApp, Line or WeChat instead.  These services are free.

best apps for remote workers

What if I only speak English? 20% of the world’s population speaks English. In major cities around the world, that number jumps up to 50 – 65%. And, with younger people, it’s likely closer to 80% in major hubs like Bangkok, Barcelona, Madrid, Budapest, Buenos Aries, and Tokyo.  You will be fine.  And, it’s a great opportunity to learn a second language.  There are also dozens of free apps for translation.

Improve your knowledge of online coaching and training. In case you don’t know, you have the opportunity to get the entire online coach training system from Spencer Institute at no cost. This is a very comprehensive training system that teaches you every possible aspect of online coaching/training including Setting up your business, sales, marketing, advertising, mindset, banking, vital resources, video marketing, social media marketing, SEO, blogging, making info products, creating online courses, confidence, speaking, podcasting, selling physical products, video editing, YouTube, email marketing, discovering your ideal customer and picking your niche, launching your product/service, Pinterest and so much more. You get all this training for FREE when you enroll in any NESTA/Spencer Institute/MMACA/ITCA certification. Click here for the details.  https://spencerinstitute.com/certification-programs/online-coach-certification/

Any of these areas of expertise will work very well with nomadic coaching or training. https://www.nestacertified.com/programs

Teach health and fitness at a resort:  Yes, you can work at a beautiful tropical resort in some of the most beautiful places in the world and get paid to teach fitness classes (or get a free vacation in exchange for your expertise).  If you want to try this for a short trip as part of your nomadic journey, you should check out https://www.fitnessvacationexchange.com/Fitness Vacation Exchange provides certified fitness instructors the unique opportunity to vacation at the resort of their dreams while sharing their passion for fitness with resort guests. If approved to be a member of Fitness Vacation Exchange you’ll receive a: 7 NIGHT ALL-INCLUSIVE STAY for 2 adults and in some cases up to 2 kids under 12. You’ll be required to teach at least 3 fitness classes per week.  Obviously, that’s not much. And, think of this…. You can work with your online clients in your downtime and make even more money while at the resort.  And, you will still have plenty of time to relax and enjoy your stay. Of course, there are other long-term options where you can live in a vacation destination for 6 months or longer while you teach. There will be Wi-Fi, so you can be building your online business the whole time on the side.

travel as a nomad and teach exercise classes

Teach fitness classes or become a personal trainer on a cruise ship: If you want to see the world yet don’t yet have the money needed to pay for cruises, getting a job as a personal trainer or group fitness instructor on a cruise ship may be the answer for you. Ships usually have extensive fitness programs to help their guests stay fit and fight boredom while at sea. Yes, to counter the buffet as well. Cruise lines hire both seasonal and permanent staff, usually a month to two weeks before the ship leaves. Crew members have access to the ship’s Wi-Fi.  So, you can still build your online business while at sea. If you are bi-lingual, this job is even easier to acquire as cruise lines cater to people from all over the world.

The easiest way to apply for a job as a fitness professional on a cruise ship is to apply through a recruiter. Many cruise lines use employment services companies to screen potential employees. Your recruiter can help you refine your resume and will guide you through the process. It is best to choose a company that works with more than one cruise line so you have more opportunities.

teach fitness for a cruiseline

Applying Directly with the Cruise Line: The biggest cruise lines are Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival. They have the largest fleets of ships and the largest number of employees (thus opportunities). You should also look into smaller cruise lines. Some ships offer state-of-the-art fitness centers that rival the best land-based clubs. Research the ships that offer the best health and fitness programs and then follow the launch dates. Start your application a couple of months before so there’s time to complete interviews. In your cover letter, express interest in a specific cruise and know the launch. This shows your interest and specific knowledge, so the letter doesn’t read like a form letter.  It’s true you won’t make a lot of money working on a cruise ship.  However, they do pay for your accommodations, food and the Internet.  And you get to build your online business while getting paid.

Take a cruise around the world.  Did you know there are cruises that last more than 6 months and you get to go around the world? Imagine taking 6 months to cruise the world while you visit exotic ports and have the experience of a lifetime. What if you did this for half the year and then lived in Asia, Europe, or a small island for the rest of the year? You can build your online business all year long. A cruise around the world can cost $30,000 – $100,000.  But, you can do it for free, get paid, teach some fitness classes, and build your online coaching business at the same time.  WOW!  Here are some examples of cruises around the world offered by Princess. https://www.princess.com/learn/cruise-destinations/world-cruises/

fitness jobs on cruiselines

What about health insurance?  You have options. First, you should know that the U.S. (contrary to popular opinion) DOES NOT have the best health care.

Here’s the data:

In its study called Mirror, Mirror 2017- International Comparison Reflects Flaws and Opportunities for Better U.S. Health Care, the Commonwealth Fund assessed the performance of healthcare systems in 11 countries based on 72 indicators. The idea was to find out how efficient healthcare in the United States is. The survey ranked US healthcare last.

  1. United Kingdom
  2. Switzerland
  3. Sweden
  4. Australia
  5. Germany
  6. The Netherlands
  7. New Zealand
  8. Norway
  9. France
  10. Canada
  11. U.S.A

In another survey in 2019 and 2020, this was the result:

Taiwan’s healthcare system was been ranked No. 1 in the world for a second year, according to an online survey. With a score of 86.71 out of 100, Taiwan ranked first among 93 countries, the Health Care Index by Country released by online database Numbeo showed. South Korea and Japan were closely behind Taiwan, with 81.97 and 81.14 points respectively.

Example of cost savings for your health care: One of our business associates lives in Thailand. His mother was visiting and while in Bangkok, she broke her foot. Not fun.  He took his mother to the hospital in Bangkok. She was seen right away. No waiting. Her doctor was friendly and took his time with her. She had x-rays, a thorough exam, had a small cast placed on her foot/ankle and given crutches.  The total bill was under $100. In the U.S., that would have cost between $500 – $1,500 at a minimum.

Here is an excellent resource for your health coverage.  You will be surprised at the affordability.  https://www.internationalinsurance.com

Challenges of Being a Digital Nomad:

  • Challenge: Achieving Work-Life Balance. Solution: Experiment and assess until you get it right.
  • Challenge: Travel is no excuse for work lapses. Solution: Learn to work at different times/places
  • Challenge: Missing loved ones back home. Solution: Meet up in a fun location. Use video technology.
  • Challenge: The journey can feel lonely. Solution: Plug into the global nomad community.
  • Challenge: Your travels must have meaning. Solution: Realize that sometimes the point of the journey is not to arrive or have meaning or an agenda.  Sometimes your travels are just to see and feel.

You have many solutions for any potential challenge.

In summary:  You can describe this lifestyle in many different ways including being a digital nomad, having a “lifestyle business”, being location independent, being a backpacking entrepreneur, living the laptop lifestyle, an RV entrepreneur, a slow traveler, or a remote worker. The name is just a name. It’s obviously more about the journey.  And, the point of the journey is not to arrive.

So, what do you need to do now?

First, you need to think if this lifestyle is right for you. If so, keep reading.  If not, please share the link with a friend who can benefit.

Second, assess where you are right now.  Be brutally honest with yourself. Are you happy with your life? Do you want a change? Would you like an adventure? Are you willing to make the transition? Is it time to pivot?

Third, decide which education you need to make this goal/dream a reality. Get started on it now.

Fourth, get your technology in order. Get going with your online coaching and training. Set the financial wheels in motion.

Fifth, eliminate junk, sell excess possessions, reduce clutter, downsize, terminate your lease, lease your home or otherwise “let go” so you can be free.  If it doesn’t make you money, it’s costing you money.

Sixth, optional with the proper council, exit a high tax state/region and set up your residency in a no-tax state/region so you can keep more of the money you earn while you see the world.

Seven, Go! Go make it happen. Go explore. Go seek adventure. Go make a difference. Go see the world.  Just go!

 

Quick Start Resources:

This is a Turn-key and Step-by-Step Digital Nomad Business System (VERY AFFORDABLE)

Online Coach/Trainer Course

Online Body Transformation Business System

All Training Certifications

All Coaching Certifications

In-depth Report Showing Why the Fitness/Coaching Industry Has Changed Forever