Just a quick message today before I set off on the overnight train to Laos tonight with Nikki (owner and editor of the best damn travel magazine for backpackers in Southeast Asia):
234 years ago, the Second Continental Congress unanimously declared the sovereignty of the thirteen united States of America from the British Empire. The Declaration of Independence, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, listed colonial grievances against King George III and asserted an individual’s natural rights:
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
Today, albeit a few days late for the 4th of July, my message for you is that I believe that no matter where you come from, you and I are entitled to the same natural rights now more than ever. Though (some) governments certainly serve a few useful purposes (sometimes), bloated bureaucracies tend to prioritize their own survival above your individual freedoms, no matter what the cost. When it really comes down to brass tax, it’s up to you to protect yourself, your family, your belongings, and your freedom, from those who would try to take them away from you. As history has shown many times, nobody else will hold them sacred for you.
Which is why this week I am exceptionally excited to announce my official collaboration with Sovereign Man. I’ve been following author Simon Black’s daily Notes from the Field for six months, and have always been extremely impressed by his ability to travel where he chooses, moving around the globe unrestricted, speaking at conferences worldwide, and identifying trends in the global markets. Even for someone without any huge retirement nest egg or stock portfolio like myself, learning daily from an expert who’s bought his own freedom so completely, and reading his thoughts about investing and finding business opportunities abroad is absolutely fascinating and eye-opening. He’s been called the freest man in the world:
“I think true freedom is being able to make your own choices, without having the influence of other entities you haven’t invited into your life. I’m a permanent traveler, I don’t have a home anymore. That usually blows peoples’ minds. They say, where do you live? And I say, I don’t live anywhere. Where do you get your mail? I say I don’t get mail, I don’t have a postal address.”
In the last 3 months, Simon’s traveled to over 20 countries, met with a President and several diplomats, started several companies, lectured on entrepreneurship in Eastern Europe, and personally provided venture capital to new start-ups. He and his business partner are where I can only hope to be in 10 or 15 years, so I’m genuinely honored and thrilled to help them expand their social media presence and take Simon’s message about individual liberty and living a truly nomadic lifestyle to new audiences online.
“I’m a student of the world, and I believe that travel is the greatest teacher. My knowledge is practical, and hopefully of significant use to you. Off the top of my head I could quote you the price of beachfront property in Croatia, where to bank in Dubai, the best place to store gold in Singapore, which cities in Mexico are the safest, which hospitals in Asia are the most cost effective, and how to find condo foreclosure listings in Panama.”
In order to achieve true freedom, you have to be able to make money, control your time, and eliminate the mindset that you are subject to any higher authority (at least not here on earth). Simon and I both believe that you don’t have to be a slave to geography anymore—you can live where you want, how you want. You can take control of your time and spend it how you want, not how others tell you. You can live a luxurious lifestyle overseas at a fraction of the cost in your home country; you can make money anywhere, whether it’s China, Panama, New Zealand, or online; and you can break into any network of peers you wish, to mix and mingle with the absolute elite if you desire.
Declare Your Individual Freedom
If you like Tim Ferriss, or reading about the five flags in Neil Strauss’ book Emergency, you’ll love what Simon has to offer—he is actually living the Jason Bourne lifestyle, and he shares his life experiences to help you achieve three things: more time freedom, more financial independence, and more freedom of location. If you want to achieve more freedom in these three areas of your life, I definitely cannot recommend Sovereign Man enough. See what Simon has to say about second passports, international business, lifestyle design, finance, and expatriation, and if you like what you see, make sure you show your support on Facebook and sign up for Simon’s daily e-letter (it’s short, it’s free, and it’s where you’ll get special reports & the content he won’t publish online for Google to find).
Looks interesting, Cody, thanks for the info. Since reading Emergency I’m sure that a second passport never could be wrong…
I find Simon Black’s site to be one of the more informative one’s out there.
Loved Emergency. Hilarious that Neil Strauss wrote The Game as well. Thanks for introducing me (and others, I imagine) to Simon. Interested to hear more about your collaboration!
I’ve never heard of Sovereign Man, but he sounds like a legend, so I’m off to his site to start following. Thanks for spreading the good info.
Wow, sounds like a true maverick.
I live people who spread kick-ass inspirational messages like that, we need more of those. I imagine a future where every creative person can build an online business and can become LIP.
I truly feel it, it’s in the air. I’m going to check him out. Nice one.
Another of my favorite sites. “Simon” is doing life right.
I have been following Simon Black since the beginning. His blog and emails present some of the most informative, down to earth advice I have ever come across for world travel and multiple flag implementation. He also has a fantastic outlook on life and demonstrates true freedom.
It is amazing you get to work with him grow his social presence. He has a lot of good stuff to offer in which people will benefit greatly and his daily emails are incredible. I am a little envious you get to meet him as he too is where I would like to be 10 yrs down the road.
I look forward to seeing how fast you can help him grow.
Yo Cody – stoked to see you promoting Simon. I fell into his stuff a few months ago. Really cool insights he has on the world, commerce and living a way more than interesting lifestyle.
What exactly are you doing with/for him? Or was this just a nice little post to send some traffic over?
Cody – Great post! I love the idea of declaring your own personal independence. It is easy to get caught up in what’s next, and what needs to be done, and forget about really living a life of freedom. I’m excited for your new collaboration, congratulations, friend!!
I had the pleasure of meeting mr. Black in person in London this past Friday – very inspiring and interesting, his blog is the only one that I have bit the bullet and actually subscribed via e-mail to (many others are on my RSS though).
Awesome website! I am now a facebook fan of Sovereign Man! It’s so exciting to see real world examples of people living the way they want to. Especially for long periods of time. I have declared my freedom also and I love it! Great post Cody!
I discovered Sovereign Man a little while back – its an awesome read.
I believe in the message of your post in word and spirit and I loved reading what you shared about Simon Blake, I would certainly connect with him. Thanks for sharing this hugely inspiring post and making you blog a good resource for inspiration. I will keep coming back for more. Best wishes.
Very cool that you’ll be working with “Simon”. I discovered him a while back and just now discovered you while I was researching ebook possibilities.
Well I’m glad you found me Cameron! Simon’s stuff is great, concrete reporting on the ground from his travels around the world. He’s still a mysterious guy to me, but I’m glad to be involved in what they’re doing at Sovereign Man. Thanks for the comment.