UPDATE: Unfortunately, the 007 Lifestyle Guide is no longer available from my buddy Derek’s site, but please join my exclusive Inner Circle for some similar, free content!
Several months back, Derek Johanson interviewed me for his MI6 Weekly Report, a buyer-only newsletter for folks who purchase his kickass 007 Lifestyle product. I always wanted to write some witty piece on living like James Bond, and well, Derek had already done it. And well!
The 007 Lifestyle guide is a really slick, nicely-packaged 3-part program aimed at young guys like Derek and myself who also want to learn to live an amazing lifestyle, travel freely around the world, make a living on the road, improve their style and their health, and be successful with women. Might sound a little corny at first, but it’s actually an extremely elegant compilation of health & fitness, men’s style tips, concrete mechanics for earning an income and traveling, and attraction and social dynamics lessons (people call this stuff “seduction community” or PUA stuff, but I find that’s got such a negative connotation). Basically, it’s an incredible program for any young dude who wants to all-around improve his life and himself—especially for just 27 bucks!
In his weekly 007 newsletter, Derek provides detailed interviews with experts in all facets of the James Bond lifestyle, constantly-updated information and articles to help you succeed, and more. But because only those who purchase the 007 Lifestyle program get access to the newsletter, I asked him if I could reprint our interview here.
As for comparisons to James Bond, I’ll let you be the judge! But I was humbled to be included in the creation of Derek’s awesome product and wanted to share the answers to his really interesting questions about my location-independent lifestyle with you here. And I had to throw in some pictures of the ladies just for fun!
How do I finance my lifestyle?
Professionally, I’m a web developer & social media presence consultant, coaching authors, CEOs and other thought leaders on social media and helping develop blogs and web platforms for their businesses.
I also write consistently about lifestyle design, entrepreneurship and travel here at Thrilling Heroics and have several websites that earn a little bit of passive income for me through ad revenue. Looking forward, I’m working hard on a lot of content for release in upcoming months, some in the form of free manifestos and some which will be paid information products—and I’m hoping to develop another recurring income stream from those.
How does the idea of geoarbitrage affect my travel? How much does my current lifestyle cost per month?
For me, at this early stage in my career—and especially as I bootstrap my own small business—geoarbitrage is a integral part of my live-anywhere lifestyle. If you can find or create a career that allows you to work remotely, and you earn in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling, or Euros, for instance, those currencies will go a long way in a place with a low cost-of-living.
I chose Thailand as my current headquarters because it offers a spectacular lifestyle, proximity to some of the world’s greatest beaches, climbing, snorkeling, etc., all at a very affordable price.
Personally, I’m quite a minimalist and like to be able to carry all my belongings in just two bags. I don’t have the fanciest flat in town, and I don’t buy many gadgets, souvenirs, or anything else—instead I prefer to go out with friends and gorge myself on delicious Thai food and pitchers of ice cold beer five nights a week, and save my cash for a trip to relax on the beach every once in a while.
I rent a modest, furnished studio apartment in the heart of town for just about $225 per month, and generally if I can earn at least $750-$1000 per month, I’m able to go out frequently with friends, travel a bit, and live quite comfortably. This same lifestyle back in California would probably cost me $5000 a month at the very least, so leveraging the value of the dollar certainly lets me do quite a lot more here.
What are my passions outside of work? Do I have more time & freedom now that I’ve taken the leap to start my own businesses?
Certainly, when you’re talking about geo-arbitrage, more free time goes hand-in-hand with getting more for your money. Like Tim Ferriss preaches in The 4-Hour Workweek, I’ve designed my lifestyle so that I get to spend a lot of time on things that I’m extremely passionate about—even things that I may turn into a business one day—but that don’t necessarily earn me any income right now.
I spend a lot of time writing content for my blog, reading, working on personal growth goals, talking with friends and family back home, and especially investing my time in local volunteer and charity work. My company donates 5% of all profits to In Search of Sanuk—an organization that my buddy Dwight Turner runs to benefit needy and underserved demographics here in Thailand—projects that provide assistance for refugee health issues, send volunteers to spend time at local orphanages, install urban gardens in Bangkok’s slums, and more.
What does a typical day look like for me?
There is really no such thing as a normal routine when you run your business from abroad and travel frequently, but the one thing that’s consistent is that I’m a night owl and I’ve just learned to embrace it. I’m most productive in the evening and very late night/early morning when there’s fewer distractions, so I tend to wake after 10am and frequently work until 4am or later.
When I’m settled in Bangkok or elsewhere for a few weeks, I typically spend 4-8 hours working on work projects each day, writing, social networking, and promoting my business each afternoon, depending on my energy levels and what I have scheduled on my to-do list.
I work from home, my hotel/hostel if I’m traveling, and sometimes I utilize a membership at a local co-working office so I can be in a quiet but social setting while I work.
In the evenings, I almost always go with friends to one of Bangkok’s lavish restaurants, wine bars, or nightclubs, or frequently even just grab dinner at a street vendor (incredible food is everywhere in this part of the world). I’ll frequently come home after spending a few quality hours socializing and enjoying time with friends and crank out another couple hours of work.
Every few weeks we’ll have a big event—I help host charity mixers and fundraising parties with my colleagues, we’re involved in running monthly Bangkok Tweetups and Couchsurfing meetups with other social media users around town and traveling through, and of course occasionally I’ll spend some time traveling. [I'm also officially on the committee to bring TED Talks to Bangkok as of last month!]
My favorite spot to relax for a week or two is Krabi, Thailand. Beautiful, serene beaches are abundant, there are gorgeous limestone mountains that are popular with the climbers, the snorkeling and diving is good, and nice luxury accommodations are cheap. Of course I take the laptop and spend some time running business each day, but it’s a great getaway from time to time.
How can other people get started on the path to making money online or working location-independent?
Well we all have our own unique skill set, but the first step is to recognize that you have skills and knowledge that others value and are willing to pay money for. The web is where it’s at, and these days almost anyone can trade what they know for income if you have some expertise, an interesting and original voice, and can package it nicely for an audience that needs it.
Some of the most common nomadic careers are 1) freelance writing, copywriting & ghostwriting, 2) web design & development, and 3) career or business coaching & consulting. There is more and more need for WordPress development now that nearly all companies are going online and getting active in social networking, and my company is always looking for great designers and programmers to partner with.
Corbett Barr compiled a great list of location-independent jobs here.
Resources I absolutely can’t live without.
I run my entire life and my business with my MacBook and my iPhone. I had to have the iPhone unlocked to free myself from the clutches of AT&T and get EDGE data access abroad, but I use a system that incorporates my SkypeIn phone number, a Google Voice account and a local SIM card wherever I go for phone calls.
If you run an online business, a system to backup your client files and important documents is a must-have: I use Apple’s TimeMachine application to backup frequently to an external hard drive, and I use Mozy to backup another copy of my most important files to the web as well. Other than that, my RSS reader, Google suite, and TweetDeck are integral for communicating with people, tracking conversations, and managing my projects remotely.
###
If you’re interested in Derek’s kickass James Bond guide, it includes 3 comprehensive guides: The Style & Image Guide, Lethal Seduction Techniques, and Money, Wealth & Exotic Travel, you’ll get the weekly MI6 Report, and he also includes 2 additional free bonuses: The Bond Body—an 8 Week Intensive Training Program and Casino Gambling Tells ebooks. All-around a pretty cool product.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, the 007 Lifestyle Guide is no longer available from my buddy Derek’s site, but please join my exclusive Inner Circle for some similar, free content!
Either way, make sure you check out Derek Johanson at Live Uncomfortably. Another few awesome dudes living like 00 agents:
- Rob Granholm at The Life Design Project
- AJ and Jordan at The Pickup Podcast
- Tynan at Life Outside the Box
- Colin Wright at Exile Lifestyle
|
 |
Great interview – covered all the bases I was interested in learning about. Technology, income, leisure time, geoarbitrage.
1. Thanks for the interview and the shout out.
2. Based on those pics, I HAVE to go to Thailand.
Thanks Alan! I’m glad if this interview provided some insight—Derek had great questions for me.
And Derek, hell yes you have to come out here. Let me know when to expect you. Thailand is a wonderful country!
This is the greatest post I have ever read!
That’s all I can say Cody. Thank you so much for your brutal honesty and this post is exactly why I feel you’re one of the strongest writers I’ve met online.
- Jun
Very interesting read Cody…I mean “Playa” :-> But seriously…It’s always great to get a peak into the real, day to day activities of someone actually living what they preach. You definitely demonstrate here and elsewhere that having flexibility, mobility, and running a business aren’t to much to ask. AND…last but not least, growing as an individual and making a positive difference in the lives of others…Good stuff man…
-Veron
Sorry all the “Bond” girls were a little distracting from the article. Actually Derek sent me a copy a while ago and I’ve only managed to have a cursory glace through it, I’ll have to check it out properly this weekend.
Always enjoy reading and catching up with you, Cody! Glad to see you’ve continued to create such a successful lifestyle. Still amazed to watch how you’ve escaped being in a relationship, actually just like 007 – Ha! Any way, I do miss seeing you in person, take care – paul.
Hey Cody!
I really loved this post!
I have never been anywhere in Asia and really thinking about Thailand and some other destinations early next year. I really appreciate the insight to what it’s like living in another country! Thanks for sharing
Good luck with your projects and products that you are going to release!
Ciao
Diggy
The photos in the article make it look like we Westerners only go to Asia to seduce their women. This is already the stereotype, please don’t reinforce it.
Guys, thanks for your comments.
Gordie, I apologize if my lifestyle offends you or anyone else, but this is my website and I get to post what I want. Yes, I’ve dated four incredible young women in 11 months, two of whom were Thai, but I make no apologies for that. Take a look back over the photos, about half of the women in my photos are from the States, the UK, India & Nepal. These are my friends mate.
Hey Cody,
No worries, mate. I’m not easily offended and not judging you. I’m not a prude. Just trying to protect our Western male image. Lol!
Well Cody, as a woman reading this I’m not sure I quite relate in the same way as others here. However, I can tell you there are some pretty hot guys on the beaches of Brazil. Enjoy the views wherever you are!
Great post Cody. I’m especially glad you included daily Thai food engorgemnts. That is definitely something you have way over Bond!
Great post, Cody. This is a nice glimpse into a daily life of someone who knows what he wants and has a great sense of balance. I’m just embarking on my muse and several business ideas, so articles like this are great motivation!
On another note, I’m heading to Thailand for my first time in May and couldn’t be more stoked. I absolutely can’t wait for all that good food!
I married my Bond girl, but aside from the women, this post has great info. I appreciate the info on living a geoarbitrage lifestyle. I hope to soon free myself from my 9-5 job so that I may experience a taste of this myself.
I enjoyed this read Cody
What’s the point of all that work if we can’t enjoy ourselves right?
Hey Cody, great posting. You are one of my sources of inspiration for travel at the moment. I am currently in Oz on the first leg of my journey to BKK. I’m planning on teaching english there, but would prefer to digital nomad it like you do! See ya there.
-Sol
Maybe not all of Asia and not just ‘westerners’, but most ‘western’ men, along with men from every part of the globe have one thing on their mind when they go to Thailand and it’s not the excellent food. But don’t feel left out women, you can go to places like Bali for the same experience.. I have been to Thailand many times, and the girls there make you feel like a rock star, but it kind of loses it’s luster after a while when you see the same beautiful girls with the 70 year old, balding, pony-tailed, gut hanging out of their stained beer chang tank top, retired guys.
That was a great read, Cody. Very inspiring. I visited Thailand this year and it’s definitely a place I want to visit again. And again. And again …
Very interesting post. Nice to see another soldier breaking out of the matrix.
Refreshing post. I live in Thailand as well, there’s no place like it!!!
Another awesome post! I always wanted to be the James Bond as I was growing up. I look to join your list of dudes living like 00 agents soon!!
Hey Cody,
Man you really inspire me. I read your website at least 3 -5 times a week. Since i graduated from HS I ‘ve always said I wanted to travel world(i made a top 10 list). Dealing hardships of life and other unfortunate obstacles have brung me to say fuck I want to do this. I’m in school and all but I’m tired of regulations I want to live my life on my on own terms. I’m saving money now to get started. I want to thank you, keep doing what your doing man.
Peace, Sam
P.S. I totally want to live the James Bond Lifestyle. I weave in and out of living it, but I would like to maintain it at a constant.
@Mikko, the title of this post reminded me of your James Bond post.