The Story
Most people think lifestyle design is about sipping coconuts on a beach. But, the reality is a bit different. I failed my way here.
Back in 2010 I was following the societal narrative. I was a 25-year-old "executive" in Romania earning $200 a month. I was barely surviving month-to-month just to have access to better opportunities in a bigger city.
The defining moment of my career was not a promotion. It was sitting at my desk with my leg submerged in a bucket of ice just to numb the pain of a football accident so I could keep serving. That moment made me question everything.
I finally asked for help. A university buddy guided me on how to make money online. I built my first website and tasted freedom for the first time.
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The Golden Cage
That freedom quickly transformed into a trap. I quit my executive job but I simply replaced it with a newer cage.
I was earning more money but I was waking up at 3 AM to hustle. I slept four hours a day for almost a year fueled by 20s energy and the hustle culture movement.
It was not sustainable. My body turned against me and I developed an autoimmune condition triggered by burnout, stress and the cold weather.
To make matters worse I lost 90% of my income overnight in a single Google algorithm slap.
The Nomad Illusion
I needed more kicks in the ass before I truly learned. I used my self-taught skills to start freelancing and seven years ago I bought a one-way ticket to Southeast Asia.
I thought I hit the jackpot. I was swimming in Bali and hiking in Thailand between work sessions. But those moments were the exceptions. The reality was that I was closing the coworking space at 10 PM.
I had built a golden cage on false promises. Burnout returned and depression followed. Over two years I lost most of my clients.
Luckily I had a partner who did not give up on me and a relentless curiosity to reinvent myself.
It would be unfair to say I have figured everything out perfectly. While I am finally designing the life I want it is still a work in progress. I am still learning and I am still failing.
The Mission
That journey led me to a new mission. I want to help 10,000 entrepreneurs claim their freedom through building a lifestyle business rather than a performance-based one.
I do this through my consultancy where we apply the FARO method (Foundation, Acquisition, Retention, Operations) to build sustainable businesses.
I also share the stories of others who made it, every week on Authority in the Wild podcast.
I am not a guru. I am one of you. Let’s build a business that supports our lifes without sacrificing it.
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