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Date: February 14, 2022
Episode: WeNomad Episode 3
Title: Chris Blachut on Living Abroad, 1M+ Blog Visitors, & Pretiring Before 30
If you’re looking to create a life of freedom and fulfillment, make sure to listen to this episode of the WeNomad podcast.
Table of Contents
About Chris Blachut
Chris Blachut is an unconventional guy who took a nontraditional path to success. After being told he had to vacate his apartment for redevelopment, Chris and his wife decided to take a chance and move to Medellín, Colombia in search of a new opportunity.
They started blogging about their experiences there and found an audience that was interested in their stories. They were able to make enough money from their blog to cover their expenses and live a comfortable life. Today, Chris continues to write about his experiences and share his advice with others who are interested in taking a similar path.
He’s the founder of The Unconventional Route, a blog and resource for people who want to achieve success outside of the traditional workforce.
In This Episode…
Chris shares his insights about Cape Town, South Africa — the pros and cons of living there, what to do to make the most of Cape Town’s beautiful surroundings, and tips on staying safe. He also talks about his journey of becoming a location-independent blogger and how he makes a living through his blog and podcast, as well as how to make friends and long-lasting connections when you’re a digital nomad.
Key Takeaways
1. Pretiring Before You Turn 30
Timestamp: 2:26 to 5:26
- This section discusses the concept of pretirement or quitting your job to do what you want before officially retiring. Chris decided to pretire after his expat package was taken away (meaning he would lose half his salary), and that he didn’t have a specific plan when he became a digital nomad but rather took a leap of faith. He was motivated by the fact that he didn’t want to work for Procter & Gamble anymore while making less money and wanted to travel more and build his own business.
2. How to Meet People While Traveling as a Digital Nomad
Timestamp: 5:26 to 6:24
- Chris suggests getting involved in local sports clubs and activities as a way to meet people and learn about the local culture. For Cam, he loves meeting people through surfing as it’s an easy way to connect with others who share a common interest. Team sports can be a great way to meet people as well.
3. Making Meaningful Connections as a Digital Nomad
Timestamp: 6:24 to 13:12
- You can connect with others and build a tribe of like-minded people using technology. Doing recurring calls with friends and family to maintain close relationships and keep being connected with people who inspire you can give you great value.
4. Lessons From Scaling a Blog to 1M+ Visitors Per Year
Timestamp: 13:23 to 18:14
- Write about things you’re passionate about to make your content more engaging for readers. You should also focus more on storytelling and sharing your personal experiences rather than trying to preach.
5. Cape Town for Digital Nomads (Cost of Living, WiFi, & Overall Guide)
Timestamp: 18:49 to 33:35
- The cost of living in Cape Town is relatively low, especially when compared to other major cities in the world.
- Take advantage of the city’s many outdoor activities and attractions as well as its wine scene. Cape Town is a great destination for road trips because there’s much to see and explore outside of the city. And the wine culture in Cape Town is excellent with many affordable wines available.
- When visiting Cape Town, be aware of your surroundings, take precautions when walking around at night, and be aware of which neighborhoods are more dangerous.
Resources & Notable Mentions:
Chris’s Reading List
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
- The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
- Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character) by Richard P. Feynman
Cape Town, South Africa
- Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa
- Lion’s Head, Cape Town, South Africa
- Bootlegger Coffee Company
- Shift Espresso Bar, Cape Town, South Africa
- The Strangers Club
