New to Digital Nomadism // Interview with Outsite Member Ashok Kamal

Outsite Member Ashok Kamal spends his time surfing, investing in social impact start-ups, and finding the right type of cliffs for jumping. 

Ashok has travelled to 40 stats and countries, but now calls San Diego home. Here he dips into the most challenging parts of travelling as a digital nomad and entrepreneur, whilst maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

Outsite: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Ashok: I grew up in Boston, spent my 20s/early 30s in NYC and currently call Cardiff, CA (North County San Diego) my home base. My career has always been shaped by my values; I'm a social entrepreneur/impact investor and I try to improve the world through my work by focusing on areas such as clean tech, online education and health & wellness. At the same time, I believe it's important to improve yourself in order to have a broader positive impact so I try to do things like use resources efficiently, eat sustainably, take care of the environment and animals, and empower other people. It's also important to have fun and build relationships, and I've found that activities such as surfing help you appreciate the natural world and create community while invigorating your mind and body.

How long have you been nomadic and what inspired this lifestyle change?

I've been fortunate to travel the world since I was young. Travelling is part of my DNA. Over the past few years I've been especially nomadic and visited more than 40 states and countries. I love traveling because seeing new places and meeting new people expands your consciousness to new horizons.

What has been the most challenging part so far?

It can be tough to maintain a healthy routine while being on the road. When the time zone and cuisine and environment are always changing, you have to plan ahead to find some consistency. I do appreciate the randomness and spontaneity associated with new places, but I also try to keep my morning and night practices for health & wellness. No matter where I'm at - if nothing else - I try to meditate, do some body weight exercises and carry healthy snacks and supplements.

Any crazy/fun stories you'd like to share? 

I try to get at least one tattoo that represents my experience in every place that I live. For example, I got a surfboard with ocean patterns in San Diego. The designs all range from words to animals to symbols, but I treat my body art like hieroglyphics - they tell my life story.

How does Outsite fit into your current lifestyle?

Outsite reduces the friction for being a location independent professional who wants to see cool places, meet interesting people and do exciting things.

Any advice for 9-to-5 workers looking to make the leap to nomadism?

Jump off cliffs and build your wings on the way down. Making the leap is the scariest part, but I have no regrets!

You can follow Ashok on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Ready to start your own adventure? Learn more about becoming an Outsite Member - recently featured on Product Hunt!

Words: Rebecca Georgia // Community @ Outsite

Photographs: Ashok Kamal