The story behind the sambal…
About Me
p.s. this is not a résumé…
My biggest ambition has always been freedom, to wake up and shape my own day, to explore without asking for permission, and to create a life that excites me, not one that just happens to me.
It’s about taking control, making each day my own, and fueling my lifestyle with adventure, curiosity, and experience.
After all, when I’m old and in a rocking chair, I won’t be able to talk about what I didn’t do!
For the past few years, I’ve been living in Turkey, running my business remotely, and proving that you don’t have to choose between work and living. It was never about escaping responsibility, it was about making work work for me, so I could live on my own terms.
But here’s the thing, I found myself constantly justifying wanting to make this choice. In the office, in casual conversations, even among friends. To some, dreaming big seemed irresponsible. To others, designing life on my own terms felt selfish.
The truth? I just wanted to be free.
Free from negativity in my space.
Free from forced conformity.
Free from a system that drains both my wallet and my energy.
The Sambal Dream
At the heart of this journey is sambal.
I’ve always been obsessed with hot food ~ to the point where I used to go through 3.8L catering bottles of Frank’s RedHot every two weeks, and would be a running joke with colleagues, family and friends, before realising I could just make my own. Now? I keep 5–10 litres of homemade hot sauce on hand at all times. Because if I’m going to do something, I’m doing it my way.
But sambal? That’s something else entirely.
When Ashleigh and I started planning our travels, we spent hours watching food vlogs, mapping out where to go first. And one thing kept popping up, again and again:
Sambal. Every country had its own version. Every street vendor had their own twist.
It became more than just a condiment ~ it became a mantra. A symbol of everything we were chasing.
Because for us, sambal isn’t just about spice. It’s about the thrill of discovering something new, the excitement of diving headfirst into different cultures, and the freedom of tasting the world on our own terms.
Sambal is freedom.
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” – John A. Shedd
Balancing Travel & Work
This isn’t a holiday. It’s just a new way of life.
Work doesn’t pause just because the scenery changes. The real challenge? Figuring out ~
But… Like I said: this isn’t my first time stepping off the “normal” path.
Since 2021, I’ve been living in Turkey, running my business remotely, and only returning to the UK when essential ~ to handle business, tie up loose ends, or take care of things in person.
Before that? I was deep in the corporate grind ~ working long hours in finance, chasing deals, getting progressively more unhealthy (125kg), and realising the traditional path was just a slow death in a fluorescent-lit box.
I knew I wanted needed more. So I took the leap.
I co-founded a finance brokerage, and over the last five years, we’ve built something real ~ a business that works, that grows, and that gives me options. But growth never stops, and neither does the challenge.
I’ll be figuring all of this out in real time ~ what works, what fails, and how to make it sustainable.
Some see full-time travel as an escape. For me, it’s about taking control. Making my life suit my needs.
And if there’s one thing I know for sure ~ if you think chasing dreams is risky, try routine. It’s lethal.
What You’ll Find Here
From hidden sambal stalls in Indonesia to the life lessons learned on the road, I’ll be documenting it all ~ the wins, the challenges, and everything in between.
That includes the struggle of staying fit while constantly moving, finding creative ways to train without a routine, and pushing myself to be stronger ~ mentally and physically ~ no matter where I am in the world.
Subscribe to the newsletter, follow the socials, and let’s chase the heat together
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“The real secret of life? To be completely engaged in the moment. To taste, explore, and experience – without a plan, just for the joy of it.” – Alan Watts
Join me on this journey of new experiences, bold flavors, and cultural awakenings. Sign up for the newsletter and discover where to go and what to eat on your next adventure!
