Fitness: Staying Grounded While Traveling the World

Fitness on the Move: What Works for Me

Why Stay Fit?

Well, first, because it’s awesome. You feel great, look great, think better, and emotionally feel better. It’s just all-around wins. It’s the number one thing you can do to improve your life and your perspective on life. There really isn’t more to it than that.

Want a good life? Get active.

The difference I feel after a workout or run in the morning and how I exist and move through the rest of my day is extreme. The mornings I wake up and give in to, “I’ll just make coffee and get started,” are the worst days ever. You don’t feel good. You don’t start with a win—especially in the most important area: your health. That’s why I commit to different challenges and goals. It’s super important and, honestly, it’s awesome.

If you’re not into fitness, seriously, give it another shot. It takes a week of struggle if you’re going from zero to sixty, but by the end of week two—if you’re working out and maintaining other health-related habits—you’ll see and feel a noticeable difference. Try it out.

I’m a big fan of staying fit. I love it; it’s what gets me pumped up. Nothing feels as good as feeling good. It’s like I forget how nice it feels to be fit, then I sit at the computer, get stressed out from work, stop exercising, stop eating healthy, and before you know it, I feel like garbage.

But that’s not why I got in this game. I got in the game to dominate, not feel like a sack of potatoes.

How I Stay Fit While Traveling

So what do I do to stay fit and active, in the most loving way possible? I work out. But it’s not the same thing every time. If you’ve traveled, you know it’s difficult to find the perfect environment – a gym, a running trail, or even a living room big enough for yoga.

Back before I left the U.S. to move to Portugal, it was easy. Everything was convenient—pop over to the gym, hit the smooth roads for a run. But when you’re halfway into the jungle, dodging potholes that look like someone dug them out with a shovel, or running in an area where people might rob you in broad daylight, you have to work with what you’ve got.

My Go-To Fitness Routines

1. Running
I used to hate running—zero interest. But that’s changed. I’m a much wiser, more mature man now (kind of). Running is awesome. It doubles as an excuse to listen to audiobooks, get fit, and work toward bigger goals (still coming for you, marathon).

2. HIIT and Calisthenics
Yeah, this is the big one. If I’m walkable to a calisthenics gym or park—game over. Literally all I need is a pull-up bar. The rest works itself out. The best shape of my life has been when I’m consistently doing calisthenics.

I’m a huge fan of Adam Slater’s fitness courses - I know there's a ton of courses or programs out there - just find one that resonates with you.

And for HIIT workouts, I still have yet to find a better 10 minute or 20 minute  HIIT workout than Chris Heria workouts on youtube. They're perfect for when I’m tight on time. These are staples in my fitness game.

3. Yoga
Yoga is a life-changer. It’s my go-to when I need to reset or recover. These days, I usually get in one session a week because my other routines take priority. But during contract breaks or slower periods, I go into full yoga mode—daily sessions to stay flexible and grounded.

I’ve been following Breathe and Flow since another nomad told me about them during the 2020 lockdowns. They’ve been an integral part of my routine ever since.

4. Location-Dependent Activities
Bouldering and freediving are my adventure fitness activities, but I’m also a fan of swimming if I’m near a pool (rare) or the ocean (more common in parts of Asia and Central America). Freediving is a great way to explore while getting in some solid cardio.

5. Walking
Walking is a major life hack. You always hear people say it’s the best thing you can do for your health—and they’re right. Walking burns a ridiculous amount of calories, and you don’t even notice it because you’re just exploring. I’m always blown away by how much ground I cover walking through towns, hiking trails, or just seeing cool stuff.

The Key to Staying Active on the Road

My fitness routines cycle based on what’s available:

• If there’s a bouldering gym nearby—cheers, Europe, USA, and parts of Asia—I’m climbing twice a week.
• If there’s water, I’m diving or swimming.
• If I’ve got a flat surface or a road that’s at least semi-runnable, I’m hitting the pavement.
• If I’m lucky enough to have an apartment gym? Easy mode.

Conclusion

Staying fit isn’t about finding the perfect conditions—it’s about commitment. Whether I’m running on a broken road, rolling out a yoga mat in a tiny Airbnb, or climbing rocks in Europe, I make it work. Fitness keeps me grounded, focused, and ready for whatever comes next.

So get out there and move. You’ll thank yourself later.