This is the first of my Freedom Files interviews.. I met Alain Denis while traveling in Florianopolis, Brazil.
One night, Alain and I were chatting over a few Caipirinhas (a popular Brazilian cocktail) and I became intrigued by the fact that Alain had been traveling for more than three years, consecutively, without ever going back to his homeland. (Canada)
Immediately I knew I wanted to capture this guys story and make it the intro to my new Freedom Files series.. It was very inspiring to meet him and see how excited he still was after three solid years on the road. Be sure to check out his video above and also his photography in the interview below.
Enter Alain and Nate…
Nate: So what is it your doing exactly?
Alain: Riding a suzuki DR 350 enduro motorbike from Canada to South America. Living on the road doing what I love doing, photography and traveling.
From Jasper Alberta to the end of south america – Ushuaia –
Nate: Wow, so you left on a motorcycle from Alberta and road all the way to Ushuaia Argentina…For those who don’t know Ushuaia is at the extreme Southern tip of South America…It’s commonly known as the end of the world. It’s the main launching point for traveling to Antarctica.
Aside from your photography, what do you do to occupy your time while your on the road?
Alain: Well on a motorbike, riding from point A to point B can take some time. So I enjoy the scenery. Some roads can be an adventure on its own.. like route 40 in Patagonia or Bolivia… need to focus and can tired you out!
Nate: How long have you been doing this?
Alain: I left Jasper Alberta sept 27th 2007. I’ve been traveling ever since full time.
Nate: So about three years and counting…That’s amazing! What were some the most memorable times you had during your travels. Where were you? What happened?
Alain: Everyday is an adventure really. So days more. Like in Bolivia when I rode across the Salar to Uyuni. I spent the night on Pescado Island. Normally your not allowed to camp there. But it was pretty cool to be out there alone. For the next 3 days I rode to Chile on very remote roads. One day I saw only one jeep from far away! I had to calculate my gas, food and water. Not a place to break down! The nice thing of a motorbike trip is you don’t have to ride the normal tourist route…
Nate: What were you doing before you left on your trip?
Alain: I ’ve been working as a freelance photographer for the past 10 years. It’s always been a good side income. Before leaving for the trip, I lived in a touristic town – Jasper Alberta. I was driving a taxi, making some pretty good money. Between taxi and photography, I saved funds to get on the road, then continued with only photography income.
Nate: That’s cool, so you basically make money with photography while you travel the world?
Alain: Yes, I live off of my photography income. I sell images to magazines, books, newspapers, agencies. Where ever I can. I also write stories. It’s pretty amazing!
Nate: I agree, that’s got to be the ultimate dream job. How do you market your self and your photography online?
Alain: The marketing is the hard part. Since I don’t really sit in an office but on a motorbike. I don’t spend very much time working on marketing. I have some clients I been working with for a while now. So they help me keep going. My website and blog gets a good amount of views so sometimes it helps with contacts. Like any jobs… harder you work, the more you will make.
Nate: How much money do you really think it takes to live comfortably while traveling around the world?
Alain: From my travel experiences, if you spend an average of $1000 a month. You could live at 12 000 a year pretty good. Also depends on the country you travel in, what you do, if you go out for drinks and dinners, it could easy double. I usually stay away from that so i can enjoy more time on the road then in a bar. In countries like Peru – Bolivia. I would spend approx 400$ a month! including my gas! I sometimes meet other travelers on motos that spend double what I do. They stay in fancy hostels and eat out all the time. – My average spending is normally between $600 and $800 a month – including gas.
Nate: What initially inspired you to take the leap?
Alain: I always loved traveling, I can’t sit still in one place too long. So traveling gets me going. I get inspired from seeing cultures, landscapes.Countries are fascinating, the more your see, the more you want to see. Traveling is an addiction – a healthy one. The idea of having a mode of transportation like a motorbike gives you freedom, alive with the environment, the smells, the sounds, the peace and craziness. A great way to be part of the culture.
Nate: I agree, what has your favorite place been so far?
Alain: hmm… thats a hard question! Everywhere!!! but many special places like Thailand, India, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina…. so many. For culture… India… for Paradise living… Thailand.
Nate: What do friends say about your life back home?
Alain: Everyone is pretty psyked, I get lots of great positive feedbacks. Most can’t believe it’s been almost 3 years and still going. Still surviving “living the dream!”It’s a whole different ball game….
Nate: It is a different ballgame that’s for sure. I find many people really don’t understand how incredible life becomes, and the changes in yourself you experience when you make a decision to explore other cultures. What do you think has changed most about you since you left three years ago?
Alain: You learn lots from other people you meet. Learn about new places to visit, new friends, incredible scenery. From traveling I learn to be more patient and appreciate life or things I have. Living on a motorbike, you carry nothing, so you appreciate the little you have. After so long on the road now, living a more simple lifestyle is what I learn.
Nate: What are your plans for the future?
Alain: Find the perfect spot to buy land, build an eco friendly hostel style house. Near surf and climbing. The two best lifestyle combo to keep the body strong and healthy.
Nate: I love it, that’s a perfect dream.
Alain: Could be if it works out
Nate: Any tips for combining work and travel?
Alain: Keep doing what you love doing, be positive and believe that you can do it! Anything can be done if you go for it.
Nate: Good stuff, it’s so much easier than people think. It’s all about a decision and a desire for change. Would you trade it for anything?
Alain: I would NEVER trade anything for the travel experiences I had. I have everything I want right here… Freedom and wheels! – with an engine…
Hi, I’m Nate Bunger and the writer and entrepreneur behind this blog.Over the past several years I've created, managed and sold several different businesses despite never finishing high school, making myself more or less financially free by the age of 25.
I used the realization that we can do anything in life if we are simply willing to set goals, find the answers we seek and never stop until we achieve what we set out for.
I currently teach people how to get clear on their purpose, create habits for massive change and bring their deepest desires into reality.
I operate my business from a Mac laptop while traveling around the world…My dream :)
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice interview. Alein has a nice setup. Something I may be going for in the future. I think his ground work to get website and blog going to supply him with photograph revenue was probably key to being able to make this leap.
now this is what i\’m talkin\’ about!!! this is pure, true living — freedom everyday. i wish more people would leave the comforts of all-inclusives and the confines of office cubicles and hit the road .when we immerse ourselves in a culture other than our own, we begin to understand humanity on a deeper level. i hope alain keeps riding for as long as he can, and i hope others follow in his footsteps, er, tire tracks!!!
I agree Todd, he lives a very inspiring lifestyle…One I am anxious to emulate…Diving is going to be my excuse
Wow, this guy really is living the dream…Most people would never have the balls to do something like that. Very inspiring.
That is amazing..I guess going back to normal life doesnt make sense anymore. Keep going.
Holy smokes…Three years and counting. I can’t even believe what I just read. Living off $400 per month and traveling the world. I never heard anything like that.
I have definitely gained some new insight here. This is an awesome interview
That guy is hot. When are you coming through my town. I would love to ride on the back of your bike
joking.
I plan on going to Chile next Feburary. Where do you recommend I go? Love the blog, keep posting.
Cool times. I once did a trip on my bike down the California coast..But this is a whole different game. Keep going man..Great site.
Thanks, for the comments guys, it’s really amazing how much travel changes your life. Get going on building an online income and start your own journey..Whatever it is.
Thats the plan bro…What do you recommend for learning? I have been wanting to do this for a long time, but so busy with my job. But now I am getting really ready for something like this.
Oh by the way, I love the pics of Brazil in Salvador. My friend went there a few years back. One place I would love to visit
The pics are awesome. What camera are you using?
And yes, I would love to know a good Internet marketing course to learn with. I have tried following Rich Shefrens and Mike Filsaime, but kind of fell off after awhile. I am also getting ready to give this a second go, much more serious this time.
I couldn’t imagine living off of $400 per month. That’s like my car payment.
I have been working on building an online income for the past 6 months, and happy to say it is really starting to pay off. My goal within the next year to be able to leave my job and travel full time. This post is very inspring…But I don’t think I will be doing any base jumping
hahaha…Yeah, minus the base jumping. lol
The bike would be extreme enough for me.
hahaha, I am thinking more along the lines of sitting on the beach
Rad!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the dream…I would totally try base jumping
This is the coolest thing I’ve seen. I see your using the Wealthy Affiliate site for learning. I assume this is what you recommmend?
Yes, I use the wealthy affiliate site..Basically anyone that signs up under my affiliate link, I will offer free coaching as a result. It’s probably the best deal you kind find online, seriously…One on one coaching for less than $100 per month.