Live Work Travel

Love having friends around to snap candids. I always feel like I pose horribly so the quick, no time to freeze up, photos always work best 😂

I share so much on here, the podcast, and in the community because I want many others to be able to live this life as well.

I love my solo time but it’s also amazing when my friends can meet up with me around the world! 🌎

If you want the same for yourself 👇 …

👩‍🏫 Former middle school teacher turned world traveler, I built a career in freelancing starting at age 34.

💻 I teach others who want to live this lifestyle how to build it from the ground up.

💬 DM me for 1-1 coaching or come hang out in the Live Work Travel community. (Linked in my profile)

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I have had no gym habit for years. Working out is sporadic at best.

I pushed myself way out of my comfort zone to go to Fight Club Philippines in Palawan.

As usual.. it was uncomfortable… but so worth it.

Two weeks of training in the intense heat, learning new things (boxing and Muy Thai) and meeting awesome people from all over.

United by sweat and pain, we kept pushing, kept learning, kept improving.

And now I’m far less intimidated by the gym. I’ve got muscles I didn’t even know I had. And I’ve made some amazing new friends.

Would love to put on a fitness + business retreat here someday. ❤️👏

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💡 Philippines Travel tips! (Part 1)

First a caveat… I don’t have a ton of tried “where to go and what to see” tips for you because I was here for a destination wedding.

Therefore I split my time between working during the day (and avoiding the heat) and wedding events in the evening.

First up... some need to know tips... Save this post for your visit to Cebu area/the Philippines in general.

➡️ Friendliness & great service
The friendliness and kindness of the Filipino people is unmatched, surpassing everywhere I’ve been so far in the world.

So gracious, so kind, so dedicated to providing amazing service. I was greeted by everyone all over my hotel and on the next to last day when I called down to place an order for room service, the concierge said, “How was the wedding ma’am? I felt so bad, I forgot to provide you with recommendations for where to find shoes!”

This, hearkening back to our conversation at check-in some six days prior where I told her I was there for a wedding and had yet to find shoes.

I told her not to worry, that I’d found the nearby mall, and how kind of her to remember. Seriously, top notch service!

At the wedding, and several restaurants also, all of the waitstaff were attentive, courteous, could not do enough. Never fear your water glass going empty!

Beyond the great service, I just enjoyed the friendly smiles from everywhere even if I didn't know people.

I sometimes feel like I’m still coming out of my 2020 pandemic shell and the Philippines has given me quite a boost. Reminded me what it’s like to smile and nod and be Midwestern friendly again.

➡️ Language

While Tagalog and Cebuano are the most commonly spoken native languages, English was spoken pretty much everywhere I went. It’s nice to learn a few native words like please and thank you but you should get by great with English. Tourism is a thriving industry here and many people also work in BPO — Business Process Outsourcing for companies in the USA, UK, Canada and other English speaking countries.

➡️ Money
They use the Philippine Peso. At the time I’m writing this 1000 PHP is worth $17.37 USD. I’m horrible at math so just thought of it as 1000 = $20.

Hey there, I’m Mashon! 👋

I used to be a middle school teacher but now I travel the world working from wherever I am.

I started this account to share my journey with you and hopefully inspire you to take up freelancing, incorporate more travel in your life, and design a life you enjoy waking up to!

I share posts around how to start freelancing and working remotely, being a digital nomad and living abroad, and life lessons and tips with the aim of helping you on your journey no matter where you’re starting from.

Live Work Travel came about because I couldn’t believe how much my life changed once I found freelancing. I went from a broke middle school teacher $30K in debt to earning just under $100K in my FIRST year of freelancing.

After teaching I tried several jobs in the startup sector before getting laid off on July 14, 2017.

I call it my freedom-versary and celebrate it every year because that’s what led me to freelancing and working remotely from wherever I choose, having amazing clients I support, and to living in some of the most incredible places around the world.

The most important things I’d love for you to know about me are some of my flaws!

Because when I say I’m nothing special… I mean it! I just had a STRONG DESIRE to “live my best life” as they say.

- I struggle with impostor syndrome and self-doubt almost daily
- I leave so many things half finished (I was late diagnosed ADHD at 38!)
- I’m an obliger (Gretchin Rubin’s 4 Tendencies) yet I have no one around to keep me accountable a lot of the time and my routines and habits are a mess because of this
- Sometimes I work too much, sometimes I work too little

Yet I was able to make a success of myself and I’m sure that you can too!

I offer up a variety of ways to support you on your journey. You’ll find the links to all of these in my bio.

🎧FREE: The Live Work Travel podcast!

🏘️MED: The Live Work Travel community. Monthly or annual subscriptions available. Come hang out with me + others like yourself who are on their journeys toward becoming freelancers & traveling the world.

🖥️ HIGH: The Escape Hatch Freelancing Course. My A-Z guide laying out everything I've learned.
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This has to be one of the most unique places I’ve ever worked: The Cave Bar in Jordan. Had to get a little work done to pay for my taxi ride from Amman, ha! 😝 After this it was off to Petra at Night! 🕯️

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Some shots of the Iceland sky… have you ever been for the long summer days?

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