In the ever-evolving world of remote work, the life of a digital nomad has become increasingly attractive. Season 2 of the Scale You podcast dives into this lifestyle, spotlighting entrepreneurs, freelancers, and community builders who’ve mastered the art of working from anywhere. One of these trailblazers is Ambroise Debret, a seasoned digital nomad and remote work expert, who has transformed his passion for travel and freelancing into a career spanning over a decade.
Ambroise's journey from a traditional job to becoming a full-time digital nomad wasn't instant. Though he was “born a nomad,” having grown up moving across countries like Germany, France, and the UK, the turning point came in 2012 after reading The 4-Hour Workweek. This sparked his desire to pursue a location-independent lifestyle, which led him to experiment with various business models, including e-commerce and freelancing.
The transition to full-time digital nomadism became real for Ambroise in 2017 when he quit his job and bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok. From there, he spent months exploring Asia, visiting countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam. But as exciting as his adventures were, the reality of balancing work, travel, and logistics quickly caught up with him. “I burned out pretty fast,” he admits, emphasizing the importance of setting up a sustainable routine when pursuing a nomadic lifestyle.
Key to his success was building a steady income through freelancing. Instead of chasing high rates from the start, Ambroise focused on creating long-term relationships with clients. “It was more important for me to have steady income than a high hourly rate,” he explains. This strategy allowed him to not only increase his rates over time but also launch new projects. As a result, Ambroise has worked with clients globally, developed a startup in the running industry, and even taught business courses.
Today, Ambroise splits his time between his home base in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and traveling to other countries. He’s also dedicated himself to helping others achieve location freedom. “For me, the best part is seeing people start from zero and unlock the freedom to travel,” he shares. By teaching freelancers how to build sustainable careers, Ambroise empowers them to not only make a living but thrive while exploring the world.
His advice to aspiring digital nomads? Start small, focus on providing value, and work backward from a set goal. Whether it's freelancing, launching an online business, or consulting, the key is finding what works best for you and ensuring you have a steady income stream before taking off. After all, Ambroise's journey proves that with the right strategy, anyone can turn their side hustle into a global adventure.
Watch the full episode here.
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