How I Got Paid to Travel the World — And How You Can Too
From a failed startup to global brand deals and 100+ countries — here’s the raw story of how I turned passion into freedom, and how you can too.
🐺 How I Got Paid to Travel the World (And How You Can Too)
If you told me years ago that I’d get paid to travel to 100+ countries, partner with brands like Four Seasons, Uber, and Toyota, and build one of the most loved travel communities on the internet…
I probably would’ve smiled — but deep down, I wouldn’t have believed it yet.
Because back then, I wasn’t a “travel influencer.”
I was a curious soul with a camera, a laptop, and a crazy dream:
To never settle. To live free. To create beauty. And to turn that into a lifestyle.
1. It Started With a Spark — and a Question
My life changed at Tomorrowland in 2012.
I had just moved from Cyprus to the UK, and then to Barcelona, Taiwan, and San Francisco while doing my MBA.
But that one trip to Belgium flipped something inside me.
I realized: This is it. This is what I want life to feel like.
So I asked myself:
“What if I could make freedom my job?”
That question led to building VacationWolf.
2. From Startup Failure to Global Movement
VacationWolf wasn’t always a travel brand.
I first built it as a platform to book unique experiences — like Airbnb Experiences before Airbnb launched theirs.
It failed.
I had no traffic, no users, no idea how to make it grow.
But instead of giving up, I pivoted.
I realized the key to every startup — every dream — is attention.
So I became obsessed with social media:
I studied the math and the art of virality.
I mastered content, brand storytelling, and growth.
I turned myself into the test subject.
And suddenly… VacationWolf blew up.
3. The First Brand Deal Changed Everything
I remember the moment I got my first real travel partnership.
A luxury hotel offered me 5 nights in paradise in exchange for content.
It wasn’t just the free stay — it was the proof.
Proof that this crazy dream could become reality.
Soon after, bigger brands followed:
Four Seasons, Marriott, Uber, Google, Las Vegas, Visit Mexico…
The mission became clear:
To turn my passion into freedom — and teach others to do the same.
4. What I Learned (So You Can Do It Too)
If you’re reading this and wondering:
"Can I really get paid to travel too?"
The answer is YES — but only if you’re ready to commit.
Here’s what I’d tell the younger me:
🔥 1. Be Real, Be Raw
People don’t follow perfection. They follow the truth.
Show your journey, your vision, your edge. That's your brand.
📈 2. Build Before You Blow Up
Start creating now. Even with 0 followers.
Consistency is more important than viral moments.
🎯 3. Position Yourself Powerfully
You’re not just a traveler. You’re a storyteller, a guide, a vibe.
Brands pay for clarity, alignment, and energy — not just pretty photos.
🛠️ 4. Learn the Game
I studied content psychology, sales, media kits, outreach, and funnels.
It’s not just passion — it’s strategy.
5. The Next Evolution: Freedom Mastery
I created Freedom Mastery because I wanted to pass this blueprint on.
Not just the tips — the entire system that helped me build a dream life.
Inside, I teach:
How to create content that hits
How to turn your story into a business
How to get brand deals, go viral, and travel the world sustainably
And most importantly, how to never settle for an average life again