Meet Dan Gold

Why did you decide to come on Remote Year?

I was getting bored of coming home from work and plopping down on the couch. I wanted to come home from work and plop on the couch in a different country.

Before Remote Year, I was living in New York. If you rewind three years, you could find me in the suburbs of Philadelphia.  As you can see from my couch experience, I was feeling a little too comfortable in my previous situation. I wanted to take a risk and try something that I’ve never done before. Traveling was a way to exercise that level of uncertainty and adventure.

What are you working on for the year?

I have been spending a lot of time working on my photography. It’s been a passion of mine since I was young. Traveling is a great way to see a spectrum of different people, places and things.

For work, well, I work all the time. I joined Remote Year working for a NYC-based clean water nonprofit. I made the tough decision to move on and focus more on contracting frontend web development, side projects and focusing on my photography.

How did you find yourself a remote role?

At my previous role, we already had remote employees, so my decision to work remotely was an easy move. Our office was well-equipped to handle people working remotely. They have TVs with a Google Hangout integration, and we use Slack for our day-to-day communication.

When my contractor transition happened, I was able to acquire clients that appreciated remote work. Most of my meetings start with “Wait, where are you?”

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Who do you hope to be by the end of Remote Year?

I hope to be the same. Remote Year has given me the chance to focus more on personal growth. I am still ‘me,’ all the way through. And I hope that never changes.

What does your typical day look like?

Wake up, run, eat breakfast, work and repeat.

Where does your passion for travel come from?

I actually don’t know, and no one in my family is a big traveler. If I were to guess, I think my passion for travel boils down to my perspective on changing environments. I like variability and I start to feel unmotivated when I am too comfortable. My creative motivation comes from seeing and hearing new things around me.

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If you had to be stuck on an island with another Remote who would it be and why?

A universal remote would be my choice. You can turn up the volume, change the channel and add closed captions...the possibilities are endless!

Your favorite digital nomad hack?

Credit card incentive-driven airline miles. Since I left for Remote Year in June 2016, I’ve accumulated more than 200,000 airlines miles. Also, the Chase Sapphire Reserve with Priority Pass.

Describe your Remote Year experience in 3 words?

Best. Year. Ever.

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Describe your perfect day.

The perfect day would be a day that is spontaneously unique- a day that is unexpected and new. It would be a day that could change your perspective and get you out of your comfort zone, and a day that has a memory that will last a lifetime.

What is the most challenging part of being a digital nomad?

Video calls and internet speed. It's usually like, "Heh- hey. Hi? Hi can you hear me ok? Hi - ok hey, I think we're good."

What is the best part about being a digital nomad?

The best part about being a digital nomad and being able to travel is the fact that it is even remotely possible. I am grateful that I am able to work with amazing people and experience different cultures on a day-to-day basis.

What would you say to others looking to bring travel into their lives?

Do it. Don’t look back.

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