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It’s with so much pride, I can happily announce the release of my first e-book which has been twenty-five years in the making; a culmination of this incredible journey I’ve been blessed to be on. Like many of you, travel was never an option or goal for me growing up. I saw people who studied and traveled abroad, and I always thought, “good for them”. Good for those people to do what they’re meant to do.

Baker University, Baldwin City, KS
Baker University, Baldwin City, KS | The most expensive piece of paper I own. My degree.

I came from a family of 8. I was a troubled teenager. I hated my life and I never understood why some people were given things that I had to work so hard for. And that’s when it hit. Why should I feel entitled to anything I didn’t have to sweat or struggle for?

So I struggled my way into opportunities, mastering the art of calculated risk-taking, and putting myself out there to fail over and over again until the universe finally caved in. By textbook definition, I was going to succeed by way of insanity.

 

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6 years ago today, I was taking my final British Studies exam at Harlaxton College, a semester-long program in the UK. My dad passed away a couple weeks before my departure date. I was sure it was a sign that I wasn’t meant to go, but I got my mom’s blessing to go anyway. I was 22 years old the first time I left the U.S., and because I didn’t think that travel was ever something I’d be able to afford again, I applied for any and all student positions I could get my hands on, accepted as a Resident Assistant, University Ambassador, and Campus Blogger. I had approximately $700 USD to last me over 4 months. That’s roughly $175/month ? *cries in poor* *melts in poverty* *moonwalks in debt* I had college friends who were given this amount every weekend as alcohol money. But I didn’t get jealous. I got motivated. To figure out a way to travel as much as everyone else, while spending 4x as less. I was then introduced to brands like @Skyscanner, @Couchsurfing, @BlaBlaCar, @MegaBus, and @Rome2Rio_official, some of the most budget-friendly apps out there to help get the most bang for my buck. I would venture solo often, as to not burden others with my $10/day budget (aka brokity brokeness), but would come back with some of the wildest stories. I would blog some of my tips and adventures both for the university’s blog, and for my own. And that’s when I started to feel the genuine joy in seeing others put my tips to use to both save money and travel more. If you make a big enough impact in others, the universe will surely reward you with something greater. So today, I revisited the campus as someone who makes a 6-figure salary from traveling the world and documenting my experiences with my audience, like I did as a student. You don’t have to believe in God, but I do. And I’m giving thanks to Him for putting me in places and spaces that would lead to a lifestyle beyond my wildest dreams. So if you’re still sitting on that idea. That dream. That crazy, brilliant goal to do something that’s equal parts terrifying and rewarding, I dare you to go for it. This is just MY story. But it could be yours too. ??

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“But, I don’t want to travel abroad, Glo!” your silly self might be thinking. And here’s the thing. Not everyone is made to travel, or even desires to. And here’s the best way I can put it. Never leaving your home country is like swimming in a pool, while traveling abroad is like swimming in an ocean. Sure, they’re both water and you’re getting your feet wet regardless, but imagine how different the experience will be. Never mind the fact that I can’t swim though. God had to humble me somehow.

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I soon realized I rather work 24 hours a day for myself than work even 1 hour for someone else. I went from making excuses to taking excursions, turning my internal fights into external flights and ultimately doing everything in my power to use my God-given talents to do more than just exist. To learn more. To live more. To be more.

There’s a world of knowledge out there in subjects that can’t be taught in a classroom that ultimately shape the better part of our existence. I was willing to do whatever it took to get an A in that curriculum.

Our dreams mean nothing if we're not actively pursuing them. Click To Tweet

Our legacies aren’t created by things we wished we could do. It’s about the things we grinded our @%$es off and actually DID. When I die, it’ll be with memories not dreams. Because right now, I’m living all mine.

NOTEABLE CHAPTERS

Expensive Dreams. Affordable Hustle

Running Away From Sallie Mae

Travel is the New Black

Your Debt is Not Your Destiny

Adventure is Dangerous, But Routine is Lethal

Single & Ready to Wrinkle

Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe

The Serena Williams Tour

How I Afford to Travel

How to Live Around the World for Free

Work With Me - Gloria Atanmo - The Blog Abroad

I want you to read this and feel like you could take on your thing. Yes, that thing. You know what I’m talking about. That one thing you can’t stop dreaming and thinking about. Be fearless in pursuit of that thing that sets your soul on fire. I did five years ago. And I’ve been fanning those flames ever since.

This book is for the dreamers. The believers. The entrepreneurs. But most importantly, the travelers and those who seek to explore a life far outside of their comfort zones. Thank you for helping make my dreams a reality. Your support, your shares, and your belief in me means the world! Pun most definitely intended.

52 Comments

  1. just purchased it. great job. keep dreaming, keep traveling and live well. I look for to the ebook. would rather work 24 hours for myself than 1 hour for another person I totally agree. I respect and admire you opening up a language business in Spain. traveling, books and associations help you grow. http://www.classyscl.com

  2. Just ordered it! Looking forward to reading up on all your expensive dreams via an affordable hustle! LOL
    Bien hecho Gloria… Para adelante que la luz de alfrente es la que alumbra!:)

  3. I feel like I just witnessed a spiritual deliverance reading through this post, just purchased! I hope I made the top 150! congratulations on your success (^^,)

  4. Just discovered your blog and pre-orderered your book! I just graduated college and quit my job! So excited to explore and see what’s out there. Also really excited to see what the gift is hehe 🙂 Can’t wait to read all about your journey and to start mine!

  5. Heeey. Feel like I’m talking to a celebrity! No I haven’t. I received an email saying I should receive it by the end of the month because I wasn’t one of the first to order :/

    1. Haha, no celebrity here, just a normal gal with an expensive nutella addiction! Lol

      Yes, that’s the e-mail I’m referring to. The e-book will drop on October 30th, as stated in the post, and you’ll get an email on that date with a PDF/Kindle format to download and read!

      As a pre-orderer, you got it at its lowest price! So even though you didn’t make the first 150, you’ve still got that going for ya! Thanks again! 🙂

  6. Book on lock!!! Can’t wait to read it!!! You aren’t from Wichita are you? I just got to McConnell AFB in June. Didn’t know what to think before I got here, but it’s better than expected!!! Small world!!!

    Patrick

      1. Well way to get the most out of your “extended” college years LOL…loved the book BTW!!! Always pulling for you to keep winning!!!

  7. Hi there Glo – I’ve been an avid follower of yours on Instagram for a while now and recently learned you have an e-book. So excited to read it! And I just found you on FB, so now I can stalk all of your adventures on there too! ha! Seriously, you are one of my favorite travel bloggers. I love how down-to-earth, inspiring and encouraging you are in your writings without the typical show-boating. You come across very real and genuine and I love that! I truly feel connected even when I am thousand of miles away – stuck in my cave! ha! I especially enjoy looking at all your amazing photos. Keep up the great life! 🙂 Td

  8. Hi Gloria,
    I just read your book and I graduate college next Friday (yay) and plan on doing the same thing…Getting a one-way ticket abroad and then seeing where it goes from there and blogging about it. I just have a few questions if you don’t mind…
    1) How did you gain readership? I already have a squarespace for my design portfolio and a tumblr where I write from and I do the good ol’ fashioned hashtags, sharing on facebook, asking friends to share, sharing on social media, etc. Anything else in particular you recommend?
    2) Are there particular companies who sponsor your blog that you recommend? And I guess I would have to of already left the country first to get such sponsors, right?
    3) Do you keep an American bank account or do you just open one abroad? Or possibly, both?

    These questions may seem silly but I was just curious how that works. Anyway, great read, and bestof luck to you, your life looks awesome 🙂

  9. I’m incredibly thankful to have located your youtube and blog. Its scary how similar we are “adventure geeks” my family teases me weekly about my constant relocating domestically (less risk but less exciting. However, that’s what I could do at the time) calling me the “gypsy” or “nomad” of the family. It used to irritate me but now I own it. I’ve recently been extremely troubled as an executive in corporate america knowing good and well all I want to do is immerse myself into various cultures and languages and move abroad whereever God allows me to roam. The fear of not being able to “pull it off successfully ” and being a 40 year old woman is by far itimidating. I appreciate your blog, your experience as well as your book. Thank you for sharing with us and encouraging us to follow our dreams. Hopefully, I can shake the fear and experience the wonders of the beautiful world we live in
    Lia

  10. Awesome photos! I love the fact that you’re having so much fun in each image and GIRL! I don’t see how you are able to get up that high on your Spain photo; I’m afraid of heights; I would FREAK OUT! LOL!

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