Who is Jef van de Graaf?

Hi, I’m Jef

I sold everything and flew to Tokyo with a bicycle in 2014. Some people called me crazy. Others say I’m living their dream. Read on and decide whether the life I have is really where you’d rather be.

Your information is protected, never sold, and I won’t send spam, ever. You can view my privacy policy here.

Free, no-bullshit instructions

For leaving the life you have, to create the one you want.

Jef van de Graaf's Business Building & Freelancing Tips

EARNING A LIVING

How can you make good money (online or offline) while living abroad?

Start Here
Living the Remote Life Dream

THE REMOTE LIFE

Are you ready to buy a one-way ticket to start over in Thailand?

Start Here
Jef van de Graaf's Journey to Ironman

JOURNEY TO IRONMAN

Can I conquer my fear of open water and finish an Ironman before I turn 40?

Start Here

Hi, I’m Jef van de Graaf

When I was 25, I sold everything and bought a one-way ticket to Tokyo. For the first 4 years, I cycled across Asia, built a private English teaching business in Japan, then taught myself web design and copywriting in Taiwan. Now I’m training for an Ironman while freelancing from a fourth-floor condo in Chiang Mai.

Here you’ll find my crazy stories, my business experiments (both the wins and the fu*k ups), alongside every lesson I’ve learned from over a decade of navigating the great unknown.

I write about what most people won’t say out loud: the struggles of building a business alone, the loneliness from being “friends” with other transient strangers, and the moments where chasing your dreams feels like another big mistake.

Take this, all of you, and learn from it. For this is my knowledge, which is freely given, and can be passed onto you by reading my Articles.