Discovering the Nomadic Life with Sylvain and Gladys
Meet Sylvain and Gladys, a 32-year-old Swiss couple from Valais, a stunning region surrounded by the Alps. These two young entrepreneurs decided to radically change their lives and embrace the freedom of nomadic life, living and working in a confy tiny house: a converted van.
Sylvain, who embarked on a new career in web development, now runs his own company, Anana Web. Gladys, on the other hand, has been an independent graphic and UX/UI designer since 2018, owning her web agency.
With a fifteen-year-long passion for travel, the idea of living as digital nomads has always intrigued them both. Their story is a source of inspiration for anyone dreaming of transforming their life and venturing into the unknown.
Gladys and Sylvain’s nomadic life interview
Hi guys! Can you explain us Why did you specifically decide to live in a tiny house like nomads?
The idea of having our home on wheels was a natural choice: to create our own living space with our own hands and take it everywhere with us as we travel. After extensive backpacking experiences, we felt the need to change our travel style. At our age, the comfort and flexibility offered by a converted van seemed to be the best option to continue exploring the world while maintaining a sense of home.
When we met, Sylvain had already decided to build a van for traveling, and Gladys dreamed of embarking on a grand road trip in a van. Sylvain researched vehicle options extensively and chose the model himself. Shortly after we met, he purchased the vehicle. He then evaluated all possible nomadic lifestyles and vehicles, weighing the pros and cons of each. This led him to conclude that an H3 L3 van would be ideal for him. Gradually, I became involved in the project, transforming Sylvain’s initial life plan into our shared life project.
Sylvain often said to me, “You’re lucky, you can work anywhere in the world with your job.” I responded that he could do the same; he just needed to find a compatible profession. After much research and testing various nomadic careers, Sylvain eventually chose web development, quickly becoming passionate about it. Today, thanks to this transition, we can both work and live our dream of being digital nomads.
2. What was your first van life travel experience?
Our first experience as vanlifers was a two-week journey in the south of France in 2021, with only a mattress installed in the van. At that time, we had been together for just two months. It was an incredible experience that taught us a lot and confirmed that this was the life we wanted.
It also reassured us that our relationship could continue in this direction, despite Gladys having many apprehensions and fears about projecting into the future.
3. Have there been any significant changes in your life as a result of this life choice of Van Life?
Living as digital nomads has brought significant changes to our lives. This lifestyle choice didn’t bring immediate results but rather gradual adjustments: adapting to reduced living space, embracing minimalistic living, reassessing our safety priorities, and managing finances more consciously.
The effects of these adjustments became evident over time as we learned to live according to these new conditions. The ability to face challenges and adapt to diverse environments has likely been the most positively developed aspect of our nomadic life.
4. What is the most exhausting thing to deal with/prepare for during your travels?
The most exhausting aspect to manage or anticipate during our travels is dealing with external factors beyond our control. This includes intense heat, mosquito attacks, potential security situations, and the often unpredictable whims of the weather.
These factors can sometimes make planning and adapting our travels more challenging and demanding. Balancing travel life and work is also challenging; it’s stressful, especially with an 8-hour time difference from Switzerland. But for now, we’re managing well.
5. How do you choose your travel stops and the next destinations?
We primarily rely on Gladys for choosing our travel stops and next destinations. She handles the research of places where we park, using apps like IOverlander or Park4Night in Europe.
For destinations, restaurants, and activities, she dedicates a lot of time to exploring available options on the internet, Instagram, or through travel guides to find the best spots. I’m fortunate that she takes charge of this responsibility, as it’s not a task I particularly enjoy.
For sending the vehicle from Europe to Mexico, we were enjoying an evening in Portugal after our road trip in Morocco when Gladys felt the urge for a change. She had been following Valaisans on Instagram who were in Costa Rica, and the idea of parking on a beach with the ability to surf directly from our van enchanted her.
Sylvain didn’t hesitate to agree. Initially, we planned to explore the Balkan countries during the summer, but the call of adventure and exoticism changed our plans.
6. What is your next destination and the one you dream of reaching sooner or later?
Our next planned destination is Uruguay, following the west coast of South America with a stop in Ushuaia before heading north. However, our ultimate dream is to continue our journey all the way to Canada and eventually cross Europe to Mongolia in our van. These two projects represent our main aspirations to explore new horizons and experience unique adventures on the road.
7. What advice would you like to give to a family or someone who would like to take a similar journey and embark on nomadic life?
For those considering adopting this lifestyle, whether as digital nomads or for a long-term journey, we encourage them to fully commit to pursuing their dreams. It’s essential to dedicate oneself to achieving these aspirations and to believe in them.
Living this way is not just about travel; it’s a profound personal enrichment filled with fascinating discoveries and unforgettable memories. We urge them to overcome their doubts, to embark with determination, and to do everything possible to achieve their goals.
Thank you Sylvain and Gladys
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sylvain and Gladys for sharing their fascinating adventure with us. Their journey highlights the courage it takes to pursue one’s dreams and the rewards that come with stepping out of comfort zones.
By choosing a nomadic life, they have not only discovered new places but have also grown personally and professionally in ways they never imagined.
Their story is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, and it offers a glimpse into the enriching experiences that come with living a nomadic lifestyle.
For anyone contemplating a similar path, Sylvain and Gladys are living proof that with determination and passion, it is possible to create a fulfilling and adventurous life.
We invite all our readers to follow them on Instagram to continue being inspired by their travels, learn more about their experiences, and discover the beautiful places they visit.
Stay connected with Sylvain and Gladys by following them on Instagram, and let their journey motivate you to explore the world and pursue your own dreams.
