How She Went From $0 in Cambodia to Becoming a Full-Time Writer on the Road

Karmen Wiid is a South African solo traveler, writer, and host of The Lost & Found Podcast. She published her first book at 12, studied philosophy and literature in university, and now works remotely while moving through the world with curiosity and creativity. She’s currently based in India, and she shares such profound wisdom on the meaning of life and how to actually work through things, rather than letting fear or expectation stop you from living your dream. In this episode, Karmen shares stories from running out of money in Cambodia, crashing a motorbike in Nicaragua, and traveling through the US on Greyhound buses. We talk about her family’s initial resistance to her lifestyle, how she actually found a remote job (even when it felt impossible), and what helped her build back trust with her parents after leaving home. She opens up about free writing, her creative process, living on a permaculture farm in Nicaragua, mate culture in Buenos Aires, and why travel doesn’t need to be perfect to be worth it. We also get into philosophy, self-alignment, and why you are your best self when you live for you, not for someone else’s idea of success. Let’s dive in! Connect with Karmen: Buy Her Book – Untethered: A Beginner’s Guide to Solo Travel Join Her Bali Group Trip Listen to Her Podcast – The Lost & Found Podcast Read Her Blog Instagram Jordan Peterson’s Self Authoring Suite   . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS self-discovery, travel, digital nomad, remote work, cultural exchange, writing, personal growth, ethical tourism, family expectations, existentialism