Hey guys, Nate here. I'm proud to announce that I'm now the Program Director of Scrawny To Brawny. From now on all of my blogs and articles will be posted on the brand-new Scrawny To Brawny Blog. So if you enjoyed what you read here, please go check it out. (It's awesome, if I say so myself.) I'm keeping the NGE website alive for resource reasons, but will no longer be actively updating it. The best way to get in touch with me is through leaving a comment on the Scrawny To Brawny blog or by posting on the S2B Facebook page. See you guys over at the new blog!
How to Live Out of a Bag For 1 Month
The benefits of having a mobile lifestyle are huge. I make my own schedule, work from home (or, really, from cafes and microbreweries), and travel whenever I want.
I've met some amazing people and have had some exciting and memorable experiences. I'm hoping to continue the tradition this week when I hop on a plane for Europe. I don't really have a plan or agenda—it's more of a "make it up as you go" kinda trip. But the coolest part is I’m still able to work from the road. (If you can really call it "work.")
It hasn't been like this long—I've certainly had my share of 5 a.m. personal training sessions and miserable (and laughable) paychecks. But I sorta like this Become Your Own Hero lifestyle.
Anyway, back to my Europe trip. I'll be gone for a month and aside from missing my girlfriend like mad, I'm excited to soak up some new scenery.
I like to pack light -- I'm talkin' one bag and a few choice items -- since hauling luggage around is a real pain in the ass and not something I want to become well-versed in. I prefer to get up and go.
Here's what I'm packing and why. (9-minute video)
What Nate's Packing
1 Eagle Creek Thrive backpack
1 pair Timberland City Adventure shoes
1 pair Lucky jeans, 1 pair Abercrombie jeans (Shut up.)
2 ExOfficio quick-dry shirts
1 long sleeve Marmot button up
1 long sleeve Patagonia shirt
2 regular t-shirts
1 Nike 1/2 zip pullover
1 full-zip North Face jacket
1 Smart Wool beanie
1 Humblecock hat
4 pair of Smartwool socks
4 pair ExOfficio boxers
1 pair of low-top Chuck Taylors
2 pair UnderArmour workout shorts
2 UnderaArmour workout shirts
2 pair UnderArmour workout socks
Odds and Ends
1 Macbook and charger with case
1 world-capable Blackberry and charger
1 Flip HD camera
1 Kindle
Want to Meet Up and Show Me Around?
If you live in any of the below cities (or surrounding areas) post a comment and let me know. My web-guy Jason and I will be around between Oct 3 and Nov 3 and if you're not the crazy stalker type, we'd like to meet up.
Amsterdam
Brussels
Munich
Vienna
Prague
Stockholm
London
+++++
I'll be updating my newsletter frequently while I'm in Europe so make sure to sign up for that if you haven't already!
Comments for This Entry
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I live in London, more than happy to show you guys around the greatest city on Earth!
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Mate, when you hit London I'll take you to come cool places and we'll share a few beers!
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Would be great to see you in London like the other guys have said. Looks like we've got a meetup coming!
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Looks like a London meet up could well be on the cards then :)
Would be great to meet for a few beers and a sightsee! -
Hey man, awesome video! I actually just started working from home and starting to plan my mobile lifestyle into this next year. Except I'll be travelling US first, then head over seas. It's nice to see what people bring and why.
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Hee Nate,
Would be awsome to drink a beer and talk some in Amsterdam with you!
Cheers -
Vienna ! ;) - If you like beer , we have some good stuff here !
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Why are you going to Vienna? Its very boring there...
Come to Berlin!!! -
Think about bringing some sort of universal travelers power adapter...
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A cool tip for travelling Nate especially to countries where English might not necessarily be their first language would be to learn some of the local language. I tried this whilst I was over in Budapest and the locals took kinder to us than the ignorant foreigners.
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I can show you some nice places in Munich .
Just let me know,
Thorsten -
Paul's right. You're going to need good adapters, especially for your laptop (something I was discouraged to bring) :( .
Since you seem to have a lot of readers in London why don't you appoint one of them to set up a group meetup in a pub of their choice?
Have fun and tell us all about it :). -
Have a blast bud!
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Sooo glad about the under ware. I spent the next 8 minutes of the video wondering about the toothbrush. Now, you are missing one very important key element. ME.
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I am a little too east from your road (Bulgaria), but maby some other time.... :)
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Hey Nate! No Switzerland on the plan? Basel or Zurich could easily be fit in between Munich and Vienna. Would be awesome to meet you :)
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Hey guys! Thanks for the comments.
I'm not sure of my exact schedule, but I'll be posting regular updates in my newsletter, Facebook page, and right here on the blog so make sure to check back. Also, I'm saving all your e-mail addresses and will hit you up when I'm a few days out from your city!
-Nate -
AND TAKE LOTS OF PICS SO WE CAN SEE THE FUN YOUR HAVING.
Peace man. -
Dude! Your making it to the UK and only hitting up London!? You should head north to Edinburgh, Scotland. Come blast out a squat session here then go eat haggis & black pudding and drink the best whiskey on earth!
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Sounds like fun. After moving to New Jersey from California last month I would like to see more of our own beautiful country myself
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As a beer person, you're gonna love Prague. Make sure you visit U Sudu, which is a nice cave bar. Also, there is a famous monastery brewery near Prague Castle. Get the pork knee (sounds strange but its great).
Also, I second everyone else on the adapters. Love the blog. -
Hey Nate :D
i knew there will be the time i can invite you to a beer ;)
well munich... i guess i might could handle a drive down to munich but if you would come frankfurt at the main it would be a blast :)
not just good beer also good food AND with just 30 min you are in the green AND you can visit nice spots like my town Bad Nauheim where Michael Schumacher and many other currents sportstars come ;)
oh also nice history too i mean also the empress Sissi (austria) came here more than once, Elvis lived here when he was in germany with the military and his house is not far from mine....
AND THE BIGEST AMERICAN who lifed here AND WENT TO SCHOOL (mine just by the way :D) was your 32. president of the united states
------------> Franklin D. Roosevelt yes he lived here in my city AND went to school and than he became your president in the past
and so on, and so on.... so you see if you wana see some REALLY nice places you should come atleast 1 single day here!
and dont fogett i wrote you an really long thank you mail, when you were with roman some weeks ago where i said i would invite you for a beer ;)
and frankfurt is just 3 hours away from munich and the infrastructure here is really easy, cheap and should be no problem :)
So hope we can catch up somewhere and i'm not in protugal for golfing lol wishes from germany Björn :)
PS: it would be nice if you would write me an email and if we could catch up :) -
Hey All,
I'm definitely up for meeting in London too!
Good Luck on the trip :) -
Looks great Nate! Have a blast in Europe as it is a ton of fun. I was fortunate enough to study in Ireland for 2 months and then wander around Europe for 1 month after that. Awesome time!
The old travel rule applies, pack light, bring lots of money!
Have a blast
rock on
Mike T Nelson PhD(c) -
Munich in October...I have an idea of what you'll be doing...
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Definitely game for a few good beers in London and showing you whats on offer . You planning to train in a few gyms throughout your trip or mainly hostel stuff?
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Do it all while your young man. That's the best time.
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Nick, don't they also celebrate Oktoberfest in September?
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Nate:
I'm taking almost an identical trip in a little over a month. If you would, let me know how that packing list worked for you. Would serve as a great guide for my own luggage.
Enjoy yourself!
Dave -
I recommend the shop Murdock in the Shoreditch neighborhood of London to get a great wet shave. I stop by there whenever I'm in london and always walk out feeling like a million bucks.
Here's a link about the place: http://www.murdocklondon.com/
Have fun, man. -
Hey Nate,
My favorite place I've been in Europe was Ghent, Belgium. It's probably not a place I would want to live, but it was the oddest--in a good way--place I visited. It's a cheap ~30minute ride from Brussels. It's such a nice contrast from a lot of the other "castle towns" in Europe that are way too Disney like. The city has a real grungy, medieval feel to it, but it's perfectly mixed in with great food, beer, and culture. It's also more Flemish(Dutch) than Brussels which has more of a French influence.
One of the better nights of my life when I went to Pakhuis for dinner (http://www.pakhuis.be/en) then stopped by a bar that had been making their own Jenever since something like the 8th century, and spent the rest of the night in a random college bar. There is something really surreal about being in a building that was built a thousand years ago, drinking Belgian beers with students who all speak at least 3 languages, all while Nine Inch Nails is blaring in the background.
I'll stop rambling and getting choked up now. Have a great trip. -
Cool update, Nate. I always end up over-packing - even for measly 1 or 2 week trips! I can definitely take a few hints from this.
-Tony -
Why not come to Manchester? London is overrated, not much to see except the traffic! On a side note, I was wondering how come you are not taking any supplements with ya, no Anaconda while in europe? :)
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Good luck with everything. I have been to Europe several times with the military and I loved it! I would go back in a heartbeat! Great people, beautiful countryside and great beer and wine!
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Hey man, I live in Amsterdam, it's cool place and would not mind showing you around for a bit. You may want to include an umbrella in that bag though, it rains a lot here. haha.
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A universal power adapter. That probably should have been the first thing on my list. Good tip!
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Whatever you do... don't lose that bag! haha... keep a death grip on that sucka!
Hope you have an awesome time. -
Hey Nate,
Like I said on facebook, I'm based in South London, and will be up for hanging out, and can arrange a training session for you at the gym I work in. Let me know -
Hunh - you're an Apple guy....nice. But Kindle? Anyway, you guys will have a blast - did Europe - just talking today about how they have such a better, cool, relaxed approach to life there. Be safe and have fun. Jealous & bitter here. BTW, I bought Show & Go.
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Hi Nate:
Could you do a post about how you began the Internet/Be Your Own Hero/4 Hour Workweek lifestyle. Sounds interesting even though I'll never do it. Have a good trip...Europe is fun. -
Hey dude - try living out of your backpack for 6 months! Haha :)
Pretty nice setup, but actually it doesn't really matter what you bring.. You are going to stumble over all kinds of nick nacks and cool items.. You won't be able to fit it all into the bag in the end ;)
Bring an open mind, a childs curiosity and a big fat wallet, and you're set to go! Haha
Sad to hear, that you aren't dropping by Denmark
Anywho - take care, and enjoy every bit of it!
Mark -
Nate, In your travels check out Ice Breaker which is a merino wool company out of NZ. It is an amazing company that makes sweet products. Great for travelling because their products are so versatile.
http://www.icebreaker.com/site/index.html
Have a great trip!!
Cheers, Michael -
That's gr-r-r-eat! I did a two week motorcycle trip in Europe, covering France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland. I know, I need to get all that on my website, just been lazy. Of course being a rider, I know a few things about packing light.
Your clothes choices are excellent and I presume that will include what you are going to be wearing when you depart. i.e. the clothes you have on, in that video, are not included.
Someone else mentioned a universal plug adapter. How about a razor, or are you going to grow a beard?
You might want to bring your vitamins and supps, limiting your month's supply to one bottle. My guess is that they are way more expensive in England/Europe, if you can find what you want. -
I should be writing this one! I've been living out of my suitcase since end of May! Mine includes golf clubs though. Life is a little different when your not in one place for too long
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You should also visit isreal it's the most beautiful place on earth!
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Hey dude.
I'll be in Amsterdam until around the 4th or 5th of October, then after that I'll be based in and around London.
Let me know :-) -
If I'm in London when you're there I'd be down for a meetup/workout/beer tasting etc!
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If you manage to get the train to Manchester (2 hours from London) you are more than welcome to come an rain in my gym! Check it out and you might want to have a go! :) Have fun on this side of the world!
Fernando -
If you want some pointers where to go or which MicroBrew to hit in Vienna, drop me a line.
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Nate,
be sure to buy and download your ebooks in the country... I took my kindle to Iceland and it wouldn't let me purchase books outside of the US.
Have fun! -
too many jeans.
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Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and invites. Keep checking in with the blog (and also Facebook and my newsletter) to figure out where I'm going to be. I'll make sure to give everyone a few days notice before I hit their city.
@ Aaron
I'll definitely be writing about it a lot more. Thanks for the note!
@ Braig Callantyne
Really? Should I just go with the one pair? Any other tips?
Thanks!
-Nate -
Nate - What are you doing about supps? You gonna bring any protein powder/fish oil/ multis. etc. - or are you planning on buying them when you are over there? Maybe you are just gonna take a month off from that kind of stuff? Just curious on how you plan to keep up with your nutrition while away. I ask because I always struggle with this when I am away from home.
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@ Scott
I'm still going to train and more or less eat like I always do (lean protein, veggies, etc), but I'm not going to be too focused on training/supplements, etc. I'd much rather stay in shape and open myself up to new experiences than stressing over protein powder.
Good question.
-Nate -
Wow! I always over pack. Great tips. Thanks Nate!
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Hey Nate, how do you plan on using your phone while out of the US? I've been looking at ways to use my iPhone outside of the US when I travel abroad and I have to say, the cost of using these devices outside the CONUS is like highway robbery.
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Enjoy London Nate! Honestly it is my favorite place I have ever traveled. Be sure to get an Oyster card, it is much cheaper and quicker to get around.
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Make sure when you toast you say PROST and look your web guy in the eye...or who ever you are drinking with...or else 7 years bad sex....its true....thats what the europeans say!
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Visit Hamburg, man ;)
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Hi Nate,
I am from Prague, I´d like to meet you and show you, wheres the best beer. :)
Tomas -
Just a reminder that I'll be updating my newsletter, blog, and Facebook with where I'm going. Also, I may send personal emails to those of you who want to hang out.
(I can already tell London is going to be insane.)
-Nate -
"If you live in any of the below cities (or surrounding areas) post a comment and let me know. "
Maybe...
"and if you're not the crazy stalker type".
Guess not then. -
Dude this is crazy. I'm going to Europe on the 4th of October and going to most of the same places you are. Crazy. I might seeya there.
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Hi Nate
That is going to be a fantastic trip! Those are all fantastic cities, and I'm pretty glad you left out Rome, Florence and Paris - they're just too touristic and don't offer as much as the ones you plan to visit.
Personally, I would pack some more Humblecock stuff and at least one Testosterone T-shirt... But that's just me ;-)
I live in Zurich - which, by the way, is the best city in the world. I am in Munich and London very often (alomost every week) for work.
Drop me an e-mail if you want to grab a burger somewhere or to have a workout in a local gym) or if you make up your mind and visit Zurich...
End of next year or eraly 2012 I'll travell through the USA for 3 month (it'll be my sabbatical 3 month payed leave). Can't describe how much I'm looking forward to it!
Cheers,
A. -
Dude trust me you only need one pair of jeans
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I know you said you weren't going to be too focused on training...but let me know if you want an awesome place to train just outside London, I train at a couple of great places, and it looks like from the comments above, you have the social side covered already! Can't have you going a whole month without the prowler flu otherwise you know it will be worse when you get back home!
On a serious note it would be an honour to train with you. I'm in London most days so let me know if you want to try some rugby style training. -
Mate, you need to come 'up north' when you visit the UK. London is awesome but it's full of larger drinking, shandy boys! To experience real UK ales you have to come to Sheffield. Some great local and around the world ale tours to be had. Give me a shout if you ever do.
Have fun pal,
Matt
PS: Nothing but love for you London boys really :-) -
It would be cool to meet you while you are in Prague.
let me know if you have any spare time during the visit there :-) -
What? Not visiting Oslo, Norway?
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Nice to hear that you are coming to Stockholm. It would be cool to meet up if there´s time for that. In that case, just send me an e-mail and we arrange something.
Hope you enjoy the trip. Sounds like you have made some good choises even though I personally would have recommended Barcelona and Rome as well.
Erik -
No socks?!
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Hey, been following your blog for a few months now and finally felt that I should leave a comment. Good stuff you got going on here (to be honest, you were kinda falling off for a bit until this recent update). I'm a light packer myself, not just for travel but for military field ops I go on. I just got back from a 3 week training session and lived out of a single backpack while everyone else lugged around 40 pound load bearing bag (ILBE). I just thought it was funny that you posted on this topic just as I was experimenting with the art of light packing (even though I got my ass chewed for not being like everyone else).
oh yeah:
packing for international travel+minus the bear=win -
I'd recommend earplugs and a cheap ironman timex watch
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Yes, I'm agree with raymond. Skip stocholm and come to Norway, Oslo. You can Train at my gym where I'm working and taste how a pint that cost 10 dollars taste like (normal price on a pub)
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Hey Nate, if you can, try to keep tabs on total cost of your trip. I'd like to know what a month long trip to Europe would cost becuase I want to do this one day soon. I got a friend-girl who lives in downtown London. She says there's always something to do every night of the week. I miss my Juliet Wiggins. :(
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I'm in London most of the time, would be cool to meet you there. Unless you're getting scared of the crowd waiting for you :)
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Wow,
I don't think that I could do that! Not sure how I would even atempt that. -
Hello Nate, i´m amazed wth your life style and i would love to have the same kind of life. i have the same expectation in life that are written in Nate´s Story, but i don´t know how ytou can travel all around and how is your work? how could you have enough money to get those things? just writing for T-Nation i hardly believe it! please let me know what kind of job do you have or something!
Thanks in advanced!!! i´m working since now in being my own hero! just with 25 that´s impresive!
p.D: thanks again! please answer me! -
What brand of pants are you wearing in this video? The grey pants.
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dfw
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hello Nate, been following your blog for a few weeks now and finally felt that I should leave a comment. i´m amazed with your life style and i wanna have the same kind with you.I'm a light packer myself.
If you have any needs, they can provide the following for your reference:
vibram five fingers
I wish you have a wonderful day! -
I tried this whilst I was over in Budapest and the locals took kinder to us than the ignorant foreigners.
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COMMENT RULES: Critical posts are fine, but if you're rude I'll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your personal name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. But most of all, have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Tim Ferriss for the inspiration.)
Josh 1:36am Sep 27, 2010