Yang left his job in 2013 after feeling increasingly disillusioned with the traditional media industry, which he saw as declining. He also had a growing desire for global travel, which he had started exploring in 2011 after a personal life change. By 2013, he felt he had reached a technical plateau in his career and wanted to seek new experiences and personal growth outside the conventional work structure.
Yang funds his travels through a combination of freelance work, occasional gigs like Uber driving and bartending, and his podcasting income. He also relies on past savings and maintains a low-cost lifestyle, often staying in budget accommodations and using local transportation. His approach is to live frugally and prioritize experiences over material possessions.
The main focus of '壮游者' is to explore and share diverse lifestyles and perspectives from around the world. Yang avoids typical tourist content and instead delves into the local culture, traditions, and ways of life in various destinations. The podcast aims to show listeners that there are multiple ways to live and think beyond their own experiences.
Yang manages financial uncertainty by maintaining a low-cost lifestyle, taking on various freelance gigs, and being adaptable to opportunities. He also emphasizes the importance of staying connected with people and being open to new possibilities. Additionally, he has learned to accept the unpredictability of his income and focuses on living in the present rather than worrying about future financial stability.
Yang faces challenges such as financial instability, the lack of a permanent home, and the difficulty of maintaining long-term relationships. He also struggles with the societal pressure to conform to traditional success metrics like owning a house or having a stable job. Despite these challenges, he finds fulfillment in the freedom and experiences his lifestyle provides.
Yang's ultimate goal is to achieve absolute freedom, though he acknowledges that complete freedom is difficult to attain in modern society. He draws inspiration from figures like Alex from 'Into the Wild,' who pursued extreme freedom but met an early death. Yang seeks a balance between his desire for freedom and the practical realities of life, accepting the compromises that come with it.
你好啊,我是Yang,突然加更了——我去“姐姐说”播客做客,和六月/美丽聊了次天,感谢她俩的细致和深入内心的发问,我也敞开聊了聊脱轨后的追求和挣扎。听听吧。