Matthias Zeitler takes us on his journey growing up in Munich, Germany and transitioning from a corporate job to becoming a location-independent entrepreneur. He explains how is interest in travel developed, how he became a digital nomad, and how he structures his nomadic lifestyle. Matthias then shares some travel stories about competing in the Rickshaw Run in India and taking a catamaran across the Sea of Bengal. He then reflects on the impact of traveling to 100 countries. Next, Matthias talks about founding “Bansko Co-Working”, explains how he built community around it, and shares why he is so passionate about the town of Bansko. He also talks about his upcoming project “Bansko Co-Living”, and explains how Bansko is becoming a premier nomad destination. Matthias also talks about hosting the annual Bansko Nomad Fest, how it evolved, and what attendees can expect this year. And, finally, he reflects on what travel means to him. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: www.TheMaverickShow.com
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Hosted by Matt Bowles
184: Founding Bansko Nomad Fest, Sailing a Catamaran Across the Sea of Bengal, and the Impact of Traveling to 100 Countries with Matthias Zeitler
Episode #184: Founding Bansko Nomad Fest, Sailing a Catamaran Across the Sea of Bengal, and the Impact of Traveling to 100 Countries with Matthias Zeitler
Hosted by Matt Bowles
184: Founding Bansko Nomad Fest, Sailing a Catamaran Across the Sea of Bengal, and the Impact of Traveling to 100 Countries with Matthias Zeitler
Episode Summary
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About the Guest

Matthias Zeitler
Matthias Zeitler is a location independent entrepreneur with a passion for community and ecosystem development. Originally from Munich Germany, he is now a full time digital nomad and has been to over 100 countries. He is currently helping to grow Bansko, Bulgaria, into one of the premier destinations for digital nomads. He founded Coworking Bansko in 2016 and is now constructing Coliving Bansko, a 42-unit purpose-built coliving space, together with investors from the community. He regularly speaks and mentors at various tech, coworking and startup events around the world, and he is the organizer of “Bansko Nomad Fest”, an annual week-long celebration of the location independent lifestyle.
What You'll Learn
- The Real Value of Attending Bansko Nomad Fest
- Highlights and Lessons from Traveling to Over 100 Countries
- Why Bansko Bulgaria is Becoming One of the World’s Top Nomad Destinations
Links From the Episode
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you click through any links and make a purchase, you should assume that Maverick will receive financial compensation (at no additional cost to you). We greatly appreciate you using our affiliate links because it helps to support the show and cover production costs of the podcast.
Attend This Year’s “Bansko Nomad Fest” and get a 10% discount with Code: MAVERICK SHOW
#1 BOOK THAT MATTHIAS RECOMMENDS
#1 PERSON WITH WHOM MATTHIAS MOST WANTS TO HAVE DINNER
TOP 3 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
TOP 3 BUCKET LIST TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- 20: Anja Winter
- 66: Chris Reynolds
- 109: Adi Cohen
- 136: Nora Dunn
- 143: Jordan Carroll
- 162: Jimmy Naraine Part 1
- 163: Jimmy Naraine Part 2
- 165: Sergio Sala
- 181: Goncalo Hall
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Munich, Germany
- Salzburg, Austria
- Bulgaria
- Europe
- Germany
- Greece
- Bengal/Chennai, India
- Maldives
- Ortigia, Sicily
- Palermo
- Philippines
- Thailand
CONNECT WITH MATTHIAS
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[2:38] Growing up in Munich, Germany and Starting to Travel
[3:45] Transitioning from a Corporate Job to Location Independent Entrepreneurship
[5:32] Structuring His Nomadic Lifestyle
[6:49] Competing in the Rickshaw Run in India
[8:58] Taking a Catamaran Through the Sea of Bengal
[12:36] The Impact of Traveling to 100 Countries
[13:37] Founding “Co-Working Bansko” and Growing Bansko into a Premiere Nomad Destination
[20:48] Building “Bansko Co-Living”
[23:50] Hosting “Bansko Nomad Fest”
[27:38] How and Why To Attend Bansko Nomad Fest 2022
[33:18] What Travel Means to Matthias
[34:19] The Lightning Round
[40:03] Contact and Follow Matthias
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