Tips, challenges and stories from an IT Nomad An Interview with Lauren Cool

At, we live and embrace flexible. We're a work from anywhere, remote-first business, and we're thrilled to empower our team to be a part of the change anywhere their hearts desire them to go.

There are some of us who have a passion for adventure and that includes Lauren Cool, our Legal Operations Administrator. A year ago, Lauren took on a nomadic existence, traveling throughout the United States in an RV along with her companion and pet. The past 12 months were spent refining the art of working on the road by adjusting her schedule to her specific needs. She confronted challenges, lived unforgettable moments, and took amazing photos.

Find out more about Lauren's unique experience and the tried-and-true tips she employs to lead her life of dreams as a travel-focused professional she works for .

Q1: How did it happen that you land a fully remote job?

A: I was a student of the world of politics as I wanted to travel around the world , and be a volunteer for non-profits which is what I did. I was awed being in this field.

In the beginning, I planned to take two months off to ground myself prior to my next step in career, but a friend from my life, Shannon Lam, told me there was an opening at this really awesome company she was working for as a Technical Editor and Frontend Developer. She talked about how her colleagues were amazing and that it was a really flexible workplace and I decided to apply, which led me to start at the company immediately.

That's how I joined as the Operations Manager and later became their Legal Operations Administrator. What I do at the moment is to make everyone's job simple. I simplify and smooth our processes, create standard workflows, and handle the administration to ensure that all administrative work is handled and employees can focus on their work without worrying too much about the administrative side of things.

Q2: Flexibility, and fantastic colleagues. Was there something else that guided your decision of joining ?

I was looking for an environment that was both stimulating and peaceful. Before I joined , I was working at an organization that could help people dealing with very difficult circumstances. It was incredibly satisfying to be participant in their story, however, during the outbreak that I was a witness to the overwhelming volume of sufferers that I decided to take my job back home.

Once I noticed it, I started seeking someplace that I could relax and be able to enjoy what I was doing , and when I was done with my day's work, turn off my laptop and feel at peace. It's a place where I'm never bored and it's an environment that helps me protect my balance.

Q3: For how many years have you been a digital Nomad?

I've been at it for the past year and now I'm looking to travel more. I'd really love to experience countries outside that of U.S., too.

I'd recommend living the lifestyle of a digital nomad to anyone. If you've got the chance to take it on do it! This makes life more vibrant, even though there aren't always rainbows and sunshine. There's a little bump along the way However, you may as well be doing something amusing while you work through the hiccups!

Q4: What inspired your passion to lead a nomadic life?

It seems like I'm one of those people that becomes agitated after 3 or four years at a place. It took me a while to realize that.

After my first two years at college, I began to feel anxious and I decided to relocate. Four years later I had to pack again; that's when I relocated from San Diego, but that got old too. And the next time, we were able to move into our motorhome.

Q5: It seems like yours was a gradual shift from a geographically secure lifestyle to this more adventure-filled route.

This is true. A large part of that is that I'd never lived in California because the place my birthplace and where I was educated.

I'd lived in different parts of California, but had never been beyond it prior to the journey. I'd been studying global politics, and I'd traveled, but I'd not spent any much time outside of the state, and California is an enclave. I needed to see more of the state.

The United States of America is massive, and I've often thought about how Californians had such different ideas of how the world should function compared to other people in other places.

I thought I'd need experience it myself. That was my big spark: I wanted to leave the United States, but prior to this, I needed to understand my own.

Question 6: What were your favorite places and experience out of all you've witnessed throughout your crossing-country trek?

The first place we visited was enchanting. We spent two weeks in stunning Puerto Penasco, in Mexico. Our trip began on January 1st, 2022. It's a new year, new us!

Then we hopped on the RV and set off for Mexico. A large part of our enthusiasm stemmed due to the fact that this destination marked the beginning of this incredible experience that we had, however a portion of it was due to being right along the ocean.

The final stretch of our RV hanging over the beach, our dog Nikan being a jolly kid at sunset, walking to the beach to go eat all of our meals, and the many friendly individuals we encountered made for a truly special experience.

This is a different one that will be remembered: At some point, we ended up within the backwoods of Georgia. I was aware that my boss, Jon Penland (Chief Operating Officer) was from Georgia, but I wasn't sure of the city he resided in.

We aimed to meet up If things go well and I was on the road with my massive RV, I couldn't afford to take the chance of meeting to take it for granted.

I was thinking, given that Georgia isn't a huge state, that he may be only a couple of hours away. But when I texted him about our address, he told me it was about a 15' drive from the house he lives in.

It was such a fun coincidence! My partner, Jon, and I enjoyed burgers and had a lovely time catching up and spending some time together in real life.

Q7: You said that there's more to life than the rainbows and sunshine. What challenges have you had to overcome while working on the road?

Oh, well, for starters, there are the silly things, like working in the same space as your boyfriend. When you travel like we do it's common to be in an area of a small size together with a person who sometimes is in meetings at the exact same time. What happens then is you're talking to each other with your headphones on, and unintentionally raising your voices to drown out another person's words.

Here are some not-so-little challenges we faced: Our AC unit stopped working. It burned up. One morning we awoke with a horrible scent. We needed to know how to fix an RV's AC through YouTube tutorials.

After that, in Texas, we experienced an ice storm, and faced a challenge with our pipe. My boss Jon was able to help us with the issue with information on what to do to solve this problem.

When one considers the negative aspects of living a life as a digital nomad one thinks of infamous connectivity issues. Are you familiar with those?

It's not really. We mostly stayed in larger RV resorts. In the event that we were unable to connect to their WiFi using our VPN and we were unable to use our hotspots to connect and had coverage. We were fine!

Q9: How's it been to live a nomadic RV life as well as do work while doing it?

It's been a lot of enjoyable, in fact! Everyone's been supportive of the fact that we've been traveling. Each time I'm in a meeting, I have I get asked "Where are you today? And what's going on?" Sometimes I'll hold meetings outside since the scenery is breathtaking and a good mountain background is unbeatable.

What's so amazing? Jon Penland, 's COO was a frequent participant in this too. Jon was an online nomad for two and a half years, and Jon along with his wife and their five childrenaged from one to eight years old went all over with their campervan!

The fact that  our leadership is a model of digital nomadism reveals all you need to learn about our company's culture in terms of flexibility: As it's professional work and your role lets it, you're free to go willing to travel.

Q10: Have you managed to get together with many of your colleagues on your travels? Did you assist in any manner?

Not so many people as I'd like, but definitely a few. A shoutout to Jon Penland, our COO as well as Don Herbe, our Legal Counsel; Roger Williams, Head of Client Experience who hosted the group on his home for the entire week as well as many others.

Meeting you was wonderful. And to all other nians I'm eager to see you again!

The organization tries to organize these unofficial meetings with the help of a monthly budget. Each nian is able to spend up to $100 per month on informal meetups like those I've listed. This can be enough to cover the cost of a shared workspace during an entire day, food, or other fun things to do with colleagues you don't get to have every day.

Question 11: Lauren, how do you keep your schedule in order?

My work schedule is flexible and that's a blessing to anyone, but particularly for me.

I suffer from a disorder which affects my sleeping. My circadian rhythm is distinct from most people: Around 2 p.m. every day I'm struck by the feeling of exhaustion, and I struggle just to stay awake. It allows me to have an hour or two of lunch break. I can recover when I return. So, I'm able to rest and come refreshed and functional so that I can work efficiently for an additional four or five hours.

Although it might not seem like an issue for the employer who gives me this type of freedom, but it means so much to me. I would feel weird when working in regular positions which had inflexible hours since energy drinks and coffee wouldn't cut it and they didn't do anything for me.

There are many different ways to function. in the same way. Allowing employees to be human let them realize their best potential at work.

At , we can talk with our managers about our work schedules if there are modifications.

Q12: You've previously said that everyone should give the nomadic lifestyle a go when they get the opportunity. What kind of suggestions would you provide to people brave enough to do this?

It's important to think in advance. In the beginning, my friend and I were spontaneous with our destinations we'd visit. Unfortunately, you do need to plan ahead a little.

I'd advise you to think about three months at a time. Otherwise, you'll get up to speed and start wondering about where you'll be doing the next week.

Another piece of advice: Travel on the weekends and work from one spot every day from Monday through Friday. This way it's less dispersive and stressful. Or, at least, that's our experience.

Something else to consider is, if you plan to work from the road, like I was be sure that you're at ease. As we speak, I'm sitting at the exact desk I used in my motorhome. It's not a huge one. There's nothing crazy about it. However, it still has space to accommodate my additional monitor along with all the other things I require.

I bring my office chair during my travels I also bring my office chair on my RV trips. It's easy to be working outside using a table at the campground or from your outdoor lounge, and it doesn't work.

My suggestion is you've created a space to yourself in which you'll be comfortable to effectively perform your job, and try to remain separate from your mattress. That's not a good mix.

Q13: How can they reach you?

You are able to join me on LinkedIn!

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