About Johnny Ward
I’m a 20-something Irish guy who left Ireland at 18 to study my degree in International Economics in England. Since graduating in 2006 I have traveled, studied, worked, volunteered and backpacked around 100 countries across the globe… I’m not rich, have no wealthy benefactors and don’t sell my body from continent to continent to allow me to live like this! I redesigned my lifestyle and have loved every day since, you can do it too….
My initial plan after graduating in 2006 with my finance degree was to take a year out, teach English in China, ‘get travel out of my system’ and head back to the UK for a successful lifelong career in finance – well that plan didn’t go so well :S
Leaving Ireland behind in 2006 I had no idea what life would hold for me but we never do. I took the plunge, booked my one-way ticket to Asia and haven’t looked back since. I’ve managed to earn a money online through a portfolio travel blogs and now I’m as free as I ever dreamed 
Social conformity, the media, our education systems dictate that we should go to school, go to uni, go to a city, work in an office, save for a retirement then when we’re old and frail, retire and enjoy the fruits of our labour. Personally, I don’t want to do that. Not one bit. Unless I’m truly passionate about a position, I’d never dream of grinding it out.
Saving for a retirement which may never come, or when it does come were are too frail to truly enjoy it sounds like madness to me! Life is short, too short and I want to enjoy mine every second of every day, so I try my best to do just that. Hopefully I can make a difference along the way…
We can all redesign our lifestyles to live how we went. Traveling opens our minds, teaches us about other cultures, languages, religion, it’s a constant learning curve but one that we can enjoy every step of the way.
The more I travel the more I realise that life was not supposed to be spent doing something you don’t want to do. We’re so lucky to have the opportunities we have and now if I want to dive with Great White Sharks, I can do it; if I want to volunteer with refugees in Burma, I can do it; If I want to skydive over volcanoes in Indonesia, I can do it – and so can you, really (honestly, seriously!)
You don’t have to be rich, win the lottery or rob a bank. You can live the life you want to right now, and not wait for the retirement that may never come. Redesign your lifestyle, as I redesign mine and we can enjoy the ride together…
If you need to get in contact with me, feel free to email me on johnny ‘at’ onestep4ward ‘dot’ com
Alternatively:
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~ If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced ~ Vincent Van Gogh
NOTE: if you’re still not feeling suitably inspired check out:
- or my post on my lifestyle design
-or my bucket list
those should help get you in the mood!
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OneStep4Ward loves to hear from you readers, so don't by shy! 
Hi dude,
sitting in Bangladesh and going for the Sundarbans, soon. Waiting for the last permission. I think you know what can happen there… I mean, this country is one of the most intense countries that I ever traveled in my life!
But the beauty is so obviously! It is good that you putting words to your thoughts. Many people just staying on their place, and they waiting to get picked up by some one… you and me knows that it will be not someone else, who will pick them up – to show them the world…
It is always the inner drive and the own motivation.
And it starts to grow, if you make the first steps…
I did it 2011, so nice to met you – maybe our paths will cross one day.
Alexandros
http://www.bike4peace.eu
Mate, I’m a 46 year old guy who had a similar epiphany to yours back in 1991. Leaving Australia for the first time (from Darwin to Kupang in West Timor), I had the same kind of psychological orgasm as you. Now, twenty-something years later, I have manipulated my life to suit me (perhaps not as fully as you seem to have done, but certainly in a way that serves my desire for freedom AND financial security I guess). I gave up a career as a TV producer, went back to uni, and now teach English as a second language, not because I want to be a slave to the man, but because it affords me a fantastic lifestyle. I’ve volunteered too, been to almost every corner of the world, and live/love every minute of it. We are the masters of our own destinies. Master them. Good on you, mate. Johnny Laing.
hey john, awesome mate! I loved Kupang, and it must have been even more remote 20 years ago! English teaching is a great way to redesign our lives, it gives us a level of freedom that normal jobs can never. Where are you based now?
I’m based in Abu Dhabi in the UAE at the moment. I’ve worked my way up the TESOL ladder, you might say.
Johnny I couldn’t comment on your rants so I’m doing it here.
They made me laugh out loud. You’ve got a knack for humorous writing, bravo sir.
On flip flops: I’ve always gone for hiking style sandals, a bit grandaddy I know but sturdy mofos. So sturdy in fact when I was last in Beijing I tripped on the edge of said footwear and over a ridiculously high kerb. Instant duck egg on my ankle. Hopped onto the bus my friends and I were running for to be informed in a cheery tone that “this bus stops outside Beijing’s top bone hospital.” To which I replied “What a stroke of luck.”
Good luck on your travels mate.
Hmmm, odd about the comments but thanks for letting me know Chris! I feel your pain on the flipflop front bro, both figuratively and literally – i’m sporting many a scar due to similar mishaps!
Happy for you, really, but I disagree on that everyone can do it just by wanting it, or daring to. A dream like this is banned for the majority of the world population indeed. To know English clearly facilitates the entire process. To have a bachelor degree also. To being born in certain countries is an advantage above others, for example in the case of the Working Holidays Visas, which are granted only for a few countries. Not to mention having family, kids, etc. About me, I’m one of VERY lucky ones also, but I think it is important to just make the point about is not THAT easy. In fact, it is easy only for the priviliged ones.
true buddy, but i’m writing an english-speaking blog, so the assumption is that my readers can speak English
If you can do that, then you can make money online, and therefore travel – it all depends on how much you want it.
Really it’s simplification and clarification about yourself. I have never been seen before such kind of writing. I have realized at every word as well sentence. So also from me “Redesign your life” which is repeatedly you’ve told. Traveling is the only way to get out of depression. It’s very true that I am also a blogger. So I can understand your every pulse of mind. Thanks for sharing your views.
Good luck on your efforts mate
I have the same dream since i was young.
I’m going to thailand within a week first time on my own.
If your in asia maybe we can meet and share stories
sure buddy, drop me a line and let me know
What up Johnny!
I left Ireland in 2009 and have been on the road since.. Love it, live your dream.
Wish you all the best with your travels and keep up the good work with the website!
Adam
hey adam, awesome mate! hopefully see u on the road!
Hey Johnny,
Are you still in Queenstown? Love to buy ya a pint over the weekend?
Adam
Jesus…i never had the courage to do what you do, i could not have imagine living without monthly salary. Its always pleasure seing somebody manage to do what they like the most…you sure lucky one
I understand it’s tough to give up a monthly salary, and for sure it was tough initially. But follow your passions and the money will follow, and I know make more in 2 months than I used to make in a year in Australia/England/Ireland. There’s a lot to be said for turning your back on making other ppl money!
much of thanks johnny for bringing a very enlighting words of encourage for a travel addict like me…
it is very hard to achieve my dream to travel when I’m still stuck in 4 corners of being a corporate slave…
dreams define our happiness!
You can do it Andie, i’m sure of it
THANK YOU!Now,I can see the real light…
Johny i believe in one thing we are just a visitors of this planet so before i die i just need to see this beautiful planet . i really love u man
Awww, thanks buddy!
So inspiring .. I am now starting to redesign my lifestyle thanks so much Johny
That’s great Allan, drop me a line in 6-12 months and let me know how you’re getting on