Episode 35 of the Nomad Summit Podcast was recorded in person in Chiang Mai, and it features a kind of nomad story we haven’t had on the show before – one built around veterinary work, house-sitting, and remote consulting.
We’re joined by Alison and Graham from Vet Around the World, a New Zealand couple who’ve been traveling full time for the last eight years. They’re not selling a “work from the beach” fantasy. Instead, they talk through the real systems that make their lifestyle possible – and how they’ve combined location independence with helping animals along the way.
Recorded in Chiang Mai – Back Where It All Began
This episode is recorded at PunSpace in Chiang Mai, a place that has real history for the Nomad Summit community. We talk briefly about why this location matters, and why it feels fitting to record an episode like this here – where so many nomad journeys have crossed paths over the years.
Then we meet Alison and Graham, who have just arrived in Chiang Mai and are about to attend the Summit.
Meet Alison and Graham From Vet Around the World
Alison and Graham are Kiwis, and they’ve been traveling “pretty much full time” for eight years. Their path into nomad life didn’t come from a typical remote job. Alison is a veterinarian, and Graham is not – but he brings a background as a ship’s officer and ship’s medic, which becomes relevant when they share stories from the road.
What makes their story interesting for digital nomads is how intentional their setup is. This isn’t accidental travel. They’ve designed a lifestyle that supports long-term movement without losing structure.
How They’ve Made House-Sitting a Long-Term Lifestyle
Early in the conversation, they explain how house-sitting became a major foundation of their nomadic life. They mention completing their 94th house-sit, and the hosts react the way most nomads would – that’s a serious number.
They talk about keeping track of their house-sits, and how the model works when you can reliably work online and have stable places to stay. They also share which platforms they use, including TrustedHousesitters and Kiwi House Sitters, and they touch on how they sometimes find sits through more direct, old-school methods.
A key point they make is that while their background gives them a strong advantage when pet owners choose who to trust, they don’t position it as “there’s no chance for anyone else.” Their take is that there’s plenty out there, and that house-sitting can work for many people if they approach it properly.
Remote Veterinary Work – How Alison Can Be Location Independent
A big part of this episode is Alison explaining how she can travel while still working as a vet.
She talks about telehealth and how she hustled to land her first contract. She explains that she works as an independent contractor for companies that provide a platform – rather than working directly with clients on her own.
She also explains that her work is connected to the UK, and that her licensing choices were intentional, to expand where she’s able to work. In the transcript, she describes the work as a triage-style service and talks about how video calls can still be useful in situations where people need guidance, reassurance, or help figuring out what to do next – including cases where people are struggling to afford care.
She mentions working unusual hours because of time zones, and that the work has led to some genuinely heartwarming stories.
Graham’s Role – Not a Vet, But Still Part of the Work
Graham makes it clear he’s not a veterinarian, but he’s far from a passive travel partner.
He shares that he has helped in certain situations, and that his background as a ship’s medic has been useful. The takeaway isn’t the specifics of any single incident – it’s that their partnership functions as a practical team, and that they’ve both found ways to contribute to the lifestyle they’re building.
The Practical Reality of Full-Time Travel
Later in the episode, the conversation turns toward the practical side of sustaining long-term travel.
They talk about what it means to keep moving without falling back into a traditional “must have a house” setup. There’s a clear theme here: if you want long-term mobility, you need systems – not just inspiration.
They describe being strategic about expenses, and they also mention that they’ve reached a stage where they sometimes choose Airbnbs “here and there” to get a break. It’s a useful reminder for listeners that even people who are highly committed to travel still need recovery time, routine resets, and occasional pauses.
Why YouTube Matters to Vet Around the World
Toward the end of the episode, Christoph picks up on something important: they’re building more than a lifestyle – they’re building an engine that can support it.
Graham explains they started a YouTube channel and talks about the scale of the work they’ve put into it, including the number of videos they’ve produced and the fact that they also use drone footage.
The key point is why: they want the channel to help support what they’re trying to do long-term, so they can volunteer more and rely less on paid contracts. They explicitly invite people to subscribe, because audience support directly affects how much freedom they have to keep building this project.
A Different Kind of Nomad Couple
This conversation is a great reminder that “digital nomad” doesn’t have to mean laptop, marketing, and co-working clichés. Alison and Graham are building a life that mixes remote work, long-term travel, and a clear mission.
If you’re curious about alternative ways to build a location-independent life – especially one that’s grounded in skills, service, and real-world logistics – this episode is worth your time.
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