12 | A New Beginning: Feuza's Journey to Becoming a Digital Nomad

What happens when the meaning of travel shifts from survival to self-expression? In this episode of the Nomad Summit Podcast, Feuza Reis – also known as “Fuse” – shares the deeply personal story of how she’s preparing to step into digital nomadism after years of longing, healing, and rediscovery.

From Brazilian Immigrant to Remote Worker and Travel Blogger

Feuza was born in Brazil and moved to the U.S. as a child with her single mother. Her earliest experiences of travel were tied to separation and sacrifice – and her identity was shaped by constantly straddling two cultures. She grew up bilingual, feeling like she didn’t quite belong in either country, and faced the pressure of the “American dream” as the daughter of immigrants.

Over the years, she built a career in photography, SEO consulting, and now works remotely for Stay22 (a travel tech company that helps creators to monetize with affiliate tools). She’s also the founder of Fuse Travels, where she shares insights as she steps further into slow, intentional travel.

Redefining Travel Later in Life

Travel wasn’t always joyful for Fuse. As a child, airports were places of painful goodbyes and homesickness. But over the past seven years, she and her husband began to travel more—and something clicked. Together, they started to view travel not as a necessity, but as a form of healing. From trips to Italy to recent time in Brazil, they began associating movement with inspiration, freedom, and connection.

In this conversation, Fuse reflects on how her view of travel has completely changed. No longer is it about obligation or survival. It’s about designing a life filled with purpose and joy.

Planning for a Nomadic Future: Italy, Visas, and a Shared Dream

Fuse is now preparing to apply for Italy’s digital nomad visa. Italy, she says, is her “soul place” – a concept she stumbled upon when she felt an unexplainable pull to the country years before ever visiting. She’s researching areas in Sicily, looking at real estate options, and imagining a hybrid lifestyle with a home base in Europe and the freedom to move.

She’s also building a project with her husband called Brazil Italy Bites, a YouTube cooking channel that celebrates their love for both cultures and aims to fund future travels. One of her biggest dreams is to help her husband, who works in construction, transition to remote and creative work so they can fully embrace location independence together.

Facing Fear, Guilt, and Growth After Motherhood

As a mom of two young adults, Fuse opens up about the emotional tension of leaving a home base while still being there for her kids. She also addresses the cultural expectations that Latina women face about motherhood, sacrifice, and independence – and how she’s challenging those norms by choosing to pursue her own path.

She shares the fear that comes with big life changes, but also the clarity: she doesn’t need a perfect plan. She just needs the next step. And the courage to take it.

Advice for Aspiring Digital Nomads: Start Small and Follow Curiosity

For anyone in their 40s or 50s wondering if it’s “too late” to go nomadic, Fuse has powerful advice: start getting glimpses of the life you want. You don’t have to sell everything and hit the road immediately. Begin by traveling with purpose. Ask yourself what makes you feel alive. And most importantly, follow your joy and your curiosity.

This episode is a reminder that becoming a digital nomad isn’t about fitting into a mold – it’s about rewriting your story, one step at a time.

Listen to the Full Episode

Feuza’s story is one of reinvention, identity, family, and the pursuit of freedom. If you’re contemplating a shift toward remote work and long-term travel – especially after raising kids or building a traditional life – her journey may resonate deeply.

Listen to the full episode of the Nomad Summit Podcast wherever you get your podcasts or right here on the site.