🎥 10+ Years – How It All Started: From Spreadsheets to Sunsets
In 2015, I did something bold (or maybe just slightly unhinged): I quit my stable accounting job, packed a carry-on, and decided to chase a dream I’d been carrying since my university days — to travel the world and film a show that proved anyone could do it, no trust fund required.
Fueled by caffeine, wanderlust, and naïve optimism, I first tried raising money through crowdfunding to buy the gear and resources I needed to get started.
Spoiler alert: it failed. Not even my mom donated (still love you, Mom).
But failure wasn’t going to stop me. Instead, I decided to self-fund my very first pilot episode, DIY Destinations – Washington D.C., on a shoestring budget so tight it squeaked. In March 2015, I hopped on a painfully long bus ride to D.C., armed with determination and the help of two incredible friends: Stan Trac, who stepped in as the fearless videographer, and Kai Mathias, who edited the episode with zero budget and maximum heart.
Somehow, we pulled it off. It wasn’t flashy — no drones, no luxury hotels, and definitely no catering table — but it proved what I believed all along:
✅ Travel can be done affordably
✅ Stories are more important than stuff
✅ You don’t need a big budget to make a big impact
That one episode turned into a global series. Since then, my travel shows have aired internationally and built a community of curious, cost-conscious explorers. But more than views or miles, what matters most to me is this: inspiring people to go — to explore the world, understand other cultures, escape their comfort zones, and maybe even dodge a few awkward family gatherings along the way.
So whether you’re planning your next trip or just armchair traveling from your couch, welcome aboard. The layover of a lifetime begins here. View my IMDB Page Here:
🌍 DIY Destinations Budget Travel Show: The Series That Proves You Can Afford to See the World
DIY Destinations Budget Travel Show is my flagship travel series—the original adventure that started it all. It’s not just a show; it’s a full‑length, deep‑dive travel guide packed with all the hard‑earned tips I’ve gathered while backpacking, bus‑hopping, border‑crossing, and budget‑optimizing across the globe.
Each episode covers the best things to see and do in a destination—but also dives into the nitty‑gritty that makes or breaks your trip:
- 💱 Where (and where not) to exchange money
- 🚌 The best (and weirdest) ways to get around
- 🎯 Tourist traps to avoid
- 🧳 Where to stay that’s safe, affordable, and well‑located
- 🚨 Safety tips you won’t hear from tourist brochures
- 🎒 And how to travel smarter, cheaper, and deeper
✨ What Makes DIY Destinations Budget Travel Show Different?
What makes this series special is that everything I do, YOU can do too.
This isn’t fantasy travel. This is real‑world, no‑nonsense, time‑efficient, and wallet‑conscious travel. I don’t cut lines with VIP passes or sleep in luxury suites unless they’re comped (and even then, I’ll tell you what I should have paid).
I film everything interesting—then let you choose what fits your style, time, and budget. Think of it as a travel buffet: take what you like, skip what you don’t, and still leave full.
Whether you’ve got one weekend, one backpack, or one shot at seeing the world, I’ve designed this series so you can follow my footsteps and make it your own.
🎬 The Origin Story:
Season 1 launched in 2016, fully self‑funded after a failed crowdfunding campaign (RIP my dignity), and supported by generous hotels, airlines, and tour companies who believed in the vision. I filmed the very first episode, DIY Destinations Budget Travel Show – Washington D.C., with my good friends Stan Trac (behind the camera) and Kai Mathias (on the editing desk), on a shoestring budget and a Greyhound ticket. And we made it work. After I was able to secured the sponsorship from tour operators, hostels, and transportation providers, I managed to film the entire Season 1, covering Palestine to Palau, Jordan to Indonesia, and Thailand.
The incredible audience response led to Seasons 2 and 3 being picked up by Amazon Prime Video, reaching global viewers who wanted to travel smarter, not just fancier. The only thing that could stop us was… well, COVID. (Thanks, pandemic.)
✈️ And Now… Season 4!
We’re back—and still going strong in Season 4, which has taken me (and my camera) everywhere from Palau to Peru, Palestine to Portugal, India to the Isle of Man, Ireland to the Galápagos—and beyond.
Yes, the world is huge. But with the right information and mindset, it’s also surprisingly accessible.
📺 Where to Watch
While Amazon Prime eventually stopped carrying the series (blame COVID), new episodes are still being produced today whenever I find time between my MBA program, career, and other creative chaos.
You can now find new episodes of DIY Destinations Budget Travel Show on YouTube and IMDB, still made with the same heart, hustle, and honesty—and still proving that travel doesn’t need to be expensive to be life‑changing.
⏱️ DIY Layover: Because Wasting Time at the Airport Is Not an Option
DIY Layover was born from the same restless travel spirit that created DIY Destinations Budget Travel Show — because even back in 2015, when I launched both series, one thing was clear:
I refuse to sit around in airports.
Why waste 6, 8, or even 12 hours scrolling through overpriced duty-free shops when you could be eating ramen in Tokyo, seeing the Eiffel Tower, or riding a scooter through Taipei?
That’s how DIY Layover came to life — a bold challenge to myself (and to you): Can we make the most out of even the shortest stopovers and squeeze in real, memorable experiences during a layover?
The answer is YES. And I’ll show you how.
🛫 What DIY Layover Is All About:
This series is your ultimate guide to turning layovers into adventures — without missing your next flight.
Every episode shows you how to:
- 🚪 Exit the airport quickly and safely (immigration lines be warned)
- 💸 Navigate local transport affordably and efficiently
- 🗺️ Hit some of the city’s best sights, food, and hidden gems
- ⏳ Maximize every single minute of your limited time
- 📦 And return in one piece — on time, and with zero regrets
The rules are the same as in DIY Destinations:
If I can do it, YOU can do it too. No fancy tricks. No VIP shortcuts. Just smart planning, real effort, and a bit of hustle.
🌍 Where We’ve Been:
DIY Layover takes you through some of the world’s biggest flight hubs, including:
- Tokyo
- Toronto
- Taipei
- Los Angeles
- London
- Seoul
- Shanghai
- Brussel
- Berlin
…and more coming soon (basically wherever airlines dare to delay you).
📺 Where to Watch:
- ✈️ Catch all older episodes on Amazon Prime Video — perfect for binge-watching before your next long-haul flight.
- 📲 Watch new episodes on YouTube and IMDb, where I continue to drop fresh content as I travel and explore more layovers around the world.
Because in my world, layovers aren’t wasted time — they’re bonus adventures waiting to happen.
🎥 Fun Fact: You Can Use My Footage Too!
Love a shot you saw in DIY Layover or DIY Destinations Budget Travel Show? Good news — you can license it!
I’ve filmed thousands of unique, high-quality clips from around the world, and some of the best ones are already available on:
Whether you’re putting together a travel reel, documentary, commercial, or just need that perfect drone shot of a tropical island or back alley noodle stand — chances are, I’ve got it.
And here’s the cool part:
🎬 Revenue from licensing helps fund future episodes of the show.
So by licensing my footage, you’re not just getting great visuals — you’re helping keep the adventure going, one budget-conscious episode at a time.
Don’t see the clip you’re looking for?
Reach out and make a request! If I’ve been there and shot it, I’m happy to help you track it down.