What a lovely guy. I think we humans are natural nomads. So many people are unhappy because they try to fit into the prescribed way of living, and many don't even know why they are unhappy. They don't understand why, when they have checked all the boxes of the things they are 'supposed' to do, that they still don't feel fulfilled. I think being a nomad and free can be a remedy to that.
So many people would rather be miserable on the inside but conform to what "society" expects than be truly happy. It blows me away but this guy gets it. If I had life to do all over again, I would have bought a house at 21 and rented it out. Did this and just banked cash for 10 years or until the Van life drive wore off. Then take all that cash and a paid off house and jump back to "regular" life:)
I saw this guy interviewed by another channel, and he impressed me then with his humility. He has what he needs and it's enough. A valuable lesson for us all.
I like the fact that rather than spending his money on $1200/mo rent going to an out of State (or even more typically, out of country) landlord or corporation, he instead chooses to put his money back into the local economy, by supporting his local restaurants and eateries. To those who say van dwellers don't contribute to the city they are in, here's the proof that they do!
Gym, laundry mat, restaurants, fuel, grocery stores, supplies and car car are truly participating in our economy. . Why give your money to your landlord????? I support the nomadic life!!!!! Do what makes U happy and live life with nooo judgement!!! #loveourlord
@@SocksWithSandals You seem to forget those people with families. I would love to live a nomadic life but I have kids and a Mom who is elderly that lives with me. We contribute plenty to community and then some. I hear ya about mortgages though but we don't have a choice.
I dig Mike! I know we could be friends. A great build! I hope he keeps his good spirit and all of his dreams and goals come true. I would totally dig chatting with Mike.
Mike must have a Master's degree in Philosophy. Very few can think/talk/relate on as deep a level as Mike. Great video interview. (Rare and worth watching.)
Thanks everyone for watching!!! I'm the filmmaker behind this video, and I recently transitioned to homesteading after 9 months of vanlife. I am filming daily videos of restoring the century old farmhouse and our journey to becoming self-sufficient. If the journey after vanlife sounds interesting to you check the link out below! ru-vid.com
"The greatest gift you will ever give is your true self." - Fred Rogers GenX female here, who grew up as a neighbor in Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. That was a really beautiful interview with a fantastic human being. Thank you!
He really hit down to the nerve in a good way. I have bin blessed after many hardships to be allowed to stay with family and work full time as a " nice security guard" I say that because I have many times looked the other way for people who are not as fortunate as most where I live near NYC it's very hard to can dwell even stealthy New Yorkers got there big noses in everyone's business . But I have bin doing what he said take my time I have bin slowly converting my 2003 Dodge Durango and taking my time with it during the warm months to really give myself the money cushion I need and time to get my license back because they keep suspending it for a 450 dollar fine I couldn't ever afford because I was homeless living dollar to dollar. But as I get my life back on track I just dream every night of that day soon that I will be free to be myself live like I feel myself wanting to live. It's so hard to live like everyone else expects me to live and to be unhappy everyday if there happy that's what is for them but he said he was much happier and I'm a libertarian to the core with good right to be so as a abandoned young veteran but I as a god fearing American Patriot will continue on my pursuit of happiness till my last breath. God bless America and God bless all the people of this amazing earth we live on.
Roll up tinted blinds and a roof vent equals instant stealth...put in a dual battery system...one for the car the other for electricity ..super stealth
I knew someone in similar straits. The judge knew he was an artist. For his fine, the judge (Tempe AZ) commissioned him to paint and fill gallery wall space in a restaurant. As each painting got sold the proceeds paid down his fine. I don't know if the production costs got added to the bill, likeky so. He did have a friend who was his attorney so it may have been a plea. My friend did mechanjc work for barter so no cash and so was always without insurance, license. Against his philosophy. I hope he found vankife, it would have been a good fit.
Mike has a beautiful Spirit, great example of humility, honesty, and bona fide. I am looking forward to next year when I can van dwell full time for retirement.
What a lovely spirit this fellow has. And he bought his van where I bought mine! Lived in it for five months with two cats and loved the freedom I had. One day I plan to get back on the road.
I have two cats and I was wondering how well they would adjust to being in a van. I always imagine them being unhappy in such a small and mobile home. Did your cats seem fine with it?
Man! Oh man! What wisdom from such a young person! He is so on the point! Be who you want to be. Don't be ungenuine! Don't worry about those negative nancies! And life is so short have some fun instead of working just to support the place you live. Live within your means! I love the inspirational speeches that come from those young people that have their heads on straight
THANK YOU MIKE, FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES, LIFE, AND HOME WITH US. I AM YOUR AVERAGE WEEK TO WEEK GETTING BY AND TIRED OF BARELY MAKING THE RENT. I'VE BEEN CONTEMPLATING THIS LIFESTYLE CHOICE FOR AWHILE NOW, HENCE WHY I AM OBVIOUSLY WATCHING YOUR VIDEO. AT 47, T IS JUST GETTING BEYOND OLD NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO CALL MY OWN. THIS, WOULD BE ALL THE "MY OWN" I TRULY NEED. JUST TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT WILL WORK FOR ME.
Very cool build, well thought out. One thing though, the propane tank. You don't think about it but that is extremely dangerous. A very small leak in a small space can go boom in a big and tragic way. Please please please rethink it and anyone looking to duplicate this build figure out a better way to do that part of it
I love how clean, organised and simple, his build is. Like it. Gives me a lot of ideas for my own van build. I LOVE, YOUR REASON "I live in a van because I want too." Exactly. Do you. Showering, you can buy a portable shower that charges, you put it in a bucket and can take a shower easy. I bought it for my little flat as have no built in shower but also for my Van.
What a beautiful soul! Would love to talk to him some day in real life. Also I am very curious to find out how he is doing during the covid crisis. Thanks for the video, awesome as always!
You know in light of everything that's going on in the world you might be the best off of all of us. You can just get lost turn off your radio and be free out in the middle of nowhere
What a beautiful soul you are Mike...I hope to meet you someday on the road. I'm getting ready to go back out, this time in a smaller van/minivan rather than an obvious little RV. Enjoy your life! You Got this!
Thanks Mike.....you have made me make up my mind. I will be buying a Toyota Wish and do some conversion into a campervan. Stay humble and honest dude!!
This dude is suuuuper chill. Very humble, very aware and living the dream. Wish you nothing but the best mate! (and the rig is nice and simple! exactly what im looking to do! cheers for the inspiration)
He said you couldn't give him a house right now, that's exactly how I feel! My sister, as well meaning as I know she is, keeps trying to get me to move into a "normal" type of dwelling every summer, says she can't stand the idea of me being in a hot van all summer long. She even offers to pay the rent or the move in cost or whatever, and I always keep telling her...i don't want live in a ( regular ) type of home anymore. I like living in a van. Yes there are things I miss, mainly a kitchen and bathroom but I know how to and do compensate for all that now. I love the way I live and I can't stand to be inside of a (regular) home now, I hate being inside a building, I always have. I never could work inside of a building unless there were windows all around me and even then I hated it. The worst part of this lifestyle is when something happens and you have to put you vehicle in the shop, that the only time I have felt truly homeless. I love living in a van and always will. Its really nice to hear someone else say it tho. Keep on vanning, dude.
I'm so excited to live in a Van in 1 year from now. I'll save money to buy at least a minivan. Because life's so hard and living in this kind of lifestyle seems peaceful.
love it! I have a Honda Odessey and like having my kitchen, bathroom, dining and living room are arms lenght. I have removed all the seats except the front two. But, Im thinking of removing the passsenger front seat, why not. I love this video. and I agree, You couldn't offer me free sticks and bricks. If I dont like m neighbors, I could just drive away from them. Thanks Forrest Stevens, great interview.
Thanks. I always drew and made tiny playhouses growing up. Lol. This is so helpful so I will be able to finish college as a recently homeless CA student. I love your philosophy on life. Thx and Be well!
Somebody needs to put a channel out so for the single lonely people in vans so they can get together and talk and conversation back and forth because being lonely and with depression is very serious I get lonely and my depression hits it would be nice to have somebody to talk to instead of my dog but I love my dog I just saying this should be a channel where everybody can communicate together so the world's not so lonely and life has a light at the end of the tunnel instead of a deep dark nowhere nothing my dark soul just empty but that being said I was just think it would be awesome but y'all be good have a good day bye
VERY impressive young man. I grok his philosophy of life which was inspiring. His van setup is conventional by minivan dweller standards though the dual couch with a view out the back is clever. However, it is his personality and being that shines like a spiritual lantern in a monastery bringing deep meaning to this man's rig and gig. Many blessings to you!
1. Free from the opinion of others he will never be their prisoner. 2. Embracing life he is flexible and adaptable as opposed to being rigid and embracing death. 3. Living close to the Earth keeps him grounded and humble. Others can see themselves in him. 4. Living in a small space has created growth within him and it is the space between notes that creates the music.
Mike is my fav Van dweller so far.while I'm in the planning stage right now. I find myself going back to this video for his inspirational pep talk. Wish we could hang out.. his black Grand Caravan next to my white one :)
Enjoyed this video. This guy really has his act together! Simple is often better.....he is to be admired. It might not work for everyone but it works for him. Well done!
I am from uk and I drive Ford Galaxy which is 7 sitter . I do mini van life with it with my Kids on weekends . And thank you for showing us your minivan tour ... love it 👍👍👍👍
Came back to this video and honestly wish there was more of Mike! His philosophy and view on life resonates with me greatly and I love the simplicity of his van build - something I'd love to have had more insight on how it came to be from him.
Did a minivan for years before my Transit MR130. 1) swap that passenger seat around 180 degrees so you can use it while parked. Foot area forward of seat is now storage accessible from passenger door. Laundry-find a place that does laundry and ask for a special rate of 'not much' every two weeks or what have you. Dried and folded is a cheap luxury. Microwave-with right sized inverter you can run a 600 watt microwave (AMZN-$60) with the engine running. Do your math to verify needs here. Shower-join a gym. Social too. Since your working full time you what?, somewhat in the same area so maybe in a small storage unit. Ask for the cheapest unit in the worst location in the place and work your needs up from there. Remember, if your not paying rent, you gotta a chunk of change available for such 'luxury' items that also have you traveling to access too, which is ok.
