❓Frequently asked questions

I’m a lifestyle entrepreneur, content creator, and global citizen. I help creators, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs build profitable online businesses while living a healthier, more fulfilled life.

For my full story and background, check out my About Page and Creator Profile.

I was born and raised in Sweden. My mother is Swedish, and my father is from Iran. I’ve been traveling full-time as a digital nomad for years, exploring different countries while running my business.

After leaving Sweden in late 2013, I’ve been fortunate to live in quite a few countries.

I’m a permanent resident of both Panama and the UAE. I’ll keep my Panama residency for life (via the Friendly Nations Visa program, though they removed the easy route without investment in 2021).

As a global citizen and digital nomad, I usually spend a few months at a time in different places while running my online lifestyle business. I don’t consider just one location my “home,” but that might change in the future. For now, I enjoy the freedom of living and working from anywhere.

Right now, I recommend Paraguay for an easy second residency (something I’m considering getting myself before the rules change).

At the moment, I’m in Da Nang, Vietnam 🇻🇳, and I’ll be heading to Bali 🇮🇩 next.

You can check my Now Page for real-time updates on where I am.

I speak English and Swedish fluently. I also know some Spanish and a bit of French, though my French is a bit rusty since I mostly studied it in high school and my early 20s.

NM5D is my personal discipline framework designed to help you stay consistent and improve daily across five key areas. It’s a long-term, flexible alternative to rigid challenges like 75 Hard.

The best way to reach me is through my website or social media. I’m most active on Instagram and X.

Check out my Now Page for real-time updates on my projects, travels, and focus areas.

I focus on online business, self-improvement, productivity, health, travel, best books, tools & tech, best quotes, book summaries, and anything else that I may be interested in (this is my personal brand site after all).

Visit my Best Articles page for top content across different categories.

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Coming soon!

I offer a range of digital products, such as online courses, templates, and swipe files including:

Virtual Summit OS – My proven system for hosting profitable virtual summits.

Digital Product OS – A structured approach to creating and selling digital products.

Creator Swipe Vault – A collection of my best templates, swipe files, and frameworks.

Note: I’m currently working on launching some of these. Stay tuned.

These digital products will be available to join pretty soon. Stay tuned.

Due to the digital nature of my products, refunds are generally not offered. However, if you have any issues, reach out, and I’ll do my best to help.

Yes, but I’m very selective about who I work with. My coaching is limited to a few high-level clients at a time. If you’re interested, feel free to reach out with details about what you’re looking for, and I’ll see if it’s a good fit.

Right now, I don’t provide done-for-you services, as I focus on creating high-value resources and digital products. However, I occasionally offer consulting for select projects. If you have something specific in mind, feel free to reach out.

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I launched my first virtual summit in 2014, which allowed me to quit my job and travel the world. Since then, I’ve built a brand around helping others create profitable online businesses.

Focus on solving a real problem for a specific audience. Start with a simple, high-value offer (like a digital product or coaching). Don’t overcomplicate things – build an audience, provide value, and sell something useful.

Some of the best digital products include:

-> Online courses – Teach a skill or process you’ve mastered.

-> Templates & swipe files – Ready-to-use tools for specific needs.

-> Ebooks & guides – Actionable knowledge in a downloadable format.

-> Memberships & communities – Ongoing value through exclusive content.

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I launched my first virtual summit in 2014, called The Branding Summit, which made $20,000+ in profit and allowed me to quit my job and go all in on my business.

Since then, I’ve helped thousands of people use online summits, personal branding, digital products, and affiliate marketing to grow their businesses.

I made my first $100,000 online shortly after hosting my first virtual summit in November-December 2014.

The following month, in January 2015, I made $40,000, mostly from affiliate marketing, promoting someone else’s product.

I quickly scaled beyond $200,000 in 2015, using a combination of:

-> Virtual summits – Continuing to refine and improve my summit strategy.

-> Online courses – I launched Virtual Summit Mastery in 2015, teaching others how to run profitable summits.

-> Affiliate marketing – Leveraging partnerships and strategic promotions.

-> Coaching & consulting – Helping others implement these strategies.

Reaching $1 million online was a combination of:

✔️ Launching high-ticket programs and courses – I refined and expanded my offers based on what my audience needed.

✔️ Scaling virtual summits – I mastered the automated evergreen model to keep making sales long after a summit ended.

✔️ Affiliate partnerships – I aligned with top-tier partners who introduced my products to their audiences.

✔️ Building my personal brand – The trust I built over years of content creation made selling much easier.

It wasn’t about one single launch—it was about compounding everything I had built over time. My biggest lesson? Long-term consistency always wins.

I use a mix of tools for content creation, marketing, and automation. You can find my full Creator Tools list, but here are a few essentials:

-> Kit (formerly ConvertKit) – My go-to email marketing and automation platform.

-> Notion – Essential for organizing my business, content, and personal life.

-> Canva – Quick and easy graphic design for social media and marketing.

-> Descript – My favorite tool for video and podcast editing with AI-powered features.

-> SureCart – The best solution for handling digital product sales, checkout, and managing affiliates.

-> Rockbase – The lightweight and very fast WordPress theme I use to power my website, offering flexibility and performance.

These tools help me run my business efficiently, create content faster, and automate key processes while keeping everything streamlined.

Yes, but only if it aligns with your long-term business strategy. Virtual summits are great for building authority, growing an audience, and making sales, but they require a solid follow-up system. That’s why I created Virtual Summit OS to help people do it the right way.

I started sharing content online in June 2013, initially to document my journey as I built my own online business.

My first piece of content was an interview with Pat Flynn, which gave me the confidence to keep going. My goal at the time was to create more freedom in my life, and along the way, I learned a lot about personal branding, digital products, and virtual summits.

As I gained experience and started seeing success, I naturally began helping others do the same. What started as a way to track my own progress turned into a business where I now help creators, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs build their own dream online business and design a life on their own terms.

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The best way to grow your email list is to offer something highly valuable in exchange for an email (a lead magnet). While there are many effective strategies, my personal favorite is still hosting virtual summits, which helped me build my own brand and business.

Here are some of the best ways to grow your email list:

🔹 Virtual summits – High-impact and proven. Hosting an online summit gives you instant authority while attracting thousands of leads. (This is exactly how I built my first email list and continue to do so today!)

🔹 Webinars & live workshops – Great for educating, engaging, and converting your audience in real-time.

🔹 Lead magnet swaps with partners – Collaborate with others in your niche to cross-promote free resources to each other’s audiences.

🔹 Simple but valuable tools (a highly underrated strategy!) – With No-Code and AI, you can build lead magnets like:

-> Quizzes & assessments – Personalized, engaging, and highly shareable.
-> Calculators & estimators – Pricing tools, savings estimators, etc.
-> AI-powered generators – Tools that help people create ideas, headlines, or strategies.

🔹 Free guides, templates, and swipe files – These still work, especially if they’re highly actionable and niche-specific.

Once you have a solid lead magnet, drive traffic to it through your website, social media, partnerships, and content. The key is to provide real value, build trust, and nurture your audience over time.

I use a mix of high-quality gear for content creation, including the Sony A6700 and DJI Osmo Pocket 3. See my Video Gear Guide for details.

I’m active on multiple platforms. Here’s where you can find me:

Instagram – @thenavidm
Twitter/X – @thenavidm
YouTube – @thenavidm
LinkedIn – @thenavidm
Threads – @thenavidm
TikTok – @thenavidm
Pinterest – @thenavidm

Each platform serves a different purpose, so you’ll find a mix of business insights, travel content, and personal growth tips across them.

I share content related to:

Business – Online entrepreneurship, digital products, and audience growth.

Self-Improvement – Mindset, productivity, and personal growth.

Health & Longevity – Fitness, biohacking, and discipline.

Lifestyle – Travel, global living, and behind-the-scenes content.

Coming soon

Coming soon

I try to reply to as many messages as possible, but I can’t guarantee a response to every DM. If you have a business inquiry, it’s best to reach out through my website.

I’ve put together a Creator Tools guide featuring the best tools for content creation, business, and productivity.

If you’re looking for the best gear for content creation, check out my Video Gear Guide where I share my camera, audio, and lighting setups.

I’m putting together a 100+ Life-Changing Books guide, featuring my top recommendations for business, self-improvement, and health. Check back soon!

I’m curating a list of the Best YouTube Channels for business, self-improvement, and lifestyle. This guide will feature must-watch creators who consistently put out high-value content.

I’m working on a Best Podcasts list with top shows on entrepreneurship, mindset, and personal development. Stay tuned!

I’ll be publishing a guide on the Best Blogs I follow for online business, self-improvement, and productivity.

I highly recommend Gion-Per and his team at Sales Elevation. They’ve handled all my website work since late 2013. If you reach out, let them know I sent you – though I can’t promise he’ll take on your project.

Yes! I collaborate with select brands that align with my audience and values. Sponsorship opportunities are available for my content (newsletter, blog, YouTube, and social media) and virtual summits.

If you’re interested in partnering, visit my Sponsorships & Partnerships page for details.

Yes! I offer sponsorship opportunities for brands that align with my audience. Sponsoring a virtual summit is a great way to get exposure to highly engaged creators, solopreneurs, and business owners.

If you’re interested, check out my Sponsorships & Partnerships page.

I’m very selective about what I promote and only recommend things I personally use and believe in. If you think your offer aligns with my audience, feel free to reach out, but I can’t promise anything.

In case you’re interested to know what resources and tools I recommend, feel free to check out my creator tools page.

I enjoy sharing insights on podcasts and YouTube interviews, but I’m selective with appearances. If you’d like to invite me, send me details about your show, audience, and format, and I’ll consider it if it’s a good fit.

I’ve spoken at many virtual events, but I’m currently very selective with summits I participate in. If your event aligns with my expertise and audience, feel free to reach out with details.

I’m open to in-person speaking opportunities if the event is a good fit. Feel free to get in touch with details.

Visit my Press & Media page for past interviews, media appearances, and speaking engagements.

Yes! My media kit, including my bio, photos, and press features, is available on my Press & Media page.

Yes! I offer an affiliate program for my own digital products. If you’d like to earn commissions by promoting my products, check out my Affiliate Program page for details (coming soon).

You can promote my digital products, including:

-> Virtual Summit OS
-> Digital Product OS
-> 7-Figure Creator Swipe Vault

More products may be added over time. You’ll find all available affiliate offers on my Affiliate Program page (coming soon).

I don’t accept guest posts at the moment. All content on my site is written by me to maintain quality and consistency.

You’re welcome to share my content with proper attribution (you must credit me as a source). However, you cannot republish full articles, videos, or podcasts without my permission. If in doubt, ask first!

I don’t have a permanent home base – I travel full-time as a digital nomad. I’m a global citizen with permanent resident of both Panama and the UAE, and I typically spend a few months at a time in different places while running my online business.

For me, being a global citizen means living without borders, experiencing different cultures, and having the freedom to work from anywhere.

It also means having permanent residency in multiple countries outside of my home country and exploring options for second citizenship or additional passports to increase flexibility and security.

I prioritize flexibility, personal growth, and designing my life on my own terms rather than being tied to one location.

I’m currently in Da Nang, Vietnam 🇻🇳, and I’ll be heading to Bali 🇮🇩 next.

You can check my Now Page for real-time updates.

I look for places with a great lifestyle, fast internet, and a strong creator/digital nomad community. I also consider the cost of living and overall quality of life.

Some of my favorite places include:

London, UK 🇬🇧 – Amazing city, culture, and business opportunities.

Dubai, UAE 🇦🇪 – A high-end lifestyle hub with world-class networking and opportunities.

Panama 🇵🇦 – One of the best bases for global entrepreneurs, offering tax benefits and a great lifestyle.

San Diego, USA 🇺🇸 – Incredible weather, great lifestyle, and networking opportunities.

Cancún, Mexico 🇲🇽 – Beautiful beaches and great energy.

Tulum, Mexico 🇲🇽 – A creative hub with a laid-back vibe, great for work-life balance.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico 🇲🇽 – A top digital nomad spot with great coworking spaces and beach life.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 🇲🇽 – Stunning coastal scenery and a great mix of relaxation and adventure.

Barcelona, Spain 🇪🇸 – A perfect mix of lifestyle, culture, and work-friendly spaces.

Algarve, Portugal 🇵🇹 – Laid-back coastal life with incredible scenery.

Medellín, Colombia 🇨🇴 – Great weather and an emerging digital nomad hub.

Bogotá, Colombia 🇨🇴 – A vibrant city with great culture and networking opportunities.

Caracas, Venezuela 🇻🇪 – Incredible for adventure, though not ideal for work due to internet issues.

Istanbul, Turkey 🇹🇷 – A unique blend of history, culture, and modern city life.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 🇲🇾 – A great blend of modern city life and affordability.

Bali, Indonesia 🇮🇩 – One of the best places for digital nomads, offering great coworking spaces, networking, and lifestyle.

Lombok, Indonesia 🇮🇩 – A quieter, more natural alternative to Bali.

Da Nang, Vietnam 🇻🇳 – Excellent food, lifestyle, and super affordable cost of living.

I keep a structured routine no matter where I am, prioritizing business, health, and self-improvement while staying productive on the road. Staying disciplined is key, and I structure my work hours around my location and lifestyle.

As a Swedish passport holder, I can travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access to 191 countries (based on the Henley Passport Index 2024).

However, for tax optimization and long-term living flexibility, I’ve secured permanent residency in Panama and the UAE, and I’m considering Paraguay as another option.

Here’s my experience with each:

-> Panama 🇵🇦 – I obtained permanent residency through the Friendly Nations Visa towards the end of 2019. In 2021, they changed the rules, requiring an investment to maintain PR, but it’s still a solid option for those looking for a long-term residency in a business-friendly country. As a permanent resident, I can live in Panama indefinitely without restrictions.

-> UAE 🇦🇪 – My permanent residency in the UAE is tied to my business setup in a free zone. As long as I maintain my company, I can continue to live in the UAE indefinitely. This setup offers strong tax benefits, a high-quality lifestyle, and easy access to global business opportunities.

-> Paraguay 🇵🇾 – Previously, Paraguay offered one of the easiest PR programs through a simple bank deposit, but they’ve changed the process. Now, you first apply for temporary residency (valid for 2 years), and after that, you can upgrade to permanent residency. There’s also an investment route where a $70,000+ business investment can fast-track PR. I’m currently considering securing residency in Paraguay before the process becomes more restrictive.

While residency doesn’t change where I can travel visa-free, it lets me live long-term in these countries, which is a big advantage for both lifestyle and business.

I keep fitness a non-negotiable part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Here’s how I stay in shape while traveling:

🔹 Daily movement – I make sure to get in at least one solid workout a day, whether it’s weight training, calisthenics, or a long hike.

🔹 Outdoor workouts – I love training at outdoor gyms, especially in places like Sabas Nieves in Caracas 🇻🇪 or beach workouts in tropical locations.

🔹 Simple, effective routines – If I don’t have access to a gym, I stick to bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, running, and swimming (if I have access to a pool).

🔹 Prioritizing high-protein meals – I eat clean, whole foods as much as possible and avoid ultra-processed junk.

🔹 Cold plunges & sauna when possible – Helps with recovery, energy, and overall well-being.

I keep productivity a priority, no matter where I am. Over the years, I’ve built a system that allows me to stay focused while traveling full-time.

Here’s what works for me:

-> Daily Non-Negotiables – I have a set of daily disciplines (like NM5D) that keep me on track, whether I’m in one place for months or just passing through.

-> Structured Work Blocks – I schedule deep work sessions in the morning, often before distractions start. I work in focused sprints, rather than dragging tasks out.

-> Choosing the Right Environment – I pick Airbnbs, hotels, or co-working spaces with fast internet and a quiet setup for getting work done. If I’m in a more remote area, I batch content in advance.

-> Keeping a Routine (Even When Traveling) – I maintain consistent wake-up times, workouts, and work sessions no matter where I am. This prevents travel from throwing me off track.

-> Leveraging Time Zones – Sometimes I use time zone differences to my advantage. If I’m ahead of my audience, I get deep work done in the morning and respond to messages later.

-> Minimal Setup, Maximum Output – I keep my gear lightweight but powerful (laptop, camera, iPad, and a few key tools). This allows me to create content and manage my business from anywhere.

-> Eliminating Decision Fatigue – I automate and simplify as much as possible, from meal choices to work tasks, so I can focus on execution.

-> Being Disciplined About Social Media – I create content in batches and schedule posts instead of getting distracted scrolling.

At the end of the day, staying productive while traveling comes down to discipline, structure, and removing unnecessary distractions.

I’ve put together my Video Gear Guide with the best lightweight and portable equipment for creators who travel.

It depends on the location and length of stay:

-> Airbnb – Best for flexibility and short to mid-term stays.

-> Hotels – Great for short trips or when I want high-speed WiFi and great service.

-> Long-term rentals – If I’m staying in one place for a few months, I prefer renting an apartment for more space and stability.