FROM ZEROTO HEROALL PAID FOR

What's the catch?

Money. Big returns take bold investment, that's just basic economics. So we bet on two people, cover everything up front, and carry the risk ourselves.

Who's paying for all this, and why invest so much in two people who could walk away at any time, before the training is finished and anything is signed?

The founder and the current Elemental Nomads team fund it together, with the founder covering the most. We take that risk because the numbers add up: if this works the way we think it can, it becomes a level of revenue none of us would ever reach in a nine-to-five. So yes, we pay for everything up front, the training, the travel, all of it, because what comes out the other side is two people who can genuinely do it all. Nobody else has that. Nobody can copy it.

Do I need any experience or certs before applying?

No. In fact, that's the point. You don't need to show up as a diver, pilot, or extreme sports person. We give you the training, time, and environment to build those skills. What we can't manufacture is personality, attitude, and genuine presence. We look for people who are curious, reliable, and coachable, and who feel natural in front of a camera. Skills can be taught. Character and presence can't. That's why it's zero to trained. You bring you. We build the rest.

Where does the training happen?

The same places anyone would go. Diving at a dive center, PADI or SSI like everywhere else. Skiing at a ski school, the kind every proper resort is surrounded by. Flying at a flight school, exactly where you'd go if you were picking any of these up on your own.

Are my personal expenses covered too - not just training?

Yes. Everything tied to the program and your normal day-to-day living is covered: housing, program travel, training, certifications, gear, food, and reasonable personal costs. What we don't cover is luxury spending or personal splurges unrelated to the program. We agree on those boundaries up front, so there are no surprises later.

What does my accommodation actually look like?

For summer training blocks we typically book a long-stay rental house in the area. You'll have your own private room, or in some cases a shared room with the other female candidate, depending on the property. Either way it's comfortable, it's yours, and it's fully covered.

Where are you typically based?

We're nomadic, but generally based in Europe. In summer we're by the Mediterranean, where we keep our boat and stay in a long-term rental. In winter we move somewhere near a ski resort.

I'm nervous about flying alone to a foreign country to meet people I've never met.

That's a completely legitimate concern and we take it seriously. You're welcome to bring a friend or a family member with you for the initiation trip, someone who makes you feel safe. The only thing we ask is that they cover their own travel costs. We want you to feel comfortable from the very first day.

Is this like doing stunts for views?

No, this isn't about stunts or upping the risk. The idea is to build a remarkable skill set and then show two women living that unusual life. They'll travel, fly, dive, ski, all the things they've trained for. All of that without unnecessary risk. The adventure should be interesting enough without manufacturing danger.

What happens if I change my mind three or six months in?

We know life can change, and priorities can shift. During the training phase, you can leave at any time, for any reason, with no penalty. If you decide to go home, we'll book and pay for your flight. We can also decide to part ways if we realize it isn't a good fit. Nobody is stuck, but we're looking for someone who joins with a genuine intention to see the journey through. That's why the selection process and initiation trip happen before we start investing serious time, money, and energy.

Who owns the content?

The content we create together for Elemental Nomads is published under the Elemental Nomads brand. Your personal social media accounts remain yours, and you can keep using them as normal. The only distinction is that content created as part of the program is released through Elemental Nomads first.

How does the partnership work, and how is revenue shared?

You join Elemental Nomads as a partner in what we're building, not as an employee. There's a real team behind the scenes, and the people building this share in what it creates. The exact structure and split are put in writing before you sign anything binding, and you're free to have your own lawyer review it. The goal is a fair arrangement for the people building it together.

Will I receive a monthly salary during the program?

No. This is a fully sponsored training and development program, not a salaried job. We cover your accommodation, training, certifications, program activities, program travel, and agreed personal expenses. That is a significant investment in every participant. We take that financial risk up front, with no guarantee that everything will work out, and you can choose to leave the program. So the deal is simple. You don't pay to participate, and we don't pay a salary to participate. We provide the training, support, and experiences. It's a partnership, and how you share in what we build together is covered in the partnership question above.

This sounds like a fantasy. Is this actually achievable?

It sounds ambitious, because it is. Leo, the lead mentor on this project, is a licensed pilot, skydiver, advanced skier, certified diver, caver, canyoneer, and boater. This isn't a program run from behind a desk. Leo does these disciplines himself and is there with you for the training and the shoots. You're never sent off to figure out the hard parts alone. The point is to build the skills step by step with someone who understands what the process actually takes.

I can imagine myself skiing, diving, or even skydiving, but flying an airplane? That sounds impossible, even scary. Is it really realistic for someone like me?

Absolutely. And you might be surprised how quickly something that feels completely impossible starts to feel normal. If you had told Leo a few years ago that he would one day fly an airplane, he probably would have laughed. It started with a discovery flight that he booked almost by accident, and it opened a door he didn't know existed. Once you begin training, you realize that flying isn't some kind of superhuman ability. The controls are surprisingly straightforward. The bigger challenge is learning procedures, weather, navigation, communication, and decision-making. If you can study, absorb information, practice, and keep improving, you already have the foundation you need. And even after you earn your pilot license, you won't suddenly be left on your own. During our trips, filming, and other project activities, you won't be sent off to fly alone. Leo will be on board with you, and very often the other participant will be there too. Since both participants are expected to earn their licenses, there may often be two or even three licensed pilots on board. So the goal isn't to license you, then leave you. It's to build experience with other pilots around you, gradually and confidently. That's exactly why flying is part of the program. It's not only about the pilot license. It's about discovering what you're actually capable of and experiencing that shift from "That could never be me" to "Wait... I'm actually doing this."

Does the pilot license mean I can become an airline pilot?

No, and it's important to be clear about that. The program covers a VFR private pilot license, which lets you fly light aircraft for yourself, not commercially. Becoming an airline pilot takes years of additional training, hundreds more flight hours, and significant cost beyond what this program provides. If your goal is a commercial aviation career, this isn't the path to it. The flying here is part of the adventure and the content.

What if I get injured, get sick, or need to pause an activity? What about insurance?

Safety is baked into how we run this. We don't rush people or take unnecessary risks for content. Everything is step by step. Learn, get comfortable, move up. We're happy to spend extra time preparing you. The point is skill and confidence, not pushing limits. For activities we organize, we also set up and cover the appropriate activity-specific insurance when needed, like diving insurance or ski insurance at resorts, depending on the activity and location. And if you get sick, or need to rest for a bit, we just adjust and pick it up when you're ready. We're here to get you there properly, not recklessly.