Episode
39 | Kevin Hofmann: From Broken Jaw to Building a Cleaner Planet
- Published
- Feb 11, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1559
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Summary
Kevin Hofmann went from getting his jaw broken at a rave in Vienna to building impact‑driven tech projects as a digital nomad. In this episode, he shares how that low point pushed him into meditation, co‑living, and ultimately to Chiang Mai as a Nomad Summit scholarship winner. We talk about his Buildathon project "Chiang Ride", a platform to make scooter rentals in Thailand transparent and trustworthy, and his main mission‑driven project Waste Watch, a global cleanup platform helping organizers and volunteers coordinate events and show their impact. Along the way, Kevin reflects on manifesting opportunities, speaking on stage for the first time, collaborating with Thai students, and designing a life where he can focus fully on positive impact. Top 8 key take‑aways: A painful setback can become a powerful turning point if you let it question your whole life setup. Kevin's jaw injury in Vienna led him to quit his corporate job and spend months in a Buddhist meditation center. Running a co‑living / co‑working space in Lagos (Noma Village) showed him the power of community and planted the seed for a nomad lifestyle. The Nomad Summit scholarship gave him a ticket, accommodation, and stage time, which massively accelerated his journey. "Chiang Ride" was born from the chaos of renting scooters in Thailand and aims to connect trustworthy local shops with travelers through a clear, fair platform. The Nomad Summit Buildathon pairs international nomads and Thai students to co‑create startups; Kevin's team of seven (including three Thais) won second place. Waste Watch (WasteWatch.app) is Kevin's main mission project, helping cleanup organizers publish events, document impact, and attract more volunteers globally. Kevin's long‑term vision is to be location‑ and financially‑indepen…