My name is Jordan L Wheeler.

I seek new perspectives in everything I do.

My life is a continual story of searching, thinking, doing, and giving. In every move I make, my goal is to learn from the experience.

Before age 18, I moved 250 miles away from home.
By 23, I left my job, sold my car, gave away or traded what little I owned, and bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok, Thailand.

I traveled throughout Southeast Asia for over half a year—Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand—until I ran out of money. I flew to Australia with little more than a hope and a prayer. Thankfully, I met generous people who helped me find my footing, and I found work that sustained me for over a year.

After that, I explored the Great Barrier Reef and the southern edge of the continent before returning to SE Asia—sharing Cambodia with friends from Australia and visiting Indonesia for the first time.

I came back to the U.S. in 2013 with more questions than answers.

I had seen how different life could be—how people lived with less, needed less, and yet had more time, more connection, more presence. Back in the States, everything moved faster, but no one seemed to be getting anywhere. I tried to plug back in, but I didn’t fit the same way I used to.

So I went back to school.

I finished a degree in Computer Information Systems with a focus on cybersecurity. I joined the offensive security team and eventually led the cybersecurity student association. I worked as a penetration tester during school. While I learned a lot, I couldn’t see myself staying—it was all pressure, little purpose.

Before graduation, I landed what looked like my dream job: a high-paying role at IBM’s Cyber Range, teaching Fortune 500s and government teams how hackers think. At first, it was great. Then leadership changed. Vision gave way to bullshit.

Eventually, I walked away.

Since then, I’ve built, helped, led, and learned. But I kept circling the same question: What am I really building toward?

I realized I was still trying to make old systems work for someone like me. Still trying to earn a seat at a table I didn’t want to sit at.

Now, in 2025, I’m 37. And I’m done trying to fit.

I’ve sold almost everything. I’m leaving again—this time with clarity. Back to Southeast Asia.
I don’t know exactly how it’ll unfold, and I’m okay with that. I’ve lived this way before. I know how to move with uncertainty.

But this time, I’m not just chasing freedom.

I’m choosing sovereignty.