I’m Rob Bruhn, founder of Bananomad, where I share insights about health and fitness, travel and outdoors, simple living, and the joys of pet companionship.
Welcome to My Journey
At Bananomad, I explore the interconnected paths to wellness and freedom. Through my own journey, I’ve discovered that true well-being comes from a holistic approach – from what we eat and how we move, to our relationships with animals, our connection to nature, and our relationship with possessions. Each aspect supports the others: better nutrition leads to clearer thinking, regular exercise supports better sleep, time with pets reduces stress, minimalism creates mental space, and meditation and mindfulness helps us appreciate it all. Through this blog, I share my ongoing exploration of these intersecting paths to a more balanced, meaningful life.
My Approach
While I’m on the same learning journey as many of my readers, I bring a unique perspective by combining my actuarial and data analytics background with real-world experience and testing ideas firsthand.
Given the broad scope of topics I cover, I believe in leaning on those who’ve dedicated their lives to specific areas. Though I may have some expertise, I’ll never know as much as the MDs, PhDs, and professionals who have earned the right to call themselves subject-matter experts.
I also believe in the wisdom of the masses, i.e. large sample sizes. When I recommend a tip, product, or idea, I pull information from multiple sources to identify patterns and best practices.
I also live the lifestyle I write about and test things firsthand, but I shy away from thinking my opinions are always right. Instead, I use my personal experience more as fuel to drive my interests and passions for my analytical work. I chime with personal experience from time to time but defer to the data as much as possible.
This means that I rely heavily on researching, analyzing, and synthesizing information from multiple sources: user reviews, expert opinions, statistics, studies, and other blog posts by readers like you.
I believe my approach results in well-researched, comprehensive content that distills complex ideas into relatable, actionable advice.
Above all, I strive to maintain a mindset of curiosity and continuous learning. Some of the best teachers are lifelong students.
Slow Travel, Deep Connections
My approach to travel, like many aspects of my life, favors depth over breadth. I’ve explored 13 countries not as a tourist, but as a temporary local, with stays averaging three months in each place. This slower pace allows me to dive deeper into cultures, languages, and daily rhythms that tourists rarely experience.
My journey into slow travel began with a semester in Belfast. While other American students clustered together, I found myself drawn to locals – even if it meant struggling to understand thick accents or defending my “strange” breakfast choices of eggs, toast, and jam. These authentic connections taught me more than any guidebook could.
Each extended stay has brought unique experiences and lessons. In Antigua, Guatemala, I spent days chasing the mythical quetzal bird with the help of a local Mayan family, only to let it fly away unphotographed when I finally spotted one – sometimes memories are better than pictures.
During three months in Vietnam, I discovered the aromatic and tasty daily ritual of pho (though I never quite embraced the ubiquitous pâté on bánh mì) and experienced the kindness of a local friend who helped me navigate their medical system when I contracted shingles.
Today, I continue this slow-travel philosophy in my RV journeys across the United States. Rather than racing through states to check boxes, I take time to explore each location deeply, discovering its unique character and rhythms. This approach isn’t always Instagram-worthy – and yes, the nomadic lifestyle comes with real challenges, particularly in building and maintaining relationships. But these challenges are part of the journey, and I share both the difficulties and the strategies I’ve found to navigate them.
My Journey Toward Plant-Based Living
My relationship with food started simply – growing up in a single-parent household, I mastered the art of frozen pizzas and mac and cheese. This convenient but nutrient-poor diet followed me through my 20s and 30s. Looking back, I was probably consuming zero to one serving of fruits and vegetables most days.
Around age 38, my body started sending clear signals that something needed to change. I developed heart palpitations, high blood pressure, and pre-diabetes. Like many, my early attempts at getting in shape focused solely on eating less for weight loss. Without proper nutrition knowledge, these attempts never led to lasting change.
My turning point came through education. After diving into nutrition research about plant-based eating, I took a different approach: instead of restricting foods, I focused on adding healthy ones. I started with daily smoothies packed with fruits and vegetables – getting five servings at lunch. Surprisingly, my appetite for processed foods naturally decreased, and my digestive issues resolved themselves because of the improvement in my gut microbiome.
Today, I’m exploring a fully plant-based diet, with promising results – better sleep, improved health, and reduced medication needs. While I believe humans evolved as omnivores and acknowledge the nutritional benefits of meat, I’ve found that emphasizing plant-based foods works best for my body. This way of eating, combined with regular exercise, meditation, and proper sleep, forms the foundation of my holistic approach to wellness.
Now, I share these experiences to help others find their path to wellness.
A Lifetime of Movement: My Fitness Evolution
My dedication to fitness started early. At 12, I completed my first 10K run, and by 14, I was using money from my paper route and grocery bagging job to buy my first set of weights. These early experiences laid the foundation for a lifetime of staying active.
High school brought structure to my athletic pursuits through track and field and football. In college, I maintained my fitness through intramural basketball and weight training, while also discovering yoga – a practice I’ve returned to regularly over the past 20 years. My military service intensified my physical training with daily runs, long ruck marches, and patrols carrying heavy combat gear through Afghanistan’s challenging terrain.
Through my 20s and 30s, I maintained a diverse fitness routine – playing recreational basketball, running, and strength training. Now in my 40s, I’ve adapted my approach while staying committed to well-rounded fitness. You’ll find me hiking trails with my dog, Taz, practicing yoga, running, and even exploring high-intensity workouts like CrossFit. This lifelong journey has taught me that consistent, varied physical activity is key to my lasting wellness.
Embracing Minimalism
For years, I was caught in the familiar trap of chasing career prestige, higher salaries, and the inevitable accumulation of possessions that came with them. In my 30s, my collection of stuff had grown exponentially. Moving became increasingly daunting, especially after buying a house – a far cry from my college days when everything fit in milk crates in the back of my car.
The turning point came during one particularly overwhelming move, when I discovered minimalism through a documentary. Two simple rules resonated deeply: get rid of anything unused for over a year, and for sentimental items, take a picture. As someone already comfortable with digital solutions, the idea of preserving memories through photos rather than physical objects clicked immediately.
This sparked a five-year journey of intentional downsizing. While I didn’t know RV living was my destination, each item I removed felt like a breath of fresh air. The minimalist mindset particularly appealed to my ADHD tendencies – fewer possessions meant less mental clutter and overwhelm.
Looking back, I realize I’ve moved roughly once a year throughout my adult life – a pattern I initially saw as just frequent relocating, not recognizing it as a deeper calling toward nomadic living. Today, I embrace this truth while living in my RV, free to follow my curiosity anywhere.
While adjusting to smaller living spaces has its challenges, it’s pushed me to view the outdoors and camping life as an extension of my home and deepened my connection with nature. These experiences have shaped my perspective on simple living, which I now share through practical advice and minimalist gear for aspiring RVers and digital nomads.
Connection with Nature and Animals
My bond with animals started in childhood. I still remember our house cat pouncing on me during late-night “zoomies,” and my mom’s story of finding my brother and me wandering among cattle as toddlers. Growing up around animals – their gentle presence – planted early seeds of respect for all creatures.
My deepest lessons in animal companionship came later in life when I adopted Sarge, a six-year-old Doberman-Golden Retriever mix. This gentle soul taught me why “dog” is God spelled backward – their capacity for unconditional love is truly divine. Though cancer took him too soon, Sarge inspired my commitment to helping rescue dogs.
Today, I share my nomadic life with Taz, whom I adopted when he was 9 years old. After spending nearly three months as one of the longest residents at the humane society, this sweet boy has become my constant companion and emotional support. Through our daily adventures, Taz keeps me connected to the outdoors – something I believe is essential for mental and physical well-being.
My experiences with animals, combined with learning about agricultural practices, have deepened my appreciation for all living creatures. While I’m not strictly vegan, I’ve become more mindful about meat consumption and waste. Looking ahead, I hope to dedicate more time to working with animals, whether in wildlife preserves, animal shelters, zoos, or perhaps on my own ranch someday.
Living Clearly: My Journey to Sobriety
For many years, I lived by the “work hard, play hard” mindset. After long hours at work, I’d spend time at bars and parties, thinking this was how to balance a busy life. This lifestyle seemed normal, especially in the corporate world where happy hours and networking events often revolve around drinking.
My path to a clearer life wasn’t planned – it happened naturally as I became more interested in wellness. As I dove deeper into meditation, healthy eating, and personal growth through books and podcasts, I found myself naturally wanting to drink less. The more I focused on my well-being, the less appeal alcohol had.
Today, I practice sober living. I have an occasional drink but choose to stay alcohol-free most of the time. This approach works for me, though it’s different from complete abstinence that others may choose. Everyone’s journey is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
The benefits of this lifestyle change have been remarkable. I feel more creative and clear-headed, and my anxiety has decreased significantly. My work at Bananomad flows more easily, and I find more joy in simple daily experiences. This journey has shown me that you don’t need substances to live a full, exciting life – in fact, living with more clarity has made my adventures even more meaningful.
Finding Freedom
My military service, particularly in Afghanistan and Korea, gave me a profound appreciation for the everyday freedoms we enjoy in the United States. Experiencing different cultures and societies opened my eyes to the precious liberties we often take for granted – from basic human rights to the freedom to choose our own path in life.
I’ve discovered that freedom takes many forms.
Through my journey to better health, I’ve found freedom from medical dependencies and the anxiety that kept me from living fully.
Mindfulness and meditation have offered another kind of liberty – freedom from being trapped in past regrets or future fears, allowing me to live more fully in the present moment. This practice has helped me break old patterns and build new, healthier habits.
I’ve found freedom through letting go. Downsizing and embracing minimalism have liberated me from the weight of possessions and the obligations that come with them. Living with less has paradoxically given me more – more flexibility, more peace of mind, and more ability to choose my own path.
These different dimensions of freedom – physical, mental, and material – continue to shape my approach to life. Whether it’s the freedom to travel, the freedom to live healthily, or the freedom to choose simplicity, I’ve learned that true liberty often comes from letting go rather than holding on.
Looking Forward
My journey continues to evolve, and I’m excited to share it with you. Whether you’re interested in plant-based eating, fitness, pet-friendly travel, minimalist living, or finding your own path to freedom, I hope my experiences and research can help guide your way. While I may not have all the answers, I’m committed to continuous learning and sharing what I discover along the way.