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DARING DECADE

Couple give up their jobs and home to go on 10-YEAR holiday – and still earn a six-figure salary

A BRITISH couple sold their home and gave up their jobs to go on a 10-YEAR holiday together - yet still managed to earn a six-figure salary along the way.

Yulia and Paul Tarbath met in 1999 and decided to go backpacking around the world together in 2009.

Yulia and Paul gave up their house and job to travel around the world for ten years
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Yulia and Paul gave up their house and job to travel around the world for 10 yearsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

The couple, who worked in telecoms and for the government, sold their four bedroom house in Sutton, Surrey, and left their "nice life" in the UK behind for good.

They touched down in India - the first of 31 countries - in October 2009, with no plan and no idea when they'd return home.

Moving every few months since, the pair lived on savings and proceeds from their house until they realised they realised they needed an income whilst on the road.

They became weight loss 'life coaches' and now claim to earn a combined six-figure while they travel the world teaching people how to eat clean and live a healthy lifestyle.

They welcomed their daughter Elanie in 2014 and in September last year, they 'settled down' for the first time in a decade in Spain so Elanie, now five, could join a local school - but plan to take off again when she's older.

The couple have visited 31 countries during then ten years of travelling
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The couple have visited 31 countries during then 10 years of travellingCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
They welcomed their daughter Elanie in 2014
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They welcomed their daughter Elanie in 2014, who then travelled with themCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
The couple first met in 1999 and were married the following year
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The couple first met in 1999 and were married the following yearCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Yulia, 38, was originally from Moscow and met Brit Paul, 46, in 1999 while he was on holiday in Russia.

The couple, who were married in 2000 and moved to Hereford shortly after, said: "We had a nice life and a lovely house but always wanted to live somewhere tropical.

"The main reason we went was to live in a sunnier climate. We wanted to live where we could enjoy being outside and experience the outdoors.

"It is the best thing we have ever done and has been a massively exciting adventure.

"We always knew what our passion was and we have broadened our horizons to get out there and do it.

"It is the best decision we have ever made and we have helped so many people around the world overcome health issues.

They sold their house in Surrey and used the money to travel the world
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They sold their house in Surrey and used the money to travel the worldCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Yulia became pregnant four years into their travels together
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Yulia became pregnant four years into their travels togetherCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
They have since settled in Spain, enrolling Elanie in a local school
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They have since settled in Spain, enrolling Elanie in a local schoolCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

"All of the countries we have been to have been amazing but our time in Australia is the best experience we've had.

"Living among the wildlife and enjoying life on the road is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"We always wanted to travel and see different parts of the world and just had an urge to do something different.

"We didn't want to work 9-5 forever and we wanted to create our own unique lifestyle.


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"So we decided to just sell everything and go off. We sold both our cars, our house and left the UK with just two suitcases."

They started out in India in October 2009, and after a month headed to UAE and Oman before making stops in Brazil, Ecuador, USA, Peru and Holland.

They've also visited Thailand, Malaysia, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Burma, Egypt, Russia, Bali and Finland.

They have rented accommodation in each place, staying for only a few months at a time.

Paul, pictured here in Brazil, married Yulia the year after they met in the UK
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Paul, pictured here in Brazil, married Yulia the year after they met in the UKCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
The couple lived in the UK for nine years before deciding to go travelling
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The couple lived in the UK for nine years before deciding to go travellingCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

By 2011 money started to get a little tight so Paul and Yulia devised a plan to build a business they could run whilst continuing on their travels.

Rawsome Healthy sees them offer online weight loss plans and professional help overcoming health problems.

Paul and Yulia provide coaching tutorials, tailored plans and advice on lifestyle choices.

Yulia said: "We run the business online and have a YouTube channel where we mentor our clients.

"We both love living a healthy lifestyle and wanted to build health coaching courses so we could help other people.

"We help people with chronic health problems.

"Wherever we have internet we can run our business so it works really well for us.

"We made six figures last year and we live on that to travel."

Throughout their 10-year journey they have visited England for a couple of months at a time every other year - staying with friends or in rented accommodation.

They decided to stop travelling as their daughter became "sad" at leaving friends behind
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They decided to stop travelling as their daughter became "sad" at leaving friends behind
Elanie now goes to a local school in Spain
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Elanie now goes to a local school in SpainCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
The couple said the UK weather is what keeps them travelling
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The couple said the UK weather is what keeps them travellingCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

In September last year the family decided to settle in Spain and have enrolled Elanie at a local school.

The schoolgirl has spent her childhood on the road travelling the world with her parents but Yulia said the time has come for her to make friends and settle for a while.

She said: "When she was first born it was very easy to travel but eventually she started getting sad when leaving friends behind.

"We have settled in Spain for a while to allow her to make friendships.

"Doing what we have done was the best decision we ever made.

"It has been the best possible upbringing for our daughter and she has always been surrounded by amazing things."

Yulia said they sometimes miss home comforts, but the UK's weather keeps them on the move.

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