Wheels of Change: How Living with Less Creates Space for More

Van life isn’t just a trendy hashtag anymore—it’s become a way of life for people chasing freedom, simplicity, and a deeper connection with themselves. On this week’s episode of The Meat Market, we sat down with Jared, a 28-year-old entrepreneur who swapped a fully furnished three-bedroom house (plus all the toys: motorcycles, boats, trucks—you name it) for a home on wheels. His story is a fresh take on what it really means to live intentionally.

Jared didn’t move into a van because he had to—he did it because he wanted to. By age 25, he’d already checked all the traditional boxes: house, career, material success. And yet? He was deeply unhappy. “I had lived the life I thought I wanted,” he told us. “But I realized I wasn’t living at all.” So he sold everything, built out a van, and hit the road in search of more meaning and less noise.

Now, let’s talk dating. You’d think living in a van might be a deal-breaker, but Jared’s confidence and honesty flip the script. He doesn’t lead with “Hey, I live in a van,” but he’s upfront when it comes up—and it’s rarely an issue. “You realize in meeting me that this is a choice,” he says. “It’s not about avoiding responsibility. This is harder than people think.” His lifestyle might be unconventional, but it’s intentional—and that self-awareness is magnetic.

Van life has forced Jared to get clear on what actually matters, and that mindset spills into how he dates. First dates are usually hikes, not fancy dinners. He values connection over performance. And his deal breakers? “No fitness, unwillingness to grow, too much drinking, and lack of intelligence.” Simple. Clear. Aligned.

Of course, van life isn’t all sunshine and scenic pull-offs. Jared showers at the gym (twice a day!), parks on a friend’s land, and says weather is his biggest challenge right now. But for him, the payoff is worth it. He’s cut down expenses, found freedom in minimalism, and is investing in future real estate goals—all while gigging as a musician and showing up in his local men’s group community.

One of the most touching parts of Jared’s story? His continued friendship with his high school sweetheart. Even after going their separate ways romantically, she’s still part of his life—a reminder that love can evolve, not just disappear.

For Jared, van life isn’t about running away from something. It’s about running toward clarity, connection, and a life designed on his terms. His story is proof that living with less can actually help you live more.