Sometimes, life throws curveballs that force us to pivot in ways we never imagined. My name is Gideon Lahav, and my journey from managing luxury villas in Israel to becoming a Glide expert and a digital nomad has been nothing short of extraordinary. It’s a story of adaptation, focus, and discovering the power of no-code technology in the face of adversity. So, buckle up—this is a tale of resilience, transformation, and the freedom that comes from embracing the unexpected.
A Life in Luxury, Then a World in Lockdown
In 2019, I was living what many would consider a dream job. I was an operations manager for luxury villas in Israel, a role that came with high expectations, attention to the finest details, and the opportunity to work with some of the most exclusive properties in the region. My days were filled with creating unforgettable guest experiences, coordinating between various teams, and making quick, strategic decisions to keep everything running smoothly. Simultaneously, I was completing my Master’s degree in Business Administration, focusing on tourism—a field I was deeply passionate about.
But then came 2020, and the world as we knew it came to a screeching halt. COVID-19 threw the tourism industry into chaos. Lockdowns, travel restrictions, and widespread uncertainty made it painfully clear that the once-stable career I had envisioned was suddenly on shaky ground. The future looked bleak, and for the first time in my life, I questioned everything: my job, my degree, and the entire industry I had built my life around.
As I watched the world change, I realized something crucial: I couldn’t rely on an industry so heavily dependent on seasonal and global factors. I needed a new path, one that was not only stable but also flexible, and most importantly, one that I could control.
The First Steps Into Remote Work
Faced with an uncertain future, I had to think fast. I started my first remote business teaching students via Zoom. It wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it gave me a taste of the remote work lifestyle. I loved the idea of being location-independent, but the reality was far from easy. My income was inconsistent, and I knew I needed something more sustainable.
That’s when I tried my hand at sales, working remotely for a company that required meticulous data management. My academic background had equipped me with advanced skills in Google Sheets and Excel, and these skills proved useful for managing sales data and tracking performance. Our team, however, was constantly running into problems. We worked from a shared Google Sheet that was becoming a tangled mess of mixed leads and overlapping data entries. It was frustrating and inefficient, to say the least. There had to be a better way, and I was determined to find it.
The Discovery That Changed Everything: Glide
One night, while searching for a more efficient way to manage our sales data, I stumbled upon Glide. It felt like discovering a secret weapon. The idea of transforming a complex spreadsheet into a fully functional app without writing a single line of code was mind-blowing. I was hooked and eager to experiment.
My first project was simple but effective: I built a Glide app that allowed each salesperson to have their own set of leads, neatly organized and easy to manage. No more confusion, no more messy data entries. When I presented this app to my boss, his reaction was priceless. He was so impressed that he gave me a raise and praised me for developing such a game-changing solution. But it didn’t stop there—he told his network about what I had built, and soon, I had my first paying clients for app development. Just like that, a spark turned into a fire.
Embracing the Digital Nomad Life
With new skills and a growing demand for my Glide expertise, I realized something life-changing: I could work from anywhere in the world. The idea of becoming a digital nomad was too enticing to ignore. I packed my bags, left Israel, and set off on a journey that took me to Europe and later to the breathtaking landscapes of South and Central America.
At first, the digital nomad lifestyle felt like a dream come true. I worked from charming Parisian cafés, scenic mountain retreats in Costa Rica, and bustling co-working spaces in Mexico City. The freedom was exhilarating, but behind the picturesque moments were real challenges. For two years, I struggled financially. I was earning just enough to cover my expenses, and some months were tighter than others. I felt like I was constantly hustling to stay afloat, and it was exhausting.
The Turning Point: Choosing to Focus
After two years of scraping by, I had a wake-up call. I was trying to be a no-code jack-of-all-trades, learning multiple platforms and spreading myself too thin. I knew that if I wanted to succeed, I needed to become a master of one. In 2022, I made a bold decision: I would focus solely on Glide. I dedicated myself to learning every feature, every trick, and every best practice. I even started sharing my knowledge on social media, offering tips and guidance to fellow developers.
That decision changed everything. My Glide expertise grew exponentially, and so did my business. I started attracting high-value clients, some of whom were so impressed that they made me their fractional CTO, providing recurring income and financial stability. My social media presence also took off, and I was able to connect with a global community of no-code enthusiasts and businesses looking for custom solutions. I wasn’t just surviving anymore—I was thriving.
Life on Crete: Where Work Meets Adventure
Today, I’m living on the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Every morning, I wake up to the stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea, and I’m grateful for the life I’ve built. I work with clients from all over the world, developing sophisticated apps and systems that help businesses run more efficiently. My projects are no longer just simple apps; they are fully-fledged solutions that streamline operations, manage data securely, and enable teams to collaborate in real time.
But my journey doesn’t end there. I’ve come full circle, returning to my roots in education. I founded Glide School, where I teach Hebrew speakers how to harness the power of Glide to build their own apps. It’s incredibly rewarding to see new developers grow and succeed, just as I did. And now, my next big goal is to expand Glide School to English speakers, creating an even larger, more diverse community of no-code developers.
Lessons and Inspiration for Aspiring Developers
Looking back, I’ve learned that the path to success is rarely linear. It’s filled with unexpected twists, hard lessons, and moments of doubt. But it’s also filled with opportunities to grow, learn, and make an impact. If you’re just starting out in no-code or considering a career as a Glide developer, here’s what I can share from my own experience:
Ready to Transform Your Business?
If you’ve ever dreamed of building custom solutions for your business or need a Glide expert who brings creativity, passion, and global experience, I’m here to help. Learn more about my work and how we can create something amazing together. Whether you’re looking for a streamlined app or a comprehensive business solution, I’m excited to bring your vision to life.
Life has a funny way of turning challenges into opportunities. For me, what started as a career crisis led to a life of freedom, adventure, and fulfilling work. And now, I’m here to share that journey and inspire the next wave of no-code developers. Let’s make the future—one app at a time.
