Chris Nagy walked away from high-stakes Wall Street deals and sixty-hour workweeks that afforded him “The American Dream.” Now, living full-time in an Eagle Cap 1165, his returns are measured in moments and miles, not dollar signs.
From the outside, it looked like one of those wild Wall Street success stories we’ve all heard about. Through sixty-hour workweeks and eighteen hour days, a low-level assistant climbed the corporate ladder to become a major Wall Street player. It was a world built on pressure and performance—slowing down simply wasn’t an option.
That kind of life has serious trade-offs. Time gets compressed into weekends, vacations are short or non-existent, and the outdoors become something you occasionally visit instead of something you live in. The rewards are tangible, but the cost in time and opportunity is hard to measure.
For years, that was the reality for Chris Nagy. How did a kid who once dreamed of becoming a forest ranger end up so far removed from the outdoor environment that shaped him? Over time, that pull toward the outdoors started creeping back in—first a cabin, then a camper, then more time outside. What began as a few extra days turned into weeks, then months.
In 2016, Chris made a decision that most people only talk about. He sold the house, left the fast pace behind, and moved into a truck camper full-time. He hasn’t looked back since.
What are your earliest memories of spending time in the great outdoors?
Growing up in Tempe, Arizona, my parents would take us to the rim of the Grand Canyon to camp. We’d find a spot right on the edge and spend weekends out there. We also spent time in Rocky Point, Mexico, camping on the beach with my grandparents. Those trips really stuck with me. I loved it.
Hiking Aravaipa Canyon, Arizona in 1980
As a teen, I would go camping in the mountains for a few days at a time—no phone, no GPS, just me on my own. It taught me independence early on and made me comfortable being outside alone. At one point, I thought I’d become a forest ranger. Life went in a different direction, but that connection to the outdoors never left me.
How did you find yourself working on Wall Street?
It was a total accident. In college, I worked nights stocking shelves at a grocery store. It was a union job, so I was actually making decent money and had a little extra to invest. A roommate’s mom worked for Lehman Brothers, so I talked to her.
She suggested I start trading options. I tried it and immediately got hooked. Not long after, I asked her for a job even though it meant taking a pay cut. I started from the bottom as an assistant and worked my way up.
Eventually, I became Head of Trading at TD Ameritrade and later worked in government relations. I also became the Vice Chairman of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and was involved in the NASDAQ acquisition in 2007.
Guest appearance on Fox Business in 2007
In 2012, I stepped away and started a nonprofit focused on helping pensions. These days, I still do some consulting and testify when needed, but nothing like the pace I used to keep.
What was your day-to-day like during your Wall Street years?
It was intense. Back when the internet was just getting started, things were constantly breaking. There were stretches where I was working eighteen-hour days just trying to keep everything running.
Testifying before Congress after the Great Recession
As my role grew, it shifted into more travel, meetings, and managing large-scale operations. I was flying all over the world. For over a decade, I averaged about sixty hours per week. It was demanding, high-pressure work.
“…I was working eighteen-hour days just trying to keep everything running.”
Was there a period where you weren’t able to explore as frequently as you wanted to?
There was about a twenty-year stretch like that. I had to move to Omaha, where TD Ameritrade was based. I took my family camping, but it was limited to vacation time and weekends. We’d overnight at local campgrounds a couple of times each year and I took them to Yellowstone and the Wisconsin Dells. It was always short—just a couple of weeks a year at best.
Later, I bought a vacation home on a river just to stay connected to the outdoors. I also tried a pop-up travel trailer, but we didn’t use it much. I didn’t enjoy towing it.
Everything really changed once I started working remotely. That’s when I bought my first truck camper and got back into photography. I’d take the kids out to the Tetons every year and spend time photographing wildlife, especially moose.
Tell us about your first truck camper.
It was a 1968 Sportsman. It was very small, basic, and all aluminum. It had a teal icebox and a broken heater. I restored the whole thing—paint, upholstery, everything. It looked great, but living in it was a challenge. The bed was tiny, and it was brutal in cold weather.
I credit that camper for getting me back into the lifestyle and reminding me of how much I enjoy a simpler way of traveling.
When did you start thinking seriously about going full-time on the road?
I had a big house, and I hated it. It started to feel more and more unnecessary. At one point, I had five or six cars and four boats. It was just stuff. I didn’t want stuff anymore.
Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains
In 2016, I began taking longer trips. One month turned into two, then three, then six. Eventually, I realized I was spending more time on the road than at home. Knowing I could buy another house somewhere down the line, I decided to sell the house and go full-time. I’ve been on the road ever since.
“It was just stuff. I didn’t want stuff anymore.”
What was the transition like?
It was incredibly freeing. I officially went full-time in January and drove straight to South Padre Island in Texas. Being debt-free and mobile changed my priorities, my stress levels, and my entire mindset.
What led you to your current truck camper?
Over time, I realized that when you travel slower, you open yourself up to finding hidden gems you miss when you’re just passing through. The longer you stay, the more you connect with the local people and get a feel for the culture of that area. I wanted to travel at a slower pace and stay self-contained longer.
That’s what led me to the triple-slide Eagle Cap 1165. I now have more storage, more water, and more power. I’ve had the Eagle Cap now for over five years, and it’s been an incredible setup for full-time living. It gives me the space and capability to stay out longer without constantly moving.
“It gives me the space and capability to stay out longer without constantly moving.”
The Eagle Cap 1165 triple-slide is a big camper! Did it require you to upgrade your truck?
Yes, it did. My previous one-ton Ford F-350 dually served me well for years. However, when fully wet, the Eagle Cap was too much weight, especially with the Jeep in tow.
That’s when I found a Ram 5500 with an eleven-foot flatbed. It’s been a huge improvement in terms of stability, capacity, and overall capability.
I built and customized much of the setup myself. While in a remote Bureau of Land Management area in Montana, I built wooden side boxes that fold down into a cooktop. The side boxes hold a surprising amount of gear—two stand-up paddleboards, a kayak, and all of my tools.
Why did you switch to super single tires?
I loved the look of super singles, but they were hard to justify without knowing I needed them. Two experiences made me decide to go for it.
During a trip to Baja, I sought out remote sand beaches. I wasn’t able to air down my stock dual-rear-wheel tires enough without the tires rubbing together. I got stuck constantly.
Then I drove Hole in the Rock Road with sixteen miles of harsh washboards. No matter how fast or slow I went, the ride was brutal. It took me two-and-a-half hours.
That was enough proof for me, so I made the switch to super singles. The difference was immediate. The larger sidewalls make for a much smoother ride, traction is significantly better off-road, and I can air down to around twenty PSI without any issues.
Since the conversion, I’ve gone back to the same road and driven over those washboards like it was nothing. Most of the time, I don’t even need to air down.
If your truck and camper could already go where you wanted to go, why did you decide to tow a Jeep?
I wanted a second vehicle in case of breakdowns and for exploring beyond camp. I restored a 1993 Jeep YJ in my brother’s driveway. It’s lightweight, simple, and easy to work on.
I keep a forty-gallon water bladder in the Jeep so I can run into town, fill it up, and pump it back into my fresh tank at camp.
That’s a great tip that I’m sure readers will appreciate. What sort of places do you seek out when you’re on the road?
I look for remote and quiet locations, usually near water. I enjoy finding places that aren’t on the main apps like iOverlander. Over time, I’ve watched a lot of really great unknown spots become crowded. To find places, I spend a lot of time studying satellite imagery on Google Earth and analyzing the terrain. Oftentimes, it’s a really neat spot, and I keep it to myself.
Boondocking on the Hoh River in Washington
That said, I’m not always remote camping. I enjoy the occasional RV park, a nice long shower, and getting my mail delivered. It’s all about balance.
What led you to become a Mexican resident?
I’ve been going south of the border my entire life. Mexico offers a kind of freedom that’s hard to find anywhere else. The landscapes are rugged, the trails are unmarked and less developed, and there’s a real sense of adventure. You have to be more self-reliant, which I enjoy.
Hiking Mount La Bufa in the Sierra Madres, Mexico
I decided to become a resident because I wanted the flexibility to stay longer. It allows me to explore at my leisure, on my own timeline.
It really does feel like time moves slower down there. What advice would you give to first-time travelers to Mexico?
Be open to embracing the culture. Most places are small, family-run businesses. Tipping is part of daily life, so keep some pesos on hand. The people are very resourceful and willing to help. If something breaks, there’s usually someone who can help you figure it out.
Almost everyone you encounter is generous and friendly. In tourist areas, your biggest threat is petty theft. In remote areas, issues are very rare. Embrace the culture, be respectful, and let the slower pace influence how you travel.
Off-grid on a remote beach in Baja, Mexico
In Baja, especially, you’ll find a large community of Americans and Canadians from November through April. I personally prefer the off-season.
What outdoor activities do you enjoy?
Rockhounding has become a big one for me. I naturally found myself always looking down at rocks in the various places I traveled to. Eventually, I started seeking out specific places to find rocks.
Agate finds from Lake Superior, Michigan
In Nevada, I mined for garnets on Garnet Hill and found a ton of them. I’ve also found topaz, moquii balls, petrified wood, turquoise, amber, and agates from Lake Superior.
Petrified Wood and Sulfur Quartz
I enjoy giving my rock finds to family and friends. The only downside is that they’re heavy. I keep a storage trailer in Arizona where I can store my collection. I’m still waiting for that ten-pound piece of gold.
How has your life changed since going full-time on the road ten years ago?
I’m living a much happier and healthier life. The stress from my career was taking a toll. I was on multiple medications for my heart, blood pressure, and anxiety.
Paddleboarding in Bacalar, Mexico
It’s taken some time, but I’m nearly off all of it. I’m more relaxed, more present, and much more at ease. I cook gourmet meals every night, spend my time outdoors, and focus on experiences instead of things.
I’ve met a few billionaires throughout my career and I always ask them, “If you could do one thing more, what would it be?” Every time the answer is the same—travel. It’s not about the stuff, it’s about the memories.
“It’s not about the stuff, it’s about the memories.”
That’s really telling. What would you say to someone considering this lifestyle?
I’ve owned just about everything people think they want. After living that way, I can confidently say I’ve never been happier than I am living simply.
Where is Chris Nagy heading next?
I’m heading to Sonora and Rocky Point, then likely making my way toward San Felipe. After that, I’ll probably work my way up the Colorado River. We’ll see where the road takes me.
Chris Nagy’s Rig:
Truck: 2021 Ram 5500
Camper: 2020 Eagle Cap 1165
