The Purposeful Nomad: A dive into the soul of St. Maarten and accountable remote work

𝐈𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧, 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝’𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐦𝐬, 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬.

“Coming to St. Maarten felt like following a pull I couldn’t ignore,” she recalls. “I told my cousin about my plans, and he immediately said, ‘You have to connect with Dimar Labega, he’s family through Omega Psi Phi, and he’ll make sure you see the real St. Maarten.’ That introduction turned out to be such a blessing. Before I even landed, we were already having conversations about what it means to live, work, and thrive here. We connected right away. Since arriving, Dimar has been more than just a guide."

"He’s been the person who has helped me experience this island in ways I never would have on my own, while also becoming a friend who shares my curiosity, my love for connection, and my belief in the island’s potential. Our conversations about digital nomadism, public health, and the island’s potential have been both inspiring and grounding. What started as a simple introduction has grown into a genuine friendship rooted in shared curiosity, mutual respect, and mutual passion for community and progress.”

Her connection to St. Maarten is both emotional and intellectual. “I chose St. Maarten because I wanted something vibrant, inspiring, and healing, and this island has delivered on all three. There’s something magnetic about the mix of cultures, the energy of the people, and the natural beauty that surrounds you. It’s not just a backdrop for work, it’s a source of joy, creativity, and calm.”

She contrasts it with other destinations: “Compared to other places I’ve stayed, St. Maarten has this rare blend of laid-back island rhythm and entrepreneurial energy. Individuals here want to be progressive, they want to be innovative, and they do it with love. I’ve found it incredibly grounding. The slower pace helps me stay present, and the strong sense of community reminds me of why I do this work in the first place. Working from here isn’t about escaping responsibilities, it’s about rediscovering balance, even on your busiest days.”

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

Comeaux’s lens as a public health leader is always engaged. “As someone working in public health, I’m always observing the subtle, everyday behaviors that reflect how people experience well-being, not just through systems, but through culture and connection.”

In St. Maarten, she finds that community is a cornerstone of health. “In St. Maarten, one of the things that stood out to me early on was how much life happens in community. People gather, move, greet each other, share space. There’s a rhythm of visibility and mutual acknowledgment that isn’t engineered, it’s just part of the day-to-day.”

She emphasizes cultural grounding. “I won’t pretend to understand the full scope of the health system here, and I’m mindful not to make assumptions. But what I have observed is a strong sense of cultural identity and pride, expressed through food, music, language, and local traditions. That kind of cultural rootedness is protective. It fosters belonging. And in public health, we know that social cohesion is a powerful determinant of health, even if it’s hard to quantify.”

She sees these lessons as vital. “Being here has reminded me that health doesn’t start in a clinic, it starts in the relationships people have with each other and their environment. The warmth, the consistency of local vendors, the respect for time and space, all of that contributes to a sense of wellness that isn’t always captured in our data dashboards, but is deeply felt.”

“This experience has reaffirmed something I already believed: that public health must be context-specific, community-informed, and culturally anchored. What works here might not work elsewhere, and vice versa. But the way people live here, with connection and presence, offers lessons that anyone in our field should pay attention to.”

She also ties her fieldwork back to data ethics. “This experience has also sharpened how I approach data and community engagement in my work back home. It’s not just about asking the right questions, it’s about knowing who’s asking them, in what context, and how the answers will be honored. I’m more committed than ever to ensuring that our methods reflect the communities we serve, not just the systems we work within. Because numbers without narrative will always fall short, and lived experience will always lead us further.”

𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

Comeaux speaks frankly about infrastructure, both enabling and lacking. “Like anywhere, working remotely from St. Maarten comes with its own learning curve. I arrived during the low season, which meant I had to adjust to different business hours, the timing of cruise ship arrivals, and the general pace of the tourism cycle. It made me more intentional about planning my days, understanding when the island is at rest, and when it comes alive.”

“From a digital perspective, there’s a lot that supports remote work here, from reliable internet access in most accommodations to the genuinely welcoming nature of the people. I’ve been able to take client meetings, lead strategy sessions, and get into deep focus work without any major digital hiccups. It’s not the hyper-connected hustle of a big city, and that’s actually the beauty of it. It forces you to slow down, plan ahead, and really be present in your workflow.”

However, she also sees untapped opportunity. “That said, I also think there’s room to grow, especially when it comes to creating more dedicated co-working spaces or community hubs designed for remote professionals like myself. In many ways, St. Maarten is still catching up to the digital nomad movement, and that’s not a bad thing, it’s an opportunity.”

“Right now, remote workers have to create their own structure, which can be beautiful and freeing, but also inconsistent. I’d love to see more intentional spaces where people can plug in, build community, and collaborate, not just digitally, but in person.”

She envisions a space where digital meets cultural. “Imagine a space that blends local art, Caribbean flavors, open-air workstations, and a strong Wi-Fi signal, that’s the kind of environment that would draw in remote professionals while honoring the culture and rhythm of the island. The talent is here, the energy is here, and the need is here.”

And yet, despite the limitations, she adapts. “And while I’ve made it work by adapting, scouting out quiet cafes or working from my balcony with a view, having more infrastructure in place could make this island an even stronger magnet for people who want to live and work intentionally. It’s not about changing the vibe of the island. It’s about expanding access to the lifestyle people like me already love. St. Maarten has all the ingredients. With a little more investment in this area, it could become the Caribbean hub for mindful, meaningful remote work.”

Socially, she sees more than convenience. “The island is incredibly warm and open. People remember your name, greet you with a smile, and make space for connection. That kind of environment helps me feel rooted, even if I’m only here temporarily. It doesn’t hinder the work, it enhances it. I’ve had deep conversations in the most unexpected places, and those moments remind me that leadership and insight can happen far beyond a Zoom call.”

“So yes, there are adjustments, but none that take away from the value of being here. If anything, they teach you how to lead with more flexibility, grace, and awareness. That’s a lesson I’ll carry no matter where I land next.”

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

She is intentional about rejecting the fantasy of the digital nomad archetype. “I’ve definitely wrestled with that label, digital nomad, because it doesn’t always feel like it fits. It can sound so floaty and unrooted, like I’m just chasing sunsets with a laptop. But that’s not my story. My story is about purpose, presence, and creating a life that reflects my values. I’m still showing up to lead projects, meet deadlines, manage teams, and hold space for complex, community-driven work. The difference is, I’m doing it in a way that also nourishes me.”

“There’s privilege in being able to live this way, I won’t deny that. But it’s not a privilege I use to disconnect. If anything, it’s made me more intentional. I spend my money locally, build relationships with the people around me, and invite others into the experience. I don’t want to just pass through, I want to pour into the places that pour into me.”

She continues: “And let’s be real: this lifestyle takes work. You’re juggling time zones, navigating unfamiliar systems, finding your rhythm again and again. It’s not about being on vacation all the time, it’s about having the courage to create a life that works for you, even when it doesn’t look traditional.”

“I may not fully identify with the term digital nomad, but I do resonate with what it can mean, freedom, flexibility, and the power to lead with intention from anywhere. I’m not just trying to see the world, I’m trying to feel it, learn from it, and bring that energy back into everything I do. That’s not escapism. That’s expansion.”

....𝘛𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘥....𝘐𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦-𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘋𝘳. 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘮, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬.

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