I'm Jason Old.

Building platforms, ventures, and experiences across 35+ countries. Where academic rigor meets entrepreneurial storytelling.

20+
Years of experience
35+
Countries of impact
520+
Global providers
ResearchVenturesPodcastsAcademiaSurf CultureLatin AmericaStorytellingStrategyResearchVenturesPodcastsAcademiaSurf CultureLatin AmericaStorytellingStrategy

Where strategy meets story.

Over the past two decades, I’ve worked across education, travel, and entrepreneurship — launching ventures like Waverii, a global surf travel marketplace spanning 40+ countries.

My work sits at the intersection of culture, business, and storytelling — turning ideas into systems that grow, scale, and create real-world impact. I hold a Ph.D. in History from the University of South Florida.

Research & academic work

Two decades of scholarship on cultural and economic systems — with a particular focus on the Americas and the way subcultures become economies.

Ph.D. in History

Specialized in Latin American history with focus on cultural, economic, and social systems shaping coastal communities — University of South Florida.

USF · Dissertation Honors

Global Experience

20+ years working across 35+ countries in education, business, and community development. Fluent in Spanish and conversational in Portuguese.

35+ Countries · Fluent Bilingual

Academic Leadership

Former professor and program director, designing courses and leading transformative international academic experiences at Southeastern University.

Associate Professor · Advisor

Research & writing

Selected academic and cultural work exploring Latin America, history, and global experience. Published through Academia.edu and scholarly platforms.

How I work

Every venture, podcast, or research project follows the same four movements — regardless of scale.

01

Build from the ground up

Foundation-first approach ensures scalability and sustainability from concept through execution and beyond.

02

Create clarity & structure

Transform complexity into organized systems that everyone understands and can execute against with confidence.

03

Align execution with strategy

Ensure every action supports the larger vision and drives consistent progress toward meaningful goals.

04

Drive consistent performance

Test, measure, refine, and optimize continuously to achieve and exceed targets across all initiatives.

Platforms & projects

A selection of ventures, nonprofits, and experiences built from the ground up — each one a system designed to last.

01 · Marketplace · Live

Waverii

A global surf travel marketplace connecting travelers with local providers across 40+ countries. Built and scaled to 520+ providers across continents, creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs and unforgettable travel experiences.

02 · Nonprofit · Latin America

CAN Fútbol Foundation

Nonprofit supporting youth development through sport, reaching over 1,000 student-athletes across Latin America. Creating pathways for underprivileged youth through structured athletic programs and life-skills development.

Airbnb Experience

Cultural & public history experience in Ybor City with 100+ bookings and 80+ five-star reviews — connecting travelers to authentic local heritage.

Lucky Shovel

Botanical garden and plant nursery built in Nicaragua in collaboration with local and indigenous farmers, promoting sustainable agriculture.

Surf REALTOR®

Real estate brand focused on local insight and modern lead generation — serving the coastal community with specialized market expertise.

Good work begins with a good question. Great work begins with the discipline to sit with it longer than most are willing to.

— A working philosophy

Podcasts & media

Two seasons. Forty-plus episodes. A decade of conversations with scholars, surfers, and changemakers around the world.

The Surfing Historian

A storytelling platform exploring surf culture, history, and place through a global lens. Connecting scholars, nonprofit leaders, and adventurers from around the world in long-form conversation.

Video & YouTube

Video content exploring travel, culture, and storytelling across global perspectives and communities.

Newb Squad

An illustrated children's book introducing surfing, etiquette, and environmental awareness to young readers.

Got a project worth getting weird about?

I take on a small number of ventures, advisory engagements, and storytelling projects each year. If you’re building something ambitious — let’s talk.

All projects & resources

The complete archive. Every platform, podcast, publication, and professional link — consolidated.

Linktree

A comprehensive directory of all projects, writing, media, and resources. Your single source for everything across the work.

LinkedIn

Professional background, experience, and latest updates on ventures, projects, and new initiatives. The long-form resume.

Have a project
in mind?