Early Life & Background
Jeevan was born and raised in Satara, Maharashtra, a region rich with forts, mountains, and natural beauty. Growing up in a modest family, he experienced many financial challenges. These early struggles shaped him into a responsible, hardworking, and grounded person.
As a child, Jeevan was energetic and curious. He enjoyed cricket, chess, and exploring new places around Satara. Studies were not his strongest area, yet he completed his graduation and became the first person in his family to pursue higher education — a proud moment for him and his family.
Education & Life in Mumbai
After graduation, Jeevan moved to Mumbai to continue his studies. He completed a postgraduate degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering, hoping to build a stable career.
Life in Mumbai, however, was very difficult. He faced financial pressure, lived on strict budgets, and struggled to manage daily expenses. At one point, he survived an entire month with just ₹100. Despite these hardships, he completed his PG degree and secured a job as a Software Engineer — his first major step into the professional world.
How JKV Vlogs Started
Jeevan’s vlogging journey began with a funny and unforgettable incident.
He and his friends had planned a trip to Mahabaleshwar, but Jeevan was to join them later. Unfortunately, he did not have the exact address of the stay. He wandered for hours, asked several people for directions, struggled through wrong turns, and kept searching for the place.
Out of frustration — and to later show his friends how difficult it was — he started recording the entire experience on his mobile phone.
When he showed the video to his friends, they loved it. They found it raw, natural, and very funny.
This became Jeevan’s first accidental vlog, and their positive reaction inspired him to start creating videos seriously.
He soon created his YouTube channel “JeevanKadamVlogs” (JKV Vlogs).
Unlike many vloggers, he chose to speak in Marathi, his mother tongue. This decision created a strong and emotional connection with Marathi audiences across the world.
From this moment, he never looked back.
Instagram Hack – January 2022
In January 2022, Jeevan faced a major setback when his Instagram account was hacked.
Before the hack, he had around 66,000 followers. After losing access, he had to rebuild from scratch.
Even though this was a difficult phase, Jeevan stayed positive and continued focusing on YouTube and his travel content.
Rise as a Travel & Adventure Vlogger
Jeevan began exploring forts, mountains, waterfalls, and offbeat locations across Maharashtra. His content was simple — real locations, real struggles, real experiences. This honesty made him stand out from other vloggers.
His videos include:
- Sahyadri trekking routes
- Historic forts of Shivaji Maharaj
- Budget-friendly travel guides
- Adventure activities
- Village culture and local food
- National and international travel vlogs
People loved the fact that he didn’t over-edit or add fake drama. His videos felt like traveling with a friend.
During this phase, a small but very impactful part of his journey was his collaboration with Amol Jamdare, known for his strong knowledge of history and archaeology. Their fort-related videos became highly appreciated among trekking groups, adding cultural depth to Jeevan’s content without losing his natural storytelling style.
Recognition: Fort Videography Contest Award
A significant milestone in his career came in 2020, when he won the fort-videography contest organized by Maharashtra Tourism Department in the professional category. This recognition from a prestigious tourism body validated his efforts and added official acclaim to his dedication to exploring and showcasing forts and heritage sites.
Growth, Recognition & Influence
Over time, JKV Vlogs became one of the most popular Marathi travel channels.
His YouTube channel reached 598K subscribers, making him one of Maharashtra’s top travel creators.
Audiences admire him for:
- His strong Marathi identity
- His bravery during treks and adventures
- His grounded lifestyle
- His simple, honest storytelling
- His focus on affordable and real travel
Thousands of youngsters began trekking and exploring because of his influence.
Travel Philosophy
Jeevan often says he becomes “uncomfortable when life becomes too comfortable.” For him, travel is not just a hobby — it is a way to grow, to reset, and to understand oneself better. This philosophy drives him to constantly explore new places, live adventurously, and push himself beyond routine.
He believes that travel is not just about visiting new places, but about self-growth, emotional reset, and reconnecting with nature.
He promotes the idea of “real travel” — experiencing local culture, staying with locals, walking through unexplored paths, embracing nature without filters and Learning through real-life experiences.
This philosophy has become the heart of his channel.
A New Chapter: JKV Travel (Launched on 17 October 2025)
On 17 October 2025, Jeevan and his wife Pratima announced their travel company named JKV Travel www.jkvtravel.com
Through this venture, their goal is to help people experience meaningful and affordable travel — the same kind of authentic travel that Jeevan has shown in his vlogs for years.
Impact & Legacy
Today, Jeevan Kadam is recognized as a pioneer of Marathi travel vlogging.
His videos have introduced countless people to new trekking routes, forts, and beautiful destinations in Maharashtra and beyond.
His life story — from financial struggles to becoming a respected travel creator and entrepreneur — continues to inspire many to follow their passion with courage and honesty.
Jeevan Kadam’s journey reminds us that success comes from passion, discipline, and staying true to oneself.
From recording a funny Mahabaleshwar incident to running JKV Travel, his story shows that every great journey begins with one small step — and a lot of heart.
Jeevan Kadam Official Social Media Handle
- YouTube: JeevanKadamVlogs
- Instagram: jkv_official
- Facebook: JeevanKadamVlogs
