While life abroad is often amazing, it is not only rainbows & butterflies - as all experienced expats very well know. From the pleasures of drinking from fresh coconuts to dealing with a personal crisis, This Expat Life opens up space for all facets of life abroad. And more importantly: what you can do to thrive in it.Certified coach, former expat and forever globetrotter Amanda Maxime dives into the good, the bad & the ugly of expat life. Expect hands-on tips, deep dives, and relatable stories by fellow expats. Whether you're about to take off on your first international adventure or...
Thu, April 03, 2025
As an expat, one decision is never just about one decision - a question about your job leads to questions about your location, friendships, proximity to family, and so much more. And before you know it, you’re standing in front of this big web of options you need to figure out, like a giant puzzle you need to solve - leaving you paralyzed and stuck. If you want to get unstuck and continue in forward energy, you need to let go of something in the decision-making process. And in this episode, I’ll tell you what it is. Do you want more of this perspective shifts and / or personal support in figuring out your next steps? There are 2 ways of working with me: 1) In The Coaching Journey, my premium 1:1 coaching with full support. More info here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/coaching 2) In The Co-Pilot, my signature program starting early June again. Get on the priority list to be the first to receive an exclusive offer when doors open! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilot
Wed, March 12, 2025
In this episode, I host Kea-Sophie Stack, who transitioned from a 10-year career as an attorney in Munich to an entrepreneur in the wellbeing field in Los Angeles. As a busy global citizen who likes to travel, I don’t find it easy to always stick to my health, food and work-out routines when I’m on the go - and I often notice the difference in my energy. Kea-Sophie, who is also a former coachee of mine, is an example to me of sticking to habits, so that’s why I invited her on the show - because there’s a lot to be gained in routines for other busy, globetrotting high achievers! Kea-Sophie shares her journey of overcoming burnout by adopting healthy lifestyle practices like yoga, aromatherapy, and Ayurveda and has practical advice on incorporating calming practices, optimizing sleep, and the importance of identity in sustaining healthy habits. Tune in to hear more! And if you want to know more about Kea-Sophie and her work, take a look here .
Thu, February 13, 2025
DOORS TO THE CO-PILOT ARE OPEN NOW - WITH AN EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT VALID FOR 24 HOURS! >>> Get in here Yesss, doors to my signature program have opened again! Are you ready to experience more fulfillment, confidence & direction in your expat life without constant overthinking? If you followed me for longer, you now know that the only way to get there is from the inside out: understanding yourself at a much deeper level so that you can make aligned changes from there. And in The Co-Pilot I give you the tools to do that! In 8 weeks I’ll take you through powerful exercises that give you invaluable insights and set you up for more authenticity, calmness & connection in your life. Plus, you will also have the space to be coached on typical and non-typical expat struggles, as well as find support with a like-minded group! Doors close again on February 19th, because that’s the day of our boarding call. Save your seat here! Https://www.Amandamaximecoaching.Com/The-Co-Pilot
Mon, February 10, 2025
After having coached 150+ expats who feel unfulfilled, stuck, disconnected or lost (and having been there myself!), I started spotting tendencies among them: ways to deal with the situation they weren’t happy in. But while those ways are common go-to strategies for high-achievers and usually get them pretty far, I’ll tell you why they aren’t working in your favor this time. You’ll get to listen to a part of my masterclass Stop Spinning Your Wheels. Would you like to follow the entire masterclass? Hurry as I’m about to host it for the last time! Sign up here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/stop-spinning-wheels-masterclass
Wed, February 05, 2025
[Sign up for my free masterclass Stop Spinning Your Wheels ! On Feb 5th, 10th, 11th or 12th 🥳]. Travelling fulltime with your son sounds like a dream, but is it really so? In this episode of This Expat Life I go beyond the conventional expat context and talk with Jennifer van Leeuwaarde, mom, entrepreneur and global soul. Jennifer left an established life in the Netherlands behind because it didn’t match with what she wanted to experience. Now travelling the US, Latin America and South Africa, Jennifer shares openly about challenges (that expats, too, face) of feeling alone, the struggles of homeschooling, questions about her decisions - and how increasing her self-awareness has helped her deal with these. This is a beautiful conversation in which Jennifer also gives practical advice to those in a similar situation or with similar doubts. Jennifer was a member of my program The Co-Pilot and used its tools to further solidify her inner GPS, which helped her navigate challenges and her journey. Are you looking for a toolbox yourself so you can better navigate your global life? The Co-Pilot starts again on February 19th, and doors open soon! 👉 Sign up for my free masterclass Stop Spinning Your Wheels ! On Feb 5th, 10th, 11th or 12th 🥳 👉 Download my free tool to help you prioritise what you want in life: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/wheel-expat-life
Wed, January 29, 2025
👉 Join my free masterclass Stop Spinning Your Wheels: How High-Achieving Expats Can Escape Overthinking & Overdoing and Lead with Clarity & Confidence: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/stop-spinning-wheels-masterclass 👈 The #1 challenge expats come to me with? Deciding on their next big step. As an expat, a decision on your career or location has a huge impact on other areas of your life too. So that can trigger doubts if you even want it. Plus, as the future feels more uncertain when you live abroad (you don’t know how long you’ll stay there), it often complicates going forward with a decision too. The result? You stay in endless loops of overthinking. Leaving you feel unsure, stressed or without a sense of direction. This is actually not something that I personally struggle with. I make big decisions pretty easily, and in this episode I share the key factors that help me in this. Want to start working on making better decisions too? 👉 Sign up for my 8-week program The Co-Pilot, starting on February 19th with our first call! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilot
Wed, January 22, 2025
How do you balance all the things you SHOULD do and all the things you WANT to do as a busy expat? How can you make more time for your family when your demanding job was the reason that took you & the fam abroad? What are tips & tricks to keep up with a busy work schedule and social events as a high-achieving expat? These are some questions that were asked this week by you. In today’s episode I dive into this and I share 10 tips that have personally helped me as a diplomat in Brazil, and now as an equally ambitious coach & entrepreneur who is also travelling a lot. I’d love to hear which tip you are going to start to use! And… My program The Co-Pilot is starting again on February 19th! This is the perfect context for you to learn about tools that will help you create more fulfillment, confidence & direction in your expat life, wherever you'll go. Doors are open! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilot
Thu, January 02, 2025
[My signature program The Co-Pilot is starting again on Feb 19th! Join us now] How do you stay active, fit & healthy when you prioritise your career abroad? How do you stay committed to exercise when you’re just about to move countries and the overwhelm is real? Questions I have definitely asked myself, as - even though I regularly exercise - my work & to do list often get priority over a gym class. I got impressed with fitgirl & content creator Amie Wiley who did the 75hard challenge as she moved from Ireland to NYC. If you’re not familiar with 75hard, it’s a challenge to build resilience and includes 2x 45 min exercise A DAY, and much more. As I saw Amie doing that just before I moved to Rio myself, she inspired me to - this time, yes - commit to my gym classes and runs even though I had SO much to do and the overwhelm was very, very real. I love seeing how Amie designed her life in NYC and with health & wellness still the key element in it, I decided to ask her on the show to chat more about these topics. If you’d like to know more about Amie, you can find her on YouTube and Instagram
Tue, December 31, 2024
How can you make this year different from the last? I’m always incredibly intentional about how I want to start the new year, so that I can ensure my continuous growth and avoid autopilot mode. Many set new year’s resolutions, but these are designed to fail. In this episode I share 12 questions that will help you set your priorities and see how you can stay your course throughout the year. Prefer these questions in written form? Leave your email address here and you will get them delivered to your inbox! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/reflection-questions This episode is part 2 of a sequence. Go to episode #63 for part 1. >> Download the free tool The Wheel of Expat Live that I mentioned in the episode here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/wheel-expat-life >> Want to go deeper on your growth as an expat or global player in 2025? Join my programme The Co-Pilot here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilot
Mon, December 30, 2024
A new year is upon us! And many want to change something - big or small - about their lives. Getting into the habit of regular reflection is a great way to be more intentional with your time & energy, especially if you are as future-oriented as me. It’s tempting to always look ahead to the next month, the next promotion, the next country - but there are powerful lessons in your past that can make your future even better. In this episode I’ll guide you through 12 questions that help you reflect on 2024. Get a notebook & pen, a cup of tea and let’s dive into it! Prefer these questions in written form? Leave your email address here and you will get them delivered to your inbox! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/reflection-questions >> See episode #64 for part 2 >> Download the free tool The Wheel of Expat Live that I mentioned in the episode here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/wheel-expat-life >> Want to go deeper on your growth as an expat or global player in 2025? Join my programme The Co-Pilot here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilot
Thu, October 24, 2024
There comes a point in every expat’s life that you need to face the dilemma: am I staying or leaving? And this is often when you feel stuck, unfulfilled or in a struggle. It’s a natural response to change the outer circumstances to feel better, but as an expat, that means you’re also questioning your location! So should you change the country or should you change yourself? In this episode of This Expat Life I shed my light on this topic with real examples. And are you ready to implement some of the things I talk about? Then my new (live, online) programme The Co-Pilot is the perfect match for you! In 8 weeks I’ll guide you through proven coaching methods & exercises so that you can get that deeper understanding of yourself I’m talking about, plus have concrete tools in hand to continue deepening your personal growth after the programme. Experience more fulfillment, ease & direction in your expat life without the constant overthinking you've come to rely on. We start again on February 19th - doors are open now with an early bird discount till January 24th! HTTPS://WWW.AMANDAMAXIMECOACHING.COM/THE-CO-PILOT
Wed, October 09, 2024
Help, how do I deal with inconsistent energy as I’m working towards a goal? This is what an expat coachee asked me as she has embarked on a new career path but also finds herself in unhelpful moods more often than she’d like. Having been here myself, I figured my tips would be useful for you as well. Listen to this episode as I explain the 4 D’s that help you to maintain your best state: detach, data, do something else, and a daily practice. Want the opportunity to ask me your questions too? On February 19th my program The Co-Pilot is starting again! Join now: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilot
Wed, October 02, 2024
It’s a cliche but it’s true… The magic really happens outside of your comfort zone. Now as an expat you have ventured outside your comfort zone already, but maybe you’re staying comfortable when it comes to other things, like changing careers, online visibility, a fitness goal or something else. I regularly step out of my comfort zone (my live event last month was one of those things!) and while it can still make me nervous from time to time, I also know this practice has been the key driver of my personal & professional growth. In this episode I share 7 quick tips that help make the step outside your comfort zone easier & less scary. Go find some magic! >>> And want to join the first round of my new group programme The Co-Pilot? Sign up here to get on the priority list (no strings attached) and be the FIRST notified when doors officially open... For the lowest investment it will ever be 🤩
Wed, September 25, 2024
> Akanksha is an ambitious management consultant and after two geographical transitions in 3 covid-years, she was left with a bit of a nagging feeling of something not being in place. Originally from India and now based in the Netherlands, she signed up for my 6-month group coaching programme to enable a shift. In this episode we talk about the inner transformation Akanksha had by being able to quiet her inner critic (most days!), with positive results on how she shows up at work & in relationships too. She also shares what she says to herself now and a practice that has become a favourite at the end of the day - plus a lot more. I loved seeing Akanksha's change over the past few months and think her story is a heartwarming testimony to the power of personal growth. And are you interested in joining my next group programme? Stay tuned! I'm planning the date as we speak. Sign up for my weekly Air Mail to be the first to hear when doors open and get an early bird discount. Air Mail: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/email-opt-in Join my live event: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/live-event Download my FREE Wheel of Expat Life exercise: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/wheel-expat-life Read more about my 1:1 coaching: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com
Wed, September 18, 2024
How to find your soulmate when you live a somewhat unconventional life as an expat? Do you need to settle and compromise if you want to start a family? Where to begin if you keep moving around? These are some topics I (female, mid 30s, single) have thought about myself a lot in recent years, and some of my coachees as well. Expat life is great but it can also pose a barrier to your love life. In this episode I talk about it with Michelle Chung, a soulmate manifestation coach! Find more about Michelle here: https://www.instagram.com/michellechungcoach/ And about me here:https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com
Wed, September 11, 2024
[ Only a few tickets left for my live event in Amsterdam this month! ] September marks ‘back to school’ vibes for many of us, and makes us aware that we only have a few months left before the end of the year. So if you had a goal for this year, now is the time to get cracking on it! September for me also marked the start of a new period in my home country, and as with any new start (calendar-wise or with a relocation), I’m super mindful of how I can make the most of it, so that I can really use it to create something new in my life. In this episode I share 8 quick steps that you can take to make the most of a new year / month, of a relocation, or of the final months of the year. I hope they are useful! Want some more guidance? >> Download my FREE guide The Wheel Of Expat Life: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/wheel-expat-life >> Join my LIVE EVENT in Amsterdam on 28 September and meet like-minded expats while you’re getting powerful insights. Only a few tickets left! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/live-event
Tue, September 03, 2024
I went on a business & leisure trip to California and left with 3 big insights that led to a breakthrough when I got home 🤩 Insights that I think might be useful for other high-achieving, self-reliant & rational globetrotters. > These were things I sort of already KNEW, but this time I could really FEEL them. And in order for insights to really change something in our lives or to lead to a breakthrough, we really need to embody them, not just understand them rationally. Truly feeling them has enabled a paradigm shift in me and a breakthrough internally (changes are coming!). I wouldn’t be able to have experienced these insights so profoundly if it weren’t for the people around me on this trip. Because alone you can go far, but together you can go much further - and deeper. That’s why I’m also so excited about my own upcoming live event in Amsterdam on 28 September! Join us for a fun afternoon of coaching and leave with valuable insights, renewed energy and a bigger network of like-minded people. Tickets are limited (about 10 left), sign up here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/live-event. I'd love to welcome you!
Wed, August 14, 2024
What if a part of you feels unfulfilled in your expat life? Whether that's in your career, relationships, health, personal goals or just a general sense of unfulfillment. As a life coach working with high-achieving expats, I actually get a lot of coachees who struggle with this - and so I also know what you can do about it! In this episode I share the 3 perhaps unexpected steps that you can take to find more fulfillment in your global life. They are the same I used to go from being an unhappy diplomat (although I seemingly had everything from the outside!) to waking up happy & fulfilled almost every day as a coach & entrepreneur. And would you like some personal guidance in taking these 3 steps? I have 2 options for you: 👉 Join my 8-week group coaching program The Co-Pilot , in which I will teach you essential self-coaching tools that give you more fulfillment, ease & direction in your expat life. We start on Feb 19th! 👉 Or work with me 1:1 in The Coaching Journey. Take a look on my website for more information on what the journey is about, how I coach and what others have said about it. As a life coach I'm sharp, don't shy away from the difficult questions and make space for everything that needs to be felt. Sounds like something you could need? Then take your next step and book a free discovery call ! >> My website >> Your free discovery call
Wed, August 07, 2024
Why is it that so many expats start to wonder about their life choices during summer.. And why I also book client after client? In this episode I share what I think causes this and give you tips to make the most of this summer period. And if you want a proven method to review your life, set your priorities and get started with an upgrade, download my FREE resource The Wheel of Expat Life here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/wheel-expat-life
Wed, July 31, 2024
Download my new FREE resource The Wheel of Expat Life ! You bring yourself wherever you go and in Rio… I brought myself too. Towards the end of my stay I found myself in a bit of a funk, which was mostly the result of 3 mistakes I made. Mistakes I’ve made before, oops 😇 In this episode I share what they are, how they impacted me and what I’m doing now to prevent them again, even back home. Want to know more about personal growth and life abroad? Follow me on: - Instagram - LinkedIn - my weekly Air Mail Or get my new FREE resource The wheel of expat life
Wed, July 24, 2024
The question I've asked dozens of time these past few weeks... What's it like being back home again?! And the answer surprised many - myself included 😅 So let the record show what I'm saying right now 😇 In this episode I share my personal reflection on being back home after living abroad for 6 months, plus 4 tips you can apply yourself as well when you are preparing / in the middle of a move. I'd love to hear if any of this resonated with you, as some of my coachees already told me they really enjoyed hearing about my experience as it gave them hope 😉 You can DM me via Instagram or LinkedIn , my digital door is always open 🫶 And curious to know more about my work? Check out my website www.amandamaximecoaching.com.
Mon, July 15, 2024
In this episode I sit down with Josh, an experienced expat who, along with his wife Callie, has lived in various countries since 2009, including Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and now Portugal. We talk about their current challenge: investing in real estate in Portugal - something I was so curious about! Josh shares their journey of finding and renovating a property in Porto, the importance of forming a reliable team, and the motivations behind their investment decisions. This informative conversation provides valuable insights for anyone interested in expat living and real estate investment - and it definitely rekindled my dream of having my own property abroad 🤩 You can find Josh and his wife Callie on YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@expatseverywhere - https://www.youtube.com/@LetsGetBuildingWithJandK Let us know what you think! PS. I've opened doors to my coaching practice in The Hague, the Netherlands again. Schedule a free call to hear more!
Fri, July 05, 2024
Whoa, the past 6 months have flown by and I'm ready to return home after almost half a year in Rio de Janeiro! And, what everyone is asking me... Will I return to the marvelous city? I recorded an open episode about my time in Rio to answer that question (and more). And when I say open, I do mean that: so you'll hear about what I struggled with, what I loved, my mistakes and lessons learned - I'm not holding back. I'd love to hear if you recognise any of it either because you lived in Rio or because you've gone through something similar in your expat journey. And since I'm going back to the Netherlands: in-person sessions in the Hague will now be available again! Read more about my coaching here or schedule a free discovery call .
Thu, June 27, 2024
I know, grounding doesn't seem so sexy but it's KEY if you want to live a happy & fulfilling life as a busy expat. After all, there's a lot going on around you or asking of you, while you also constantly have to adapt to the new culture. To keep your energy high, to stay calm in busy times and to live from your authentic self, grounding yourself is a non-negotiable first step. And.. there's much more to grounding than the pretty lame 'do mindfulness exercises' advice that ChatGPT can give you as well (yawn). I actually see 4 elements that you need to include in your life on a regular basis to remain grounded and to feel anchored in your forever-changing life. Curious? Listen to this episode! And want more? My course Touch Base will open its doors again soon - stay tuned!
Tue, June 25, 2024
From jet setting around the Middle East as HR manager to finding your purpose working with kids in the favelas of Rio... Diana Nijboer made this incredible transition. Originally from the Netherlands, Diana shares her inspiring journey and what brought her to stay in Rio. Years ago, she enjoyed her exciting life in the Middle East but she realised that she was simply filling a void. She was living a successful life on the outside but felt empty on the inside. A vision that came to her during a leadership course and a big personal challenge changed her direction drastically - and she took action on it. Please join us in this episode, as this is one of the most beautiful interviews I've done to date. I felt goose bumps throughout the hour with Diana as she so openly tells what she struggled with and how she changed her life. This is such an inspiring episode and one that you'll want to hear! Diana's story is not only in itself already incredibly inspiring, she also shares tips at the end if you want to find more purpose in your life - because we all reach that point sometime during our life right? And if you want to support the talented but underprivileged children who Diana through her NGO EduMais works with, there are several ways! You can share your money, time, talents or connections - all are welcome. Have a look here: https://edumais.org and connect with them on Instagram or LinkedIn .
Wed, June 19, 2024
In this episode of This Expat Life, Amanda welcomes Keki Mwaba, founder of Expat Career Development, to discuss career advancement for international professionals. As an expat herself and having worked with dozens of expats, Keki knows first hand what kind of challenges international job seekers face. Like: selling 'gaps' on your CV, not speaking the language and where to start if you're brand new to a market?! If you're looking to shift your international career or want an international opportunity, this episode is for you. Keki shares valuable advice & practical tips that you can apply right away and that will enable your international career growth. Let us know how this episode helped you! You can connect with Keki on LinkedIn - and with me as well . Want more tips? Work with me 1:1 Get grounding with me in Touch Base! Download my free guidebook Become The CEO of Your Expat Life Hang out with me on Instagram Find me on YouTube
Tue, June 11, 2024
Living abroad can sometimes be a challenge or just simply super exciting, taking up all your time or headspace. Places to go, a job to excel at, decisions about the future to take, contacts at home to maintain... It's easy to be 'on', busy or in your head all the time - the opposite of grounded. And while being grounded in your expat life is already a challenge, I believe it's harder as a single. Because you don't have a partner to share some of the stress or decisions with or to help you snap out of it. I know what it's like, and I've also experienced what it is like to actually be grounded, single or not. In this episode I share 7 tips that help me feel anchored in my life abroad. Useful for anyone, whether you're in a relationship or not! And want to know when we open doors to Touch Base, my new course to help you ground in your busy expat life (single or not!)? Head over to https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/touchbase-prio ! Want more tips? Work with me 1:1 Get on the priority list of my new course Touch Base Download my free guidebook Become The CEO of Your Expat Life Hang out with me on Instagram Find me on YouTube
Wed, June 05, 2024
Floor Oosterlee was living abroad and experiencing a vague, nagging restlessness when she saw one of my LinkedIn posts and decided to act on her intuition right away & book a call with me. Although she initially thought she needed some business coaching, she quickly realised there were more personal topics to work on. In The Coaching Journey that followed, Floor examined that restlessness and peeled away layers with every session. She found valuable insights about her patterns, learned how to truly feel her emotions (instead of analysing them!), and discovered that childhood experiences still had an impact on her as an adult. Doing the inner work and prioritising her personal growth have led to profound transformations in Floor's life. She feels much more confident (in her business & personal life), seeks less external approval and experiences more harmony in her relationships. If you're uncertain about what coaching can do for you and the impact it can have on your life, work, relationships, belonging and more, Floor's story will inspire you! You can connect with Floor on LinkedIn . And you are experiencing a vague restlessness too? Book a free call with me here.
Wed, May 29, 2024
Being a female globetrotter in your mid-30s with big ambitions often means you're not choosing the conventional path, which comes with both pros and cons. Fellow international entrepreneur Delphine van de Smet and I have a very open chat about how that exciting unconventional path inspires us but also has an effect on our personal lives. Tune in to hear about the importance of taking care of yourself & setting boundaries, how we both learned to be more in touch with our emotions & authentic selves, and what we think of the dating scene as independent ambitious women. Recognised something of your own story in ours? We'd love to hear from you! Because both Delphine and I are about creating space for all facets of life and about expression of who we truly are (the reason why we recorded this open chat). You can find Delphine and her amazing new (free!) membership for female entrepreneurs here: https://www.instagram.com/s.h.e_base/ and http://she-base.com/. And more about me here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com.
Wed, May 22, 2024
Big life decisions can be difficult for anyone - but I think for expats even more! Think about it: a decision on your career automatically has impact on your location, and thus your social life, proximity to your friends, a relationships, etc etc. No wonder some expats find it hard to make a decision! I very often speak with expats who feel stuck and can't decide on their next move. Their thoughts keep going round & round in circles and they don't know what's best for them. In this episode I share 2 principles that will help you find clarity in your indecision. And need some further help? I offer Your Next Destination , a small coaching package designed to help you make a choice. In 2 coaching sessions I'll help you clarify the thinking loops you are stuck in, so that you are more capable to make a decision aligned with what you truly want. This package is great for those who just want a little support, but don't need a full deep dive coaching journey. Book it here!
Thu, May 16, 2024
There's something I started spotting within myself and with other high-achievers who get things done... Something that has often worked well, but which might also be blocking you more than you realise. At least it did for me! Curious what it is? In this episode I share my view on it & open up how it has been manifesting in my own life - and how it could be present in yours. And as always, a few tips on what to do with it so you can ensure it keeps working in your favour. Want to share your thoughts? Send me a DM ! And want to dive more into this topic? My 1:1 coaching programme might be for you - have a look!
Wed, May 08, 2024
Whether you have done so many different jobs in different countries, followed your spouse so there's a gap on your CV, or find it hard to break into the local labour market: selling yourself as the next best hire can be tricky as an expat. All the more reason to build your professional personal brand online! But how exactly do you do that?! Communication strategist Ashley van Heiningen is here to help. I worked with Ashley myself to translate my coaching magic - which is so different with every coachee - into concrete words. And with how she helped me and how she's been showing up on Instagram herself, I asked Ashley to come onto the show to teach us her magic. Ashley gives a number of tips, including of how to overcome your fear of posting online, what you should be talking about and how to get started. Want to know more? Find her on Instagram or on her website (all in Dutch though!). And if you want to continue on the career topic, make sure to check out episodes #26, 39, 34, and 7. PS. Like This Expat Life? You'd help me greatly by leaving a review - thank you!
Wed, May 01, 2024
Before we start: I share all my woo woo practices (AND SO MUCH MORE) in my new course Touch Base! Get in for just €97 - doors close on 3 July. When I was a busy diplomat trying to excel at my career AND enjoy Brazil to the fullest, I was most of the time living in my head. My head & nervous system were always 'on' and I realised I needed a practice or habit to ground myself more. I started meditating and while this worked for me for quite some time, I abandoned the habit when life got even busier (how ironic). But thankfully I found a new morning practice that is not only much more FUN but has also proven KEY in my latest success. Want to know what I'm talking about and how you can do it too? Listen to this episode to hear more! And if you want another way to implement this tool, download my free ' Guidebook to becoming the CEO of your expat life ' where I share a powerful exercise.
Wed, April 24, 2024
What if you're a strong, independent woman with your own career, and your partner of 1.5 year asks you to follow him abroad? Nathalie van Haaren knows all about it. Even though she's been internationally minded from birth, she did have to adapt moving to Senegal now as the spouse of an expat. In this beautiful conversation, Nathalie shares openly and vulnerably what it meant for her identity and how she dealt with - and overcame! - the challenges. This episode is a must for anyone who moved abroad to be with their partner - and for those who asked their partner to join them. You'll recognise you're not alone going through some of the struggles and you'll get helpful tips & perspectives. We would love to hear what you think! You can find us here: Nathalie: Instagram & website Amanda: Instagram & website
Mon, April 15, 2024
I'm halfway into my 6-months stay in Rio and that got me thinking: How am I finding it? Listen to this episode to hear: - what I've been up to - how Rio has been treating me (spoiler alert: very good!) - if the fears & doubts before leaving came true - how I deal with lows when living abroad - what plans I have for my 2nd half in the marvelous city As always I'd love to hear what you thought of the podcast! Feel free to send me a DM on LinkedIn or Instagram . And want to know how I'm always creating my best expat life? Download my free 'Guidebook to becoming the CEO of your expat life' here .
Thu, March 28, 2024
And following up on the open conversation with Tamara Stroop (see the previous episode), here's part 2... With a plot twist! We had another call about 6 weeks after we first spoke, to see how we were both doing and what had changed for us. Well, for Tamara quite a lot! Listen to this episode to hear what that was. And are you an expat who's also struggling abroad? Know that I offer a listening ear in my free discovery calls. Book yours here .
Thu, March 28, 2024
Business coach Tamara Stroop and I had each just moved abroad - Tamara to Barcelona, me to Rio - and as we were talking about our experiences, we figured it would be nice to record an open conversation about journeys! This is not the usual interview but rather a candid conversation between two women in their mid-30s who decided to take a chance and enjoy life abroad. You'll hear us speak very openly about our first struggles after arriving, expensive AirBnB's, how the countries make us feel, our love life and more. If you've just moved abroad, have been there for a long time or are thinking of going... This episode is for you. And make sure to listen to part 2 for a plot twist!
Sun, March 24, 2024
There's one thing that's essential if you desire a big change in your life, which is also often overlooked. If you are ready to achieve a big goal, go off the beaten track or just want to follow your heart, make sure to include this key element. It has been crucial in my own journey. Listen to the episode to know what I'm talking about!
Thu, February 15, 2024
As a seasoned female, latina & expat engineer in tech, Iliana Quiñonez knows what it's like to move abroad and stand out from others in the workplace. Iliana moved to the US in her 20s and through trial and error learned to adapt to - and embrace - the American work culture. Now with over 20 years of experience, this trailblazer is passionate about DEI in the work place. In this episode Iliana gives valuable and practical advice for those who live abroad but may feel like they're standing out - whether that's because of their culture of origin or the sector they work in. You can find Iliana on LinkedIn .
Thu, February 08, 2024
Today I'm sharing two personal stories of my time in London and Brazil when things were NOT going so well. An almost burnout and grief knocked me off course and looking back, I wish I had a coach by my side. Tune in to hear these stories and why I believe every expat should hire a coach at some point in their life abroad. Want to hear how my coaching could work for you? Find more here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com
Thu, February 01, 2024
Today I'm sharing my 'origin story', the story of when a perfect storm really kickstarted my personal growth and made me the person & coach I am today. This is my most personal story as of yet and I'm sharing it in the hopes that it might inspire you. Listen how returning back home, grief, a pandemic, heartache and a coaching training all at once nearly broke me - but in hindsight, really resurrected me. What's your origin story?
Thu, January 25, 2024
It's one of the things every expat at some point struggles with: friendships. It may be hard to find them abroad, to maintain your friendships back home, or to stay connected to new friends as you or they move again. But here is Sarah Siegert, expat friendship coach who's dealt with all of the above herself. Having moved abroad to the UK for her partner, she found herself feeling lonely as it struggled making new friends. After applying techniques she learned in coaching, she was able to turn her situation around and find meaningful connections. And now she helps other expats with this! Tune in to hear: - Sarah's story (you're not alone!) - Why you should break down & change your thoughts when you find it difficult to make friends abroad - About an exercise to slowly change & practise your new beliefs - What to focus on when you’ve just moved abroad and are looking for new friends - About staying connected to friends back home - When new friends in your host country move back home You can find more about Sarah here . And you can download the free pdf guide she mentions in the episode here .
Mon, January 15, 2024
When I shared that I was moving to Rio I got the same questions over and over again.. Some of which even made me laugh! In this episode I answer them all, also hoping to inspire you to make a similar move, whether that's to Rio or elsewhere. Listen to this episode to know: - Why I chose Rio - If I'm going to work there - Why 6 months - If I still have a lot of friends here - What visa I'm on - What happened to my cats Let me know if this episode helped you in any way and if you have any other questions!
Thu, December 28, 2023
Expats do one thing more often than those who stay at home: moving! I feel like organising & clutter are relevant topics for expats simply because they have to go through their belongings more often than others. And plus, all the things you keep because they remind you of when you lived in country X... Because I struggle immensely myself with decluttering and organising (😅), I've invited professional organiser Manuela Weiss on the show. Manuela is Brazilian, has lived in Italy and is currently based in the Netherlands, so also from a personal point of view she's knows expat moving all too well. Personally I always like to use the end of the year for some decluttering, so I can make space for the new year. You might want to try this out as well. Listen to this episode to hear some valuable and practical tips on organising your home! If you want to know more about Manuela and her services, you can find her on Instagram .
Thu, December 21, 2023
Christmas... I LOVE the holidays but they are also a trigger for me. Having grown up with difficult and unconventional family dynamics, the who/what/where of Christmas was always a question mark, bringing up a lot of anxiety. I assumed that things would get better as I got older, but this year as I find myself single & parentless in my mid-30s, I've realised that damn, Christmas is still a question mark 😩 I'm craving some unconditionality around my favourite holiday so that I don't need to wonder where I'm going to celebrate it this year. But no need for a pity parade as I learned about a principle that helped me change my mindset many years ago, when I was stuck in Brazil, with a rare parasite, my dad in the hospital, no family or boyfriend around, and a tiny fake Christmas tree in a tropical environment 😅 A not-so-perfect Christmas but the mindset shift worked its magic. And it's a principle I still apply every year! Listen to this episode how you can apply the principle yourself, and to hear some additional tips I have for you, whether you are far away from your loved ones, single, heartbroken, grieving or dealing with challenging family dynamics. You are not alone! 🎄🎄🎄
Tue, December 12, 2023
New Year New You... Is it really possible? I think it is! Listen to this episode to hear what has been a game-changing method for me when it comes to reaching my goals and what has helped me to go confidently from diplomacy to coaching & entrepreneurship. I also share the 4 elements that I include in my loooong 'December ritual' every year to create a super strong foundation for myself for the next year, so that I can really live my best year yet.
Thu, November 02, 2023
Careers... One of the main topics for high-achieving expats! But what can you do to build your professional personal brand, find job leads in the host country, and stay up to date on opportunities in the home country if you know you're returning? LinkedIn is the place to be! According to Nyna Caputi, LinkedIn expert and one of LinkedIn's Top Experts in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this episode, Nyna shares how she got started and what you can do to make LinkedIn your professional playground. Besides a ton of practical tips to get the most out of your profile, network & content, she repeatedly shared one nugget of wisdom which I truly agree with. A mindset shift that will get you into action. Curious to find out? Tune in! You can find Nyna here on LinkedIn , and me here (feel free to connect with us!). PS. My new course Touch Base is out! Join for just €97, doors close on 3 July
Thu, October 26, 2023
The one part of expat life I don't know at all... Moving abroad with your family! I always moved abroad as a solo expat so what it's like to move with kids is very foreign to me. Reason to speak with Betina Pflug, a Brazilian expat in Australia who helps expats & their families to navigate life abroad! Listen to this episode to hear how Betina approaches family life and expat journeys, and the practical tips she has to help families feel at home abroad. If you would like to know more about Betina, follow her on LinkedIn or take a look at her website Wity Coaching .
Thu, October 12, 2023
Taking small decisions in daily life? Not my forte. But the big bold life moves? No problem! I recently decided to move to Rio and I took that decision in just 4 days. Easy peasy! But I know not everyone finds these big decisions easy. So in this podcast I share how I came to that decision and what helps me generally in the decision-making process, hoping to inspire you to decide on your own bold moves. Like my tips? 🚀 Take a look at my coaching 😎 Follow me on Instagram 🫶 Or leave a review about This Expat Life
Wed, October 11, 2023
Welcoming a guest to This Expat Life, and a very special guest: former diplomat - and my friend - Cinthya Mayorga! Cinthya is from Nicaragua and now lives in Spain, after quitting her diplomacy career 2 years ago. We actually met in Brazil when we were both working there at our respective embassies. We don't only share a working history, but also a passion for personal growth and this is why I brought her on the show! Tune in to listen to Cinthya about: - the not very pleasant state of being in limboland, waiting for external events to take place (we've all been there right?!)- what helped her to get out of limboland and feel at home in Seville- how Expat Life School made her feel less alone and helped her change her thoughts- how her choices are more & more aligned with her true self- her daily practices and thought processes that have helped her overcome doubt and anxiety- and much more! Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a DM on Instagram .
Mon, September 25, 2023
Expat life takes a lot of energy and just like with entrepreneurship, you also need to rely a lot on yourself. Whether it's about finding friends or mentally picking yourself up during a low, it's all down to you. That's why it's KEY to keep your energy in good shape. If you want to thrive in your expat life, you want to ensure your energy supply. In this episode I share about: - the different types of energy that I see - what I do when one of them is lacking - my non-negotiables to keep my energy high - things I do when I'm experiencing low energy.
Mon, September 18, 2023
In this episode I share some (pretty personal!) examples of the power of community and of having a coach by your side that I saw in my life last week. Listen to this episode how I'm finding working with a coach on some deeply personal issues and on the business decision I took that just opened up SO much space. I'm realising that being so open also feels very vulnerable, but as always I hope that my experiences inspire you in some way. Enjoy this episode!
Mon, September 11, 2023
Welcoming another guest today: Claudia Arroyo - or better known as latina in The Netherlands! Claudia is Peruvian and has lived in The Netherlands for 18 years, and is famous on Instagram for making funny, relatable videos about life in the Netherlands (this is also how I got to know her!). I invited her to This Expat Life because I wanted to hear more about how she looks at the difference between the Netherlands and Peru / Latin America. And I loved her answers. Listen to this episode to hear how Claudia struggled at first to make Dutch friends, what she misses from her home country, what she adopted from the Dutch and how she started creating events to connect hundreds of people. Plus some useful tips she shares for newcomers. Want to see those funny relatable videos she creates? Check her Instagram account here for a daily laugh!
Sun, September 03, 2023
Become the CEO of your expat life, so you can thrive abroad! I want you to thrive & flourish in your expat life - not just survive. And you can do that by adopting a CEO approach to your life abroad: think, act & feel as a modern CEO. How that looks, I share all about it in this episode, as well as the 3 pillars of becoming that CEO of your expat life. If you want to learn more, download my FREE Guidebook to becoming the CEO of your expat life .
Thu, August 24, 2023
Welcoming a guest of honour to This Expat Life today: retired ambassador Kees van Rij! Kees was a Dutch ambassador to Turkey, Spain, Greece and Brazil, and was also posted in Brussels, Peru and South Korea. I met Kees in Brazil, where we worked closely together on the topic of deforestation in the Amazon during the Bolsonaro administration - and this is when I learned a lot from him and his strong experience in diplomacy. In this extra long episode, Kees talks about what diplomacy really is about (it's not like The Diplomat show!), the 24/7 ongoing work as an ambassador, what it's like to take decisions on your own & on the spot, and how a political conflict affected his personal life. And of course, we also talk about expat life. I absolutely loved hearing Kees's stories and I hope you do too. As always, let me know what you think of this episode!
Fri, August 18, 2023
This is a recording of a LinkedIn stream Coco and I did on the personal & cultural dynamics of living abroad (and specifically: in The Netherlands). Listen to this bonus episode to hear more about: ✅ the Dutch directness - and their positive intention behind it ✅ how finding friends on the work floor is difficult in the Netherlands ✅ how constantly having to rely on yourself as an expat can be really tiring ✅ and of course our Success Beyond Borders event on 13 September in Amsterdam!
Wed, August 16, 2023
Returning home is definitely the hardest part of expat life - or at least that is what it was for me. Today, as this episode comes out, marks exactly 3 years that I returned home from Brazil 🇧🇷 And with that questionable anniversary I'm looking back on 3 very eventful years in the Netherlands. Listen to this episode to hear how change upon change rocked my boat ever since my return. It's my most personal episode as of yet. And... I have an exciting announcement at the end! Here are the things I mention in this episode: - Love Phobia by Hannah Cuppen - my 1:1 coaching in The Hague, schedule a free call now to not miss out. As always I'd love to hear your thoughts on the podcast - especially on this personal episode! Leave a review or send me a DM on the socials.
Thu, August 10, 2023
Another fantastic guest on the show today! I'm speaking with Puck Landewé, founder of start-up Elfin and on a mission to making women financially independent. A mission I personally very strongly support and which we also talk about at the end of this episode. But I invited Puck for another reason: and that's because she splits her time between the Netherlands, her home country & where she runs her business, and Switzerland, the country of her fiancé & where she finds peace in the mountains. I was really curious how she's able to do this well, because it's very easy to feel torn between two lives when you travel back and forth all the time. In this episode Puck shares what she loves about Switzerland, how she manages living in 2 different countries, and how she deals with the guilt that comes with it. Enjoy! PS. If you liked this episode, I'd love it if you could leave a review! This helps us to grow our community of like-minded expats across the globe.
Fri, August 04, 2023
In this episode I speak with Esther Grootenboer, a Dutch psychiatrist who moved to Norway with her family. Esther shares what it's like to continue her career in Norway, how living in Norway has made her more relaxed, what conscious decisions she took to start her new life, and how mindfulness has helped her in her expat journey. I really enjoyed talking to Esther and I hope you'll enjoy this episode too! If you want to know more about Esther and her online courses, take a look at her website .
Wed, July 26, 2023
Expat life isn't a stagnant line, just like normal human lives. I identified 7 typical phases that often occur, and knowing what they are about helps you to ride expat life like a smooth operator instead of a rollercoaster maniac. As always, I give practical tips as I go. Enjoy the ride!
Thu, July 20, 2023
For This Expat Life I spoke with someone who has a successful career in something I know very little about... jazz music! In this episode the Dutch, New York-based vocalist, conductor & composer Vivienne Aerts shares her story of how she built her music career in the US, plus some tips if you are dreaming of something similar. And that we would speak about chocolate from Congo, I never expected! Tune in to hear how she is linking this to her music and why it's so important to her. --- Vivienne Aerts is a Dutch New York-based vocalist, conductor, a composer with a focus on electronics, chocolate, multi-sensory experience design as well as a clinical psychologist and faculty at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Want to follow her journey? You can find Vivienne on Instagram !
Wed, July 12, 2023
"No, you can't do that" "No, that's not for you" "No, you are too old / too young / not smart enough / not capable enough for that" Etc etc... How often do you have those thoughts when you think of something you desire or something outside your comfort zone? My guess: probably often, although you might not be aware of your thoughts. Most of us have these critical or negative thoughts. But a positive, empowering mindset is KEY if you want to take a big step or create the life of your dreams. In this episode I share more about how I changed my own mindset from "I'm not good enough" to "Yes I can!". Listen to hear my 4-step approach!
Mon, July 03, 2023
The one struggle that almost all expats talk about? Finding a new, fun & meaningful social circle that fits in with your life. Am I right?! But creating a community actually doesn't have to be that hard - yes, even in countries that are known for their closed culture! In this episode, global entrepreneur Marcel Wijermars shares how he has been creating communities in several countries and gives you his 3 steps so you can start your community too. We actually didn't make the 3rd step explicit in our conversation, but that's clearly: take action & organise an event. Curious about the first two? Listen now! And if you also need some tips on how & where to find new friends, download my cheatsheet with 21 tips . More about Marcel: Marcel brings established entrepreneurs together through exclusive dinners and masterclasses in Amsterdam. His background as an entrepreneur, combined with his event organization experience in the United States, Argentina, and Bali, enables him to craft Amsterdam's premier entrepreneur community, exclusively for accomplished entrepreneurs. Preferring genuine connection over transactional and sales-oriented networking events, he aptly named the community: No More Networking. The No More Networking community attracts a diverse group of ambitious entrepreneurs who recognize the tremendous value in surrounding themselves with individuals who bring out the best in themselves. If you want to know more about Marcel, check out his website and Instagram .
Tue, June 27, 2023
Well - a lot! In today's episode I speak with Willem van Uijen, a business friend of mine. Even though he's not an expat, I figured his 5-month(!) solo hiking trip through Europe would be an experience full of lessons useful for others too. And I wasn't disappointed during our interview! Listen to this episode to find out: - Why & how Willem took the decision to leave for 6 months - How he nearly traded chasing goals at home for chasing goals on the road - but then completely changed his mindset - How he learned to be with his thoughts 24/7 - What he brought back from the trail - How stories can define and block us And much more! Want to connect with Willem? Find him on LinkedIn . And are you ready to change your language and mindset too, so you can finally create a different reality? Get my latest video training The Expat's Path for just €37 - sign up here !
Tue, June 13, 2023
This one is for you, chaotic, overwhelmed or busy expat who's travelling a lot! I've been in your shoes - when I lived in Brazil, I had trip after trip, which was a lot of fun but also generated quite some stress. In this episode I've collected 10 of my tips that have been working for me to stay sane, organised, happy & energised when you're constantly jetting off. Hope they work for you too! And want more tips? Sign up for my weekly-ish Air Mail !
Tue, May 30, 2023
In today's episode I talk with Amandine P. Ruiz, one of my coachees. Living in Belgium now, the French-Panamian Amandine is an example of staying positive and what an optimistic mindset can bring you. I've always loved her positive outlook on life so I invited her to This Expat Life, as I know it can sometimes be hard to maintain that positivity while building up a new life abroad. In this interview we talk about the importance of positivity, believing that the good will happen, daily habits, finding friends & more. I hope you liked this episode! Want more? >> Follow Amandine on Instagram or read her blog smallpositivechanges.com >> Listen to episode #1 of This Expat Life if you want tips on finding friends & building a community abroad. >> Or schedule a free discovery call for 1:1 coaching if you feel like personalised coaching is something you could need.
Thu, May 18, 2023
The one question I always get asked when I share my professional journey: "how did you make the leap from diplomacy to coaching?!". Well, in this episode I share everything about how I was able to quit my diplomacy career and choose to become an entrepreneur. With tips for you, as always! And could you use some guidance in taking the leap? Or in changing a situation you feel stuck in? Then get my new training The Expat's Path ! In this 30-min video training & workbook you will discover where your change is being blocked and at what level you need to apply change to generate the desired outcome. I used the same principles of this training to identify my own blocks.
Mon, April 17, 2023
Did you know I worked at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for nearly 7 years? In this episode I share my personal experience of being a diplomat and what I like & didn't like about the job. It's hard to do it justice in just one episode and I'm talking about a few things (both positive and negative!) that stood out for me, plus my story of how I became a diplomat. I'm very curious what you think of this episode, especially if you are or were a diplomat as well. Make sure to leave a review, find me on Instagram or subscribe to my YouTube channel ! And if you're interested in my 1:1 coaching journey, I've got spots opening up again. Find more information on my premium offer here: www.amandamaximecoaching.com
Tue, March 21, 2023
Tumi Sineke is a South African entrepreneur currently residing in Oslo, Norway. I loved talking to her about how she intentionally designed her new life, struggled with the challenges of being an expat of colour and what she does to make expat life easier for herself. In this episode Tumi shares many tips that even serial entrepreneurs can learn from. Find more from Tumi on Twitter , Instagram and TikTok . Liked this episode? Please leave a review or rating! This will help us grow our community :)
Thu, March 02, 2023
"I wish I had known this when I lived in Brazil!" was my thought after interviewing Coco Hofs. Coco explains so clearly that your personal preferences and cultural roots determine how you perceive another culture - and that two different cultures can look at a third culture in a completely different way, as they each value different things. Understanding your own preferences and those of the culture you're living in or working with, will therefore save you a LOT of time and frustration. Coco realised this and left her corporate career to become a consultant in this field. She now trains companies and professionals on overcoming cultural differences in the international workplace so that they can lead their business effectively to achieve better results in a global economy. In this episode we talk about her work and cultural differences, but also about her own experiences of having lived abroad many times. If you want to hear more from Coco, follow her on LinkedIn or Instagram . And find me here !
Thu, March 02, 2023
In this episode I speak with online entrepreneur - and my personal example - Celine Charlotte. Celine has been a huge inspiration for me not only when I started my business, but also when I made the leap from diplomacy to entrepreneurship and started living life on my terms. And this is what I love about Celine and her courses: she shares life & business lessons just as easily and offers a strong combination of mindset shifts and practical tips, helping you to really make a change in your life. With her online courses, Celine's been teaching over 18,000 entrepreneurs all about building an online business, creating online courses, productivity, and money & investing. She hosts her own podcast, is a popular speaker and has been featured in Business Insider and other media. Celine is originally from the Netherlands but now lives in Sedona, the US and in this episode we talk about how she found her home there, what adapting to the American market is like, tips when you just arrive somewhere and how she continues finding a strong belief in herself. Liked this episode? Let us know! You can find Celine ( @celinecharlotte ) and me ( @amandamaxime ) on Instagram, where we both hang out pretty much daily. If you want more tips from me, sign up for my free 'Guidebook to becoming the CEO of your expat life"!
Mon, February 13, 2023
With my 7+ years of experience living abroad and my knowledge as an expat coach… What would I do now if I were to start over again as an expat in a new country? In this episode I share the 10 things I’d focus on when building a new life abroad. Want more of this? In Expat Life School we look at those 10 things and MUCH more so you can create your best life abroad, aligning it with your needs & dreams. People are talkin’.... “Expat Life School offers something for everyone” “The combination of mindset, interactive Q&A’s and the community was very valuable in this transitional phase in my life” “Expat Life School will help you to let go of the stress and to enjoy your international experience to the fullest!” Sign up here !
Mon, February 13, 2023
Kicking off the start of This Expat Life with one crucial aspect of a thriving life abroad: finding friends and building a new social circle! In this episode I’ll tell you how easy and not so easy finding friends has been for me in my 7+ years abroad and back home again. I’ll share the 3 key principles I’ve used to connect with new people and to build a strong community, and you’ll also get some practical tips on how & where to meet new friends. Want my cheatsheet with additional tips? Download your copy here: www.amandamaximecoaching.com/cheatsheet And get grounding with me for just €97! If you want to follow me on other platforms, find me on Instagram at @amandamaxime, or read more about me & my offer at https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com Liked this episode? Please leave a review :) It would mean a lot, thank you!
Trailer · Tue, January 31, 2023
For all expats & globetrotters across the world, This Expat Life is your place to find real understanding and grow from the inside out. First episodes coming live on Friday 10 February - stay tuned!
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