Babes, How Did You Get Here? | Barrington: From US Marine to Executive Chef to Guinness World Record Holder

What happens when a former US Marine, executive chef, and scuba diving instructor decides life is too short to play it safe—and ends up breaking a Guinness World Record by scuba diving across all seven continents in under 20 days?

In this exhilarating and deeply inspiring episode, host April Jackson sits down with Barrington Scott—a Guinness World Record holder, ex-Marine, former executive chef, master scuba diver trainer, and current Thailand resident who has lived more adventures in one lifetime than most people dream of in ten.

From joining the Marines at 17 to deploying to Afghanistan, from teaching scuba diving in Honduras to working on citrus farms in Australia, and from spending $40,000 on an app that never launched to diving the freezing waters of Antarctica—Barrington's story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and choosing adventure over comfort every single time.

In this episode, we discuss:

Joining the Marines at 17: How the promise of "free college" led to a four-year enlistment and a deployment to Afghanistan he never saw coming.

Deployment to Afghanistan: The raw reality of war, the fear, and why he blacked out most of the experience.

The Gap Year That Changed Everything: Googling "gap year," discovering Southeast Asia, and deciding to spend a year traveling through Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Australia.

Working on a Citrus Farm: Being the fastest orange picker in Australia—until a snake appeared in a tree and changed his perspective on farm work.

The Executive Chef Life: Landing a six-figure chef job in Darwin, Australia, and the moment he realized he was ready to walk away from it all.

Falling in Love with Scuba Diving: His journey from a "discover scuba" experience in the Bahamas to becoming a master scuba diver trainer in Honduras.

The Instructor Realization: Spending thousands to become an instructor, only to discover he had zero patience for teaching people underwater.

The $40,000 App Lesson: Building a bucket-list travel app, hiring developers in India, and watching it crash—an expensive but vital life lesson.

The Spark for a World Record: How a Netflix documentary about Diana Nyad inspired him to set his own "impossible" goal.

Breaking a Guinness World Record: The logistics and endurance required to scuba dive across all seven continents in 19 days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes.

Swimming with Sharks: Why he has dived with over 20 species of sharks and why he isn't scared of the predators most people fear.

Why Phuket?: Choosing Thailand for the perfect mix of palm trees, infrastructure, community, and proximity to adventure.

What's Next: Pursuing PA school to fund the next round of bucket-list dreams, exploring the world's largest cave in Vietnam, and chasing the next mountain.

Why This Story Matters

This isn't just a story about a world record. It's about:

Choosing adventure over safety—even when it's expensive, scary, or uncertain.

Reinventing yourself as many times as it takes to find what truly fits.

Learning expensive lessons and having the courage to get back up anyway.

Living fully now instead of waiting for retirement to start your life.

Whether you're stuck in a career that doesn't fit, craving adventure, or just need permission to take a risk and build a life that's wildly yours—this episode will move you and remind you that life is happening right now.

About the Show – "Babes, How Did You Get Here?"

Hosted by entrepreneur and former Miss Jamaica April Jackson, this podcast dives into the real, unfiltered stories of people who left the script—swapping comfort for courage and choosing a life "elsewhere."

00:00 Introduction: Meet Barrington Scott - Guinness World Record Holder

00:36 From Marines to Medicine: The Post-Military Transition

04:40 Boot Camp Reality Check: The Deployment to Afghanistan

07:17 Discovering Gap Years: A Life-Changing Concept

09:52 The Australia Chapter: From Citrus Farms to Executive Chef

14:03 Finding Scuba: The Cruise That Started It All

16:31 Honduras Dreams Derailed: The Teaching Revelation

17:53 Why Phuket? Finding the Perfect Balance

21:05 The Guinness Record: Inspired by a 60-Year-Old Swimmer

24:01 19 Days, 7 Continents: Completing the Record

29:14 Swimming with Sharks: A Love Story

33:13 The $40,000 App Mistake: Bucket List Reloaded

32:45 What's Next: PA School and the Luxury Life

#HowDidYouGetHere #AprilJackson #GuinnessWorldRecord #ScubaDiving #ExMarine #Afghanistan #ThailandLiving #PhuketLife #DigitalNomad #BucketList #SharkDiving #Antarctica #TravelStories #LivingAbroad #Reinvention #AdventureTravel #CourageOverComfort #ExpatLife #LifeElsewhere #ChefLife #GapYear #SoutheastAsia

Babes, How Did You Get Here? | Karina: From Moscow Dance Floors to Kingston Streets – Finding Home After Dancehall Broke Her Heart

What happens when a Russian hip-hop dancer falls so deeply in love with dancehall culture that she moves 6,000 miles to Jamaica—only to discover that the community she worshipped would eventually exile her, leaving her stranded between two worlds, two Jamaicas, and two versions of herself?

In this raw, unfiltered, and deeply honest episode, host April Jackson sits down with Karina Galliamova—a Russian dancehall dancer, former Moscow dance instructor, and now a Kingston-based content creator who traded the grey skies of Russia for the chaos, beauty, and heartbreak of Jamaica.

From her first trip in 2016 (thinking she'd get shot), to teaching dancehall across 50+ Russian cities, to surviving COVID in Jamaica, to being canceled by the very community she loved, to finding unexpected love at Carnival and building a new life in uptown Kingston—Karina's story is one of passion, resilience, cultural collision, and choosing happiness even when the dream doesn't look like you thought it would.

In this episode, we discuss:

Falling in Love with Dancehall: How a crush on a dancer led her into a culture she initially hated—and then couldn't live without.

First Trip to Jamaica (2016): Arriving terrified, hearing gunshots in Spanish Town, and still thinking, "I wish I could stay."

Life in Moscow: Teaching dancehall across Russia, traveling to 50+ cities, working with Nike and Adidas, and burning out.

The Balcony Moment: Sitting in New Kingston in 2019 and randomly deciding, "I could live here."

COVID and Choosing to Stay: Coming for three months in January 2020, getting the option to leave, and deciding to extend her visa and stay.

The Abusive Relationship: Falling for a Jamaican man who had someone else, living a double life, and surviving emotional manipulation.

Living Between Two Jamaicas: Dancehall vs. uptown, street parties vs. boat parties, and navigating class and culture shock.

The Post That Changed Everything: Writing "80-90% of Jamaican dancehall dancers cheat" and getting canceled, called racist, and exiled from the community she loved.

Surviving Depression: Losing her identity, her community, and her purpose—and choosing to stay in Jamaica anyway.

Finding Uptown Jamaica: Meeting a Russian friend who introduced her to a completely different Kingston—one with money, boats, and no one asking her to buy them drinks.

Meeting Her Boyfriend at Carnival: Seeing his "bad picture," meeting him at Kaya Fest, talking for two hours, and never leaving his place after the first visit.

The Red Flags She Ignored: He had a daughter, she said she'd never date a man with kids, and then she fell in love anyway.

Life in Kingston Now: Living with her boyfriend, building her social media platform, navigating "tourist tax," and learning to love ackee and breadfruit.

The Cost of Living Shock: Paying 10,000 JMD for electricity in a studio with no AC, vegetables costing more than in Moscow, and realizing Jamaica is expensive.

Being Russian in Jamaica: Dealing with stereotypes, being called a spy, and learning to say "I was born in Ukraine" to change the energy in the room.

Home or Not?: Still asking herself if Jamaica is forever, knowing she's traumatized by her dancehall experience, but choosing happiness over comfort.

Why This Story Matters

This isn't just a story about moving to Jamaica or falling out of love with dancehall. It's about:

Following your passion even when it leads you somewhere dangerous and unpredictable.

Surviving heartbreak, exile, and depression in a foreign country—and choosing to stay anyway.

Navigating cultural collision when you're white, Russian, and in love with Black culture.

Finding love after trauma and learning to trust again.

#HowDidYouGetHere #AprilJackson #JamaicaLiving #KingstonLife #DancehallCulture #RussianInJamaica #ExpatLife #CulturalCollision #FindingHome #Heartbreak #Reinvention #UptownJamaica #LivingAbroad #CourageOverComfort #ChoosingHappiness #MovingToJamaica #caribbeanlife

00:00 Introduction: The Cost of Living in Jamaica

00:45 Meet Karina: A Russian Dancer's Journey

02:15 First Trip to Jamaica: 2016

04:37 Falling in Love with Dancehall Culture

09:12 The Spanish Town Incident: A Wake-Up Call

13:01 The Toxic Relationship That Brought Her Back

01:30 COVID Times: Choosing to Stay

23:29 The Controversial Post That Changed Everything

39:05 Discovering Uptown Jamaica

41:46 Two Jamaicas: Inner City vs Uptown Life

47:52 Finding Love at Carnival

1:05:27 Tourist Tax and Daily Challenges

1:01:29 Culture Shocks: What Nobody Tells You

1:14:31 Jamaican Food Favorites and Discoveries

1:13:51 Final Thoughts: Is Jamaica Home?

Babes, How Did You Get Here? | Karina: From Moscow Dance Floors to Kingston Streets – Finding Home After Dancehall Broke Her Heart

What happens when a Russian hip-hop dancer falls so deeply in love with dancehall culture that she moves 6,000 miles to Jamaica—only to discover that the community she worshipped would eventually exile her, leaving her stranded between two worlds, two Jamaicas, and two versions of herself?

In this raw, unfiltered, and deeply honest episode, host April Jackson sits down with Karina Galliamova—a Russian dancehall dancer, former Moscow dance instructor, and now a Kingston-based content creator who traded the grey skies of Russia for the chaos, beauty, and heartbreak of Jamaica.

From her first trip in 2016 (thinking she'd get shot), to teaching dancehall across 50+ Russian cities, to surviving COVID in Jamaica, to being canceled by the very community she loved, to finding unexpected love at Carnival and building a new life in uptown Kingston—Karina's story is one of passion, resilience, cultural collision, and choosing happiness even when the dream doesn't look like you thought it would.

In this episode, we discuss:

Falling in Love with Dancehall: How a crush on a dancer led her into a culture she initially hated—and then couldn't live without.

First Trip to Jamaica (2016): Arriving terrified, hearing gunshots in Spanish Town, and still thinking, "I wish I could stay."

Life in Moscow: Teaching dancehall across Russia, traveling to 50+ cities, working with Nike and Adidas, and burning out.

The Balcony Moment: Sitting in New Kingston in 2019 and randomly deciding, "I could live here."

COVID and Choosing to Stay: Coming for three months in January 2020, getting the option to leave, and deciding to extend her visa and stay.

The Abusive Relationship: Falling for a Jamaican man who had someone else, living a double life, and surviving emotional manipulation.

Living Between Two Jamaicas: Dancehall vs. uptown, street parties vs. boat parties, and navigating class and culture shock.

The Post That Changed Everything: Writing "80-90% of Jamaican dancehall dancers cheat" and getting canceled, called racist, and exiled from the community she loved.

Surviving Depression: Losing her identity, her community, and her purpose—and choosing to stay in Jamaica anyway.

Finding Uptown Jamaica: Meeting a Russian friend who introduced her to a completely different Kingston—one with money, boats, and no one asking her to buy them drinks.

Meeting Her Boyfriend at Carnival: Seeing his "bad picture," meeting him at Kaya Fest, talking for two hours, and never leaving his place after the first visit.

The Red Flags She Ignored: He had a daughter, she said she'd never date a man with kids, and then she fell in love anyway.

Life in Kingston Now: Living with her boyfriend, building her social media platform, navigating "tourist tax," and learning to love ackee and breadfruit.

The Cost of Living Shock: Paying 10,000 JMD for electricity in a studio with no AC, vegetables costing more than in Moscow, and realizing Jamaica is expensive.

Being Russian in Jamaica: Dealing with stereotypes, being called a spy, and learning to say "I was born in Ukraine" to change the energy in the room.

Home or Not?: Still asking herself if Jamaica is forever, knowing she's traumatized by her dancehall experience, but choosing happiness over comfort.

Why This Story Matters

This isn't just a story about moving to Jamaica or falling out of love with dancehall. It's about:

Following your passion even when it leads you somewhere dangerous and unpredictable.

Surviving heartbreak, exile, and depression in a foreign country—and choosing to stay anyway.

Navigating cultural collision when you're white, Russian, and in love with Black culture.

Finding love after trauma and learning to trust again.

#HowDidYouGetHere #AprilJackson #JamaicaLiving #KingstonLife #DancehallCulture #RussianInJamaica #ExpatLife #CulturalCollision #FindingHome #Heartbreak #Reinvention #UptownJamaica #LivingAbroad #CourageOverComfort #ChoosingHappiness #MovingToJamaica #caribbeanlife

00:00 Introduction: The Cost of Living in Jamaica

00:45 Meet Karina: A Russian Dancer's Journey

02:15 First Trip to Jamaica: 2016

04:37 Falling in Love with Dancehall Culture

09:12 The Spanish Town Incident: A Wake-Up Call

13:01 The Toxic Relationship That Brought Her Back

01:30 COVID Times: Choosing to Stay

23:29 The Controversial Post That Changed Everything

39:05 Discovering Uptown Jamaica

41:46 Two Jamaicas: Inner City vs Uptown Life

47:52 Finding Love at Carnival

1:05:27 Tourist Tax and Daily Challenges

1:01:29 Culture Shocks: What Nobody Tells You

1:14:31 Jamaican Food Favorites and Discoveries

1:13:51 Final Thoughts: Is Jamaica Home?

Babes, How Did You Get Here? | Saiora: From Kazakhstan to Cambodia – Dancing Her Way to Freedom

What happens when a Kazakh dancer realizes that following her passion means leaving behind everything familiar—the conservative expectations, the need to conform, the pressure to be "right"—and building a life 4,000 miles away in a country she barely knew, where she could finally be herself?

In this inspiring and deeply authentic episode, host April Jackson sits down with Saiora—a Kazakh dancer, high heels dance teacher, and solo traveler who traded the rigid cultural expectations of Kazakhstan for the creative freedom and acceptance of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

From competing as a child dancer, to working in corporate sales, to falling into depression, to rediscovering her passion during COVID lockdown, to finally finding home in a country that lets her dance, dress, and live exactly as she wants.

Saiora's story is one of courage, self-discovery, and choosing authenticity over approval. In this episode, we discuss: Growing Up in Kazakhstan: The pressure to conform, the cultural expectations, and why being open and expressive felt dangerous.

Falling in Love with Dance: Competing as a child, taking a 10-year break, and why she danced to win—not just for fun.

The Corporate Years: Working as a sales manager for cosmetics and solar panels, achieving the salary she dreamed of—and feeling completely empty.

COVID and the Awakening: Making TikToks during lockdown and realizing she was doing it for free because it made her happy.

Living a Double Life: Dancing in secret, not posting online, and struggling with the question: "Which version of me is real?" The Conservative Reality: Why high heels dancing felt risky in Kazakhstan and how cultural judgment shaped her choices.

First Time in Cambodia: Visiting in 2017, studying at the Russian Embassy, and falling in love with the freedom she felt. The Decision to Return: Leaving corporate life, quitting everything, and moving back to Cambodia with no plan—just faith.

Week One Miracle: Posting on Facebook looking for a dance space and getting offered a full-time teaching job within days.

Teaching Ballet to Kids: Why she loved it but realized she wasn't the best fit—and the emotional responsibility of working with young dancers. Building a Dance Community: Creating a professional adult high heels dance scene in Phnom Penh from scratch. What Dance Teaches You: Facing your insecurities in the mirror, choosing technique over self-doubt, and helping students do the same.

Her Parents Moving to Cambodia: How her family followed her to Cambodia and why she finally realized they're her best friends.

The Cambodian Difference: Why Cambodia feels like "summer camp," the power of slow living, and how Cambodians taught her to stop rushing. Cultural Adjustment: Learning to embrace slowness, letting go of the need to "see people working hard," and finding peace in doing nothing.

The courage it takes to live authentically when you've been taught to conform. Trusting that the right place will feel like home—even if it's halfway across the world.

Whether you're feeling stuck in a life that doesn't fit, considering a big move, or just need permission to stop rushing and start living—this episode will inspire you, move you, and remind you that home is wherever you can finally be yourself.

About the Show – "Babes, How Did You Get Here?" Hosted by entrepreneur and former Miss Jamaica April Jackson, this podcast dives into the real, unfiltered stories of people who left the script—swapping comfort for courage and choosing a life "elsewhere."

00:00 Introduction: Following Her Heart from Kazakhstan to Cambodia

02:12 Growing Up in Kazakhstan: Culture and Constraints

03:28 The Dance Journey: From Childhood Competitor to Lost Corporate Worker

06:01 COVID Awakening: TikTok and Rediscovering Passion

07:01 Living a Double Life: The Struggle Between Authenticity and Safety

13:46 First Impressions: Cambodia in 2017-2018

16:19 The Big Decision: Choosing Freedom Over Success

25:00 The Leap of Faith: One Week to Finding Work

27:08 Teaching Dance: More Than Just Movements

34:59 The Art of Dance: Architecture, Lines, and Self-Discovery

22:20 Cambodia's Magic: Summer Camp Energy and Acceptance

53:28 Cultural Adjustments: Learning to Slow Down

46:16 Family Reunion: Parents Move to Cambodia

51:55 Building Community: Finding Family in Foreigners

1:00:28 Two Versions of Self: English vs Native Language

1:01:15 Final Reflections: Cambodia as a Movie-Like Reality

#howdidyougethere #AprilJackson #CambodiaLiving #PhnomPenh #Kazakhstan #DanceTeacher #HighHeelsDance #ExpatLife #CulturalExpectations #FindingFreedom #SoloTravel #DigitalNomad #BreakingStereotypes #LivingAbroad #Reinvention #CourageOverComfort #DanceCommunity #AuthenticLiving #SlowLiving #SoutheastAsia

Babes, How Did You Get Here? | Katie: From UK Makeup Artist to Male Prison Worker to Solo Fitness Entrepreneur in Thailand

What happens when a 21-year-old British-Indian makeup artist gets tired of playing it safe, calls every MAC store in Australia until someone gives her a job, and ends up building a life that defies every cultural expectation her family ever had for her?

In this inspiring and deeply honest episode, host April Jackson sits down with Katie—a British-Indian fitness coach, former male prison worker, and solo traveler who traded the traditional path of marriage and settling down for a life of adventure, independence, and unapologetic authenticity in Phuket, Thailand.

From crying on a plane to London, to coaching fitness classes on Australia's Bondi Beach, to working in a Category B male prison during COVID, to finally finding home on "Fitness Street" in Phuket—Katie's story is one of courage, cultural defiance, and choosing yourself even when it feels like the world (and your family) wants something different.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Australian Dream: How she harassed a MAC regional director until she got a job in Sydney—and moved halfway across the world alone.

Crying on the Plane: The fear of leaving everything familiar behind and nearly turning back at London.

Three and a Half Years in Australia: Living in Bondi, discovering fitness, and realizing she didn't want the life waiting for her back home.

Working in a Male Prison: Why she chose a Category B prison over a charity job—and what her boss told her about dressing "mumsy."

COVID and Career Pivot: Getting furloughed, launching free Instagram Live workouts, and building an online fitness business from her attic.

Finding Phuket: How two weeks on "Fitness Street" turned into two months—and eventually, permanent residency.

Cultural Expectations: Growing up Sikh and Punjabi, the pressure to marry and settle down, and the guilt of living abroad as an Indian woman.

Her Dad's Acceptance: The moment her father sent her the link to Thailand's Digital Nomad Visa—and what that meant after years of "when are you coming home?"

Solo Travel and Independence: Why she loves being alone, why it's made dating harder, and why she wouldn't trade it for anything.

Life at 42: No marriage, no kids, no house—and why she's finally okay with that.

Vietnam, Bangkok, and What's Next: Her dream of visiting 50 countries by 50 and where she might move next.

Advice for South Asian Women: Why she wants more women from her culture to take risks, travel, and live life on their own terms.

Why This Story Matters

This isn't just a story about moving to Thailand or building a fitness business. It's about:

Defying cultural expectations without losing respect for your roots.

Choosing yourself even when it feels selfish or scary.

Building a life that looks nothing like the plan—and being proud of it.

Solo travel as an act of self-love and independence.

The courage it takes to disappoint people you love in order to live authentically.

Whether you're from a traditional cultural background, considering a big move, or just need permission to live life on your own terms—this episode will inspire you, challenge you, and remind you that your path doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

About the Show – "Babes, How Did You Get Here?"

Hosted by entrepreneur and former Miss Jamaica April Jackson, this podcast dives into the real, unfiltered stories of people who left the script—swapping comfort for courage and choosing a life "elsewhere."

#HowDidYouGetHere #AprilJackson #ThailandLiving #PhuketLife #SoloTravel #IndianWomen #SikhCulture #CulturalExpectations #DigitalNomad #FitnessEntrepreneur #ExpatLife #SouthAsianWomen #BreakingStereotypes #LivingAbroad #SoloFemaleTravel #FindingHome #Reinvention #courageovercomfort

00:00 Introduction: Living as a Single Indian Woman in Thailand

00:17 Discovering Fitness Street: From Two Weeks to Two Months

01:16 The Bold Move: From UK to Australia

02:03 Breaking Barriers: An Indian Girl's Dream

02:40 Persistence Pays Off: Calling Every Mac Store

03:39 First Flight: Tears and Transformation

04:15 Australia Years and Family Duty

04:57 Finding Home: Why Phuket Has Everything

06:43 The Fitness Journey: From Beach Skeptic to Coach

08:30 The Prison Chapter: Working in a Category B Male Prison

11:48 COVID and Building an Online Business

12:51 Cultural Expectations and the Set Plan

14:21 The Black Sheep: Choosing Adventure Over Tradition

16:40 Independence and Solo Travel

17:44 Vietnam Dreams and Travel Goals

18:53 Dad's Acceptance: The DTV Visa Moment

21:55 The Guilt of Living Away

22:50 Final Message: Take the Risk

Babes, How Did You Get Here? | Katie: From UK Makeup Artist to Male Prison Worker to Solo Fitness Entrepreneur in Thailand

What happens when a 21-year-old British-Indian makeup artist gets tired of playing it safe, calls every MAC store in Australia until someone gives her a job, and ends up building a life that defies every cultural expectation her family ever had for her?

In this inspiring and deeply honest episode, host April Jackson sits down with Katie—a British-Indian fitness coach, former male prison worker, and solo traveler who traded the traditional path of marriage and settling down for a life of adventure, independence, and unapologetic authenticity in Phuket, Thailand.

From crying on a plane to London, to coaching fitness classes on Australia's Bondi Beach, to working in a Category B male prison during COVID, to finally finding home on "Fitness Street" in Phuket—Katie's story is one of courage, cultural defiance, and choosing yourself even when it feels like the world (and your family) wants something different.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Australian Dream: How she harassed a MAC regional director until she got a job in Sydney—and moved halfway across the world alone.

Crying on the Plane: The fear of leaving everything familiar behind and nearly turning back at London.

Three and a Half Years in Australia: Living in Bondi, discovering fitness, and realizing she didn't want the life waiting for her back home.

Working in a Male Prison: Why she chose a Category B prison over a charity job—and what her boss told her about dressing "mumsy."

COVID and Career Pivot: Getting furloughed, launching free Instagram Live workouts, and building an online fitness business from her attic.

Finding Phuket: How two weeks on "Fitness Street" turned into two months—and eventually, permanent residency.

Cultural Expectations: Growing up Sikh and Punjabi, the pressure to marry and settle down, and the guilt of living abroad as an Indian woman.

Her Dad's Acceptance: The moment her father sent her the link to Thailand's Digital Nomad Visa—and what that meant after years of "when are you coming home?"

Solo Travel and Independence: Why she loves being alone, why it's made dating harder, and why she wouldn't trade it for anything.

Life at 42: No marriage, no kids, no house—and why she's finally okay with that.

Vietnam, Bangkok, and What's Next: Her dream of visiting 50 countries by 50 and where she might move next.

Advice for South Asian Women: Why she wants more women from her culture to take risks, travel, and live life on their own terms.

Why This Story Matters

This isn't just a story about moving to Thailand or building a fitness business. It's about:

Defying cultural expectations without losing respect for your roots.

Choosing yourself even when it feels selfish or scary.

Building a life that looks nothing like the plan—and being proud of it.

Solo travel as an act of self-love and independence.

The courage it takes to disappoint people you love in order to live authentically.

Whether you're from a traditional cultural background, considering a big move, or just need permission to live life on your own terms—this episode will inspire you, challenge you, and remind you that your path doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

About the Show – "Babes, How Did You Get Here?"

Hosted by entrepreneur and former Miss Jamaica April Jackson, this podcast dives into the real, unfiltered stories of people who left the script—swapping comfort for courage and choosing a life "elsewhere."

#HowDidYouGetHere #AprilJackson #ThailandLiving #PhuketLife #SoloTravel #IndianWomen #SikhCulture #CulturalExpectations #DigitalNomad #FitnessEntrepreneur #ExpatLife #SouthAsianWomen #BreakingStereotypes #LivingAbroad #SoloFemaleTravel #FindingHome #Reinvention #courageovercomfort

00:00 Introduction: Living as a Single Woman in Thailand

00:18 Discovering Fitness Street: From Two Weeks to Two Months

01:16 The Bold Move: From UK to Australia

02:03 Breaking Barriers: An Indian Girl's Dream

02:40 Persistence Pays Off: Calling Every Mac Store

03:38 First Flight: Tears and Transformation

04:13 Australia Years and Family Duty

05:00 Finding Home: Why Phuket Has Everything

06:45 The Fitness Journey: From Beach Skeptic to Coach

08:37 The Prison Chapter: Working in a Category B Male Prison

11:46 Lockdown Pivot: Building an Online Business

13:10 Cultural Expectations: The South Asian Experience

15:54 The 11-Year Relationship and Choosing Yourself

16:39 Independence vs. Partnership: The Solo Travel Life

17:02 Exploring Thailand and Beyond: Vietnam Dreams

18:44 Parental Acceptance: The DTV Visa Moment

19:50 Safety and Community: Why Thailand Works

21:09 Father-Daughter Reflections: Breaking Generational Patterns

21:55 Guilt and Growth: Living Away from Family

22:59 Final Wisdom: Taking Risks and Living Without Regrets

Babes, How Did You Get Here? | Lana: From Beirut to Dubai to Kingston – Building Home Wherever She Lands

What happens when a Lebanese tax professional gets a random call from a UK recruiter about a job in Jamaica—a place she only knew through Bob Marley—and decides to leave Dubai’s glossy efficiency for an island she’d never even Googled?

In this warm, deeply authentic episode, host April Jackson sits down with Lana—a Lebanese expat, tax professional, former Dubai resident, and now a proud Kingston-based mom who’s called Jamaica home for seven years. Born in Gabon, raised in Lebanon, educated in Dubai, and now raising her Jamaican-born daughter in Kingston, Lana shares what it really takes to build a life “elsewhere”: culture shock, misconceptions, unexpected belonging, and choosing to truly live where you land—not just exist.

In this episode, we talk about:

The unexpected recruiter call that changed everything

Leaving Dubai after seven years and trusting the timing

Googling Jamaica (“most dangerous city in the world”) vs the reality she found

Jamaican warmth vs transactional service—community, kindness, and being cared for while pregnant

Pregnancy and giving birth in Jamaica (including home-birth planning)

Taking a full year to decide: move closer to family or stay—and choosing simplicity

Raising a confident child in a community-centered culture

School choices, standardized testing, and why “outdoor/forest days” mattered

Food, culture, vegan life, cravings, and what she just can’t eat

“Jamaican time” and adjusting to a different pace

Safety misconceptions about Kingston—and why she’s felt secure

The mindset shift: home is wherever you live fully

If you’re considering a big move, curious about expat life in Jamaica, or need a reminder that home is something you build—this episode will inspire you (and might make you crave callaloo).

About the show – Babes, How Did You Get Here?

Hosted by entrepreneur and former Miss Jamaica April Jackson, this podcast shares real stories of people who left the script—choosing courage, community, and a life elsewhere.

📚 To join the Parenting community: https://april-s-site-fcfd.thinkific.com

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: The Call to Jamaica

02:13 From Lebanon to Dubai: A Journey of Phases

03:16 Manifesting Change: Ready to Leave Dubai

05:51 First Impressions: Safety and Settling In

07:32 Mom's Blessing and Visit

09:08 Island Life vs. City Living

15:05 The Warmth of Community

19:19 Raising a Jamaican Daughter

16:46 The Decision to Stay

22:27 Education, Food, and Cultural Adjustments

30:12 Jamaican Time and Honest Conversations

32:20 Home is Where You Live

#HowDidYouGetHere #AprilJackson #ArabInJamaica #ExpatLife #JamaicaLiving #LifeAbroad #DominicanRepublic #CaribbeanLife #Motherhood #ThirdCultureKids #EventPlanner #KingstonJamaica #CulturalIdentity #Immigration #LatinasAbroad #RealStories #Podcast #Reinvention #FindingHome #ExpatMom #CaribbeanExpat #LanguageBarrier #GriefAbroad #ChoosingJoy

Babes, How Did You Get Here? | Paz Fourcard: Redefining Solo Motherhood & Finding Love in Bali

What happens when a 22-year-old Filipino beauty industry star gets pregnant, refuses to shrink, and builds a life that redefines what it means to be a solo mom—twice—before finding a love so pure it made her feel like she was finally coming home?

In this deeply moving and powerfully honest episode, host April Jackson sits down with Paz Fourcard. A true Filipino beauty industry OG, former model, and former chief makeup artist for Estée Lauder and MAC, Paz is now a Bali-based entrepreneur, podcaster, and mother to four incredible humans.

From the glitz of Manila's fashion world to the chaos of solo motherhood, and from an abusive marriage to a love-at-first-sight romance that changed everything, Paz opens up about the moments that broke her, rebuilt her, and made her the fiercely loving, unapologetically direct woman she is today.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Pre-Kids Era: Living for fun, modeling, and makeup artistry in Manila, thinking she’d never have children.

Unexpected Pregnancy at 22: The moment the music stopped and everything changed.

Surrender and Faith: Being brought to her knees, praying for the first time, and choosing motherhood.

Her Father’s Love: The man who raised her up when she thought she’d brought shame to her family.

Marriage and Mistakes: Enduring verbal and physical abuse, and the strength it took to leave.

Solo Motherhood in the Philippines: Navigating a conservative Catholic society where single moms were often tabloid fodder.

No Regrets: Owning her decisions and refusing to speak badly about her exes in front of her children.

A Year of Messages: Falling in love with Pablo through Facebook for a full year before ever meeting face-to-face.

Moving to Bali: Meeting Pablo in person and the instant feeling of "finally coming home."

The Byron Bay Influence: How Pablo’s easy-going "life is long" philosophy transformed her high-pressure mindset.

Blended Family: How her children—ages 14 and 9—immediately accepted Pablo as their dad.

Tony’s Coming Out: Supporting her oldest child’s trans journey with unconditional love and acceptance.

Raising Good Humans: Why she prioritizes teaching her sons to be respectful men and future partners.

Losing Her Father: Navigating the greatest grief of her life and the reality of unprocessed healing.

Why This Story Matters

This isn’t just a story about solo motherhood or finding love in Bali. It’s about:

Choosing yourself when the world tells you to shrink.

Raising children with intention, respect, and unconditional love.

Knowing you are enough—even when you are doing it alone.

Building a blended family where love, not biology, defines what it means to be a "dad."

Whether you’re a solo parent, thinking about leaving a relationship that doesn't serve you, or just need to hear that you’re doing a great job—this episode will move you, challenge you, and remind you that motherhood is the hardest, most sacred work there is.

About the Show – "Babes, How Did You Get Here?"

Hosted by entrepreneur and former Miss Jamaica April Jackson, this podcast dives into the real, unfiltered stories of people who left the script—swapping comfort for courage and choosing a life "elsewhere."

Subscribe for more stories on:

Solo motherhood, blended families, and intentional parenting.

Finding love after divorce and building a life in Bali.

Filipino culture, Catholic guilt, and breaking generational expectations.

Supporting trans children with unconditional love.

Resilience, reinvention, and refusing to shrink.

#howdidyougethere #AprilJackson #BaliLiving #SoloMotherhood #Philippines #BeautyIndustry #BlendedFamily #TransJourney #UnconditionalLove #FindingLove #Reinvention #Motherhood #ParentingWithIntention #LifeInBali #GriefAndHealing #YouAreEnough #PazForecard

01:00 Introduction: Filipino Beauty Industry OG

01:37 Love at First Sight: Moving to Bali

02:06 The Digital Love Story

03:48 Byron Bay Influence and Easy-Going Love

05:24 Why Bali? The Island Connection

08:34 The Fast Track: Three Months to Forever

14:22 Solo Motherhood: The Origin Story

15:36 Pregnancy Crisis and Finding God

18:32 Marriage and Mistakes: The Ex-Husband Chapter

37:26 Leaving an Abusive Relationship

40:57 Raising Boys: The Big Brother Protector

17:26 Trans Child Journey: Love Without Labels

1:02:58 The Dad Question: When Kids Don't Ask

1:26:57 Motherhood Truth Bombs: No Manual, No Mistakes

1:56:12 Marriage Wisdom: Showing Up as Your Best Self

Babes, How Did You Get Here? | Paz Forecard: Redefining Solo Motherhood & Finding Love in Bali

What happens when a 22-year-old Filipino beauty industry star gets pregnant, refuses to shrink, and builds a life that redefines what it means to be a solo mom—twice—before finding a love so pure it made her feel like she was finally coming home?

In this deeply moving and powerfully honest episode, host April Jackson sits down with Paz Forecard. A true Filipino beauty industry OG, former model, and former chief makeup artist for Estée Lauder and MAC, Paz is now a Bali-based entrepreneur, podcaster, and mother to four incredible humans.

From the glitz of Manila's fashion world to the chaos of solo motherhood, and from an abusive marriage to a love-at-first-sight romance that changed everything, Paz opens up about the moments that broke her, rebuilt her, and made her the fiercely loving, unapologetically direct woman she is today.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Pre-Kids Era: Living for fun, modeling, and makeup artistry in Manila, thinking she’d never have children.

Unexpected Pregnancy at 22: The moment the music stopped and everything changed.

Surrender and Faith: Being brought to her knees, praying for the first time, and choosing motherhood.

Her Father’s Love: The man who raised her up when she thought she’d brought shame to her family.

Marriage and Mistakes: Enduring verbal and physical abuse, and the strength it took to leave.

Solo Motherhood in the Philippines: Navigating a conservative Catholic society where single moms were often tabloid fodder.

No Regrets: Owning her decisions and refusing to speak badly about her exes in front of her children.

A Year of Messages: Falling in love with Pablo through Facebook for a full year before ever meeting face-to-face.

Moving to Bali: Meeting Pablo in person and the instant feeling of "finally coming home."

The Byron Bay Influence: How Pablo’s easy-going "life is long" philosophy transformed her high-pressure mindset.

Blended Family: How her children—ages 14 and 9—immediately accepted Pablo as their dad.

Tony’s Coming Out: Supporting her oldest child’s trans journey with unconditional love and acceptance.

Raising Good Humans: Why she prioritizes teaching her sons to be respectful men and future partners.

Losing Her Father: Navigating the greatest grief of her life and the reality of unprocessed healing.

Why This Story Matters

This isn’t just a story about solo motherhood or finding love in Bali. It’s about:

Choosing yourself when the world tells you to shrink.

Raising children with intention, respect, and unconditional love.

Knowing you are enough—even when you are doing it alone.

Building a blended family where love, not biology, defines what it means to be a "dad."

Whether you’re a solo parent, thinking about leaving a relationship that doesn't serve you, or just need to hear that you’re doing a great job—this episode will move you, challenge you, and remind you that motherhood is the hardest, most sacred work there is.

About the Show – "Babes, How Did You Get Here?"

Hosted by entrepreneur and former Miss Jamaica April Jackson, this podcast dives into the real, unfiltered stories of people who left the script—swapping comfort for courage and choosing a life "elsewhere."

Subscribe for more stories on:

Solo motherhood, blended families, and intentional parenting.

Finding love after divorce and building a life in Bali.

Filipino culture, Catholic guilt, and breaking generational expectations.

Supporting trans children with unconditional love.

Resilience, reinvention, and refusing to shrink.

#howdidyougethere #AprilJackson #BaliLiving #SoloMotherhood #Philippines #BeautyIndustry #BlendedFamily #TransJourney #UnconditionalLove #FindingLove #Reinvention #Motherhood #ParentingWithIntention #LifeInBali #GriefAndHealing #YouAreEnough #PazForecard

01:00 Introduction: Filipino Beauty Industry OG

01:37 Love at First Sight: Moving to Bali

02:06 The Digital Love Story

03:48 Byron Bay Influence and Easy-Going Love

05:24 Why Bali? The Island Connection

08:34 The Fast Track: Three Months to Forever

14:22 Solo Motherhood: The Origin Story

15:36 Pregnancy Crisis and Finding God

18:32 Marriage and Mistakes: The Ex-Husband Chapter

37:26 Leaving an Abusive Relationship

40:57 Raising Boys: The Big Brother Protector

17:26 Trans Child Journey: Love Without Labels

1:02:58 The Dad Question: When Kids Don't Ask

1:26:57 Motherhood Truth Bombs: No Manual, No Mistakes

1:56:12 Marriage Wisdom: Showing Up as Your Best Self

18, In Love & Never Looking Back: My 22-Year Journey from Bajan/Hindu Student to Jamaican Mom

Hindu, Bajan & Jamaican by Heart: Raising My Daughters Between Cultures, Continents & Curries