In this special solo episode of The Made Fitz Show, Melissa sits down to share her personal journey of living in Mexico—offering an honest, insider perspective on what it’s really like to call both Cabo and Tulum home. After recently recording an inspiring interview with Gina Conley, a doula and fitness coach for pre- and postnatal women, Melissa felt called to hop back on the mic solo to answer one of the questions she gets asked most often: “What’s it like living in Mexico?”

Since purchasing a home in Cabo in November 2022, and later adding a second home in the jungles of Tulum in 2024, Melissa and her husband Mick have split their time between the desert landscape of Baja and the lush, vibrant coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula. In this episode, Melissa shares why they chose these two very different locations, what daily life is like in each, and how the communities, landscapes, and lifestyles compare.

You’ll hear about the quiet, pristine beauty of East Cape, Cabo—with its sweeping ocean views, whale sightings, and peaceful desert calm—and contrast that with the lively, bustling energy of Tulum, where cenotes, wildlife, and powder-soft beaches create a tropical wonderland. Melissa breaks down the pros and cons of both places, from accessibility and safety to amenities, activities, and the local culture.

She also opens up about the realities of navigating real estate in Mexico, building homes, learning Spanish, and how she and Mick stay connected and safe as expats. Whether you’re curious about relocating, buying property, or just dreaming of your next trip south of the border, this episode offers firsthand insight you won’t want to miss.

 

Melissa McAllister FNTP, FNC, RWP

I wasn’t always a health nut – in fact, I used to be a French Fries and Pepsi connoisseur! But after having my children, I realized the importance of properly caring for my body. That’s when my love for fitness was born. Now, after years of training and supporting clients, I’m a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Functional Nutrition Coach, Restorative Wellness Practitioner, Therapeutic Fasting & Gut Health Expert, creator of the M.A.D.E. Diet program, and co-host of The Made Fitz Podcast. Let me help you take control of your health and achieve your best life.

melissamadeonline.com              themadediet.com               travelingnutritionist.com

 

Lauren Fitzgerald M.D.

The anesthesiologist who broke up with conventional medicine. Of course, that’s a very condensed version of how Dr. Lauren Fitz found – and quickly became a leader in – functional medicine. It was upon dealing with her own health challenges, and seeing that Western medicine continued to fail her, that she decided to explore a more holistic approach to healing. What she found ultimately saved her life – and turned her path in medicine in the right direction.

Dr. Fitz moved to St. Charles, Illinois in 2020 and opened Larimar Med after months of renovation. Today, Dr. Fitz provides functional medicine care to patients in all 50 states through virtual and in-person visits. She also provides a revolutionary weight loss program, a menu of advanced body contouring services, and neurotoxin injections.  larimarmed.com

Thank you so much for listening to this episode! We are honored and excited to be on this journey toward personal growth, a healthy lifestyle, and a greater more confident you. We’d love to hear from you. So, please share this episode with anyone you think needs to hear this message and remember to rate, review and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. We are Melissa McAllister & Dr. Lauren Fitzgerald. And until next time, thank you for being your own health advocate. 

xo, Melissa & Dr. Fitz