This Expat Life

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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

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?