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? Doors to The Co-Pilot are now closed but you can take a look for the next round here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilot

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.

And... I'm not keeping my tactics to myself. In my signature program The Co-Pilot I will share everything I use to make fast, confident and aligned decisions! 

<< Doors to The Co-Pilot are now open! This program is for all overthinking expats who are ready for their new chapter. Sign up by the 15th! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilot

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!

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

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

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

Sign up for my FREE masterclass The Art of Clear, Confident Decisions in a Global Life on October 6th and 8th!https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/masterclass-art-of-decisions

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?

Join The Co-Pilot! The Co-Pilot is my signature program with which I will help you make faster, more aligned decisions so that the question of "should I stay or should I go" isn't keeping you up at night anymore: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilot

Or if you want closer and more personalized, then my 1:1 Coaching Journey could be the perfect fit for you. Take a look here to see if this is your next step!

Doors to my 8-week program The Co-Pilot are open NOW! Join us for 8 live calls and experience more fulfillment, confidence & direction in your expat life, without constant overthinking (it's really possible). Sign up here! Doors close again on the 15th because that's when we have our first call, whoop whoop.

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! Doors open soon!

Doors to my 8-week program The Co-Pilot are open NOW! Join us for 8 live calls and experience more fulfillment, confidence & direction in your expat life, without constant overthinking (it's really possible). Sign up here!

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!

<< Last chance to join my live event on Saturday 28 September! >>

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