The start of a new year is always very exciting to me as I set 3 big goals for the year that I can't wait to work on. But sitting here in Mexico City, beginning 2026 far away from my usual routines, I’ve been reflecting deeply on what this new chapter is asking of me - and what I’m finally ready to let go of.
In this episode of This Expat Life, I share my three personal goals for 2026 and the intention behind them - not as resolutions to tick off, but as identities I’m consciously stepping into. I talk about why I choose ambitious goals that stretch me beyond what feels “realistic,” how I use goals as mirrors for who I’m becoming, and what it means to commit even when doubt is still present.
I also open up about a big decision I made toward the end of last year - a decision that came after years of waiting, negotiating with myself, and hoping external circumstances would make things clearer. I share what finally helped me move from being frozen to taking responsibility for my next chapter, even without knowing exactly how it will unfold.
This episode is for you if you’re entering a new year feeling both excited and unsettled… if you know something needs to change but you don’t yet have the full plan… or if you’re learning how to trust yourself enough to move before certainty arrives.
Sometimes clarity doesn’t come before the decision - it comes BECAUSE you made one.
If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear your reflections.
Send me a DM on Instagram at @amandamaxime, or email me at info@amandamaximecoaching.com.
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Links & Resources:
📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime
💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com
🌐 More at: amandamaximecoaching.com
How can you make this year different from the last?
<<< The Space is closing its doors! >>>
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.
And prefer to turn your answers into concrete results? These are the last days that doors to The Space are open, your DIY solo retreat to start 2026 with clarity, direction and momentum!
The Space includes the exact same tools & approaches that I use myself every December to lay down a super strong foundation for the next year. But hurry, as doors are closing and won't open until December next year!
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Prefer the 12 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 #94 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
Back by popular demand after I did this last year!
Here are 12 reflection questions that help you make sense of your year, who you've become and what you want to bring forward (and let go of). I'm answering the same questions for myself and they are already bringing the insights 🔥
If you want to change something in your life - big or small - next year, you've got to make sure you have space for it.
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.
I'm sharing a personal intro first, then grab a notebook & pen, a cup of tea and let’s dive into it!
Want the questions delivered to your inbox? Leave your email address here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/reflection-questions
Eager for more? Then you'll LOVE my DIY solo retreat package The Space, exclusively designed for expats finishing up the year and wanting to start 2026 with confidence, direction and energy. Here you won't get just insightful questions but also powerful exercises & audios to do something with your answers.
The Space is a 2-day structure and doors close in a couple of days! And stay closed until December next year. But once you're in, you keep forever access - meaning you can do your own retreat whenever, wherever, and as often as you want :) Enjoy!
I’ve been thinking about the way we treat January 1st as if it’s some kind of magical reset button - a clean slate, a fresh start, the moment everything finally falls into place. And I’ve definitely done that myself!
But the truth is… nothing actually resets at midnight.
Not your nervous system.
Not your overthinking.
Not the weight you’ve been carrying all year.
And yet, so many of us quietly hold onto the belief that “I’ll figure it out in January.” So we postpone clarity, delay decisions, and put our dreams on hold until the calendar gives us permission.
In this episode of This Expat Life, I share what this December is feeling like for me as I’m about to leave for a 3-month trip and also want to be intentional about 2026.
I talk about the five small but powerful things we can begin doing now to create that grounded, spacious, fresh-start energy long before the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Eve. Because the version of you you want to become in January can only exist if you start shifting something in December!
And if you would like some extra guidance or an energy boost for that, so that you can really make 2026 your year…
For the first time ever, I’m sharing the exact tools that I use every year during my annual solo retreat that set me up for growth, success and fun, year after year!
And you can now book your own solo retreat too. Book The Space - Cabin Edition - doors in this pre-sale at exclusive pricing close this Thursday!
Enter the Cabin! https://amandamaxime.plugandpay.nl/checkout/the-space-cabin-edition
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about those chapters in life where everything looks “fine” from the outside — yet something deep inside whispers that this isn’t really your place anymore. Not because anything is dramatically wrong, but because you know you’re meant for something different… something more aligned.
In this episode of This Expat Life, I dive into a concept that came up inside The Co-Pilot and instantly struck a chord: the waiting room.
It’s that in-between phase where life feels like a 6/10 — functional, familiar, even comfortable — but not truly fulfilling. The kind of place you don’t choose, but somehow drift into.
I share how the waiting room has shown up in my own expat journey, how easy it is to stay there longer than you intend, and the subtle ways we end up waiting for clarity, timing, or external signs before we permit ourselves to move.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re hovering between chapters, knowing you want change but not knowing when or how to start, this episode will speak to you.
It will help you see where you might be giving your power away — and what becomes possible once you decide you’re done waiting.
I’d love to hear if this resonates.
Send me a DM on Instagram at @amandamaxime, or email me at info@amandamaximecoaching.com.
Links & Resources:
📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime
💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com
🌐 More at: amandamaximecoaching.com
Have you ever had one of those weeks where nothing is technically wrong… but your body, your emotions, and your brain are all just slightly out of sync?
That was me last week.
In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I open up about a very wobbly, very real week - one where I felt exhausted, anxious, numb, unfocused, and disconnected from myself… for no obvious reason. And as I started sharing it on Instagram, so many people said, “Oh wow, me too.”
So I knew I wanted to bring this conversation here.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is pause, surrender, and give ourselves what we actually need instead of pushing harder.
This conversation is especially for you if:
🌍 You’re abroad and far from the people who usually ground you
🌙 You’ve been feeling low-energy, anxious, or numb
🧠 Your mind is busy but you can’t quite pinpoint why
💛 You’re craving softness, spaciousness, and a bit of self-compassion
And in this episode I share the 5 things I did last week that helped me to get back to my grounded, powerful self.
I hope this episode lands softly with you — and gives you a moment to breathe, reset, and feel seen.
If something resonated or you had an “oh wow, that’s me” moment, I’d love to hear from you.
Send me a DM on Instagram at @amandamaxime, or email me at info@amandamaximecoaching.com.
Links & Resources:
📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime
💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com
🌐 More at: amandamaximecoaching.com
Have you ever felt like language is the one thing standing between you and truly belonging abroad?
In this episode, I dive into a question from a listener about how to overcome language obstacles — not from a technical perspective, but from the inside out. Because learning a new language isn’t just about memorizing words or grammar rules. It’s about how you see yourself, what you believe you’re capable of, and how open you are to connecting in new ways.
I share my personal experiences learning Dutch, English, Spanish, and Portuguese while living across different countries — and how each language unlocked a new part of me. You’ll hear about the mindset shifts that made learning easier, the moments I got it wrong (including a funny story involving Brazilian lyrics 😅), and how curiosity and connection made all the difference.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or disconnected because of language barriers, this episode will help you reframe that experience — and maybe even start to enjoy the process again.
Links & Resources:
📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime
💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com
🌐 More at: amandamaximecoaching.com
This week, I’m sharing a very personal story - one that honestly still feels a little raw. Out of nowhere, during an ordinary bike ride home, I got the clearest intuitive nudge: “Pause one-on-one coaching.”
There was no plan, no logic, no strategy behind it - just a deep knowing that it was time to let go of something that had brought me so much success. What followed was fear, tears, doubt, and eventually… peace.
In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of that decision: how it arrived, why I chose to trust it anyway, and what happened after I did. I also share how this experience completely changed my relationship with hard work, receiving, and self-trust.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between what’s working and what’s next or you sense something bigger waiting for you but don’t know how to make space for it, this one’s for you.
Links & Resources:
📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime
💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com
🌐 More at: amandamaximecoaching.com
Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same loop of overthinking - waiting for “the right moment” or a lightning bolt of clarity before making a big life decision?
<< Doors to this live round of The Co-Pilot are closed now, but you can join the self-paced edition - and you'll get an exclusive invitation to join the next live cohort. Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot
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Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, circling the question: “Should I stay or should I go?”
In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I uncover the six most common mistakes career-driven expats make when facing big life decisions - mistakes I’ve seen over and over again in my clients, and lived through myself. Whether your crossroads is sparked by a visa, a job, or a quiet inner nudge for change, chances are you’ll recognize yourself in at least one of these.
And now that you are aware you might be making one or more of the mistakes… You can avoid them and start making progress on getting your answer to the Expat Dilemma.
If you’ve been stuck circling the same options, talking yourself in loops, or waiting for the “perfect” answer, this episode will help you see new ways forward - with more calm, confidence, and clarity.
Links & Resources:
📸 Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandamaxime
💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com
🌐 More at: amandamaximecoaching.com
<< Doors to this live round of The Co-Pilot are closed now, but you can join the self-paced edition - and you'll get an exclusive invitation to join the next live cohort. Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot
Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, whispering the question: “Should I stay or should I go?” I bet you have!
In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I dive into one of the biggest dilemmas expats face: the tug-of-war between staying where you are, moving on to a new chapter, or returning home. What I’ve seen through my coaching (and lived myself) is that this question isn’t just about location - it’s about identity, belonging, and the version of yourself you want to grow into.
Together we’ll explore:
✨ The Expat Paradox: why life abroad can look perfect on the outside but feel unfulfilled inside
✨ The Expat Dilemma: how one decision about work, relationships, or location can spiral into a web of options
✨ The 3 most common ways this dilemma shows up for expats
✨ Why overthinking keeps you stuck - and how decisions don’t have to take years
If you’re stuck at a crossroads in your expat life and wondering which path is truly right for you, this episode is for you.
And need a little more help?
Have you ever gone back to a place where you once lived, only to feel both comforted and strangely disconnected?
In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I share my recent experiences of returning to Rio de Janeiro and London, two cities that were once deeply important in my global journey. What I found was a mix of nostalgia, distance, and clarity about how much I’ve grown since living there.
Together we’ll explore:
✨ Why revisiting a former home can feel both familiar and foreign
✨ The role of nostalgia and why it’s not always the best reason to move back
✨ How to know if “going back” fits your current chapter
✨ What it means to create an inner home when your sense of belonging is scattered across countries
✨ Why accepting all parts of yourself (even the shadow sides) is the foundation of true belonging
If you’ve ever returned to a previous home or are thinking about it, this episode is for you.
Links & Resources:
📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime https://www.instagram.com/amandamaxime
💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com
✈️ << Doors to this live round of The Co-Pilot are closed now, but you can join the self-paced edition - and you'll get an exclusive invitation to join the next live cohort. Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot
🌐 More at: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/
It feels like forever since my last solo episode! After our wonderful Global Woman Summer Series, I'm back with some deeply personal reflections from what has been the most amazing and intensive summer.
This summer was intense, inspiring, and unforgettable. Between road-tripping through California, a 48-hour visit to Rio, hosting a coaching dinner for 26 women in London, and saying yes to my very first TV interview, I realized there's so much I want to share with you as we transition into this new season. In this episode, I break down five major reflections that stood out for me and what I'm taking into the fall.
These insights are for you if you're someone with a busy, packed life who struggles to hear your inner voice, if you're seeking the right community to accelerate your growth, or if you're someone who adapts easily but wants to build a stronger inner foundation. And more importantly, if you're ready to recognize that you might already be living elements of your dream life RIGHT NOW.
I also share why I'm focusing more on This Expat Life and growing this community - because I want to connect with YOU more!
👉 I'd love to hear about YOUR summer reflections! What topics do you want to hear more about on the show? Who should I interview next? You can let me know by responding in the Spotify app, sending me an email, or connecting with me on Instagram @AmandaMaxime - I read (and respond to) every message myself!
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Want more?
👉 Subscribe to my weekly Air Mail: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/email-opt-in
👉 Download the free tool The Wheel of Expat Life: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/wheel-expat-life
👉 Doors to this live round of The Co-Pilot are closed now, but you can join the self-paced edition - and you'll get an exclusive invitation to join the next live cohort. Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot
The last episode of The Global Woman Summer Series!
<< Doors to this live round of The Co-Pilot are closed now, but you can join the self-paced edition - and you'll get an exclusive invitation to join the next live cohort. Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot
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In this honest, open-hearted conversation, Anne and I swap the kind of stories you usually only share with a trusted friend: love bombing, ghosting, dating culture shocks, and the relief of finally meeting someone who’s just as intentional as you are.
We also talk about turning 40, rethinking motherhood when the “default” version doesn’t inspire you, and navigating long-distance love when visas and timelines are still uncertain, but trust runs deep. After all, dating & relationships aren't simple as a global woman.
This is a conversation about clarity, courage, and creating space for the love - and the life! - you actually want. If you are a global woman and are rethinking your path to motherhood, navigating a long-distance relationship, or simply ready to stop settling, we hope that you’ll find both honesty and hope as we open up.
We would love to hear what you took away from this episode. Find Anne on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/_ipromiseitwontbeboring_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
And Amanda here:
Instagram: Https://Www.Instagram.Com/Amandamaxime/
https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com
<< Doors to this live round of The Co-Pilot are closed now, but you can join the self-paced edition - and you'll get an exclusive invitation to join the next live cohort. Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot
Episode 4 of The Global Woman Series! This summer, every week you’ll get to listen to an honest conversation with a woman navigating life between worlds. The women I interview are inspiring, authentic and an example in leading themselves - all in their own way - and I can’t wait to share the convos! Make sure to subscribe to not miss an episode.
And next up is the inspiring brand provocateur & Mexico City fan girl Erica Reitman! I’ve been following Erica for years and her vibrant energy & creativity has inspired me SO much - in my business, but also in my life abroad and back home again. I knew a conversation with her on the podcast would contain so many nuggets of wisdom & inspiration - and I was right.
In this episode, Erica shares all about her expat life in Mexico - which isn’t just one chapter… After spending a few years in Mexico and then trying for a year to settle back in the US again, Erica realized her home country wasn’t the right place for her now. So she & her husband decided to move back to their beloved Mexico City (happening right as we speak) - raising a lot of questions from others who are trying to understand why they’re ‘coming back’ on their decision.
Erica shares openly how she felt in the US, what helped her make this big decision, and how she continues to build her self-trust. Moreover, we also talk about how you can set up your home space so that it truly inspires you (even if it’s furnished!) and about Erica’s hack of ‘merching’ her life.
I absolutely loved this conversation and the vibrant energy that Erica brought with her. I hope you enjoy this episode.
And if you did, let us know by leaving a review for This Expat Life!
You can find Erica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericareitman/
And me too: https://www.instagram.com/amandamaxime/
<< Doors to this live round of The Co-Pilot are closed now, but you can join the self-paced edition - and you'll get an exclusive invitation to join the next live cohort. Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot
Episode 3 of The Global Woman Series! This summer, every week you’ll get to listen to an honest conversation with a woman navigating life between worlds. The women I interview are inspiring, authentic and an example in leading themselves - all in their own way - and I can’t wait to share the convos! Make sure to subscribe to not miss an episode.
Are you an expat who moved abroad for love, or navigating an international relationship? This episode is for you! (And also for all my single girlies out there! This episode has useful tips that you would want before you move for love 🙂).
Elle McPherson used to be the self-reliant nomad, till she found love during the pandemic. She moved to Argentina to be with her now husband and treated it not only as an outer adventure, but also as an inner journey. In this episode, Elle shares her inspiring journey of moving to Buenos Aires for love, navigating cultural challenges, balancing independence with reliance, and finding her community abroad.
If you’d like to know more about Elle, take a look on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondtheitinerary/.
Liked this episode? Leave a review!
<< Doors to this live round of The Co-Pilot are closed now, but you can join the self-paced edition - and you'll get an exclusive invitation to join the next live cohort. Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot
We’re kicking off The Global Woman Summer Series of This Expat Life! (or Winter Series if you live in the southern hemisphere :)). This summer, every week you’ll get to listen to an honest conversation with a woman navigating life between worlds. The women I interview are inspiring, authentic and an example in leading themselves - all in their own way - and I can’t wait to share the convos! Make sure to subscribe to not miss an episode.
Our first interview of The Global Woman Summer Series is with Mickelle Weber: the founder of House of Peregrine, a creative technologist, and a passionate advocate for meaningful connections and intentional living.
In this episode, Mickelle shares her compelling journey from Salt Lake City, Utah to Amsterdam, Netherlands, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and personal growth. Discover how Mickelle has navigated the challenges and triumphs of living abroad, all while fostering a deep sense of community and shared experience. Whether you're an expat, a nomad, or simply curious about life abroad, this episode offers valuable insights on creating a life that's true to your values and aspirations.
You can find more about Mickelle’s House of Peregrine here: https://www.houseofperegrine.com.
Want to go deeper on your own identity, belonging and personal growth? My doors are open for 1:1 coaching this summer. Find more here.
<< 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