Hey YBLA listeners!
I'll be taking the next two weeks off to rest & reflect on 2025 (it's been a wild one!), savor the Christmas markets here in Madrid, and enjoy the holiday season with my husband and new friends.
YBLA Season 2 will be back on January 7th, 2026!
There's a mistake I see people making all the time in their move abroad plans—and most don't even realize it's a mistake.
They start with action as the first step, when action should actually be the last step.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the two crucial phases that need to happen before you take action, so you don't end up overwhelmed, anxious, and confused in your move abroad journey.Tune in to learn:
The Action Phase Trap – What jumping straight into action looks like (researching countries, applying for jobs abroad, hiring immigration lawyers, starting visa paperwork) and why starting here actually makes you less likely to follow through.
Phase 1: Clarity – Getting clear on your move abroad vision, your unique why (beyond just "I want to leave"), and your core values. This is your foundation—without it, you're decorating a house that doesn't exist yet. Clarity helps you make decisions aligned with YOU and shut out outside noise and opinions.
Phase 2: Preparation – Addressing the practical parts (budgeting, understanding how to choose a country, identifying skill gaps, creating realistic timelines) AND the emotional/mindset parts (nervous system regulation, managing "what if" spirals, building confidence). Think of this as building a bridge to your life abroad instead of jumping and hoping you land on your feet.
Why Action Works When It Comes Last – When you've done the clarity and preparation work first, action feels natural and fluid. You're not forcing yourself—you're ready. You make better decisions about which country to choose, which jobs to apply for, who to network with, and how to use your immigration consultant's advice effectively.
Ready to get clarity on your move abroad?
Book a free 30-minute consult call with me: https://calendly.com/coachwithmm/30min
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachwithmm/
A lot of people are worried about if they'll regret moving abroad.
But what about if you'll regret not moving abroad? Yeah, I said it.
After nearly a decade abroad, and countless conversations with other expats & people who want to move abroad I dive into the three signs that you'll regret moving abroad.
Tune in to learn:
Previous Episodes You'll Want to Listen to:
From the Philippines to New Zealand: A Leap of Faith - With Andera Halal
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2sLoJ3p8hR2466y41JhEo5?si=xcKQRTG4QYWVPRlz5aizuA
Ready to get clarity on your move abroad?
Book a free 30-minute consult call with me: https://calendly.com/coachwithmm/30min
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachwithmm/
How to get over the fear & uncertainty of moving abroad ?!
I get this question all the time. I see it aalll the time on Social Media. You name it - the question is there, waiting paciently for an answer.
Tune in to today's episode as I dive into my top tips to navigate the fear & uncertainty that come with moving abroad!
Ready to get clarity on your move abroad?
Book a free 30-minute consult call with me: https://calendly.com/coachwithmm/30min
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachwithmm/
Recently, someone booked a coaching call with me and when I asked what they wanted to get out of it, they wrote one word: clarity. This happens all the time, people reach out wanting to move abroad but feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or confused about their next steps. In this solo episode, I'm breaking down the three biggest things that actually get in the way of you getting that clarity you're craving.
What does this actually look like in real life?....
Information Overload & the Research Rabbit Hole – Why going down endless YouTube videos, blog posts, and social media spirals leaves you more confused than confident. Here's the truth: research happens after clarity, not before.
Choosing a Country Based on "Good on Paper" First – The mistake of picking the trendiest destination (Spain, Italy, Portugal) because it makes logical sense or everyone else is doing it—without first understanding what YOU actually want your life to look like abroad.
Trying to Get Clarity Completely on Your Own – Why you can't be both the person experiencing all the feelings AND your own coach at the same time. It's impossible to see the situation clearly when you're in it, and that's exactly why support matters.
Ready to get clarity on your move abroad?
Book a free 30-minute consult call with me: https://calendly.com/coachwithmm/30min
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachwithmm/
Join me for my chat with Andrea, who shares her inspiring journey from the Philippines to New Zealand.
Andrea Halal is a marketing leader, storyteller, and founder of Big Leap Energy, a platform that empowers women to show up bigger, bolder, and braver in their personal and professional lives.
Originally from the Philippines and now based in New Zealand, Andrea took her career to new heights through personal branding and community, embodying her belief that confidence creates opportunity.
As Marketing Head at Ideqa and community builder at The Marketing Club and Auckland Expat Girlies, Andrea helps others embody authenticity, courage, and clarity, all of which are the essence of Big Leap Energy.
Andrea opens up about what it really takes to trust yourself, take big leaps of faith, and face the emotional ups and downs that come with starting over in a new country. She talks about the power of preparation, networking, and having a supportive family during major transitions abroad.
We also dive into the realities of navigating microaggressions, building resilience, and creating a new sense of home and belonging from the ground up.
Tune in to learn:
✨Connect with Andrea:
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreahalal/
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jheanandrea/
→ Substack: https://bigleapenergy.substack.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=online&utm_campaign=ybla
✨ Connect with Mary Martha:
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
→ Book a free 1:1 Chat: https://calendly.com/coachwithmm/30min
In this episode of Your Best Life Abroad, I sit down with Megan, an international career coach, to talk about what it really takes to build a global career without losing sight of yourself along the way.
Megan shares her journey of working across 10 countries (yes—10!), and what she’s learned about the power of networking, staying persistent, and crafting a clear story around your career.
We also get into the real stuff—like the myths of remote work, how to handle challenges when the path abroad doesn’t go as planned, and why being present and flexible can make all the difference when you’re creating a life and career you love abroad.
✨ Connect with Mary Martha:
→ LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
→ Book a free call:
https://calendly.com/coachwithmm/30min
✨ Connect with Megan:
→ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/megancassel
→ Free resource "How to move abroad without starting over": https://subscribepage.io/DmKhKn
→ Book a free 1:1 chat with Megan: www.calendly.com/megancassel
In this episode, I sit down with Vivian from FTB Home, a professional home organizer, to talk about the deep connection between home organization, personal identity, and life transitions.
Vivian shares how creating a living space that truly reflects your desired lifestyle can make all the difference—especially during big life changes like moving abroad. We dive into the emotional side of decluttering, the importance of letting go of belongings, and how to start defining a vision for your next chapter.
Vivian also shares some really practical tips—like her “five-second rule” for making quick, confident decisions when organizing or deciding what to keep.
Together, we explore:
✨ The emotional and practical sides of moving abroad
✨ What it means to let go of the past and create space for the future
✨ The challenges of downsizing and the emotional weight our belongings can hold
✨ The power of digitizing memories
✨ How to make thoughtful furniture decisions that align with your best life abroad
✨ Get in touch with Vivian on LinkedIn:
→ LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivian-najib/
✨ Resources & Connect
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachwithmm/
💻 Curious about coaching with me? Book a free consult call!:
https://marymarthacoach.com/booking
Learn more about 1:1 coaching:
https://marymarthacoach.com/sales
Anyone who's ever felt alone in a sea of people knows:
Making friends abroad doesn't always fix loneliness.
In this episode, I dive into my take on why making friends doesn't always fix the loneliness you may feel in your life abroad. I share my story of being so busy with what felt like a thriving social life that I didn't make time to connect to myself - and what I did to reconnect with myself and stopped feeling lonely.
✨ Resources & Connect
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachwithmm/
💻 Curious about coaching with me? Book a free consult call!:
https://marymarthacoach.com/booking
Learn more about 1:1 coaching:
https://marymarthacoach.com/sales
Tune in to learn 3 of my go-to micro mindset shifts to make the challening parts of expat life a bit lighter.
& Stay until the end to hear a special bonus one!
✨ Resources & Connect
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachwithmm/
💻 Curious about coaching with me? Book a free consult call!:
https://marymarthacoach.com/booking
Learn more about 1:1 coaching:
https://marymarthacoach.com/sales
In this episode, I explore the emotional and practical challenges of feeling torn between two places, drawing from my personal experiences of living in Chile and Spain.
I share insights on how to navigate the 'should I stay or should I go' dilemma, emphasizing the importance of aligning decisions with personal values and life goals.
✨ Resources & Connect
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachwithmm/
💻 Curious about coaching with me? Book a free consult call!:
https://marymarthacoach.com/booking
Tune in to learn the one thing you need to move & thrive abroad. That no one is really talking about - but they totally should be!
✨ Resources & Connect
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarthakipcak/
→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachwithmm/
💻 Curious about coaching with me? Book a free consult call!:
https://marymarthacoach.com/booking
Dealing with friends & family not supporting your move abroad?
Then you can't miss Episode #31: The move abroad advice I'd give you if I weren't afraid of hurting your feelings
The move abroad advice I'd give you if I weren't afraid of hurting your feelings.
In this epsiode I talk about:
✨ Resources & Connect
→ LinkedIn: Mary Martha Kipcak
→ Instagram: @coachwithmm
💻 Ready for deeper support? Learn more about 1:1 coaching or book a free consult call!
Tune in to learn the one step that you can't skip if you want to move abroad!
(That's not another move abroad checklist).
✨ Resources & Connect
🤝 Let’s connect on
→ LinkedIn: Mary Martha Kipcak
→ Instagram: @coachwithmm
💻 Ready for deeper support? Learn more about 1:1 coaching or book a free consult call!
Today I’m breaking down 8 questions to ask yourself before choosing your new country.
This episode is for the person wanting to turn their dream of moving abroad into a reality to current expats planning their next move.
These questions will help provide you clarity on what countries are for you, & which ones aren’t.
So that by the end of answering these 8 questions you’ll end with a narrowed list of countries that could work for you so you can start taking the steps to make your move a reality! Yay!
✨ Resources & Connect
📓 Grab your free journal download: grab it here
🤝 Let’s connect on
→ LinkedIn: Mary Martha Kipcak
→ Instagram: @coachwithmm
💻 Ready for deeper support? Learn more about 1:1 coaching or book a free consult call!
Have you ever found yourself wondering "Is it me or is it the country?"
Everything about the country you’re living in “doesn’t work”
You find yourself saying things like “In my country x works better, we do it this way” or thinking “ugh if only the food were different, the people were different, the social culture was different” etc etc etc.
This episode is for you if you’ve ever been in a major rut living abroad - and finally want to get out of it!
✨ Resources & Connect
📓 Grab your free journal download: grab it here
🤝 Let’s connect on
→ Instagram: @coachwithmm
→ LinkedIn: Mary Martha Kipcak
💻 Ready for deeper support? Learn more about 1:1 coaching or book a free consult call!
After 9 years overseas and working as a certified life coach for expats, I've learned that good mental health abroad isn't about having it all figured out or forcing gratitude for your "dream life."
It's about having simple, reliable habits that keep you grounded when everything else feels uncertain.
Tune in to learn my 6 simple mental health habits that I keep going back to:
✨ Resources & Connect
📓 Grab your free journal download: grab it here
🤝 Let’s connect on
→ Instagram: @coachwithmm
→ LinkedIn: Mary Martha Kipcak
💻 Ready for deeper support? Learn more about 1:1 coaching or book a free consult call!
Living abroad isn’t always the dreamy highlight reel we see on Social Media (and that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong)!
In this episode, I’m sharing 5 simple but powerful mindset shifts that have helped me feel more grounded through the uncertainty, identity shifts, and messy growth living abroad brings. These are the reminders I come back to whenever I’m feeling lost, stuck, or like I should “have it all figured out by now.”
Whether you’re in your first year abroad or your ninth (like me!), this episode is your reminder to meet yourself where you are - and to know you’re not alone.
✨ Resources & Connect
📓 Grab your free journal download: grab it here
🤝 Let’s connect on
→ Instagram: @coachwithmm
→ LinkedIn: Mary Martha Kipcak
💻 Ready for deeper support? Learn more about 1:1 coaching or book a free consult call!
You have your go-to coffee shop, you know how to navigate the public transportation system & they know you at the grocery store.
But something still feels off?...
Maybe, you’ve stopped sharing the hard parts with your friends & family back home. Maybe you’re afraid of looking like you’re complaining all the time, failing at living abroad or not thriving abroad.
Whatever the reason it is - there are some clear signs that you need more support as an expat to thrive abroad.
Tune in to learn the 5 warning signs that you need support as an expat - so you can finally start thriving (instead of surviving) abroad!
✨ Resources & Connect
📓 Grab your free journal download: grab it here
🤝 Let’s connect on
→ Instagram: @coachwithmm
→ LinkedIn: Mary Martha Kipcak
💻 Ready for deeper support? Learn more about 1:1 coaching or book a free consult call!
If you've ever thought "I'm an experienced expat, this next move should be easy" or you're beating yourself up for struggling when you feel like you "should know better," this one's for you. We're getting real about why experience doesn't always equal easy, and why that's totally okay.
I talk about:
✨ Resources & Connect
📓 Grab your free journal download: grab it here
🤝 Let’s connect on
→ Instagram: @coachwithmm
→ LinkedIn: Mary Martha Kipcak
💻 Ready for deeper support? Learn more about 1:1 coaching or book a free consult call!