THE WANDERLUSTERS MIND PODCAST

Abby Lewtas 10/7/18 Abby Lewtas 10/7/18

Margot Andersen - 7 years in London and returning home to help others in repatriation.

Margot spent 7 years living in London before returning 'home' to Australia approx 12 years ago. Whilst she loves being back and firmly believes she made the right decision to do so, the return journey was not quite as straightforward as she had anticipated. However it is these experiences that led her to start a network group called Insync aimed at helping repatriates reconnect as they return; as well as develop several career management and leadership programs in her consulting business to support both individuals and the organisations that they work for. She regularly writes and speaks on the topic of repatriation, global mobility and global careers and is passionate about helping people leverage the amazing experiences they have had as they return ‘home’.

Margot moved to London on a working visa and ended up staying there for 7 years. She faced challenges returning to the professional world when returning home before establishing her own successful business.

About Margot

Margot spent 7 years living in London before returning 'home' to Australia approx. 12 years ago. Whilst she loves being back and firmly believes she made the right decision to do so, the return journey was not quite as straightforward as she had anticipated.

However it is these experiences that led her to start a network group called Insync aimed at helping repatriates reconnect as they return; as well as develop several career management and leadership programs in her consulting business to support both individuals and the organisations that they work for.

She regularly writes and speaks on the topic of repatriation, global mobility and global careers and is passionate about helping people leverage the amazing experiences they have had as they return ‘home’.

“We are all hardwired to connect and belong and contribute and when we cant see it for ourself its very difficult to ask others to help us on that journey.”

— Margot Andersen

When coming home...

Challenges and Emotions Margot faced - Re-establishing herself in the professional world and in her career. Losing confidence and momentum in certain areas of her life.
How Margot supported herself - Spent time with people who understood the journey she was going through. Participated in short courses. Got involved in the local community.
Points about mindset - Get clear about why you want to come home
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

You can do more than you think you can - the magic is on the edge of your comfort zone.
Things wont always go 100% to plan.
I want a rich, full life, there is an enormous world out there to go and appreciate but you have to decide what we want and go after it

Advise to herself for returning home - Plan, aknowledge why you have come home and connect with others.

“Patience hasn’t been a big thing and we have to learn to be a little bit patient.”

— Margot Andersen

Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo - Leaving the corporate world for the Mediterranean, India and a spiritual journey.

Natalie left the corporate world and set off for Europe where she immersed herself in the Mediterranean countries of Turkey and Greece. For six months she lived in a treehouse, swam in the ocean, ate delicious food and learned about the local culture. She then headed to London to start a working holiday visa which didn't quite go to plan. She found herself packing up again and heading to India where she spent 6 months in Rishikesh practicing yoga and planting her spiritual seeds.

Leaving the corporate world to follow her calling to Europe and India, Natalie returned home to pursue her life of adventures and helping Miracle Mamas.

About Natalie

Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo is the founder of Miracle Mama, an online sanctuary that empowers and inspires mothers who are raising special needs children. Through coaching, community and connection, Natalie’s mission is to create a space for women to reconnect with themselves and what is most important to them.

Natalie is also a writer and speaker, based in Melbourne, Australia. She love’s a good chai, mojito and getting out into nature. Natalie also has a background in corporate, and is a qualified yoga and meditation teacher.

What Natalie is really known for is gathering, soulfully supporting and holding space for women who find themselves raising a child with conditions from mild to severe, to life-threatening. She supports them to find purpose and peace in their extraordinarily challenging circumstances, so that they can bring that love and compassion not only to their own families, but also to themselves.

“That sense of adventure and connection to mother nature has just been woven through my life.”

— Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo

When coming home...

Emotions Natalie faced - Unsettling time, the challenge was in merging her two lives together, it was a hard thing to work through.
Biggest stress - Felt like she was starting from scratch again, like her foundation was gone, Finances, pressures from society.
How Natalie supported herself - Get out and explore the cultures she had experienced in Melbourne. Tried to keep her sense of adventure. Yoga and Meditation.
How her thinking changed - learned to keep an open mind and push herself out of her comfort zone.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

Adaptable and Resilate
Appreciating different cultures and making the most of your time travelling
Getting out of your comfort zone

Advise to herself for returning home - keep your mind open and keep living your life on your times and enjoy the ride.

“I’ve always liked to test my personal limits my limits have always been at the edges of full on fear.”

— Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo

Megan Norton - A global upbringing as a 'third culture kid.'

Having lived in 10 countries and 5 U.S. States, Megan is no stranger to global mobility and navigating change. She currently lives in the U.S. but travels frequently for work as an English teacher and independent education consultant. After completing her undergraduate degree, she decided to move to Europe. She hopped around a bit in her 20's from Austria to Greece and from Hungary to Poland. Megan completed a Masters in Europe and began her teaching career there.

Megan grew up in 6 countries before she was 18 and continued travelling and living abroad, she now helps others with intercultural transitions.

About Megan

After completing her undergraduate degree, she decided to move to Europe. She hopped around a bit in her 20's from Austria to Greece and from Hungary to Poland. Megan completed a Masters in Europe and began her teaching career there.

“I felt I belonged to a professional identity, but how do I feel like I belong to my community and how do I feel like I belong to my friends.”

— Megan Norton

When coming home...

Emotions Megan faced - Paradox. Happy on many different levels, scared, frustrated and scared.
How her thinking changed - Different stages of life. Friends had moved to all over the world.
Biggest Stress - A sense of belonging in the community and in friendship circles.
How Megan supported herself - Self reflection on her identity, having realistic memories of your travels.
4 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

Reflect - Self reflection to understand who you are.
Reframe - Sometimes you have to reframe your story so it resonates with others.
Reconnect - to a new community.
Reinvent - Reinvent what you have to be to fit into your community.

Advise to herself for returning home - be gentle with yourself.

“Sometimes I have to reframe my story so I am not alienating myself.”

— Megan Norton

Michelle Legge - 3 years 'leggin it' on a motorcycle through Europe

Michele Legge and her husband Ron are a West Australian couple in their 50s who decided not to wait until they retired to have a big travel adventure.

They spent 3 years motorbiking couch surfing house sitting and slow travelling around Europe. Michele welcome to the show and thank you for joining me.

Slow traveling with only 9kg lead and taking time to do the things you enjoy.

About Michele

Michele Legge and her husband Ron are a West Australian couple in their 50s who decided not to wait until they retired to have a big travel adventure.

They spent 3 years motorbiking couch surfing house sitting and slow travelling around Europe.

“I dont feel guilty just sitting and drinking coffee and doing whatever!”

— Michele Legge

When coming home...

Emotions Michele faced - Suffered with the idea of consumerism as she only travelled with 9kg. Realised she didn't need all this 'stuff.'
What had changed - Not much really Michele realised how important her female friendships were.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

Don't spent your life asking 'what if.'
Life is short so don't take your health for granted.
No adventure is better than any other.

Advise to herself for returning home - Things will sort themselves out. Tears won't change anything.

“You cant get time back and its important to take time to do the things you really like doing.”

— Michele Legge

Dylan Bennett - A passion for languages and addiction to culture shock.

Dylan Bennett was born in Darwin, Australia he has a passion for languages and an addiction to culture shock. He graduated as a teacher because it gave him the best chance possible to travel, have since taught in Indonesia, Spain and China.

After finishing university in Lombok Indonesia and after a year teaching in Australia, spent the next 5 years moving every year; Murcia, Madrid, Darwin, Shanghai and now currently in Melbourne.

Living and working in Spain, following love back home to Australia, moving to Shanghai and back to Australia again.

About Dylan

After finishing university in Lombok Indonesia and after a year teaching in Australia, spent the next 5 years moving every year; Murcia, Madrid, Darwin, Shanghai and now currently in Melbourne.

“Surround yourself with like minded globally aware people.”

— Dylan Bennett

When coming home...

Emotions Dylan faced - saw that there were parts his country/culture was not as great as he remembered. "took of the rose coloured glasses!" Felt bored.
Biggest Stress - Pressure to meet to social norms, feeling like an outsider in his friendship group.
How Dylan supported himself - Focusing on the next exciting chapter and getting back into a good routine.
How did his mindset change - Over emphasise the closing off of his adventure.
Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock

The world in bigger than your home country.
Getting past the surface level of countries when you immerse yourself by living in that country.

Advise to himself for returning home - Dont get so caught up in "not fitting in anymore." There are groups of other people that you WILL relate to.

“Dont get so caught up in not fitting in anymore.”

— Dylan Bennett

Book your complimentary coaching consultation.

Abby Lewtas 8/5/18 Abby Lewtas 8/5/18

Pip Honour - A wellness journey and a travelling adventure.

Pip Honour is a Wellness Coach and Meditation Teacher. She works with women 1:1 and in groups to help them create more Confidence, Clarity and Calm in their worlds. Her work is grounded in the belief that transforming your mindset will create positive and lasting change.

Pip went on a six month adventure spending 2 months in Europe - Italy, Croatia, France, Germany and Hungary, 1 month in South Africa, 1 month in India and 1 month in Sri Lanka before returning to Australia to grow her life coaching business.

Creating a confident body image, mindset and setting up her own business during her travels through Europe, South Africa, India and Sri Lanka.

About Pip

“What I’ve experienced is to be treasured by me.”

— Pip Honour

When coming home...

Emotions Pip faced - Excitement and nervousness although felt ready to return home. Deflated. Frustration.
What had changed - Her work and work environment from corporate to her own business. Not having a regular monthly pay check.
How Pip supported herself - She got a puppy and took time to be appreciative for everything she had.
How did her mindset change - Gained perspective. She didn't need a lot to live life.
3 Lessons learned from travel and reverse culture shock