#112 Breaking Free from the Golden Handcuffs: Is Your Job Keeping You Stuck?

So you’ve built the “good life”—the salary, the benefits, the prestige. But what if the very things that look like success are keeping you from living the life you actually want?

In this episode, I do a deep dive into the concept of golden handcuffs—how jobs that offer security and status can still feel like a trap. From six-figure salaries with chronic stress to the dream of moving abroad that’s always “on hold,” I explore the invisible chains of the corporate grind.

Here’s what you’ll hear in the episode:

• What golden handcuffs are (and how to know if you're wearing them)
• Why your “great job” might be the thing that's keeping you stuck
• Real stories from Evan (Ep 109) and Hilary (Ep 110) on choosing freedom over prestige
• Why real security comes from high-value skills, not a 401(k)
• What it takes to finally say yes to the life you want

If you're dreaming of freedom, slow mornings, travel, and doing work that truly fulfills you—this episode is your permission slip.

And tune in next week where Chris and I will breakdown part 2 of our scouting trip…Italy! Wine, mishaps, and whether Sicily could be our next home—don’t miss it.

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Love this Episode? What to Listen to Next:

• #109  Project Managing Your Move Abroad: Turning Big Goals into Reality with Coach Evan Monroe
• #110  Screw the System: How Hilary Moved to Prague, Got Her Master’s (Basically) Free, and Ditched the 9–5 for Good
• #107  No More Playing Small: Coach Rebecca’s Journey to a Life of Freedom Abroad
• #103  Screw ‘Realistic’: Why Playing to Not Lose Is Holding You Back From Your Dream Life Abroad
• #98  The Courage to Commit: How to Trust Yourself and Your Move Abroad Decision