From 10 Years Climping the Corporate Ladder to Working Remotely From Buenos Aires: Her Nomad Wake-Up Call with Ann-Marie (ARE U OKAY ANNIE) | EP 61

What if the biggest risk isn't quitting your job to travel but staying in a life that doesn't fulfill you?

Today Ryan sits down with Anne-Marie, a 30-something who did the unthinkable. One week after a major life event, she walked into her boss's office and quit her job of nearly 10 years. No backup plan. No guarantees. Just a burning need to finally live.

Jump ahead two years and she's celebrating Day of the Dead in Oaxaca with strangers who became family, celebrating her birthday in Buenos Aires with friends she met days earlier, and finding out if Rio De Janeiro is truly too dangerous for a solo woman. 

FREE Guide - 7 Steps To Launch Your Digital Nomad Journey - https://www.thedigitalnomadcoach.com/

Chapters
03:00 - Dropping Into Buenos Aires and How to Build Community Fast
06:30 - Safety Myths vs Reality: Rio, Buenos Aires, and Smart Awareness
09:20 - Her Origin Story: Ten Years Corporate and the Feeling She Couldn't Let Go
12:10 - The Aftershock: Panic, Liberation, and Trusting the Decision
15:40 - Solo Travel Reality
18:30 - Relationships and Dating
24:00 - What Freedom Really Feels Like After the 9–5
27:00 - Co-Living Explained
32:30 - Oaxaca and Day of the Dead

She's working remotely, bouncing between cities and beach towns and mountains and can't imagine ever going back.

Ann-Marie talks about the moment her dad questioned her choices, why she stopped trying to date for two whole years, and how losing her mom made her realize time is the one thing you can't get back. 

She reveals the exact apps and strategies she uses to never feel alone in a new city, why co-living changed her life as a solo female traveler, and what it really means to live in the present when you've spent decades planning for a future that never feels right.

Listen and Learn why four days is all it takes to pack up your entire life, how to make real friends in 72 hours using apps most people ignore.

Connect with guest: https://www.instagram.com/areuokay_annie/

Grab Your FREE Guide - 7 Steps To Launch Your Digital Nomad Journey - https://www.thedigitalnomadcoach.com/

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Join the Digital Nomad Masterclass: https://www.digitalnomadnation.com/masterclass

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DISCLAIMER:
Listening to stories of beachside zoom calls, mountainside work views, and island-hopping entrepreneurs may cause severe wanderlust and an irresistible urge to turn your laptop into a passport to freedom. Side effects include daydreaming about tropical co-working spaces, working with Ryan to learn how you can start working and traveling and buying a one-way ticket to Bali. Get ready to start living your dream life today!

Transcript

[00:00:00] Ryan Mellon: What if everyone telling you that you just can't quit your job and travel? The world is dead wrong today. I sit down with Anne Marie, a 30 something who quit her job one week after a major life event. Fast forward two years. She works remotely and has traveled all over the world, including stays in Vietnam, Mexico, and is currently in South America.

[00:00:18] Ryan Mellon: Along the way, she celebrated Day of the Dead in Oaxaca with strangers who became family and made real friends in a brand new city joining language exchanges and using an app you [00:00:30] may have never heard of hear why everyone warned her that Rio is dangerous. What actually happened when she arrived and the mindset shift that helped her start living in the moment, stick around until the end.

[00:00:40] Ryan Mellon: . Because when I ask what she wishes she knew before starting, her answer will either make you realize you're overthinking everything, or confirm you need more time to plan. 

[00:00:50] Ryan Mellon: Welcome to Digital Noad Nation, where we inspire and empower you to achieve location independence and live life on your own terms. Today we have Anne Marie. [00:01:00] Welcome Anne Marie.

[00:01:00] Ann-Marie: Hi. Thanks so much. 

[00:01:02] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, looking forward to having this conversation. So where are you traveling today?

[00:01:08] Ann-Marie: ARG. 

[00:01:09] Ryan Mellon: Awesome actually. Well I want to hear more about that because I'm looking at a place to go for winter 

[00:01:15] Ryan Mellon: So tell us, tell us a little bit about Buenos Aires is.

[00:01:18] Ann-Marie: So I've been here for just over a week now. when I, the day I arrived, it was actually quite cold and I was like, hold on a minute. This is.

[00:01:25] Ann-Marie: not what I signed up for, but it's uh, it's beautiful blue sky, sunshine. [00:01:30] it is a, an amazing city. It's got such a, a twist between European and that amazing American charm. Yeah, I'm absolutely be. 

[00:01:41] Ryan Mellon: Okay, so first impressions. It's good. What's the weather like? I mean, temperature wise, is it, is it a little bit cooler than it was in Mexico, I imagine.

[00:01:50] Ann-Marie: Yes. Yeah. Yeah. It's not, it's not like humid. it's, it's hot. So I would say, I think it's about maybe 26 today, 26, 27. And That's what it's [00:02:00] been averaging. but it's, yeah, beautiful blue skies. It's lovely.

[00:02:03] Ryan Mellon: That's awesome. So is it, do you have a, a beach, is it beach town? Like beach nearby? 

[00:02:09] Ann-Marie: I don't think so. I mean, I haven't been to a beach. It's, I'm, I'm here for the city vibes. so yeah, I like to, what I tend to do is spend some time a month or two in a city, and then I'll go and spend a month or two in a beach town, and then I'll do a month or two in a mountains, and then I'll need, feel like I need a city again.

[00:02:25] Ann-Marie: So I go back to a city. So I'm here for the, for the city vibes. And the food [00:02:30] as well. I'm actually gonna an authentic asado tonight, with the authentic BA company, so I'm really looking forward to that as well. 

[00:02:38] Ryan Mellon: That's great. So are, I know you like to stay in co-living, so are you staying in a co-living there? 

[00:02:43] Ann-Marie: I'm not, they don't have any co-living here. so I'm in an Airbnb here. yeah, I wanted to stay in a co-living, but, I did my research and they don't have any, there's, there's one or two, but they're aimed at like international students, so it's not the same vibe. and they weren't in the area that I wanted to be in either.

[00:02:59] Ann-Marie: so [00:03:00] yeah, I'm staying in an, an Airbnb, but I've been doing, there's loads of networking events here and opportunities to meet other people. So, it was actually my birthday this weekend just gone and I didn't wanna spend it alone. So I spent last week doing some super networking, making friends, and I had a great group of people to go out with on Saturday, which was fun. 

[00:03:19] Ryan Mellon: That's awesome. Well, happy birthday 

[00:03:21] Ann-Marie: Thank you. 

[00:03:22] Ryan Mellon: what type of like networking and events did you find like there that were easy to 

[00:03:28] Ryan Mellon: plug into? 

[00:03:28] Ann-Marie: it's called Mundo [00:03:30] Lingo. and they do an evening, well, I think they do a few every week. and it's, the idea is it's like a language exchange. but it was, I mean, it was absolutely packed. You get there and you get a sticker for, to identify which languages you speak. and it was just, everyone was just having a drink and just chatting it.

[00:03:46] Ann-Marie: It was so much busier than I thought it would be. I was very relaxed. So yeah, met loads of really cool people there.and they also do, they have a digital nomads, like meetup group as well, which I found online. so I went along to one of [00:04:00] their meetups on Thursday last week, which was also really cool.

[00:04:03] Ann-Marie: And they go to different bars around the city every week. and also Bumble BFF as well. I always like to go on there and see if I can meet any cool gal, which I did. so yeah. 

[00:04:15] Ryan Mellon: Awesome. Awesome. 

[00:04:17] Ann-Marie: my super networking. 

[00:04:18] Ryan Mellon: So Bumble also has like a, a friend, option, kind of like Tinder does. okay, that's 

[00:04:25] Ann-Marie: Oh, just Tinder. I didn't know that Tinder did 

[00:04:26] Ann-Marie: that. 

[00:04:27] Ryan Mellon: Tinder does have a friend option, although I'm [00:04:30] always weary of like, is this really like a friend request type situation? Like, you know, like Tinder's reputation is a little bit different. So I've never actually made actual friend like a.

[00:04:42] Ryan Mellon: Like a friend, friend on Tinder. So, but it does have that option, so, and 

[00:04:47] Ann-Marie: Yeah. No, Bumble Bumble's good. It works well. 

[00:04:49] Ryan Mellon: does it, okay.

[00:04:51] Ann-Marie: Yeah. I've met a few girls around the world. I'm not, I dunno how well it is for guys making friends, I don't know. I, I have a guy friend who said that he's not [00:05:00] found it to be so, so great. but I always meet loads of really, really nice girls on there.

[00:05:05] Ann-Marie: so Yeah, definitely recommend 

[00:05:06] Ann-Marie: that 

[00:05:06] Ann-Marie: as well. 

[00:05:07] Ryan Mellon: That's a good, good to know, especially for solo female travelers. I'll have to check it out just to see, see if it works, and so how are you finding the cost there? So far? I've heard like mixed reviews about Bueno Air is being a little bit more expensive than other places.

[00:05:24] Ryan Mellon: Like how, how have you felt it's been.

[00:05:27] Ann-Marie: Yeah, it's, it's more expensive than I was [00:05:30] expecting. and it's definitely more expensive than other countries that I've been to, especially in Latin America. it's mostly like food and out in restaurants, but it's still, it's still a lot cheaper than. well, of London, for example, I went to a really nice cocktail bar on Saturday, had a cocktail there.

[00:05:46] Ann-Marie: It was equivalent of about seven or eight. And I think in a similar bar in London, I would've paid about 15, so double. so yeah. 

[00:05:56] Ann-Marie: Um, but it's, but it is, it is noticeably more expensive [00:06:00] than, than other 

[00:06:00] Ann-Marie: countries. 

[00:06:01] Ryan Mellon: yeah, it's more of a world class city, in Latin America, so. Awesome. And, as far as like, any safety concerns, you feel safe there? Like how, how's that? Yeah, good.

[00:06:15] Ann-Marie: Yeah, I felt, I feel really safe here. I, I've so far had no problems. Obviously, I have to take general precautions. I'm always, trying to, be aware of my surroundings and, and, you know, be sensible and get Ubers at night and things like that. [00:06:30] but I feel very, very safe where I'm staying in a nice neighborhood.

[00:06:32] Ann-Marie: I'm staying in Palermo. see, I've had no, no problems at all, but I actually just came from Rio to here. And so to me It's 

[00:06:41] Ryan Mellon: It's gonna 

[00:06:42] Ann-Marie: when I was in, well, yeah, I mean, I have to say when, as soon as I gotta, Rio, I had so many people and I have lots of people often messaging me when I go to places and saying, oh, be careful.

[00:06:52] Ann-Marie: It's so dangerous there. And I, I rarely listen because most of the people that give that advice haven't even been to that place [00:07:00] themselves. so I, I just. I've always been fine, but, when I got Rio, I did have a lot of people warning me that it was so dangerous and I needed to be very careful. And I have to say, I had no problems in Rio and I felt very safe.

[00:07:13] Ann-Marie: I was staying in a nice neighborhood again, I was staying. in Ipanemabut I had such a wonderful time and I, I, people were making me feel like I was gonna get mugged the second I got outta my taxi. And it just, it just was not like that. Such a wonderful city and probably one of my favorite in the [00:07:30] world. but yes, having gone from a place where everyone was warning me to be careful to Buenos Aires that, yeah, feel super safe there. 

[00:07:36] Ryan Mellon: It feels like a big difference. I've been to Rio as well, had no issues, but did have that hypervigilance even like the Airbnb owner was like, you know, you need to be stay to specific areas and, and stuff like that. But yeah, really had no issues. and it is a cool, cool place with the beaches there, with kinda like the mountains and cliffs, like right there,

[00:07:59] Ann-Marie: That's incredible. [00:08:00] 

[00:08:00] Ryan Mellon: Yeah. And. Beautiful sunsets. good night life as well. Yeah,

[00:08:04] Ann-Marie: yeah. Such a great energy. And the people were so wonderful as well. Like I really, yeah, really, really loved it there. 

[00:08:10] Ryan Mellon: I think one of the hardest things for me, I think I found it, the language barrier to be a little bit more challenging. 'cause I can, you know, I have English and I can get around in Spanish, but the, the Portuguese, it's just is a little different. So I had a little bit of challenges with that, but.

[00:08:28] Ann-Marie: Same, same for me. I, [00:08:30] I speak, a little Spanish. I'm learning Spanish. but I don't speak any Portuguese, and I was only there for a few weeks. So, to try and start learning Portuguese when I'm still trying so hard to learn Spanish was just gonna blow my tiny mind. So I, I just kept speaking to people in Spanish and hoping that, they, they understood and we managed to get by.

[00:08:47] Ann-Marie: It was, it was fine, but, but. yeah, they, they don't really speak English. So if you're gonna go to, to learn some basics so you can speak to local people, I mean that's what, that's why we we live this life, right, is not just because we [00:09:00] wanna be somewhere on holiday and hang out with a load of other, tourists.

[00:09:03] Ann-Marie: We wanna, we wanna integrate into the local, communities a little bit or meet local people and, and yeah, you can't, can't really do that if you dunno any of their language. 

[00:09:13] Ryan Mellon: Absolutely. So tell us, how did you get here? I know that you were, working very hard as a, a professional, in a, in a regular nine to five back home. and then you made this big transition sometime in your mid thirties. So like, [00:09:30] what, what happened and how did you get here?

[00:09:32] Ann-Marie: Yeah, so I, I was, in a, a corporate job. I had a, I started working full-time, when I left school, so from the age of 17, in the hotel industry. And I took a year out when I was 21 to go backpacking round the world. So I got my little taste for, for travel there, but then I always thought, well, now I've done that.

[00:09:50] Ann-Marie: It's out of my system. I need to. Just focus on my career. So, so That's what I did. And I was kind of in the corporate, the corporate world. but for a long time I was sort of [00:10:00] feeling like, I just dunno if this is what I'm supposed to be doing. I feel like there's something else.but I don't know what it is.

[00:10:06] Ann-Marie: And, and because, you know, I, I had a good job. I worked for a great company. I liked my job. it just sort of kept me in it, even though I would feel like, oh, this isn't quite right. And then six months had passed and then another year had passed and I still hadn't done anything. so when I was 30, I think I was, yeah, I was 35.

[00:10:24] Ann-Marie: I went through a breakuptypical, classic nomad. Traveler story, [00:10:30] breakup was a catalyst and I just thought, you know, this is it. This is my opportunity. I, I, it's now whenever, and so I, the week after, we, we broke up. I just quit my job. I handed in my notice. I just said, that's it. I'm going, I, I've been feeling for a long time now that something else I wanna do.

[00:10:48] Ann-Marie: I didn't travel enough in my twenties. I wanna do more. I wanna be free. so I'm just gonna do it. And so I did, I quit, I, I, I rented my, my flat out. and I, and I, and I left [00:11:00] and just started, started traveling and initially not knowing whether it would just be. Six months of traveling and then I'd be like, cool, that was fun.

[00:11:07] Ann-Marie: Now I'm gonna go back to London. but within a few weeks I was like, no, this, I really, I really love this. And I met other people that were traveling and working, and I'd always wanted to, to change careers and, and get into writing and marketing and being a copy copywriter really is what I wanted to do. I'd done a course in it a couple of years before, got my qualification and, then did [00:11:30] nothing with it. So this was, again, my opportunity to start any money that I was able to make would just be a bonus. and yeah, it's, it's worked out really well for me.

[00:11:38] Ann-Marie: That's awesome. So, yeah, and I hear do hear that a lot. Something negative happens. It's a job loss, a breakup, a death of a family member, something like that, that kind of pushes a lot of people over to make these life changes. And um,so when you had this breakup and you decided to quit your job, how long have you been at that [00:12:00] job? Oh, nearly, nearly 10 years. 

[00:12:03] Ryan Mellon: Wow. Okay. So how were you? It's a lot. It's a lot of like time and like, You know, experience that you're kind of feel like you're throwing away almost. Because when I quit my jobs, I was working two jobs, 10 and 12 years. And so like just throwing all that away to go travel the world, like how were you feeling at that point?

[00:12:25] Ryan Mellon: Like, were you nervous about it? 

[00:12:26] Ann-Marie: I wasn't, the day I handed in my notice, I was [00:12:30] like. Shit, is this the right decision?oh my God, once I've done it, I can't undo it. but I knew, I just knew in my soul that it was what I needed to do and I mostly, I just felt so liberated and so excited about it. I think my friends and family were maybe a bit like, is this a little hasty?

[00:12:47] Ann-Marie: You know, are you alright? But, but actually it's something I've been thinking about for a long, long time.before, a few years before my mom had passed away. So this is also another, another reason because I'd, I then [00:13:00] felt like I have gotta live my life. You know, I also lost a, a very, dear friend as well, a couple of years after that, and she was my age.

[00:13:09] Ann-Marie: And so all of these things just made me think I have to live and live as best I can. but because I was in a relationship and, you know, I, I was, I was happy in it and COVID hit and all of these things, I just kind of stayed going around and around and around. so it was, it was something that I'd felt for a long [00:13:30] time.

[00:13:30] Ann-Marie: I, I needed to do, and so I was very, very sure and very certain that it was the right thing for me. It's just that I hadn't necessarily told other people over time that I've been thinking about this. And so to them they were 

[00:13:42] Ann-Marie: thinking, is this, 

[00:13:43] Ryan Mellon: Oh wow. 

[00:13:44] Ann-Marie: a bit of a panic reaction? Are you, are you right? 

[00:13:47] Ryan Mellon: Yeah. Yeah, I could see that. so friends and family were giving a little bit of pushback, which makes sense if they didn't know that you had been, you know, kind of feeling this and thinking this through the years. [00:14:00] So 

[00:14:00] Ann-Marie: And they were super supportive. They, they really were. Once they, you know, once they understood, I think it was just a little bit of a. You know, just wanted to make sure that I was, that I was all right and I was making the right decision. But, you know, they were, they, they were super supportive and they were just like, go and, and, and and live your life.

[00:14:15] Ann-Marie: And they still support me now. I think my dad was probably a bit like, hmm. He's, you know, a typical boomer always taught me to focus on career and put money aside for your retirement [00:14:30] and. 

[00:14:31] Ryan Mellon: Oh, that's awesome. Yeah, it's like. I think friends and family are, are super fearful, like of of the person that they know that's always around to hang out with and like that's always been steady there, like just doing this massive transformation. But then once they see you doing what you're doing, they're usually rooting for you and like, wow, it's awesome.

[00:14:52] Ryan Mellon: Like, I wish I could be doing that too. Like, you know, so, Yeah, it's cool and like I always tell friends and family, like wherever [00:15:00] I am, like if I'm somewhere for like two months or whatever and you get a week off from work, like, come hang out, you know, I can show you around the place and like, I've done that, I've had my mom out, I've had friends out, I've, had other family members come and hang out and like it's a great way for them to like get a vacation and you guys to meet up without having to go back home as well.

[00:15:22] Ryan Mellon: So. I, I really think that's a great part of like long-term travel as well, so 

[00:15:29] Ann-Marie: yeah.

[00:15:29] Ann-Marie: I need to [00:15:30] get better at that. My, my, my friends, I've had a couple of friends come out and visit me in places. my brother and my sister have both got young children, so, and, and newborn babies and things. So it's not, not really feasible for them. But my, my dad and his wife, they like to go on cruises all the time.

[00:15:45] Ann-Marie: And so, I 

[00:15:46] Ann-Marie: actually met up with him a couple of times. He was in a cruise, got on a cruise around the Philippines. When I, the Philippines, so I flew across to, to meet him. and we, we went out for the day and, and, and also this summer he, his cruise was passing through there and I [00:16:00] was staying in co-living for a month there, so we met up.

[00:16:02] Ann-Marie: So, so yeah. That's been really cool as well. 

[00:16:05] Ryan Mellon: It is inter, it, it is always interesting like meeting up with friends and family on that like totally different part of the world. Like it's, it's more special, like, yeah. So that's 

[00:16:15] Ann-Marie: for sure. 

[00:16:16] Ryan Mellon: So. Had you done any solo travel before this point in your life?

[00:16:22] Ann-Marie: No, actually, when I went backpacking when I was 21, I went with a friend. I, I think the only solo trip, I mean, [00:16:30] I would travel for work all the time, so, you know, I was, or, or some, some, not all the time, but sometimes I would. So, um,but mostly holidays and things, I would go with a friend or with my boyfriend.

[00:16:40] Ann-Marie: so no, not really. I think once, once I went to Spain, and I went for like two or three days on my own, and then a friend came and met me afterwards. So that was my first little dip into going somewhere solo and I really loved it. but I really like being on my own. I like my own company, so I, I wasn't worried [00:17:00] about it.

[00:17:00] Ann-Marie: I always knew I. 

[00:17:02] Ryan Mellon: Okay. Yeah, I think that's a, something that, you know, a lot of people holds a lot of people back, like just getting out there. Everyone's used to traveling with friends and family, but like, if you really wanna do the digital nomad thing and like get into it quickly, and you don't have a partner that's aligned with that, yeah.

[00:17:18] Ryan Mellon: You just need to get out there and do it yourself and it's all gonna work out. 

[00:17:22] Ann-Marie: It does. I've met so many people as well. And, and so now I've got digital nomad friends around the world. I've also got friends, [00:17:30] from who are local to different countries and places that I've been, all over the world. And so sometimes we'll arrange and we'll say, let's do a co-living month together and we'll arrange to go somewhere, have a month with my friends, and then, and then we go our separate ways again, you know, um, which is, which is awesome because.

[00:17:46] Ann-Marie: You know, you, I don't, I don't wanna travel with another person. I, I mean, maybe if I met someone and got into a relationship, that's something that you could consider. But, you know, in terms of traveling with friends, I don't wanna do that. I, I, I wanna do what I want [00:18:00] all the time. And when you're traveling with a friend, you know, you've gotta compromise.

[00:18:04] Ann-Marie: And, I don't wanna do that. And, and I know my, my nomad friends don't wanna do that either. So, Yeah.

[00:18:08] Ann-Marie: we, we, we meet up, we have a, we have a great month or two together, and then we we go our, go our separate ways. 

[00:18:14] Ryan Mellon: I think it's, it's quite common with the solar, digital nomads that we all are on our own like path, and it, it, it, it does get hard to like travel with others once you're used to solo travel where like you get to do whatever you want at any time all the time. [00:18:30] So like I, I see that a lot. and I've also been in a relationship with another digital now nomad, you know, for a couple years where we traveled together and, you know, like it, there's points of contention on where to go next and like, what, what's, what's the plan and where are we staying and like, what are we doing?

[00:18:49] Ryan Mellon: You know, like it's, and then if you have two people with two different passports that aren't as capable. 

[00:18:56] Ann-Marie: Hmm. That's, yeah. 

[00:18:57] Ryan Mellon: Uh,you, you can run into those issues [00:19:00] as well, with the visas and like just getting around. So it does get complicated, but, it's also like, I think. in general, like if you're gonna date someone as a digital nomad, dating another digital nomad is like the way to go.

[00:19:15] Ryan Mellon: how, how has your experience been dating since you've traveled? Have you had any experiences with that, 

[00:19:24] Ann-Marie: Not really. I've honestly just been really enjoying my single time and having little, [00:19:30] little fling here and there where, wherever I've been, but I haven't, I haven't really dated properly for a couple of years now. So, I, I was thinking it might be time I try to. Out there a little again, maybe next year.

[00:19:45] Ann-Marie: I dunno. We'll see. But it's, it's difficult because if you, if I come to a new city and I'm spending a month, so say for example, I'm here in Bueno Aires, maybe it would be nice to go on some dates with some sexy Argentinian Latinos, [00:20:00] but I'm only here for a month, and so then I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be gone again.

[00:20:04] Ann-Marie: So it's not, it's not long enough to then turn into something more so. And then I, I never meet other nomads that, I'm interested in, in that way. So, Yeah,

[00:20:16] Ann-Marie: but I, but I'm very, the thing with me is I, I really enjoy being single. I don't want to have children, so I'm not on any time timeline or time, time restriction.

[00:20:26] Ann-Marie: I just turned 38. I have no pressure in that area, [00:20:30] so. it's not something that really concerns me. If I meet somebody, I meet somebody that, that would be really cool and that would be fun. but it's not, it's not been a priority for me. 

[00:20:40] Ryan Mellon: Okay.

[00:20:41] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, I think it's just a, a question that a lot of people that are thinking about, getting into the lifestyle, have questions about. And I think your approach 

[00:20:49] Ann-Marie: And you could do better than I do. if people want to travel and date, you, can. You could do better. I don't try, but if you wanted to and you, and you tried, you absolutely could. You know, it would be [00:21:00] amazing. 

[00:21:01] Ryan Mellon: Yeah. I mean, absolutely. you just have to be mindful. Of course, like you said, like if you have a speci specific time period that you're in a country, like obviously you might be leading some people on or like, or it's 

[00:21:14] Ann-Marie: You just have to be 

[00:21:14] Ann-Marie: honest. 

[00:21:16] Ryan Mellon: instant. long term relat or long distance relationship situation, which is not ideal.

[00:21:22] Ryan Mellon: So like, you know, you, yeah, you do have to be realistic. so it's always good to see, what [00:21:30] each person's approach to it, um, is. So,So tell me what is something that you wish you knew before starting this journey? 

[00:21:38] Ann-Marie: I, I, I, I dunno, you've stumped me there 

[00:21:41] Ann-Marie: Um, 

[00:21:42] Ryan Mellon: take your time. If not, no worries.

[00:21:45] Ann-Marie: I guess maybe just how much I would love it.but then, you know, I just came into it with, with no expectations at all.and I just, and I've learned so much along the way, so I don't, there's nothing I've come up against where I, I wish I'd, I wish I'd thought of that in [00:22:00] advance, or I, I wish I knew about that.

[00:22:01] Ann-Marie: because that's part of the fun, right? That's part of the adventure. Every country that I go to, I learn something new. I'm, there's so many things now that I'm so just familiar and comfortable with that just, were not even in my consciousness before I started traveling. You know, just the way that you've, you find, you'll find a way of getting around a country.

[00:22:21] Ann-Marie: You, each country has a totally different way of, of, of doing that and different apps that they use and, you know, all sorts. It's, I guess, I guess it's [00:22:30] what I wish pe other people would know, I guess would be a better, would a better way to answer it is that. There is always a way to, you can work out what you need to do, how you need to get somewhere, wherever you go.

[00:22:44] Ann-Marie: There's always somebody that you can ask. There are plenty of online groups and forums and things, communities, communities that you make from staying in co-living sometimes as well. So you've automatically got this community of people to ask. So, so there's a lot of fear [00:23:00] around just like, how am I gonna manage.

[00:23:03] Ann-Marie: If I don't speak the language or how am I gonna, you know, what if it's scary? What if I don't know how to, how to get somewhere? It's, none of those things matter. It's, it's, it all works out. 

[00:23:14] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, it's all figureoutable.

[00:23:16] Ann-Marie: It is. It totally is. Yeah.

[00:23:19] Ann-Marie: I've not come across anything yet that I've not been able to, to, to deal with. 

[00:23:24] Ryan Mellon: Okay. So your impression is. You love it more than you expected. [00:23:30] And also it's, there's nothing, no major challenges that you've really come up that have been an 

[00:23:35] Ann-Marie: No, 

[00:23:36] Ann-Marie: No, not 

[00:23:37] Ryan Mellon: So what do you love most about it? What do you love most about the, the lifestyle 

[00:23:43] Ann-Marie: I just love the feeling of being completely free. Feeling of feeling of, I, I can do whatever I want whenever I want. If I decided tomorrow, oh, I don't like it here, I can just book a flight and go somewhere else, you know? Um,I, [00:24:00] I, I'm just free. That's the only way I can describe it. I just, I just love that feeling.

[00:24:05] Ann-Marie: I love, I love how. Different. I am, I'm, I'm so much more open now to ex new experiences, to meeting new people, to pushing my limits and my, you know, boundaries. just, it's just a completely different world to living. The, the, the, the normal nine to five. Routine that, that so many people live [00:24:30] and you know, that's great for some people.

[00:24:31] Ann-Marie: This life is not for everybody. And I'm not saying, you know, I, I didn't have a bad life before. I had a great life and I.

[00:24:37] Ann-Marie: loved that as well. But this is just, it's just on another level. 

[00:24:43] Ryan Mellon: That's what I was thinking. Exactly what you're saying. Like it's w. It's on another level for sure. Like it's, it's totally different. Like we, we all, a lot of us are very lucky to live good lives, like at home, like what we were doing before we started becoming digital [00:25:00] nomads. But like, once you transition and, and it's something that you enjoy, it's like, man, like I leveled up.

[00:25:08] Ryan Mellon: Like totally. This is totally different. And like it's really hard to go back after that.

[00:25:14] Ann-Marie: Yeah, I can't, I can't, I, I just can't imagine it. just can't, people often say to me like, oh, where do you, do you think you'll settle somewhere? Where would you settle? And I'm like, I dunno. I, most places that I go, I get there and I go, oh my God, I love it. I could live here and I'll start looking at apartments and I'll think [00:25:30] maybe, maybe I'll live here.

[00:25:31] Ann-Marie: But then after a month I'm like, okay, I've have fun here, but now I wanna go, I wanna go here now. You know? So, I don't know. I just, I just don't, I don't plan ahead at all anymore. I don't think about the future at all. Maybe a couple of months in advance. I, I plan and I'll, you know, like next year for example, I'm like, oh, I'm gonna go back to Asia.

[00:25:49] Ann-Marie: And I'm like, oh, I'd really like to, to Japan. You know, so I come up with like little ideas, but my, my plans will always change. You know, I'm just very, I'm just very open to living in the [00:26:00] now. I don't think I've ever lived so presently as I do now.

[00:26:04] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, and that's a great way to do it because like if something pops up or you meet some new friends or there's a new opportunity or you hear about a place you've never heard before, that sounds amazing from other travelers. With you having no plans or no plane tickets in the near future. It's like, all right, I'm just gonna pop over there and go check that out, or go on this adventure with this person.

[00:26:26] Ryan Mellon: So like it's that ultimate flexibility and not [00:26:30] being stuck into to any plans too. That's important.

[00:26:34] Ann-Marie: Yeah. Absolutely. and I also think not to be, you know, morbid, but we, we, we just don't know how much time we have, and what's, what's around the corner. And so I, I try to just, yeah, make the most of what I'm doing now and be grateful. I'm fortunate enough and privileged enough to be able to live like this, that I'm [00:27:00] healthy and well, which is one of the most important.

[00:27:02] Ann-Marie: things.

[00:27:02] Ann-Marie: You know, I think if you have your, you can have anything in the world. and, but if you lose your health and literally nothing else matters. And so I really try to, to value that as much as I can every day. And think, make use, make use of my functioning healthy body that can take me around the world and show me all of these amazing things rather than, you know, waste my own precious [00:27:30] time thinking, oh, I would like to do that, but I can't.

[00:27:32] Ann-Marie: Or, oh, it'd be so difficult. You know, I can't tell you how many people said to me like, oh, I'd love to do this, but I've got a mortgage and where would I put all my stuff? And I'm like, I've got a mortgage and loads of stuff. It was annoying. I had to pack up my put storage, but I mean, that took me four days and now I've been 

[00:27:52] Ann-Marie: doing.

[00:27:57] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, so it's all figureoutable [00:28:00] and,Like you said, four days and you had everything wrapped up.

[00:28:03] Ryan Mellon: So,

[00:28:03] Ryan Mellon: yeah. 

[00:28:04] Ryan Mellon: So tell us, tell me a little bit about co-living spaces. 'cause I know that you have been to quite a bit of co-living spaces, so. what's it like living in a co-living space versus, versus like an Airbnb or a hotel or a hostel. I don't know if you stayed in any hostels, but, kind of give, give me, the lowdown on co-living.

[00:28:25] Ann-Marie: Yeah, so, well, when I first started traveling, I was staying in hostels because, [00:28:30] I was on a budget I wasn't earning. and so I was staying in dorms and I didn't mind it. It was fine, but I was moving quite fast. So I would do like a few nights here, a few nights there. one, whereas once I started working, I slowed down a lot, and realized, you know, I need to.

[00:28:45] Ann-Marie: I need to stay, stay in one place for a bit longer because I want to be able to explore and experience the place that I'm in. But I have a, you know, responsibility and work to do. I need to make sure that I have enough time every day to, to focus on that as well. So I started looking [00:29:00] at co-living spaces.

[00:29:01] Ann-Marie: and yeah, that for me is absolutely the, the, the way forward. So it's kind of like, I mean, each one is different. and I'm, you know, I always do my research beforehand, but it's kind of like, It tends to be an older crowd, so not so many, like 21-year-old backpackers who just wanna party and get drunk every night.

[00:29:19] Ann-Marie: You know, it's, it's not that kind of vibe. and it, but it is a mix of ages. You know, there are of course people in their twenties, mostly I would say, people in their thirties, some in forties, some even older. and they're [00:29:30] all people who are. Professionals, they're working, they're traveling more long term.

[00:29:36] Ann-Marie: and so with a co-living, you generally get your own bedroom. Sometimes there's a shared bathroom or you can pay for a private en suite bathroom. and then there's a co-working space. So you have an actual desk that you can work out with strong, reliable wifi, which is super important. Some have like, Co404 for example, have co call booths in all of their co-working spaces, which is [00:30:00] amazing.

[00:30:00] Ann-Marie: So you can have private meetings and you've got proper desk chairs.and then you've got a shared kind of living communal space. So, a big, huge kitchen, a living space, and you automatically just have this massive community of. Friends and people from all over the world. So you're not, you're not alone.

[00:30:18] Ann-Marie: You feel very safe, especially as a, a female traveler. You know, I.

[00:30:22] Ann-Marie: do stay in Airbnb sometimes, but I, I am always a lot more cautious about it because I'm here on my own and feel like there can be a little bit of a [00:30:30] safety, potential safety concern with, with staying in an apartment. but with a, a co-living, you know, it's, it's, it feels super safe.

[00:30:37] Ann-Marie: They're always in a good location. and you have the opportunity to, A, make friends with people from all over the world and get to know people, but also b networking professionally as well. You know, you're with all of these people who are in different industries and, and, and they're working remotely, or they've got their own businesses and so you've got an opportunity to, to network and [00:31:00] potentially collaborate on something or work together as well, which is super cool.

[00:31:03] Ann-Marie: often they'll plan. Every week they'll have stuff going on. So they'll have events you can sign up to, if you wanna, or you can still have your own privacy and, and your, your own time to yourself. Everyone's very respectful. You know, we all live this life. We know everyone doesn't wanna be socializing in, in each other's pockets all the time.

[00:31:21] Ann-Marie: And so there's plenty of space for you to kind of chill and be alone as well. So it's the perfect balance. There just needs to be more of them around the world. If you ask [00:31:30] me. 

[00:31:30] Ryan Mellon: I've only stayed in one in Bali and it, it was kind of a little bit too corporate-y. Like I really haven't felt like I've, I've. Been to one like you described yet. So I need to keep trying these out because, the one in Bali was just basically like this huge hotel that had a coworking space, but it didn't really have that, like, intimate vibes of like the, the like communal area where people really hung out and met each other.

[00:31:57] Ryan Mellon: They didn't do a good job of like [00:32:00] having like, like. Events and stuff to bring us together enough, you know, like, so there wasn't that person kind of like helping create those environments that made it easy. So I, I need 

[00:32:14] Ann-Marie: Yeah. 

[00:32:15] Ryan Mellon: trying and find, find something that's a little better.

[00:32:18] Ann-Marie: Yeah. And it's the community. That's the main thing. So, I mean, as an example, I know, I know I mentioned them before, but I, the, the, code 4 0 4 is my favorite co-living. It's the first one I stayed in. [00:32:30] They've got two in Mexico and one in in, Columbia. Now. And they really nailed the, the, like, the family community.

[00:32:39] Ann-Marie: I've never, I've not experienced anything like it anywhere else in the world. and actually I, I stayed with them a few times. I met the owner. I ended up, I do a little bit of work with them now, which is great as well, which is part of the networking. I've made friends there that I've met up with all over the world.

[00:32:54] Ann-Marie: And actually we have like a WhatsApp alumni group for former guests. So people will often message in there and [00:33:00] say, Hey, I'm going to such and such place. Anybody got any recommendations? Or someone will then go, oh my God, I'm there too. And then they meet up and I've actually met up with, I've been in Buenos Aires for just over a week and separately I've met with three people that have previously stayed in CO 404 houses in 

[00:33:18] Ann-Marie: other parts of the world that I didn't necessarily know before, But just because of this WhatsApp community that they now have.

[00:33:24] Ann-Marie: We've been able to meet up and, and make friends. So, so they're really, they're really nailing it. And there are some other really great [00:33:30] coing as well, that I've stayed in around the world.

[00:33:32] Ryan Mellon: But CO 4 0 4 is probably one of your top ones, 

[00:33:35] Ann-Marie: Oh, for sure. 

[00:33:36] Ann-Marie: I, I, I stayed in a very nice one in Mallorca as well, called palma palma Co Living, which was really lovely. but for, in terms of the community and the, and the, the kind of family vibe, I, I haven't experienced anything like CO four. They really, they really nailed it, 

[00:33:51] Ann-Marie: and I'm so happy I get to do some work with them now as well. 

[00:33:53] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, that's awesome. It's like a win-win. 'cause you, you get to stay there and you get some clients as well. 

[00:33:59] Ann-Marie: [00:34:00] Yeah. 

[00:34:00] Ryan Mellon: and, I'm thinking about. Also going to Mexico this winter. Just like on my way to Buenos Aires, if I go, I'm like, super, don't know what I'm doing yet, but I'm leaving soon to somewhere. And, my, I had a friend send me on Instagram CO 4 0 4 in Oaxaca.

[00:34:18] Ryan Mellon: 'cause I've been to Oaxaca before. and I love it. I love, I'm a big mezcal fan, so like, that's like the capital mezcal. So, he sent me. a link to their, to their co-living. [00:34:30] So I might have to check, check that out. And so when you were in Oaxaca, was that the time? Were you there for Dia de Los Martis Day of the Dead there?

[00:34:38] Ann-Marie: I sure was.

[00:34:39] Ann-Marie: Yeah. 

[00:34:40] Ryan Mellon: it?

[00:34:41] Ann-Marie: Oh my God. It was unbelievable. It was just incredible. I mean, people had told me about it and said like, oh, it's like a bucket list event. I was so lucky to get a room, to be honest, because I was a little bit late, a little bit late booking. but it was, it was just the most fantastic, [00:35:00] colorful.

[00:35:00] Ann-Marie: Vibrant, exciting event I've ever, I've ever been to. I mean, the, the local people just love celebrating and inviting you to celebrate with them. Like it was just so, it?

[00:35:11] Ann-Marie: was just so wonderfully welcoming. and we did so many cool activities together as a group from the co-living, which was awesome. and I just love Oaxaca in general.

[00:35:19] Ann-Marie: It's one of my favorite places in the world. It's just beautiful. 

[00:35:23] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, Oaxaca is like super, like, kind of like small town vibes, but like with [00:35:30] cool old cathedrals and like, during Dia de los Muertos, like Day of the Dead, they're celebrating, those that are passed on. Right. And, there's lots of bright and colorful, like the streets are bright and colorful. Filled with, what am I trying to say? Like.

[00:35:47] Ann-Marie: Energy and life. 

[00:35:48] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, energy and life. But like the street, like Oaxaca is in general, like, I guess they decorate it for, for the holiday as well. Like there's just colors everywhere and, and, and [00:36:00] great paintings and murals. And then there's people that dress up in like traditional clothing and there's like, usually some.

[00:36:08] Ryan Mellon: Did you guys see any like dancing in the streets and stuff like that, 

[00:36:13] Ann-Marie: Oh my God, 

[00:36:14] Ryan Mellon: yeah.

[00:36:15] Ann-Marie: so much. I'm, every day there was, there was a calendar, like a parade going by music, people dancing like it was, it was incredible. 

[00:36:27] Ryan Mellon: Awesome. Yeah, I did the, de Los Martos in Mexico [00:36:30] City, once. Yeah. And that was a very cool, very cool experience as well. So I can imagine Oaxaca with its small town vibes and char being like a little bit more intimate and a little bit, a little bit cooler, so know,

[00:36:45] Ann-Marie: It's Oaxaca is the place to celebrate Day of Dead. That is the main, people think it's Mexico City but's. Not it's  Oaxaca. They, they, they, it's off the chain what they do. But if you wanna do something that's also really traditional and beautiful, but maybe a little bit more calm, then also [00:37:00] San Cristobal is a beautiful, um, place to go as well.

[00:37:03] Ann-Marie: I spent Christmas there last year and it's just gorgeous in the mountains. very, very chill. very traditional, beautiful place. 

[00:37:11] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, 

[00:37:12] Ryan Mellon: Mexico special place. Definitely I spent more time in that country than any other country I've been to other than 

[00:37:20] Ann-Marie: that's one of my favorite 

[00:37:21] Ryan Mellon: So yeah, it's a good spot. As we wrap up, I just have a couple rapid fire questions. So what is one of your number one [00:37:30] go-to apps for either working remotely or travel?

[00:37:33] Ann-Marie: Probably the currency converter app. 

[00:37:36] Ryan Mellon: Ah,

[00:37:38] Ann-Marie: I'm on that constantly currency converter or, my Google translate 

[00:37:43] Ryan Mellon: yeah. 

[00:37:43] Ann-Marie: time. 

[00:37:44] Ryan Mellon: Currency converter's a good one. No one has ever said that on the podcast, but I use that all the time because especially when you're jumping around different countries, like you're always changing the, the math of what you're paying for stuff. So 

[00:37:56] Ann-Marie: yeah. I could be somewhere for three weeks and I still can't remember what the [00:38:00] conversion is, so I just.

[00:38:00] Ann-Marie: check every 

[00:38:01] Ann-Marie: time. 

[00:38:02] Ryan Mellon: Yeah. it's super handy. That's a good one. do you, what's the best way to make friends in a new city?

[00:38:10] Ann-Marie: I go, I look for Nomad Meetup events. So like, there are lots of Facebook groups. as I said before, Bumble BFF is, is really good. and generally, Just putting on my Instagram as well. I'm gonna, this place, does anyone have any recommendations? 

[00:38:26] Ryan Mellon: Okay. 

[00:38:26] Ann-Marie: in a co-living, you make friends. So, 

[00:38:28] Ryan Mellon: Awesome. [00:38:30] Tell me in a place, in your opinion, that has the best food

[00:38:34] Ann-Marie: well, I, I'm going to my, I'm. Tonight. So I'll probably say Argentina tomorrow, but right now I.

[00:38:41] Ann-Marie: would say Vietnam. I think the food there was just amazing. 

[00:38:46] Ryan Mellon: yeah, I do miss the, the pho in Vietnam. Like, that with a, a Saigon for like, you know, two, $3 on some plastic chairs and the street is like the best [00:39:00] thing. 

[00:39:00] Ann-Marie: Me sat on a plastic chair. 

[00:39:02] Ann-Marie: Yeah, Yeah, absolutely. Awesome. Well thank you so much for taking the time today. I really appreciate you having this conversation with me. and so where can people find you?

[00:39:13] Ann-Marie: so my Instagram is RUK. Annie spelled a bit weird, so, I'm sure you'll take it somewhere. 

[00:39:19] Ryan Mellon: Yeah, we can put it on show notes, but if you wanna spell it out you can too, as well.

[00:39:24] Ann-Marie: Yeah, so it's, RARE and then the letter U OK is oka [00:39:30] y Annie. and I also have a website where I have a blog, so I write a blog now every week. it's focused more around women's empowerment and trying to encourage women to consider another option for their lives.maybe that looks like travel.

[00:39:46] Ann-Marie: Could look like something else, but just to be empowered to, to go against the societal pressures that we, we all feel. 

[00:39:53] Ryan Mellon: Okay. And what's the name of your website?

[00:39:56] Ann-Marie: So the website is, are you okay, annie.com. 

[00:39:59] Ann-Marie: It's about the [00:40:00] same as the Instagram handle. 

[00:40:01] Ryan Mellon: Okay, perfect. Awesome. Well, thanks again and I hope you have a great rest of your day. 

[00:40:07] Ann-Marie: Thank you so./

[00:40:09] Ryan Mellon: Thanks for listening to another episode of Digital Nomad Nation. I hope today's stories have inspired you to take the next step towards location independence. If you've enjoyed the show, please share it with a friend and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Your support fuels our mission to inspire the [00:40:30] digital nomad lifestyle.

[00:40:31] Ryan Mellon: Before you go, don't forget to grab your free copy of my guide, Seven Ways to Become a Digital Nomad. It's packed with practical tips to kickstart your nomadic journey. You can find the link in the episode description. And remember, the life you've always dreamed of is just one bold decision away. Until next time, this is the Digital Nomad Coach, Ryan Mellon, signing off.