Episode Summary
Have you ever felt stuck in your career or life, dreaming of a big change, but feeling completely overwhelmed? I’ve been there. In the debut episode of Chasing Waves, I share my personal journey of leaving New York City to build a thriving international career across Europe and Asia.
I went from arriving in Germany with no job and barely any money to leading Business Marketing for Spotify across Asia-Pacific. This isn’t just a story about travel—it’s a practical guide for high-achievers who want to take bold career steps without fear. We cover how to trade panic for a plan, why your “perfect” strategy will likely fail (and why that’s okay), and the simple truth about networking that removes the dread from every coffee chat.
Bravery is Just a Better Plan Than Your Panic: How I Rebuilt My Life Across Three Continents
The “waiting version” of you is only a few strategic decisions away.
Have you ever had that feeling? Like there’s a version of you — waiting to be unlocked — that’s braver, bolder, and more alive?
For years, I felt like that person existed just a few decisions away. I spent my adult life chasing “big waves,” moving from New York City to Germany, and then to Asia. Both times, I moved with no job and barely any money. Both times, well-meaning people asked, “Are you sure this is a good idea?” (Which is polite code for, “This is a terrible idea.”)
But those leaps changed everything. They took me from being an unsure expat to the Head of Business Marketing at Spotify for Asia-Pacific.
I’ve learned that the biggest thing holding people back isn’t a lack of talent or responsibility — it’s a misunderstanding of what bravery actually is. Bravery isn’t about being fearless. Bravery is just having a better plan than your panic.
If you’re ready to move from unsure to unstoppable, here is the three-step framework I used to rebuild my life from scratch.
1. Turn on the Lights: Reduce Fear Through Research
Fear thrives in the unknown. It’s the monster in the closet that grows bigger every time you close your eyes. The only way to kill it is to turn on the lights.
But here is the trap: many high-achievers use “research” as a form of procrastination. They research fifty cities and apply to random jobs in London, Singapore, and Dubai all at once. That isn’t research — it’s panic disguised as productivity.
When you try to go everywhere, you end up going nowhere. You have to narrow your focus ruthlessly.
How to find your lane:
- Get brutally honest: Don’t ask what looks good at a dinner party. Ask what you actually want. Do you want a new culture? A new language? A specific industry?
- Analyze patterns, not postings: Don’t obsess over a single job listing. Look at the market. Are there multiple companies in that city that sponsor visas? Is English accepted in your field?
- Calculate the “Runway”: When I moved to Berlin, I knew it was cheaper than NYC. I gave myself a two-month “runway.” That deadline was the most powerful motivator I ever had.
2. The Agility Rule of Three
Every time I moved internationally, I had to fit my entire life into two suitcases. 23 kilos each. Packing that light forces a specific kind of mental clarity: What do I actually value?
In 2013, I moved to Hong Kong thinking my Cantonese and family ties would make it easy. I was wrong. A month in, I felt like a total fraud. My “perfect plan” had failed.
But I didn’t quit; I pivoted. I moved to Singapore, and that’s where my dream job at Spotify finally appeared. To stay agile, follow the Rule of Three:
- Know your non-negotiables: Decide what you won’t compromise on (like working for a product you believe in) and let everything else (job title, salary, specific city) be flexible.
- Expand the boundary: If your Plan A stalls, widen the map. Look at smaller firms or contract roles to get that vital “local experience.”
- Act with speed: Check your progress weekly. If your approach isn’t generating interviews, pivot fast. Momentum is your most valuable asset.
3. Reframe Networking: Humans Want to Help Humans
For most people, the word “networking” induces a cold sweat. It feels transactional or like “begging” for a favor.
Let’s reframe it: Networking is simply letting the world know what you’re trying to do so it has a chance to help you.
Years ago, when I was still at HBO, I asked a senior executive for a coffee. I was intimidated, but he said yes. The first thing he said when we sat down was: “How can I help you? I wouldn’t have agreed to this if I didn’t want to help.”
That conversation led to a connection in Germany, which led to a job opening written entirely in German — a role I never would have found on a job board.
You don’t need 200 connections. You just need one conversation that opens one door. Connect with everyone, even those outside your industry. Humans want to help humans.
The Final Question
Whenever I’m terrified of a new leap, I ask myself one question: What is the worst that could happen?
I realized the worst-case scenario wasn’t “failing” abroad. If it didn’t work out, I’d just return home and continue the same job hunt I was already doing.
The actual worst-case scenario? Staying exactly where I was.
If you’re waiting for the fear to go away before you move, you’ll be waiting forever. Build a better plan than your panic, and just start.
From listening to action: here’s your cheat sheet.
I’ve created a cheat sheet with reflection questions, your actionable blueprint to turn this episode into real-life progress.
Ready to take the leap? Let’s chase that wave and elevate your career and life.
*By submitting your information, you’re giving us permission to email you. You may unsubscribe at any time.
