For those who do not know much about me, I’ve been in the S&C field for about 10 years now and have been living overseas for the past two years within the EU after getting the chance of a lifetime as a contractor overseas. Most strength and conditioning coaches know what moving far away for the next big job is like. However, very few coaches will have a chance to take that a step further. This article will hopefully help highlight the lessons I have learned as an American expat living overseas. There have been ups, downs, right turns, & left turns. However, I would not trade it for the world. Below are 8 of the biggest lessons I have learned since coming overseas.
The initial challenges of moving to a new country can be terrifying. This could be the fear of missing out on big family events back stateside, anxiety about your new life to come, or even whether the locals speak my native tongue. Regardless of what your fears are, embracing change and uncertainty will be a must if you tend to outlast the rest of the world outside of the continental USA. Below are some strategies and lessons learned that I have used & experienced when moving for work in my 5,000-plus-mile move over to the EU.
You will need a community
Ever wonder why most people kept in solitary confinement have trouble readjusting when to get out of jail? They have had zero human exposure in a 6x6 cell underground. The principle applies to non-convicts as well. Human beings are social animals and it does not matter if you are more “introverted” than your “extroverted” friends stateside. The reality is lonely people are nowhere near as successful as individuals who embrace/build communities. A great example that I tell everyone coming overseas is to find a martial arts studio (BJJ, Judo, Boxing, Muay Thai, etc) and embrace the grind of getting your ass kicked. It is not fun at first, but something strange happens. You build a bond with the individuals you train with. A bond that cannot be broken. This will help lead to connections, social events, and even other opportunities on the side. If the fight game is not for you, then I recommend going to a gym or run club as a great alternative.
Set routines to keep your mind sane
Routines create good habits which then lead to discipline. Jordan Peterson recommends making your bed every day to spark productivity. Once I started doing this I found myself not being so overwhelmed by the tasks at hand during the day. I then set time for cleaning, working out, writing, side business endeavors, & time for social events. Completing one small task a day right when the day starts will perform wonders for you in the momentum built throughout the day. On the off chance, you have a bad day; at least you came home to a bed that you made yourself.
Feel every emotion but do not let it control the outcomes
About 7 months ago I went through arguably the worst breakup with my ex-girlfriend I have ever had. I had picked out a ring and was going to propose 7 months from the date we ended things. The emotions were ten times higher than anything I have ever felt stateside. Regardless of how I “felt” every day, I stood up and got my tasks for the day. This does not mean I buried the emotion, if I needed time to “feel” the emotion all the way through, I took some time away from my friends, went for a walk, or took some PTO to assist in the recovery. No one is perfect, however, if you stick to the strategies in the routines & community points above, you will see a much higher level of success. Without the previous two points, my outcomes would have probably been rather catastrophic. Keep your emotions in check, train hard, & build community. NEVER IGNORE THEM THOUGH.
You should say “yes” to everything your first 8-10 months overseas
There are a TON of expat meet-up groups on Facebook or within your job site for other local Americans. This could be a group of friends planning a vacation, a staff-sponsored trip to another country in the EU, or just a meet-up from a dating app or Facebook group. Regardless, you should say “yes” to everything. You might be surprised at what you might like. I was trying to make more friends locally and ran into a co-worker of mine who goes a ton of long-distance trail runs in the mountains. For those who know me; I am NOT a trail runner. However, I said yes and completed the 3.2-mile run with them. It was challenging, the mud was slippery, & rewarding all at the same time. Now I thoroughly can say I enjoyed a trail run. However, if I had said: “no”, there would be no discovery or reward.
Tax advantages
This might shock some people, but I legally do not pay American taxes outside of Social Security or Medicare. Before I go down this rabbit hole, please make sure you get a good accountant who specializes in American Expat Taxes. There are rules and a specific number of days abroad you must meet to not pay local, state, or federal income taxes. However, if you get a tax home in your host country and your contracting company for the US using specific agreements with said host country, you do not pay taxes. As strength and conditioning coaches, we always complain about how we are underpaid. However, these overseas opportunities allow us a new chance to develop a good financial base to increase our well-being for families and ourselves. If you need a good accountant, I recommend Greenback Expat Tax Services. Please make sure you consult with your company and a qualified accountant to see if you qualify for tax breaks/benefits.
Appreciation of the American Logistics
Whether it comes to car parts, grocery stores, or even basic medical care; the American way is still superior. Why is this you may ask? Let me give you some examples. Customers are prioritized and given perfect treatment overall respective to most industries on the international stage. If your car breaks down, it can take up to 2-3 weeks to fix (especially if your host country takes the entire month of August off). This is also due to a terrible supply chain a need to order parts/lack of work ethic within the culture. Even for necessities such as food, grocery stores appeal to the local communities' timeline. If you take a siesta or riposo, you better believe most grocery stores also do. Even on weekends, most stores close around noon. When it comes to healthcare, yes it is universal here, however, it comes with many downsides. Such downsides include but are not limited to, bad infrastructure, reduced surgery hours, & even the need of the customer to “play up” their illness or injury to get immediate attention. While American healthcare is expensive, at least you do not have black mold in the operating room or the horrible sight of seeing kids with broken arms not being able to see a doctor because the hospital is “backed up” or the doctors are “on holiday”.
Be Aware of threats and geopolitical events
Most Americans are unfortunately fed the most amount of propaganda and are completely oblivious to the rest of the world as long as it does not have any effect on their well-being. In America, you will mainly hear about conflicts between:
1. Russia and Ukraine
2. Israel and Palestine
3. Tensions between China and Taiwan
However., Consider the following:
Did you know so far in 2024, roughly 150 armed conflicts are going on? Did you know that China has a massive social credit system that can affect its citizens' traveling ability if you are not a good citizen of the CCP? Did you all hear about the genocides in Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2022? Did you know about the rising tensions between Kosovo and Serbia in 2023? Did you see the massive strikes farmers did in Italy, France, & Germany to combat idiotic policies that would cripple farmer’s economic stability and ability to produce food?
All of these conflicts or issues can affect Americans living abroad globally. From food/supply chain to work travel. Being an American overseas there is an element of having a “target on your back”. It is very important to mind your surroundings & be smart while traveling. Some countries love America. Some hate it and will do anything to harm its citizens.
Respect different ways of life and do not be a loud ignorant American
While I may seem critical of the logistics of host nations in point 6, I would also like to play devil’s advocate. In the EU, cancer rates are super low, suicide rates are lower, divorce rates are lower, & more. While I find a ton of cons with Europe, they have a better grasp on life overall. From parties going until 0600 in the morning to higher levels of family values, they live longer for many reasons. Maybe there is something to a nice siesta or riposo that Americans can learn from instead of always maximizing shareholder profits. Listen, learn, and see opposing points of view to sharpen your worldview.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my journey as an American strength and conditioning coach living abroad has been a profoundly enriching experience, filled with both challenges and rewards. Embracing change and uncertainty has been essential and a much-needed growth for myself in seeing the pros and cons of other countries while having the roller coaster ride of a lifetime. If you are hard-working & willing to move, I highly recommend it for all strength & conditioning coaches who can make it happen.
