Hi, I’m Ann-Katrin,
Holistic Wellbeing Coach & Menopause Guide For Expat Women. I help expat women navigate life’s transitions with more ease – whether it’s the challenges of living abroad, the shifts of (peri/post -) menopause, or the overwhelm that comes with constant change.
I truly love the life we live, but I also recognize and experience the challenges that come with it. Moving, change and adjustment are part of our life. And life happens wherever you are.
I know what it’s like to feel uprooted – navigating a new culture, questioning where you belong, and feeling overwhelmed by endless change. I’ve lived abroad for over 20 years, moved 8 times across continents – on my own, with my husband, and as a mother of three.
My journey so far has taken me to Belgium, Singapore, Egypt, back to Singapore, repatriation to Germany, Japan, Oman, Florida, USA and now to Canada, Greater Toronto Area.
Along the way, I’ve faced the challenges that so many expat women know too well:
The practical challenges are manageable; it’s the emotional toll that’s the real struggle.
There were times I doubted my own experiences, questioned my emotions, and felt disconnected from myself and others. I’ve been judged for my choices, misunderstood, and at times, felt invisible.
Some people tell me that expat life isn’t “real life.” But we raise families, work, manage daily responsibilities, face day to day struggles – like anybody else, just in different places. Our experiences are real, even if they don’t fit traditional expectations.
People close to me criticized and judged me without ever asking about my life. In response, I started closing myself off when things got tough. I only shared my struggles with a few, and only after the hardest parts had passed – downplaying them as if they weren’t a big deal. Looking back, I realize how much I missed out on by not opening up sooner.
With each move, I found myself starting over – rebuilding connections from scratch just to keep my passion and business going. It wasn’t always easy. In some countries, strict or no work permit restrictions meant I couldn’t grow my business the way I wanted to.
There were times I felt stuck and frustrated, unsure how, or even if, to keep going with my work. But I found ways to keep showing up – whether it was leading small group yoga classes, running beach workouts, or offering my services for free through school parent associations. Finding ways to keep going helped me feel connected, purposeful.
Friendships have been both beautiful and passing. Expat friendships are special – they form quickly and deeply, but sometimes fade just as fast when one of us moves away. Adjusting to this dynamic of connection and loss hasn’t always been easy. It’s been painful at times.
I lost valuable friends along the way, where I initially thought it would last; but then life and time differences seem to take over at both ends. Still now, after all these years it hurts to see this happening.
But it’s part of expat life. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade the moments we shared. They were precious. I like to believe that if our paths cross again, many of us would pick up right where we left off. Still, the goodbyes never get easier.
As my children have grown, the way I connect with others has changed too. Without the community that comes with having young kids, making new friendships as an adult feels harder. We’re often on different paths, and our lives don’t overlap as easily. What used to happen naturally now takes more effort – and honestly, sometimes it feels like work.
As an introvert, I have to push myself to step out and seek out spaces where I might meet like-minded people. That can be exhausting. And there have been places where, no matter how hard I tried, it just never really clicked. Working from home has made it even more challenging. The feelings of isolation and disconnection become very real.
And now, with peri-menopause bringing another wave of emotional and physical changes, I’m navigating yet another stage of transition.
Through it all, I’ve realized that taking care of your emotional and mental well-being is not optional – it’s essential when navigating expat life.
Because no, expat life isn’t just an “exciting adventure”—it’s our life, often uprooted again and again. It’s filled with moments of joy, but also confusion, loss, and doubt. Our struggles are real, and they are valid—no matter how they may look from the outside.
My approach is compassionate, down-to-earth, and practical. I help midlife expat women move past overwhelm, self-doubt, and uncertainty so they can feel more grounded and stroger in their daily lives.
Together, we’ll:
✔ Develop simple techniques to bring more balance, clarity, and calm into your life.
✔ Help you feel strong inside and more like yourself again.
✔ Create a space where you can be open and honest—without fear of judgment.
This is a place where you don’t have to constantly explain yourself, pretend you’re fine, or feel guilty for struggling.
Because let’s be real – none of us have it all together all the time. And that’s okay.
If you’re ready to move past the overwhelm and embrace this stage of life with more ease, I’d love to support you.
1️⃣ I grew up in Germany, hold both German and Swedish citizenship, but have always felt more connected to Sweden.
2️⃣ For me, hair is all about having fun. Even though mine is short, I love to experiment – from super spiky to messy short, short fringe, longer fringe, highlights in blue, red, or pink… it all depends on my mood when I visit the hairdresser. Finding a stylist who’s up for the challenge isn’t always easy, but after some trial and error, I’ve been lucky enough to find ones who play along – no matter where I’ve lived.
3️⃣ In some of the places we’ve lived, I’ve taught private yoga classes, led meditations, and even hosted body workout sessions on the beach.
4️⃣ Thanks to menopause, my body no longer tolerates red wine (fun times!), but I still enjoy a glass of champagne or a good G&T on occasion.
5️⃣ The first time my husband (who is Dutch) and I actually lived together was when we moved across the world to Singapore. Before that, we had a weekend relationship across Europe!
