Living Life Differently
Feeling stuck and dreaming of a different life? You're not alone. Host Ali Mahoney talks to women from around the world who have dared to break free from the conventional, sharing real, raw stories of transformation. From moving to France in a £400 ex-builder's van to living as a bicycle nomad, each episode offers honest conversations and fresh perspectives. If you're ready to be inspired and take that leap yourself, tune in for powerful encouragement.
Episodes
EP25 - Ali Mahoney - Pivotal moments and adventures that go wrong
To celebrate 25 episodes, my sister Ellie takes over the host's chair and asks the questions I've been asking my guests all year. Together, we explore some of the pivotal moments, adventures, challenges and decisions that have shaped my own journey.From cycling across countries and learning to ride a motorbike in my fifties, to leaving behind the idea of a "normal" life and creatin
EP24 - Kat Bird - Traded a 9 to 5 career for a life on the road
Kat Bird shares a fascinating insight into a life shaped by bold pivots, brave decisions, and embracing change when it mattered most.From serving as a young woman in the Royal Navy working on helicopters, she later transitioned into a long career as an Air Traffic Controller, all while choosing an unconventional lifestyle living on boats.Then, after several key life events prompted a rethink, Kat
EP23 - Emma Smithson - Unschooling & Starting Over in Thailand
What happens when the UK no longer feels like the right fit for your family?In this episode, Emma Smithson shares how she, her husband and daughter made the bold decision to leave the UK and start again in Thailand.We talk about the real reasons behind the move — including the rising cost of living — and what it’s actually like building a new life abroad. From creating a sustainable lifestyle to d
EP22 - Morgan Price - From one hemisphere to another
In this episode, I’m joined by Morgan Price who made the huge decision to emigrate to Australia with her family. We talk honestly about what led her to that moment, the fears and doubts that came with it, and how it felt to uproot not just herself, but the people she loves the most.We get into:Why the idea of leaving the UK kept pulling at herThe practical realities of emigrating (beyond what soci
EP21 - Kate Bennett-Brown - From Burnout to Ocean Life
Kate's future was mapped out from a young age as she aspired to be a Doctor. After reaching the point of starting her surgical training, she experienced burnout.This made her stop in her tracks, take time out from her employment and really think about what she wanted to do next.What lay ahead was a completely new life; a life far removed from the stresses and strains of life in a busy London h
EP20 - Morag Sjolin - From Scotland to Sommelier
How does a Scottish woman go from classroom teacher to certified Sommelier, carving out a brand-new life in the wine world?In this episode, Morag takes us on a journey that’s anything but ordinary. From moving abroad and navigating new cultures, to stepping into motherhood, to building a career in education before making a bold pivot into her true passion — wine — her story is one of curiosity, co
EP19 - Helen Neave - From the Health Service to Rewilding
Helen once had a thriving career as a Consultant Surgeon and Senior Leader in the NHS — but a love of nature led her down an entirely different path.In 2010, she and her husband bought a 26-acre field and began transforming it into a thriving wild haven — planting 20,000 trees, sowing wildflowers, digging ponds, and creating homes for birds and bats.Then, during a summer picnic in 2017, one sponta
EP18 - Emily Chappell - Cyclist and Author
When Emily struggled to get a job despite being a graduate from Cambridge University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, she made a decision which altered the whole course of her life.Whilst living in London, she applied to be a bicycle courier and after a near miss with a vehicle and a chat with the driver, her perspective on life shifted.With a love of cycling and travel, she announc
EP17 - Jo Bradshaw - Adventurer & Expedition Leader
Jo Bradshaw is an Adventurer, Expedition Leader and Public Speaker who has summited Everest and also reached the highest summit on each of the other six continents.But life wasn't always this adventurous for Jo. In this episode, she shares how one decision to do a parachute jump in 2004 led to a 'sliding doors' moment that totally changed her life.By 2007. she had developed a love for
EP16 - Lynn Stephenson - Full Time Travelling
In this episode, the inspirational Lynn Stephenson talks to me about her epic worldwide travels. She reflects on where her passion for travel first started, and also her ambitious plans to visit EVERY country in the world - spoiler alert - she'll achieve it sooner than you think!Lynn discusses how it was quite an easy decision for her to sell her house 2.5 years ago to lead a full-time-travell
EP15 - Ursula Martin - One Woman Walks
By her own admission, Ursula Martin struggles to take life seriously. She has spent most of her life in low paid jobs, in between periods of travelling. These days she spends her time in Wales, struggling with the balance between ethics and comfort that most first world lifestyles require.She plants seeds and forgets to harvest them.She makes plans with friends in between periods of ignoring them.
EP14 - Tricia & Cathie: Race Across the World
If you've ever thought of putting your life on hold to do an incredible, life-changing adventure then this is the episode for you!We speak with Tricia and Cathie who competed in the BBC hit series, Race Across the World.Tricia and Cathie were both in their 40s at the time that they applied for the show and were very settled in life with full time jobs and family ties. Little did they know that
EP13 - Sarah & Harriet: Help We Bought a Village!
In their mid-40's Sarah and Harriet decided that they needed a big change in their lives. Tired of working long days with little down time and tired of the expense of houses in the UK, they decided to sell up and move to France.But this was no ordinary move. After searching online during the Covid Pandemic for a property with holiday let potential, they fell in love with a small hamlet in the
EP12 | Phillipa Alexandre | Vanlife & Moving to Portugal
Join us in this episode as we speak with Phillipa Alexandre who left the island of Jersey with her husband Callum and their cat Theodore after realising that they both needed to change their lives for the better.Phillipa talks about how and why they decided to leave Jersey and how their vanlife adventure went across Europe.Their adventure didn't end with vanlife, as through a twist of fate, th
EP11 | Linda Wilmott | Independent Hostel Owner
When the opportunity came for Linda Wilmott to leave her well established career in the civil service, she jumped at the chance. Her organisation were offering Voluntary Exit packages, and having got to a point of high stress and dissatisfaction with her job, she knew it was time for a BIG change. At the age of 47 she left the security of a career with nothing else to go to.Linda applied for a vol
EP10 | Kelly Hayes-Raitt | International Pet Sitter
Kelly Hayes-Raitt admits that she sleeps around (usually with pets!) as a full-time international pet sitter.Fifteen years ago, after a 30-year career as a political activist promoting social and environmental justice, Kelly ran for public office and got her butt kicked. She decided to take a sabbatical from politics and ended up in the Middle East working with refugees.She’s housesat throughout t
EP9 | Louise Dumayne | Living in the Yukon Wilderness
Louise Dumayne lived in London and worked as an actor all her professional life.In 2012, aged 42, she made the life-changing decision to fulfil a childhood dream of moving to the Alaskan Wilderness.She now lives with her husband in the Canadian Yukon at their extremely remote, off-road, off-grid log cabin.In 2017, they featured in the Channel 4 series “Escape to the Wild”.Her short story, The Bear
EP8 | Siobhan Daniels | Fulltime Vanille (UK)
In this episode we speak with Siobhan Daniels who has retired from her role in the BBC to travel the UK in a motorhome.Having sold her flat and most of her possessions, she bought a motorhome with no previous experience of vanlife.Siobhan talks passionately about using her retirement at the age of 61 years young to challenge ageism and ageist stereotypes.She also discusses her round the world back
EP7 | Natalie & Amanda | Full time Vanlife (Australia)
In this episode we speak with Natalie (from Australia) and Amanda (from Brazil) who are travelling full time together in a converted bus.The couple have been travelling around Australia, earning a living on the road through the sale of various online products.They share how they got into vanlife, their favourite places that they've visited and share the best and worse things about living this
EP6 | Daniela Carneiro | Truck Surf Hotel Owner
In this episode we speak with Daniela Carneiro from Portugal. Daniela left her job as an Environmental Engineer to follow her two passions; surfing and travel.After going on a 7-month travel adventure she realised that she could not return to her old life. With her boyfriend Eduardo, they spent time travelling in a campervan and finding some great surf spots.Whilst they were travelling, an idea de
EP5 | Zoe Langley-Wathen | Living on a Canal Boat
After 13 years of teaching and a life changing experience of a long-distance walk, Zoe decided to change her life.She quit her job in teaching to follow her passion for adventures and writing. In addition to this, she moved from her home in Dorset to live on a canal boat with her partner, Mike.Now moored on the beautiful Monmouthshire-Brecon canal in Wales, Zoe spoke to us about the challenges of
EP4 | Sarah Williams | Founder of the Tough Girl Podcast
After working in finance for 8 years, Sarah made a big and bold decision to quit her high-flying city job and spent 18 months travelling the world, climbing Kilimanjaro, backpacking around South America and doing a ski season. She used the time abroad to help her decide on what she wanted to do with her life. As a result, she set up Tough Girl Challenges as a way of motivating and inspiring women
EP3 | Ellie Mahoney | Moving to Portugal
After living in France for just over 10 years (listen to EP1 for more details) Ellie landed a remote job and decided that it was time for another big move in life.Motivated by the desire to live somewhere warmer and cheaper, she opted to relocate to Portugal - a country she had never even visited before.She talks about her decision to move, why she chose Portugal, what she loves about the country
EP2 | Helen Dainty | Cycling the World
In this episode, I talk to Helen who is 50,000km into her epic worldwide cycling adventures. She is aged 42 and talked to me from her base in North Macedonia whilst she waited for pandemic travel restrictions to be lifted.Helen talks about how she got into cycle touring, how she finances her travels and how she overcomes shyness on the road.You can follow Helen's adventures here:FacebookInstag
EP 1 | Ellie Mahoney | Moving to France
Ever thought about packing up and moving abroad to start a new life? Listen to Ellie's story - after some huge financial pressures, she bought an ex-builders van for £400, packed it to the roof and set off to the French Alps.She went to France with very basic French language skills and took a huge drop in salary. It was a big gamble. Did it pay off? Listen to find out!You can follow Ellie on h
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