I never thought I’d live outside the USA. Last year, at 34, knee-deep in the endeavor of building our creative agency, I found myself in a state of stagnation.

Prior to content producing, I had been a personal trainer in which I slowly transitioned to helping women strategically craft their very own life well lived. Aside from movement it was the mindset emphasis  that helped me transform hundreds of women's brains + bodies.

I was in a mindset meeting with a client when  I encouraged her to ‘embody courage in the process of designing your life.’ I realized I needed to do the same. Living a brave life demands continual reevaluation . Here I was working in creative industries not utilizing one of our greatest gifts, creativity.

Years prior, I lived in Brentwood, fulfilling a childhood dream. My best friend Veronica and I moved into our apartment in the heart of town and I enjoyed everything about it : Sunday Farmers Market, getting daily steps around the country club + Farmshop, proximity to Beverly Hills, Century City, etc. (the Eastside wasn’t what it is now which is more of my style socially/culturally. I love Los Feliz :) and Griffith) it felt good to be in an airy westside way of living.

I would frequently take daily steps toward the beach and truly feel my eyes well up, every. single. time. Moving from my hometown of Modesto, CA, it felt like I was honoring my family’s sacrifices AND my childhood fantasies. The allure of opportunities in Los Angeles captivated me and the longer I stayed, the more I trusted that if I could cultivate joy in the city that is LA, then I could do it anywhere.

During the pandemic, my best friend stayed in Rome, Italy. My business partner Jordan and I decided we would live together as we built our creative agency + production company.

Everything personally and professionally collided and we couldn’t tell the days from weeks, weeks from months and months from years. We navigated uncertain times together. Despite the chaos, those years were formative, fostering resilience in our creative entrepreneurship journey while navigating a shifting global climate on every front.

Post-pandemic, I began dreaming again. Destinations like New Mexico, France, and Menorca danced in my mind. I even applied for Dual Citizenship with sights of spending time in London. After getting residency in the United Kingdom I still felt unsure that was where I wanted to spend my time. It could have been the ass kicking of jet lag or the anticipation of cold winters.

It was Mexico City, with rich culture familiar from my upbringing in the Central Valley, that ultimately beckoned. I grew up flying in to Guadalajara with my best friend Alexis and the Luna family. They showed me the way of life and I remember visiting a family ranch in rural Mexico. Between street tacos and dancing our nights away it left an  unforgettable impression.

On my 34th birthday, I visited a man for a second date and Mexico City. Initially  I was uncertain but soon felt captivated by its vibrancy. The sights, sounds, smells and company ignited a sense of belonging and inspiration.

Birds chirping, tree lined streets, eclectic architecture, warm color palettes, faint mariachi music and the smell of freshly baked goods, I felt as if I was in a movie.

The people around me could also feel a shift. “ You seem so happy, you are radiating, thank you for sharing so much of the city on your Instagram stories we can tell you were affected etc.” I was excited and my behavior revealed it whether I wanted to acknowledge it or not.

As I embraced this season, friends noticed a change in me. Their mirrored feeback bolstered my resolve to explore further, despite the fear of leaving behind familiar comforts.

Transitioning wasn’t easy. Letting go of my life in Los Angeles felt daunting, but with support, I embraced the moment.

We turned the process of downsizing into a celebration, hosting a 'shedding sale' to share belongings with our community. The act of letting go was liberating.

I was terrified to let go of my apartment in Los Angeles even though I knew I would be visiting frequently for creative production.

The idea of fully committing to exploring a country I began to love was gut wrenching and thrilling in one breath. That’s the thing about growth, even when you’ve craved it for so long sometimes the taste feels unpalatable.

My girlfriends. My business. My home. My heart. These moments call for your vulnerability, for your faith and with the help from some of my closest circle, they encouraged me to go scared.

That’s what I want for every single one of us. That we can create environments internally that inherently invite us to ‘move differently’ externally. I hope that we can connect to our resourcefulness and desires while deepening our appreciation for the things we truly value, quieting the “what ifs”.

Though for now I’m staying in Mexico City with my partner, I’m still uncertain if it’s my forever home. Yet, for now, I’m so grateful for the experience.

I invite you to explore Mexico City through my recommendations. Whether it becomes your home or simply another chapter in your journey, may it inspire and enrich your life as much it has mine.

All things,

MG