It’s that point of 12 months! After we suppose again on the 12 months that’s handed, and mirror on the accomplishments and “failures”, the highs and lows.
I’ve been doing these roundup posts since 2012…and I’ve been tremendous according to them – I’ve solely missed 2 years!
We love doing these reflective posts for ourselves to recollect what’s truly occurred all year long, and for you – to offer you a behind the scenes into our private {and professional} lives.
We hope these posts both encourage you, provide you with a lightbulb second, or simply provide the alternative to get to know us somewhat higher!
In my e mail that I despatched out on the finish of 2024, our phrases and emotions heading into 2025 had been: recalibration, stability & freedom…I believe we did a reasonably good job of incorporating these values into this 12 months.
2025 – The 12 months of The Snake
Based mostly on the Chinese language Zodiac, 2025 was the 12 months of the Snake…which was all about consciousness, refined shifts, and shedding previous “pores and skin”. It wasn’t about large, dramatic adjustments, it was extra about quiet recalibration.
Wanting again, that theme couldn’t be extra correct for us based mostly on what we skilled this 12 months!
This 12 months wasn’t about pushing tougher, or forcing issues…it was all about pausing, observing, and getting sincere with what’s working (and what’s not) with our well being, enterprise, and day-to-day lives. After which barely recalibrating the path and adjusting the dial.
As with yearly, there was lots to be glad about in our private {and professional} lives. We had plenty of “ups”…however, there have been some lows all year long as effectively.
Let’s get into it. Right here’s a take a look at what 2025 needed to supply…
PS, for those who’d wish to examine our years from the start, you may! Take a look at 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
In January, I made a decision to rent a Practical Well being Coach who offers with thyroid, hormone and intestine well being. I’d been feeling exhausted, pressured, and “foggy” for fairly some time.
It was time to handle the basis trigger, as a substitute of simply powering by means of and overlooking the signs.
Time for a Cleanse
My well being coach steered I am going on a detox and weight loss plan for six weeks (I ended up doing it for 55 days), which meant no gluten, dairy, sugar, seed oil, espresso or alcohol. Nick joined me and minimize out most of these issues as effectively, together with caffeine and alcohol!
It’d sound like a difficult weight loss plan (and eating out was), however in actuality, I discovered it fairly simple. If you concentrate on it, it’s simply consuming actual meals – proteins, greens, nuts and fruits.
Throughout this time, I additionally took a number of dietary supplements and pure capsules to assist out my intestine and liver. After that detox, I used to be the bottom weight I can keep in mind being in my grownup life. Extra importantly, I felt good as effectively.
Additional Testing
After that preliminary cleanse, I made a decision to take it a step additional and did a blood check for my thyroid, and a HTMA check (hair tissue mineral evaluation) with my well being coach.
Should you’ve by no means achieved one, I extremely suggest it. The quantity of issues she was in a position to inform me about my physique simply based mostly on my hair was thoughts blowing.
I discovered which minerals I used to be severely missing, and which toxins had been in my physique – and the way these imbalances had been affecting my well being, and each day life.
Mainly, my coach was like “I don’t know the way you’re even functioning proper now”… the check confirmed my adrenals had been in a state of excessive burnout, I used to be extremely low on important minerals, and based mostly on my blood check, and different issues I’d been experiencing, I’ve Hashimotos.
The remainder of the 12 months was about making well being a precedence – emotional, psychological and bodily. I had a bespoke mineral powder created only for me based mostly on what my physique was missing, and I’m completely satisfied to say that I’ve been feeling actually good since then.
After we considered “stability and recalibration” because the objective for this 12 months, I didn’t suppose it could be to do with balancing out my minerals!
We Shook Up Enterprise
You recognize that feeling when issues are good, however one thing simply doesn’t really feel proper?! Like, one thing’s off? The primary few months of 2025 felt that means. We had been each a bit uncertain which path to take our new teaching enterprise.
In 2024, we ran two profitable cohorts with 18 wonderful folks, however to be utterly sincere, we each felt fairly burnt out heading into 2025 … even my hair check confirmed that! 😅
The enterprise was new, so in fact there was a lot to do.
We had spent months filming and making a course, conceptualizing and designing a brand new program, after which delivering reside calls, texting, and web site builds.
We felt like we had been working actually exhausting on our purchasers companies, and didn’t have time for our personal. We wanted to rebalance and recalibrate!
Not surprisingly, in the beginning of this 12 months, we each type of felt reluctant to run one other cohort.
We wished time to work on build up our enterprise, updating our program so it could possibly be as present as potential, and having time to create content material for our social media, this web site, and e mail subscribers.
So, we determined to shake issues up!
A New Surroundings
We made the choice to take off to Crete, Greece for a few weeks and it was one of the best determination we made. Generally, you simply want a change of atmosphere to achieve readability or to get the spark again, and the Greek island supplied that.
We did a number of mountain climbing, explored previous cities, swam within the sea, ate wonderful meals…and mentioned transfer ahead with our enterprise.
We had been in a position to recalibrate barely (moderately than making an enormous, dramatic pivot), and discover a answer that gave us the stability we wished/wanted…
…we’d run this system “evergreen”, and over an extended time period. This meant that new purchasers may be part of all year long, moderately than for a cohort which felt overwhelming typically.
It additionally gave them extra time to benefit from the course materials and undergo it at their very own tempo.
New Course & Occasions
Since we made that slight change with the way in which we ran our teaching program, this gave us time to do extra and be extra inventive.
We launched a model new course to assist folks discover the enterprise thought of their passions, expertise, and life experiences…AND, we ran 3 reside occasions for our followers – at no cost.
Folks liked the reside occasions and fairly a couple of joined our program after getting on a reside name with us and seeing how a lot ardour now we have for distant companies.
All of this felt actually good and was far more aligned.
I’m completely satisfied to say that we had 27 new members be part of our Creator Kickstarter teaching program this 12 months, and 61 joined our Area of interest Readability Course, and we’re tremendous grateful for that!
We Bought ENGAGED!!
Should you’ve only in the near past began following us, you most likely assumed that we had been already engaged, or married. 😂
On our 18-year anniversary (sure, 18!), Nick popped the query at an property within the Beaujolais wine area in France, surrounded by vineyards. It was probably the most romantic, special occasion you may even think about.
Being the genius he’s, Nick advised me he was planning one thing secret for our 18-year anniversary…
…so I wouldn’t be suspicious or anticipating something however a particular anniversary day. I had completely no thought what was deliberate for the day.
It began with a practice experience from Lyon to Annecy – a village in France which is alleged to be the inspiration for Magnificence and The Beast. Simply visiting the picturesque village, full with an previous city, crystal-clear lake, and surrounding mountains would’ve been a tremendous day!
However, it was the day that saved on giving 🎉
We hopped in an Uber and made our strategy to a hanger and air strip…the place our personal helicopter was ready!
Champagne was popped and we loved the very scenic, 35 minute flight from Annecy to the Beaujolais wine area simply north of Lyon. We flew over mountains, villages, farmland, rivers…and vineyards.
Then, we began our descent and the helicopter actually landed in a winery. Severely, you may’t even make this up!
As we walked into the property, a desk for two was set beneath an enormous tree, and we had been surrounded by (you guessed it), vineyards.
Nick popped the query earlier than our beautiful charcuterie board and wine arrived – I believe if he waited any longer, he most likely would’ve burst! 😂
After all, my reply was (and all the time might be), sure.
It was probably the most unimaginable day. One way or the other, Nick was in a position to maintain this all a secret for weeks and weeks whereas he orchestrated the entire thing. The trouble, thoughtfulness, and love behind this proposal made it much more unforgettable.
Because the cherry on prime, we headed to the South of France to share our information and journey round with a gaggle of shut associates.
A Pal Was in a Tragic Accident
Life’s a loopy factor. Whereas we had been getting engaged in France (experiencing the happiest time collectively), a detailed buddy of ours was combating for his life in a hospital in Mexico.
After being hit by a automobile whereas crossing the street, our buddy Nathan suffered from a traumatic mind damage (amongst different issues). I gained’t get into it, however the hospitals in Mexico and his insurance coverage firm failed him.
Navigating the emotional duality of our engagement pleasure, alongside the overwhelming grief of what he was going by means of – and the prognosis – was extremely difficult.
It hasn’t been a straightforward street for Nathan, however unbelievably… as we speak, simply 7 months because the accident, Nathan is strolling and speaking and residing his life…what a miracle!
All of the docs mentioned he shouldn’t have survived.
We spent American Thanksgiving in Mexico with him this 12 months, an occasion that he organized for 28 folks. There was positively lots to be glad about.
Nathan just about summed up each his sense of humour and what we had been all considering at Thanksgiving when he added his be aware to the gratitude board:
After all, with it being such a traumatic damage, he nonetheless has a methods to go, however Nathan’s progress is unimaginable and we’re all so pleased with him.
This expertise actually put into perspective simply how fragile life is, the significance of being there for associates, and the significance of residing life to the fullest.
High quality Time With Household & Buddies
We’ve been touring and residing overseas now since 2008, so we don’t see our households as usually as we’d like, however once we do, we make it rely! Having the ability to take day off once we need – or deliver our work with us – is one thing we don’t take without any consideration.
2024 felt busy and rushed, whereas this 12 months, we allowed ourselves to decelerate and spend intentional, high quality time with family members.
Mother Does Europe
This 12 months, my mother came around us in Europe – her first time on the continent! We met her in Rome and spent a couple of days strolling and consuming our means across the metropolis.
Then, we flew to Bulgaria to point out her round our house, earlier than driving throughout the border to spend a few days in Greece collectively.
We had a memorable go to, and she or he added three new nations to her record. Seeing her eyes large and in awe of the unimaginable ruins and buildings in Rome is one thing I’ll always remember.
Dwelling to Canada
Through the summer season, we headed house to Canada to go to with extra family and friends. Summer season in Canada (when there aren’t any forest fires…) is actually one of the gorgeous locations on earth!
We spent 5 weeks at house and loved a number of lake time, boating, fishing, mountain climbing, visiting farmer’s markets, consuming wonderful meals, and naturally, visiting with everybody.
We all the time discover it tremendous exhausting to work whereas we’re visiting, however we discovered a stability and nonetheless made time to help our purchasers, and create content material for our enterprise.
Connecting with family members and making time for folks we care about is a prime precedence for us, and having the freedom to take action on the drop of a hat is what this life-style really means to us.
We Invested a LOT
For the final couple of years, we’ve put an emphasis on investing in teaching and consulting for our well being, funds, and our enterprise…and this 12 months was no exception!
We employed coaches for well being, investing within the inventory market, for gross sales and mindset, and for short-form video creation… and social media consultants.
We’re agency believers in investing time and cash into ourselves, and in those that are going to assist us attain our targets quicker than we may if we went at it alone.
Well being
As I discussed in the beginning of this publish, I employed a Practical Well being Coach who focuses on thyroid & Hashimotos. This ended up being an eye-opening expertise for me.
Should you’ve been feeling somewhat “off”, it’s positively value consulting with a physician and discussing a plan for a cleanse, working blood assessments and even an HTMA check.
For me, I liked that she was all about discovering out “why” the signs are there within the first place, and me as a complete particular person…moderately than simply treating signs.
Finance (Spoiler: We Employed Our Shopper!)
This was a extremely cool, full-circle expertise. Jimmy joined our Creator Kickstarter program in 2024 the place we taught him take his information of private finance and investing, and changing into a self-made millionaire, and switch it into a web based enterprise of his personal.
He now has greater than 100,000 followers on Instagram, round 10,000 subscribers to his e mail record, he’s created an investing course for newbies, and runs a group the place he presents month-to-month calls, and tons of recommendation contained in the group.
Clearly, as soon as he launched his program, we needed to be part of!
Not solely have we discovered a ton about inventory market investing on the whole, however Jimmy shared his Wealth Ladder system with us, and continues to share his inventory picks (and the explanations behind them).
We like Jimmy’s strategies as a result of he’s low threat, and he picks foundational shares with established firms based mostly on his actual analysis and knowledge.
We tremendous pleased with how far he’s come along with his enterprise, however not solely that, since hiring him as our finance coach and becoming a member of his group, our investments have achieved very effectively.
We could have began investing later in life, nevertheless it’s positively higher late than by no means. 🙌
Social Media
Regardless that we’ve been sharing on social media since 2012, the panorama is all the time altering.
In an effort to keep on prime of what’s working and what’s not, create one of the best content material potential, and proceed to develop whereas being genuine on-line, Nick joined a high-ticket teaching program with the most effective video creators within the trade.
Inside the program, he had course materials to undergo, and reside group calls two instances per week.
He’s been working tremendous exhausting on creating content material that’s academic, gives worth, and brings folks into our ecosystem.
Nick’s even grown his personal TikTok account from zero to nearly 5,000 followers and reels with nearly 100,000 views! All in just some months whereas nonetheless working our different companies – wonderful.
Gross sales, Technique & Mindset
Being an entrepreneur requires group – and truly, being in any enterprise does!
However, working for your self and carrying all of the hats (gross sales, advertising and marketing, networking, content material creation, shopper work, teaching calls, and all of the tech!), comes with challenges.
Having mentors in varied areas has been an enormous assist for us once more this 12 months – we had 3 totally different coaches all through 2025.
Whether or not it’s gross sales and technique, mindset and visibility, or simply for accountability and having somebody to bounce concepts off of, having a group and enterprise coaches is one thing we’ll all the time spend money on.
Retreats & Occasions
We had two unimaginable experiences this 12 months at in-person occasions and retreats.
A significant “excessive” from 2025 was seeing Tony Robbins reside in Germany with 13,000 different folks! Tony is absolutely the GOAT in terms of the self-help, mindset, enterprise, and general life transformation.
It was emotional, intense, and uncooked. We actually walked throughout sizzling coals to show to ourselves that we are able to do exhausting issues.
We hugged, high-fived, danced, and gave again massages to finish strangers! We had so many “aha” moments and breakthroughs on the occasion.
Plus, there have been a number of visitor audio system, together with Dean Graziosi and Trent Shelton (whose e-book Nick had already learn with out understanding he’d be there!).
The vitality within the enviornment was not like something I’ve skilled.
We additionally went to a ravishing small mastermind retreat with our mentors in Greece! Being alongside the ten different entrepreneurs who had been rising their companies, dropping previous beliefs and tales, and working at a excessive frequency was such a privilege.
After all, the enterprise and masterminding side was nice, however so too was the sundown crusing, the mountain climbing, the in-house chef, the DJ celebration, and the gorgeous villa all of us stayed in.
Becoming a member of occasions just about is one factor…however being reside… that vitality is unmatched!
Giving Again
That is one thing that I don’t really feel like we did sufficient of this 12 months. Volunteering our time and donating cash to causes is one thing we targeted closely on in earlier years, and we’ll be doing extra of in 2026.
Serving to out and having an impression on the world is what it’s actually all about. Having mentioned that, we did handle to do a couple of impactful issues this 12 months.
Rubbish cleanups had been a standard process for us – regionally in our neighbourhood and surrounding mountains, and we all the time deliver our personal luggage and choose up trash when Nick goes fly-fishing on the rivers. Sadly, rubbish is a matter in rural Bulgaria (and lots of locations on the earth).
This month, a shopper of ours went on her annual journey to the Dominican Republic the place she brings toys and medical provides to the kids of a village there. We liked this initiative and we had been completely satisfied to contribute for her to share with the youngsters.
Lastly, after discovering out that our buddy Nathan’s insurance coverage wouldn’t cowl all of his hospital payments, we brainstormed with some associates to see how we may assist out.
After all, there was a GoFundMe deliberate, however he wanted extra.
We determined to place collectively our personal fundraiser. Having by no means ran any type of fundraiser earlier than, it was a bit difficult logistically, nevertheless it got here collectively! Each little bit counts and we’re so grateful to those that donated to the trigger. 🙏
Our Travels
Regardless that we’re now based mostly in Bulgaria, journey and freedom are nonetheless our core values!
We all the time discover ourselves getting “itchy” and able to go on the following journey. We’ve been to over 80 nations collectively, and lately, Europe has been the place we’ve largely been exploring.
In our youthful years, we had been actually into getting offtrack and having loopy adventures in lesser-visited elements of the world like Central Asia, Africa and the Center East.
Currently, we’re in our “Europe Period” 😂. Flights from our house are so shut and simple, we are able to hop within the automobile and drive to close by nations, and there are such a lot of locations on this continent that we nonetheless haven’t visited.
This 12 months, we visited 9 nations (Greece, Italy, France, Monaco, Canada, Germany, Eire, Mexico & Spain), and lots of new locations round Bulgaria.
Monaco and Eire had been new nations for us, as had been all of the locations in France, and the cities of Madrid, Milan and Cologne. So, we had a couple of repeat nations, however a number of new cities!
Our final minute journey to Eire by campervan was a particular spotlight of the 12 months. You’ll be able to learn extra about that journey right here.
The pub tradition with its unimaginable music and trad classes, the pleasant welcoming folks, the gorgeous landscapes, and the hearty meals and completely poured Guinness, made for an unimaginable journey. It was exhausting to depart!
Targets and Ideas For 2026
We’re already feeling a really robust urge for extra freedom and extra motion. I’m deciphering this as bodily motion (travels and train!)…but additionally emotional and religious. It actually appears like one thing huge goes to occur this 12 months!
There are 4 predominant issues that we wish to concentrate on and attain in 2026:
Offering Worth
That is what our enterprise is all about and what it’s all the time been about. As I discussed earlier on this article, for a short while, we felt like we had been too overwhelmed, or busy to offer something “additional” to our viewers.
Now that we’ve organized our teaching program to be extra manageable (and we’ve additionally employed an assistant and shopper care supervisor to assist out!), we’re going to focus extra closely on free occasions, and beneficial emails and social media content material.
We have already got a bonus name on the calendar for our Creator Kickstarter purchasers and Distant Goats group! We’re tremendous enthusiastic about bringing our group even nearer. They’re actually one of the best group ever.
Specializing in Wellness
By this, I don’t simply imply our bodily well being, but additionally psychological, emotional and religious.
Just lately, we’ve each gotten into meditation, introspection, and manifestation, and that is one thing that we’re going to concentrate on much more within the new 12 months.
We’re agency believers in the truth that what we concentrate on, occurs. How we’re feeling and performing might be mirrored again to us. So, if we’re feeling down, or having self doubt, that’ll be mirrored again to us from the outer world.
With meditation, it calms the thoughts, and permits for reflection and readability. We’re wanting ahead to experiencing extra of this in 2026.
The 12 months of YES
When concepts come to us, or somebody mentions one thing that sounds attention-grabbing…we’re going to say “sure”. No overthinking, no indecision, no buzzing and hawing…simply going for it!
Each time we’ve achieved that previously, issues have labored out for us and alternatives we by no means even thought of have come up.
We already mentioned “sure” to a journey partnership for this 12 months, “sure” to travels to nations which can be tremendous removed from the place we’re in Bulgaria, “sure” to new development in enterprise, and “sure” to prioritizing this one life that now we have.
2026 is the 12 months of momentum and saying YES!
Our Wedding ceremony
Quite than placing it off, or staying engaged for a very long time (I imply, we’ve already been collectively 18 years!), we’ve determined to get married THIS YEAR (2026)!
It’s thrilling, and a bit nerve wracking to think about planning it…however I’m certain would be the absolute spotlight of not solely 2026, however our whole lives.
We’re wanting ahead to sharing that a part of our lives with you in addition to we step into this new chapter.
Thank YOU!
We’re so grateful that you simply’re right here and are following our journey. Whether or not you’ve been right here from the beginning in 2012, otherwise you’ve simply joined the “tribe 🐐”, thanks on your help – it means the world to us!
Should you’re right here for the digital nomad info, to observe our private journey, or to discover ways to flip what you already know into a web based enterprise, you’re in the correct place.
Our motto has all the time been: flip journey into a life-style … and that mission isn’t altering anytime quickly!
Should you haven’t already, don’t overlook to subscribe to our e mail record, and observe us on Instagram. And, for those who’re curious about becoming a member of the Creator Kickstarter to earn an revenue, have an effect, and discover function in your work, ship us an e mail and we’ll see for those who’re match.
As all the time, wishing you the best possible, most adventure-filled, thrilling, and enjoyable 12 months forward full of affection, laughter, development and naturally… journey.
Dariece & Nick
