I bought a one-way ticket to Costa Rica after my breakup. Now I run a coaching business focused on helping women make big moves in their lives.

17.09.2023 - 13:49 / insider.com

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Martha Pierce , a 34-year-old former marketing agency owner, who started her own business coaching practice this year and left Denver, Colorado for Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

I've always pursued the uncommon path and always been someone who takes risks. I don't have a home base. But I'm currently sitting in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica and I'll be traveling for the next six-to-12 months.

I had always planned to do this but I kept extending the timeline. Previously I was living in Denver, Colorado, and before that, I was in LA, and before that I was in New York City.

At the start of this year, I was working a temp job. I was at a crossroads of no longer wanting my marketing agency but not being entirely sure what it would look like to shift. I was afraid of plunging into coaching full time. I was also in a relationship.

At the beginning of this year, I hosted a women's co-working retreat in Malta. Then I flew to Italy for a couple of days. While I was there, my partner and I broke up. I came back, moved all my stuff out, and moved into my parents' house.

At the six-month mark, I decided I was going to cut and run essentially. I decided to go for it and do the thing that I always wanted to do, which was run a business and serve women. I help women eliminate shame and other problematic emotions so they can really show up as their best, most authentic selves.

Ultimately, I decided to book a one-way flight to Costa Rica and explore what that could look like. I'm not saying I wouldn't stay in Costa Rica, but I'm also not closing myself off to going elsewhere.

For instance, next month I'll be in Colombia for about a week. And then the plan is to also be in Bali before the end of the year.

I looked at all angles: cost of living, climate, what there is to do, is it a safe country. Costa Rica is also aligned with the timezone I was coming from.

I moved here two weeks ago. I'm doing Airbnbs for the foreseeable future. It's easier and safer than doing a long-term rental.

I'm not on a visa. I'm considered a visitor to the country. I might pursue a digital visa, but that only makes sense if I'm committing to one location. Costa Rica just announced that they are allowing 180-day stays for visitors. Previously you were limited to 90 days.

I work when I travel. I guess the term digital nomad applies. My vision for my life is that I don't have a job that I want to get away from. I have a business that I love and I don't necessarily need a vacation from.

Now, I'm working more specifically with women who are where I was about a year and a half ago, which is to say they're feeling stuck. They're on the verge of some breakthrough. They've likely been shaming themselves