From researching the world’s oceans and their ecosystems to changing her career to holistic nutrition and health coaching, Lizzie Alexander has not only transformed the most important aspects of her life, but she is now helping others to do the same. This is how she did it.

Before moving to Jordan, Lizzie Alexander had a prestigious and very demanding job in the UK, which included living in Oman and the UAE. Despite the opportunity of doing what she loved and had trained to do, Lizzie’s levels of stress were high and her health was deteriorating. She was only 36 years old.

While living overseas, Lizzie realized how much she appreciates the expat lifestyle and the opportunities it brings.

“I have always been open and fascinated with living abroad.” Lizzie explained. At a younger age, she had spent some time in La Loire, France learning French, followed by living in the French Alps and on the Atlantic coast. She had also traveled extensively throughout Europe. 

After finishing her doctorate degree in the UK, Lizzie spent two years in Oman working in her field. She met her husband Pete whilst living in England. Lizzie’s experience working overseas was both wonderful and hard.  However, when Pete was offered a posting in Jordan with the British Army, Lizzie didn’t hesitate. “I was more than happy to live overseas again once Pete got this posting.” She added.

For her, the most rewarding experience of living as an expat is meeting people from across the world and particularly, from the host country.

Lizzie also appreciates the opportunity to explore the countries in the region and tell others about her personal perception at the places she has lived.  For her it is rewarding to “[…] learn a bit of Arabic and the wonderful culture, nature and experiences that can be had and being able to share this with family and friends who have had a closed view of the Middle East due to poor media.”

Aside from the interesting possibilities and fascinating travels, living overseas comes with its own set of challenges. When asked about her most difficult experience of living as an expat, Lizzie stated: “Loneliness and missing family and friends at home. Though you meet wonderful people, this takes a huge effort particularly in the beginning and more so if you are on your own than in a couple. You get to know people but not really know them, and though you have to be open (more so than back at home), you sometimes want a hug or to share worries without all the small talk that is required initially.”

“Other smaller challenges are finding your way around, finding ways to live the way you need to, which for me, when I came to Jordan I found out I could no longer eat gluten, soy and refined sugars and needed to avoid pollution – this was particularly challenging initially – but I eventually found my way. Avoiding pollution is not possible, I had to come to terms with that one!“

The reason why I want to share in this blog what other expat women are doing to pursue what they love, is because it is inspiring to see how creativity, flexibility, openness, spirituality and passion help us have an interesting and rewarding experience of our own, in spite of change. Lizzie is one of the ones who will inspire you to make it happen.  

If you met Lizzie, you would soon realize how positive, supportive and resourceful she is. She has what it takes to help others achieve their goals, particularly in health and wellbeing. However, it was a long journey that Lizzie had to take before being able to do so.

After a long realization that she needed to end her career as a marine environmental consultant / marine biologist for her personal health, Lizzie had to take gradual steps towards leaving her job and her company. It started with getting a certification as a holistic massage therapist, while keeping in mind that she would have to go back to school and start her own journey to change her nutrition and lifestyle choices along the way.

When she finally closed down her business as a consultant, Lizzie started to notice how the levels of stress were diminishing and how her health started improving.

“After finding out I had been suffering from an autoimmune / reproductive disease for over 20 years, when I had thought it was Chronic Fatigue, I had to find a way to help myself, as I knew doctors wouldn’t, and also as I wanted to desperately get pregnant. Through a number of coaching programmes that resulted in changing my lifestyle and diet, I started to heal, and this all coincided with moving to Jordan, and which I had to continue when I was here”.

“After deciding to close my freelance environmental consultancy business, I finally realised I wanted to help others with similar health problems, as I found the improvement in my health was remarkable, and wanted to share this with others. I therefore signed up to do an online course through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York to become an Integrative Nutrition and Health Coach, which I am still studying. Funnily enough, the start of the course happened to be when I also found out I was pregnant and had just started to take on clients as a holistic massage therapist. It all seemed to fall together.”

Lizzie took risks along the way and she found out that by being creative and open to new possibilities she could pursue a new rewarding career that allows her to do what she really enjoys.  

Taking a different path lead her to help others with similar health challenges. At the same time, she was able to connect with other expat women in the same situation, and even found an “accountability buddy”. Lizzie explained that “by setting deadlines for ourselves, we get on with it as we are accountable to someone else! This way you aren’t isolated either and get to meet like-minded people that understand your passions, dreams and frustrations”.

Lizzie’s creativity has prompted her to build a website, design marketing materials for her business, start a food blog and share her passions on Instagram. “I am loving this side of it, and sometimes find I spend too much time on this creative side!” she exclaimed.

What about spirituality? Where does Lizzie find those moments of peace and happiness? On mornings, Lizzie tries to either meditate or practice Yoga Nidra or Reiki. Some of the other practices include Qigong, journaling and gratitude lists. “I always feel better and calmer in myself when I find time to do one of these.” she added.

When Lizzie is not busy creating or studying, you can find her running, cycling or swimming with her husband or friends. To slow down, she loves sipping on a cup of rooibos, white or herbal tea. And just recently, her baby boy was born, so she is now enjoying being a mom while at the same time continuing to pursue her passions.  Lizzie lives in Amman, Jordan.

You can find her on Instagram, facebook (sisuholistic) and online at www.sisuholistichealth.com

The purpose of these interview series is to learn about the experience of women entrepreneurs who have decided to give creativity a chance and to inspire other women to do the same. If you’d like to share your story, email me at hello@theelephantsoul.com or at elephantsoulcrafts@gmail.com.